The Landry Hat » Kicker

Has Cowboys Kicker Dan Bailey Lost His Clutch Gene?

Steven Mullenax — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:01:53 +0000

Kicker Dan Bailey missed a 51 yard field goal on Sunday that could have won the game for the Dallas Cowboys over the Baltimore Ravens. In a infamous incident last year, Bailey missed a 49 yard field goal that could have won the game against the Arizona Cardinals after he was “iced” by his own coach, Jason Garrett. Later that season, New York Giant’s head coach Tom Coughlin successfully “iced” a game-tying field goal attempt by Bailey with six seconds left in the game. His second attempt was subsequently blocked by Giant’s all-world defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Sunday’s miss is another incident in a disturbing trend for the young kicker.

October 14, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) misses an otherwise game winning field goal against the Baltimore Ravens at M

There is no question that Bailey is an overall consistent kicker. His numbers bear that out. Bailey’s career stats are 40 of 46 on all field goals (87%) and a perfect 47 of 47 on extra points.

And Bailey has shown glimpses of being clutch. Last season, during the Cowboys’ Week Two match up against the San Fransisco 49ers, Bailey hit two clutch field goals to win the game. A 49 yarder to send the game into overtime and a 19 yarder to end it. The following week, Bailey was the Cowboys’ only offensive weapon hitting a record six field goals, including a game winner with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, to defeat the surging Washington Redskins, 18 – 16. He’d beat the Redskins again later that year with a 39 yard field goal in overtime. Finally, Bailey hit the game winning 29 yard field goal with no time remaining to win the Thanksgiving game against the Miami Dolphins, 20-19.

All of these game winning events have one thing in common: They all happened before the “icing” incident in Arizona. Since then, Bailey has missed every field goal opportunity when the game hangs in the balance late in the fourth quarter. Those games include the infamous Cardinals game, last year’s first match-up with the Giants, and last Sunday’s lost to the Ravens. I agree that it is a small sample size, but it is also a disturbing trend. And one that has to do with the kicker’s mentality more then his ability. So did Jason Garrett’s blunder inadvertently mentally-handcuff his star kicker?

Although Bailey’s record this season is perfect outside of the Raven’s missed field goal, questions will be surrounding the second year kicker’s clutch gene until he proves himself again. But in Dallas, that is the life of any kicker. You are only as good as your last made field goal.

But what do you think? Please participate in the poll below and leave a comment.

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Dan Bailey: Undrafted Free Agent to Unsung Cowboys Hero

Tonni Shook — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:36 +0000

In Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, with 14 seconds left on the clock, the Washington Redskins tied the game in regulation, 24 to 24. I knew at that moment what would happen next. Having watched Dan Bailey kick for my beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys, it was very obvious what would soon occur. Bailey would, once again, come in to save the Cowboys. He successfully kicked the game-winning 39-yard field goal in overtime. His teammates surrounded him in celebration.

Less than four months ago not too many people outside the state of Oklahoma knew this young kicker. Let me take you back a few years for a bit of history. Not many people know that Bailey started out on an 8-man football team at Southwest Covenant High School. After graduating high school, he went to Fayetteville, AR, where he was a walk-on for the Razorbacks. When that did not work out, he headed to Stillwater, OK. His records at OSU proved that he would one day be worthy of an NFL paycheck. He had made 24-of-28 field goals and 65-of-66 extra points at his alma mater. He earned the Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in 2010. (more…)

Is It Time For David Buehler To Go?

Josh Sanchez — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:10:58 +0000

At his USC Pro Day, kicker David Buehler showed that he is a beast when it comes to the bench press and 40-yard dash. Unfortunately, he showed no real kicking skill and it has become more evident than ever that he is not suited to be a NFL kicker. So the question now is, how many kicks does David Buehler have to miss before he gets the axe?

On the season, David Buehler has missed 7 field goal attempts and two extra points — there is no excuse for missing two extra points. Buehler has also seen his number of touchbacks go back from 29 to 21.

The kicker has missed way too many big kicks that have cost the Dallas Cowboys this season and his inconsistency is enough to drive a man mad. I am done with Buehler and I am sure that 9 out of 10 fans are.

Will Jerry bring in a functional kicker in 2011? Should Buehler stay on as a kickoff specialist? Sound off, Cowboy Nation!