Latest NFL cut is a reminder of Cowboys' spot-on decision
Former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, further confirming that the front office aced their decision-making surrounding the kicker position. Following a couple of playoff games where he mightily struggled to make extra points, the Cowboys appeared convinced to move on during the entire 2023 offseason. So […]
Former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, further confirming that the front office aced their decision-making surrounding the kicker position.
Following a couple of playoff games where he mightily struggled to make extra points, the Cowboys appeared convinced to move on during the entire 2023 offseason. So much so that Maher was never re-signed to the team. Instead, the Cowboys tried their luck with Tristan Vizcaino and unproven USFL standout Brandon Aubrey.
Ultimately, they went with the latter. They haven't looked back since thanks to the first-year NFL player.
Aubrey has been lights out for the Cowboys over the first seven weeks of the season. He's one of five kickers in the league to have made 100% of his field goal attempts, going a clean 16-for-16, per Pro Football Reference. Although he's only gotten two attempts at field goals of 50+ yards, he nailed the two of them with a long 55 yards.
Aubrey is off to such a hot start that he keeps popping up on the game notes every single week as he chases league history. After two field goals against the L.A. Chargers, he became the sixth kicker in league history to start his career 16-for-16 or better.
On top of it all, one of the biggest arguments to re-sign Maher was his ability to keep gaining touchback after touchback in kickoffs. Aubrey has delivered there as his 97.2% touchback rate ranks fifth in the league.
As for Maher, who leads the NFL in field goal attempts this season (23), he ranks 29th in made field goal rate. He particularly struggled in long-range field goals, going 3-for-7 in attempts of 50 yards or longer.
While we can criticize the Cowboys for the way they're handling many of their assignments (like their stubborn view of the trade deadline), you gotta give them credit where credit is due. As somebody who called for Maher's re-signing time and time again, it's my turn to eat crow and say: They nailed it.
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