Cut Buehler! Are you insane?

by stegosaurus! on Sep 16, 2011 5:49 PM CDT

Listen, I'll come right out and admit I am a David Buehler apologist. I am enamored with his leg strength, his athleticism, and his attitude. Buehler isn't fragile in mind or body. He has his flaws, but I think his potential needs to continue to be explored.

Before I continue the love fest, let's Tarantino this thing:

Okay, it is April 2009, the 'Boys draft K. David Buehler. Are you kidding me? We have Nick Folk (I loved me some Folk; especially after the Buffalo win.) I'm pretty upset. Our draft is full of 11 nobodies and an unnecessary kicker. Come on, two kickers? Seriously? I was not happy, but what could I do?

Now just so everyone knows, I do not believe we should have cut Folk; he should have went to IR. Regardless, I fell in love with Buehler that first game. Watching all those touchbacks. Looking at a kicker, the size of a LB, running to the ball and then through the kick and down the field to make a tackle. Even then I thought, "hell, he should get a shot at the FG job with that leg."

Fast forward a little bit: Folk is a Jet and Buehler is missing 25% of his kicks. UGH. Here's where the real point of this post comes, everyone was calling for his head; they still are. Doesn't that sound familiar? To me it does. Everybody was calling for Folks head too, and Billy Cundiff before that. Wouldn't you like to have stayed the course back then? I know I would have. We have, for too long, been impatient with kickers; we cut them only to see them thrive for years somewhere else. You always hear "kickers are a dime a dozen" and they are, the mediocre ones at least. A mediocre kicker is precisely what we get when we can't stick through great kickers' slumps.

In my opinion, Buehler has the most potential of any kicker we have seen. Ever. Watching Janikowski tie the FG record last week made me want to type my thoughts out on BTB for the first time. We have a kicker that, if given the time, could not only get in that 3-way that is the 63 yd FG record, but break it. A 75% kicker really isn't that bad, and an 80% is pretty decent. With a little more work, I have no doubt Buehler could become 80%+.

Everyone needs to just calm down. Don't get annoyed by the "wasted" roster spot and let this try to work itself out. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results; so don't be insane. Don't call for Buehler's head. Don't get down on him...not just yet. Stick it out and remember this:

Our kicker not only kicks it deep, he reminds returners they need to take a knee.

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The Jets starting field position was their own 18.

I think we’re going to use Buehler like a punter this year – some of his kicks were abnormally high I thought, and we had guys around the 10 by the time the returner caught the ball.

I think the coaching staff still sees a field position benefit with Buehler

by foyesboys on Sep 16, 2011 6:01 PM CDT reply actions

Also, I don’t think that it’s all field position benefit that is keeping Buehler here. I honestly believe that they do not want to make the same mistake they made with Folk (cut him too early). They drafted this guy. They know he can do it. He just needs a little more attention from Boniol. I mean when you think about it He was basically a freshman college kicker last year, because it was his first time truly handling FGs. Even in college he never got any coaching and he wasnt great because of it. he didnt get any real practice until last offseason. with that tiny bit of coaching I think he did ok. we will see next year i guess

by stegosaurus! on Sep 16, 2011 6:21 PM CDT reply actions

difference with folk to david is folk wa already a solid kicker , davids still learning.

woman !, dont try to understand em, dont try to make them understand you, for they are a breed apart ! lol

by demonbane on Sep 16, 2011 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions

agree

that’s why i think buehler should stay and bailey don’t

by ratware on Sep 16, 2011 6:22 PM CDT reply actions

Ratware you shoulda made your name wareliff ha

by stegosaurus! on Sep 16, 2011 6:38 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Buehler stays

Your reminder point’s always been icing on the cake for me. How many kicker’s get said about them what he does in comparable circumstances? Not many.

Stay. the. course.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Sep 16, 2011 7:07 PM CDT reply actions

Same here. I would like him regardless but I just love that icing (that’s what she said). I have been thinking about writing this post since training camp began but im lazy. Seeing him stand over cromartie like that putting him in his place (knees down in the endzone) and then janikowski tying the record pushed me over the edge

by stegosaurus! on Sep 16, 2011 7:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

skeptical

I’m not convinced by the argument that we’ve been too impatient with past kickers so we all we need to do is be patient with this one. Sure, some young kickers are worth being patient for, but you still need the right one. To my untrained eye, Buehler shows less potential than Cundiff did and far less than Folk. He’s not just inconsistent, he’s been wildly inconsistent, i.e. missing extra points. I’d much rather use the “stay patient” argument with Bailey, a guy who has done it before in a big-time level.

But Buehler’s still on the roster, so it appears that the Cowboys agree with you.

by greatwhitenorth on Sep 16, 2011 8:20 PM CDT reply actions

Im not talking potential in being the most accurate fg kicker here… im talking entire package… a beast a freak leg and all. All the stuff you cannot teach. I do understand its not the same and I would have rather just been patient with them in the first place. That’s the point I don’t want to keep doing this. If he can’t win the job at some point this year or training camp next boot him but give that potential more than one year

by stegosaurus! on Sep 16, 2011 8:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I want the most accurate fg kicker. I don’t care about the “entire package” stuff. If the man can’t make at least the league average percentage for FGs, then he’s not doing his job and helping his team, no matter how fast he can run or how hard he hits. You really think returners are intimidated by a kicker? Even Buehler is still the weakest guy on the kickoff team. And while field position is important, the only reason it matters is because good field position should lead to points. If you miss field goals, you’re not getting those points AND losing field position at the same time.

by greatwhitenorth on Sep 17, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I would love to have the most accurate kicker in the nfl but
I SD does. Listen all I am saying is I don’t get why everyone wants bailey over Buehler. Bailey has zero upside. He has barely been better % wise. And he is worthless for kickoffs. At his best he can get a line drive 4 yards deep… that translates to about the 30… no thanks. Buehler needs more coaching and if that can’t fix his problems cut him. Just give him another chance because with all the kickers we have brought in none made him obsolete.

by stegosaurus! on Sep 17, 2011 10:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Bailey has no upside? The guy has been award-winningly accurate at the college level. He might need to improve leg strength, but don’t you think that’s easier to improve, with an NFL weight-training program, than accuracy? Bailey is much closer to Cundiff or Folk at this stage in his career than Buehler has ever been, in my opinion.

I just don’t think athleticism = upside at the kicker position. And since this is Buehler’s third year with NFL coaching, apparently with one of the best ST coaches in the league, I’m not sure how much more improvement good coaching can get from him.

by greatwhitenorth on Sep 17, 2011 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Even Buehler is still the weakest guy on the kickoff team.

I highly doubt this he works out with the lineman for crying out loud!

Roger: Hey, with this mortar launcher, we can get back at the kid who went all Tom Sizemore on your eye!
Steve: Oh, I wish I could get back at him. I'm gonna dress up as a girl and get him to have sex with me and then say "Ha! I'm not a girl! You just had sex with a boy that hates you!"
Roger: Yes, let's leave that plan between you, me, and the string of therapists who won't be able to help you.
American Dad

by Cowboys_Attack on Sep 17, 2011 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

true, I don’t know the actual numbers there. The point was that on kickoffs there is an entire coverage unit of crazed athletes trying to tear returner’s heads off. Do you really think returners are intimidated by Buehler to the point that it affects their decisions? I don’t.

by greatwhitenorth on Sep 18, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I can agree with that

but maybe they should be he is by far the toughest kicker out there save maybe janikowski(however you spell it) he might eat ya! My point was just that he isnt the weakest out there he’s really much stronger then most give him credit for thats all.

by Cowboys_Attack on Sep 18, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Along those lines..

How many of our ex-kickers are employed by other teams? Seems like I was watching a game Sunday that had 2 but I’m a little foggy on which game.

I started out with nothing and still have most of it left

by Benthere on Sep 16, 2011 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Fantasy Points

I have a bit of a man crush on Buehler. If I could just convince my fantasy league comish to give points for tackles by a kicker, I could dominate with Buehelr!! Last year I got a kick out of tracking his tackles, although for a while they outnumbered his field goals. I agree that he can do this, although I am not real interested in losing because of missed extra points. We need to pick a kicker, we are running out of WRs and CBs.

by dscottram on Sep 16, 2011 10:28 PM CDT reply actions

Is it too far fetched to just covert Buehler to safety?

Crazy talk maybe? He did outrun that CB in training back a few years back plus he had the body of a LB.

Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys

Twitter: @silva918

by Antonio S on Sep 16, 2011 10:41 PM CDT reply actions

played some S and RB in college

Chia knows more about it but I remeber I had that same idea and would love to see him out there as something more use him everywhere, FB, S, LB, and K. Why not let him loose and see what happens?

by Cowboys_Attack on Sep 16, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with this

We need depth in so many places…ILB,Safety, FB….IF he could play those positions, that would definitely not be a “wasted roster spot”

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.

by I am Ironman!!! on Sep 17, 2011 5:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Gotta Love That Photo

Truly a “Kodak Moment”. A kicker with coverage skills & attitude is rare indeed.
Buehler is fun to watch. If accuracy improves he would be a real weapon.

Red Rules

by 1Bullseye on Sep 17, 2011 4:08 AM CDT reply actions

Haha it’s not a picture… I actually took the time screen shot that still from the game… cause I loved it

by stegosaurus! on Sep 17, 2011 6:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Didn't even read it.

Waste of a roster spot. Cut him.

"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel

by TXHC on Sep 17, 2011 7:29 AM CDT reply actions

HAving a kicker who can make tackles is like having a wide receiver who is a great blocker. Nice to have, but not the top priority

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

by Seanrude on Sep 17, 2011 8:05 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

The point isn’t that he can make tackles. That is just gravy; I just wanted to point out we have a kicker with potential and we shouldn’t cut him just yet.

by stegosaurus! on Sep 17, 2011 8:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd like a kicker where every kick less than 35 yards (including extra points) is not an adventure. It is great if your kicker is making tackles, although that usually means your kick coverage sucks

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

by Seanrude on Sep 17, 2011 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Again, this wasn’t about that. I do agree that he needs more coaching and if by the end of this year isn’t solid from 40the in then cut him. All I am saying is give him more time because he is basically a beginner at rbs. They didn’t even give him practice reps his first year. If you give him more the time wr could have a kicker where anything under 50 is a gimme and that can get a touchback on command. That is special

by stegosaurus! on Sep 17, 2011 10:20 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

So in other words, you are hoping that Beuhler becomes a decent FG kicker so that he does not get cut?

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

by Seanrude on Sep 17, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Spoiler alert:

Not going to happen.

"The Angels are like the villain in the movie that isn't dead until he's been stabbed 150 times in the bath tub, yet he still might come back up one more time." - Eric Nadel

by TXHC on Sep 17, 2011 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Fgs not rbs… stupid auto correct

by stegosaurus! on Sep 17, 2011 10:21 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

He's a special teams player

but not a FG kicker…he wasn’t a very accurate kicker in college either. Far too often strong legs are the most accurate legs…only a few are both. He reminds me of Daluiso who we had several years back. He was a kick-off specialist and long FG attempt guy but didn’t last in the leage. Buehler has the advantage that he can cover kicks (punts and KO) due to his athleticism. If not for this last point, he’d already have been cut.

I’d say that his strong leg and athleticism are great but he’s more likely to become a good punter to sustain his roster spot than he is to become an accurate FG kicker. With him as kicker we will either be carrying a placekicker for FGs or expect sub 80% FG conversion.

by Kansas Cowboy on Sep 17, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

2nd sentence correction

should be “Far too often strong legs are NOT the most accurate legs”

by Kansas Cowboy on Sep 17, 2011 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

On a side note

saving 6 is better than missing 3

by Dezstroyer88 on Sep 17, 2011 11:53 PM CDT reply actions

On a side note the side note

if your kicker is consistently making tackles on kickoff returns, your kickoff coverage sucks.

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

by Seanrude on Sep 18, 2011 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Buehler

is more often in a situation where he needs to nail a FG then save a TD. Think back to the preseason games if you miss a 35-40 yard field goal in a game you just gave the opponent good field position.

The Garrett Guillotine demands more blood!
by Blue Eyed Devil on Sep 5, 2011 3:30 PM PDT

If you're going to eat poison, you might as well lick the plate.

by Final Frame on Sep 18, 2011 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions