Cowboys' John Fassel deserves some credit he isn't getting
Do you know who deserves some credit he doesn't seem to be getting? Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel. He also seems to not be able to catch a break per the latest news. His unit ranks sixth on special teams efficiency per DVOA, a massive achievement for a unit that's had a high […]
Do you know who deserves some credit he doesn't seem to be getting? Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel. He also seems to not be able to catch a break per the latest news.
His unit ranks sixth on special teams efficiency per DVOA, a massive achievement for a unit that's had a high personnel turnover this year. First and foremost, there are the offseason losses, with the Cowboys having to replace their kicker, and special teams aces Luke Gifford (#1 in special teams snaps in 2022) and Kelvin Joseph (#3) entering the year.
Additionally, the other two players rounding out last year's Top 4 specialists per snap count are currently on Injured Reserve: C.J. Goodwin and Peyton Hendershot. Both of them had been named captains for one game earlier in the year.
Instead, Fassel has had to turn to Juanyeh Thomas, Hunter Luepke, Jalen Tolbert, and Sam Williams as his top guys. His brand-new kicker is also a perfect 18-of-18 on field goals to start his career. And he's in constant "adjustment mode." He's even had Williams, a 261-pound defensive end, playing gunner!
Take last week for example, the Cowboys signed TE Eric Saubert to the practice squad and immediately elevated him for gameday against the Los Angeles Rams. He ended the day with a 47% snap count, mostly with the kick/punt return units.
Well, many fans might not have noticed as it was reported late on Tuesday, but Saubert is no longer a Cowboy. Instead, he was poached by the in-state "rival" Houston Texans. Fassel is probably not too excited with the news after seemingly having found something in Saubert. That's another change he'll have to adjust for. Based on what he's done, he surely will not miss a step.
By the way, his spot in the practice squad was immediately filled with a familiar face as the Cowboys signed interior offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley, the team announced. He spent 2022 with the Cowboys as a practice squad member and was active for four games.
