Poll: Stay Or Go - Mat McBriar

by Dave Halprin on Feb 18, 2012 10:30 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys 2012 Free Agents

With free agency coming just around the corner, it's time to start looking at our own free agents. We'll start with punter Mat McBriar.

The Good: McBriar was an elite punter for the Dallas Cowboys for years. In 2006 and 2010 McBriar represented the Cowboys in the Pro Bowl. Through the years he's lead the league, or been at the top of the league-leaders, in various punting categories. McBriar is equally good at booming a punt, or nailing an opponent deep in their own territory with precision punts. In normal circumstances, there would be little debate about the Cowboys re-signing him. But...

The Bad: McBriar suffered an injury that is referred to as drop foot. This was caused by a cyst in his left leg and kept him from finishing out the season. Reports vary on how it will affect his career going forward. He recently completed surgery at the Mayo Clinic, and they gave him a clean bill of health.

So the question is, do you re-sign McBriar counting on him being, and staying, fully recovered? Or do you move on and find a new guy? What say you, BTB community?

Poll

Should the Cowboys re-sign Mat McBriar?

Yes, he deserves to come back and will be healthy

882 votes

No, time to move on and not risk a singing based on health issues

274 votes

1156 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 30 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Only if we draft Brad Wing.

"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 Feb 18, 2012 10:53 PM CST reply actions

Agree, keep it in the Australian family....

Wing’s Dad was a good punter too, I played with him in Oz. He tried out for the Lions at one point – but no college history (or proper coaching) so didn’t make it. Great natural talent though.

Aussie kids grow up punting a ball as its a big part of Aussie rules – so they develop the skill early.

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on Feb 20, 2012 3:26 AM CST up reply actions

Or we could keep it in the converted linebacker family.....

BGSU’s Brian Schmiedebusch.

In the 17 seasons from 1966-1982, the Cowboys went at least to the conference championship game 14 times. In the 16 seasons from 1996-2011, the Cowboys have won 2 wild card games.

by fs65 on Feb 20, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

Option C

Keep McBriar, bring in another. Best man wins in training camp. If McB can’t go in TC, he’s not the best man. Hate the thought of starting the season with anyone else, but mustn’t let loyalty stand in the way of fielding the best team.

by Silverblue on Feb 18, 2012 11:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

+1

He's good, but he's no Danny White!

by Shaymer on Feb 19, 2012 9:17 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

totally agree

by g8tgod on Feb 19, 2012 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

Fun flashback

Off topic but found this and had to share.
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2008/4/17/05414/3486

No, Jerry no. Let Spencer go.

by intheclutch on Feb 18, 2012 11:05 PM CST reply actions

And how are we supposed to know if McBriar is worth keeping? Send him through a workout and find out. Good thing about punters is they are pretty easy to evaluate.

by intheclutch on Feb 18, 2012 11:07 PM CST up reply actions

Too Expensive

McBriar is going to command close to $2M per year. He may come back healthy, but he’s going to be overpriced for a punter. I like what Chris Jones was doing last year. Bring him back and maybe bring in some UDFA competition. Save money at P and spend it somewhere else.

by inwittenitrust on Feb 18, 2012 11:24 PM CST reply actions

+1

by sgitr on Feb 18, 2012 11:27 PM CST up reply actions

Excatly what I thought.

by Rufiou on Feb 19, 2012 3:04 AM CST up reply actions

+2

Save some $s, plus Jones kicking lefty has that different spin whichll cause trouble for return guys; see week 17.

by DB23 on Feb 19, 2012 7:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Wait a minute...

wouldn’t coming off a rare condition actually keep his price down and wouldn’t a low-risk performance contract be more likely? There aren’t a lot of blueprints for atheletes rehabbing from something like this.

If another team rolls the dice and overpays, naturally you’d let him walk. I think the circumstances make retaining him on a low-year, lower cost basis more likely.

I may be dumb, but I'm slow.

by Cowtoys on Feb 19, 2012 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

+1

"I'm your huckleberry."

by bloodyhanded on Feb 19, 2012 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

Money...

If we can get him at the right price, keep him. If not, move on and find another.

by REAP IT on Feb 19, 2012 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

+$

all about the cap space

He who laughs last, thinks slowest
The Weather is here, I wish you were beautiful"
Indecision, may or may not be my problem

by BigBad Joe on Feb 20, 2012 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

Hard call. What he brings to the table is very valuable. But if he isn't 100% back I would look for a new P.

by Rena on Feb 19, 2012 6:16 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Compete in camp

that is the fair way. He deserves a chance to make the team again if he can punt as he did before. If not we move on.

It is the right thing to do from several points of view

Loyalty for one
He has been very good and is very experienced for another
so he deserves a chance

by burmafrd1944 on Feb 19, 2012 7:45 AM CST reply actions

i dont know the details of Chris Jones contract, but i believe he signed for 3 years, so 2 yrs left

id assumehe will cost about half what mcbriar cost. so letting mcbriar walk saves about a million. downside mcbriar is a MAJOR weapon when healthy.

Jones did well when he took over for Mcbriar.
depends if using 1/10th of your cap on a punter is worth it?

finish the Oline rebuild

by yehti on Feb 19, 2012 8:52 AM CST via mobile reply actions

and itll suck if he is healthy and signs with a East team

finish the Oline rebuild

by yehti on Feb 19, 2012 8:53 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

The cost for the risk suggests, "Nope"

It’s nice to keep your guys, and It’d be tough to lose him, but I think the Boys have much bigger issues than punter.
PLUS, seeing him on the field in a Giants or Philly Egos uni all the time wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

He's good, but he's no Danny White!

by Shaymer on Feb 19, 2012 9:25 AM CST via mobile reply actions

if he is healthy

keep him

by burmafrd1944 on Feb 19, 2012 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

I absoulutely give him the benefit of the doubt...

If the surgery for his drop foot was successful, then he should be good to go. More will be known in the coming months, and who else out there will be a better option at the same price tag? I have seen bringing Weatherford to Dallas posts, and yes, Weatherford is a good punter, and the Giants likely can’t afford to keep him, but a healthy McBriar is about as good as it gets with regards to a Punter for this team. Shaymer, the need would be glaring without him (or a player of similar ability) when healthy. Having the ability to dictate field position to the opponent with a great punter is a big part of a team’s success. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of dictating field position to a team’s success.

by jsrdc on Feb 19, 2012 11:00 AM CST reply actions

either way i'm happy

foot drop can be an indicator of a bunch of nasty diseases (lou gehrig’s, ms), and it looks like mcbriar dodged a bullet here, since it (hopefully) turned out to be a cyst. regardless if he doesn’t come back and play in the nfl, it’s good news.

by billstickers on Feb 19, 2012 2:14 PM CST reply actions

if he's shows he's at least 75% he'll command top punter money

not sure if Dallas is willing to invest a cap hold like that on him. If he’s healthy keep him if not and he doesnt take a marginal paycut then it was a great tenure you sly Aussie

The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists

Use em and throw em away, see a pro a day is essential. If you want a piece of the rock, trick, go to Prudential

by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Feb 19, 2012 3:11 PM CST reply actions

I guess it depends on how healthy he really is

I’m no medical expert, so I’ll have to trust the staff. If he’s healthy, then yes, bring him back. Maybe we can get Brad Wing in a couple of years.

"How 'Bout them Cowboys!"---Jimmy Johnson

"...and the Cowboys...STUN the Bills!"--ESPN MNF

by ScottB1985 on Feb 19, 2012 10:22 PM CST reply actions

If healthy you gotta bring him back

The Aussie when healthy is one of the best if not the best punter in the game

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 20, 2012 7:29 AM CST reply actions

If its at a reasonable price. Defn incentive based contract.

Let him compete in training camp and take the best man.

"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo

by thebigham on Feb 20, 2012 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

Chris Jones

I say lets give Chris Jones a fair chance for competition between him & Mc Briar. Let the best punter stay. Regardless of money or length of time with Dallas. Then we still win!

by TDTEXAS on Feb 20, 2012 2:44 PM CST reply actions

Buehler K

Time for him to go and save that spot for another position of need on this team. We don’t need an extra backup for kicker. Bailey deserves the job outright.

by TDTEXAS on Feb 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST reply actions