3 most disappointing Cowboys players from the 2021 season
1. Greg Zuerlein (K)
In a season where the Cowboys didn’t win the Super Bowl or go far in the playoffs, many pieces contributed to the early exit. As a result, players like Amari Cooper were in contention for the final spot. The former Alabama product had just 68 catches for 865 yards and only had two 100-yard performances.
The combination of Prescott not getting him the ball and Cooper not being involved helped push him out of contention. It was still a disappointing season for him, but not more so than kicker Greg Zuerlein’s campaign.
What a season it was from Zuerlein. More appropriately, what a disastrous season it was for him.
He missed six field goals and six extra points during the season, which ties a career-high for most missed kicks in a season in his career. He also missed 12 kicks during the 2015 season as a part of the then-St. Louis Rams.
Sometimes, fans get caught up in the big-play abilities of certain players. Some fans love wide receiver DeSean Jackson because of his big-play potential (not Cowboys fans, though).
The same can be said about Zuerlein. The kicker whose nicknames are “Greg the Leg” or “Legatron” has the support of thousands because of his strong leg. In his rookie season, he made a career-high seven 50+ yard field goals including a 60-yarder.
But, he really hasn’t been accurate his whole career. In the past three seasons, he has missed a total of 22 field goals and nine extra points. He has only converted on 82.2 percent of his field goal in his career, which ranks 25th amongst active kickers in the league.
Most missed kicks (extra points and field goals) since 2020:
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) January 14, 2022
1. Greg Zuerlein - 22
2. Matt Prater - 19
t3. Michael Badgley - 17
t3. Dustin Hopkins - 17
t5. Ryan Succop - 16
t5. Joey Slye - 16
This season was arguably one of the worst seasons of his career. He missed some big kicks in pivotal games, like three total against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and two against the Las Vegas Raiders. Both were losses by a combined five points.
Believe it or not, Zuerlein missed at least one kick (field goal or extra point) in three of Dallas’ five regular-season losses.
Zuerlein only hit on 82.9 percent of his field goals (29-for-35), which is right at his career average. As for extra points, he finished with a measly 87.5 percent (42-for-48), a career-low.
The former sixth-round pick hasn’t been as accurate as Cowboys fans would have liked, especially this season. Missing some sure-handed kicks was quite disappointing and sometimes, like in the Buccaneers game, cost them a win.
