The Kicking Situation - 4th and Long for Kickers?

by TCBinNYC on Jun 23, 2010 9:50 AM CDT

Personally, I have a lot of confidence in the Cowboys this year. I feel pretty good about the Offensive Line. I've reviewed Doug Free's effort at Right Tackle this year and I believe the team when they say he will make a solid Left Tackle. Heck, he's going up againt Ware and Spencer in practice everyday. If that doesnt make you better and expose your weaknesses, I dont know what will. I also think Ball can play FS. He wont make the Pro Bowl, but he can hold down the position for a year or two until we can get a stud in there. If he's the weak link of our Defense, I think we'll be fine.

However, I cannot tell you how worried I am about the Kicker position. I just dont have faith in David Beuhler. If he wasnt even the best kicker on his college team, I dont see him as an elite NFL Kicker. And I certainly dont think Chris Boniol is going to change that. Now we've released his only competition. I see this as a huge problem.

So how about we bring back the Michael Irvin reality show 4th and Long for Kickers? They are not taping a show this season, but this competition makes more sense to me. Seems like there would be a lot of untapped potential for kickers. Open it up for potential kickers all around the world. Bring in soccer players, and rugby guys and whatever else they can find under any rock possible. The next Vinatieri or Stenarud is out there just waiting to be discovered.

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no one would want to watch the show

Ks not quite as exciting as WRs and DBs lol

by scottmaui on Jun 23, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions

This is true

But TC’s right, we WOULD stand a better chance of actually filling a roster spot via TV show with Kicker than we ever did with WR

God Bless Texas

by dwarfknight64 on Jun 23, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Love it!

You could have a bunch of the French Soccer team competing and arguing with Boniol.

That would make for some good reality TV.

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Jun 23, 2010 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

I guarantee you that any kicker selected for that show

would not be half as good as Buehler, wouldn’t even be close.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2010 2:22 PM CDT reply actions

Beuhler wasnt even the best kicker on his college team

Worst case scenario just get the guy from USC who was better than him. At this point, Beuhler is just a guy. There’s got to be hundreds of guys better than him.

Terry – At times I really appreciate your blind worship of the Cowboys and every move they make. But at other times, it just seems clueless.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 23, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing about College...

There really is no urge to develop further abilities on player that already excel at something. You just have to look at the many examples at QB, the most complicated position… If the prospect is good at something, and can exploit the competition, his team won’t develop the guy any further.

In the NFL the money and game of numbers (53-man roster) involved makes it a completely different case. If a Coach sees that he can develop further abilities a player, they will. And that’s what Mr. Robotto has said so far, he said that he could develop Beuhler, a guy that made almost 80% of his FG attempts in his few opportunities in College.

Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jun 23, 2010 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

so I guess you're calling the Cowboys front office clueless as well?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

The Cowboys fron office traded for Roy williams

…and drafted a guy you thought was risky in Dez Bryant.

You can’t have it both ways, buddy boy.

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Jun 23, 2010 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh Yes He Can, Just You Watch!

up is down, circles are squares, left is right, and no coach can ever, in the history of professional football, ever called a bad play

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/

by Seanrude on Jun 23, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

In the NFL it isn't a matter of being right 100% of the time...

Come to me with a Franchise that’s right in 100% of their moves and I’ll show you were you’re wrong.

In the NFL it’s a matter of being right more times than wrong, and the Cowboys stand in there, and it doesn’t matter how negative you aspire to be, you can’t make a case of them being on the wrong side.

Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jun 23, 2010 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

Semper Fi Do or Die

Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 23, 2010 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually, they look a lot better recently

…but I would have called them clueless in the Jerry, Larry (Lacewell) and Dave (Campo) era.

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Jun 25, 2010 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

You’re being positive…

o_O

….

Well done, my friend… I guess that you’re having a nice day… Another day in the runways with a certain Israel model?

Arnold, almost 5 years of good memories, you'll be missed.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jun 25, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Parcells taught Jerry a lot

and Ciskowski is worlds better than lacewell who was an awful scout.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 28, 2010 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Finally!!

5Blings, there is hope for you yet young man.

Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Felix Jones = defensive coordinator's Kobayashi Maru scenario

by APerfectStar on Jul 2, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Just a guy?

Who pins them inside the 20 consistently and we haven’t seen kick a FG since college where he was like 80%? I wouldn’t say “just a guy” sorry.

Semper Fi Do or Die

Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 23, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Apples and Oranges, Jeremiah

I’m talking about him as a FG kicker. You’re talking about him as a Kickoff Specialist. Last year the Cowboys thought so little of him as a FG kicker that he said he rarely even practiced it.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 24, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

No I'm thinking of him OVERALL.

If he can put it through the uprights, and I’m not suggesting on an elite level, this year I’ll be stoked. I like pinning people inside the 20. Especially when we have dangerous return men in our division. He was drafted as a KOS. They used a roster spot knowing that was his role. You’re right he didn’t kick FG’s. Why would he? We didn’t know Folk would do what he did. Buehler needed time to readjust to kicking FG’s.So they didn’t throw that on him in the season, they did patch work and moved on. Think about it like this: What do you think was Folk’s problem? I think it was mental after he injured himself. Shanked a couple kicks started thinking to much. Buehler just starting in the league and hasn’t kicked any FG’s for awhile. Do you throw him in under all that pressure, let him shank it til you replace him, and then expect him to ever gain confidence at it? No. They played it smart. With Folk gone they only wanted to use one roster spot. They did the right thing keeping Beuhler away from FG’s and getting him a kicking coach in the offseason.

Semper Fi Do or Die

Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 24, 2010 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

I think Folk maybe started kicking again too soon before he was fully 100% and I think he had to overcompensate for it in his kicks…When he couldn’t get it right, it became mental, so even once he WAS fully 100%—if he was—it was still so screwed in his head he just couldn’t get it right.

Which comes back to Buehler, Folk was such a basket case last year kicking blaming everyone under the sun, that they couldn’t possibly all of the sudden just go “Hey Nick, yeah…we are gonna have David start kicking FGs in practice too, don’t worry ’bout it. Just having some fun!” Teams SHOULD be able to do that with kickers, but unless you have a guy with ice water in his veins like a Vinatieri, it seems like it will just make situations worse.

by JLMax09 on Jun 24, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not saying Dallas mishandled the situation at all

I think they did the right thing. I’m just very, very concerned that Beuhler will not be the answer at kicker. It worries me that he wasnt an elite college kicker. It worries me that a college program didnt think he was good enough to be their primary kicker. I understand he kicks a football for a living, but certainly booting it deep and aiming it at a target are different skills. Trying to teach someone to do this at the highest level doenst seem like an easy task. And starting with a guy who is not already special at it, even tougher.

Personally, I feel Jerry was so burned by Vanderjerk that he doesnt want to spend money on a kicker again, and I think that’s a mistake. As much as I hate it, Field Goal kicking is a big part of football. I’m just not sure Jerry understands this.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 24, 2010 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Yup, I agree and am concerned too

I posted a link a while back about Ryan Longwell talking about the difference between KOS and a K and the difference in approach it takes…made the analogy of a baseball swing to golf swing, which I thought was pretty fair.

I remember Kaeding getting drafted,(myself being from Iowa—it was a big deal back home) he’s been pretty reliable, but he has missed a few big, clutch kicks. Also Nugent has been a bust, as well as a few other kickers from the Big 10.
Kicking just seems to be a crapshoot because here is how I look at it:
What postion can you have two midgets(Gramatica brothers), a ‘drunk, idiot kicker’(Vanderjagt), a couple 43 year old(Andersen/Anderson), and a guy who ‘accidentially’ took roofies(Janikowski) be successful in the NFL? Only kicker lol The position is just so screwed up. I would sell a kidney for an Akers/Vinatieri in their prime.

Your thoughts on Jerry seem to be pretty accurate at this point. I also think that he wants to find a good young solid kicker to be around for many years, not on the downside of his carerr, ala Shayne Graham.

by JLMax09 on Jun 24, 2010 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

A kidney is only worth $50,000 on the Black Market.

You might need a bit more. Hahah. Anyways Jerry THOUGHT he had his K in Folk, but we all saw where that went and now we are in scramble mode. You know Jerry has issues admitting fault and is a seriously loyal almost to a fault with people he goes after. We spent a pick on a KOS, and Jerry wants to prove it wasn’t foolish.

Semper Fi Do or Die

Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 24, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Damn, only 50k? I may need other people's kidneys as well then..lol

Give DB a bit to try out as the K, and if it fails, Stover.

by JLMax09 on Jun 24, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll chip in. It's the liver I have to keep!

Semper Fi Do or Die

Projected 2010 Record: 12-4. You heard it here first

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 24, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Tom Brady wasn't an eilte college qb either

but I don’t think he turned out too bad as a pro, agree?

Not all good players are all americans in college, gotta give the kid a shot at proving himself.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Sure, but he was a once in a lifetime find

Many consider him the biggest draft day find (6th round) in the history of the NFL. Obviously, I hope Beuhler becomes the greatest kicker the NFL has ever seen, but its not likely.

Even you have to admit that going from 2nd string Kicker in college to good Kicker in the NFL is a pretty long shot.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 24, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

no, I don't agree with that at all

Brady is just the most obvious example but they’re are plenty of college players that are average to mediocre but blossom late and turn out to be very good NFL players.

And it wasn’t like Buehler was a true 2nd string player, he shared the kicking duties and kicked the longer FGs. Keep in mind he didn’t have a personal kicking coach as well.

It would be the same as a golfer not having a swing coach in college and was just average, but hires a good swing coach and becomes a good PGA player…no difference. The talent is there for him to be a very good kicker, thats what matters at this point.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2010 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

of course you dont, what was i thinking?

Maybe you should try out as the Cowboys FG kicker. Apparently, all you need is a kicking coach, and you could be the next Jan Stenarud.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 24, 2010 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually I do have a kicking background

and already made a few 45 yarders during Texas Stadium tours. Too old now though, would pull too many muscles….I can’t even make it through a softball season without some type of leg injury.

BTW, if you read my comment throughly, you will see where I said you have to be talented…guess you skimmed over that part, huh?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2010 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions

He's talented

Just not an elite college kicking talent. Theoretically speaking, would it not be easier to develop a guy who was at the top of his game in college? Why not start there instead of someone who was a back-up?

BTW, I will save you a spot on 4th and Long Field Goal.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 25, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

not really

I’d always rather sign the guy who is a late bloomer with huge upside over a guy that maxed out his potential and hit his ceiling in college. You think all the really good kickers in the league were elite prospects in college?? Hardly.

Buehler has elite leg strength and there’s no reason why with a good kicking coach he can’t become a very good NFL kicker.

About 10 years or so ago, I would have jumped at the chance. ;)

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 25, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I love how you continually mis-quote me

I never said anything about a player who maxed out his potential in college vs a guy who is raw but has the talent. You are completely changing my scenario to fit your point. And that allows you to disagree with eveything I say, once you’ve changed the meaning.

What are you, and attorney? Oh wait …

by TCBinNYC on Jun 28, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

You are childish, ridiculous and beyond delusional. Also, Romo is awesome, Dez is a shoplifter, and coaches are geniuses

channeling Terry

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/

by Seanrude on Jun 28, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

I guarantee you the flying spaghetti monster loves beans

Squish.

by Squishmytomato on Jun 23, 2010 2:45 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

and the cult grows!

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/

by Seanrude on Jun 23, 2010 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

It would be a better show than half the crap on TV

I’m looking at you “Dance Your Ass Off”

Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Felix Jones = defensive coordinator's Kobayashi Maru scenario

by APerfectStar on Jun 23, 2010 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

+1

I would just like to see Mike yell at a bunch of ‘Idiot Kickers’

by JLMax09 on Jun 23, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I didn't even watch the show at all..

Poor excuse to make money…

"Snarf Snarf"

by Snarf on Jun 24, 2010 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

We all want Beuhler to earn the job

heck why not? saves a roster spot, can still boom the kick offs into the end zone and he`ll have great range. The Cowboy`s are not worried about misses…right now, we have nothing to lose right now. In training camp…nada…preseason…nada but when the games count then they`ll be concerned and if his fg`s talent is not up to snuff we`ll bring in a vet who get`s released maybe the guy who get`s cut fr the Texans or Ravens or Colts as all 3 of those teams have 2 kickers capable of playing in the NFL.

by ziggy19 on Jun 28, 2010 4:41 AM CDT reply actions