DMN: Buehler who? Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey hits third winning field goal

[Juke99]

Buehler who? Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey hits third winning field goal

ByBrandon George

ARLINGTON - Undrafted rookie kicker Dan Bailey continues to be one of the big reasons why the Cowboys are in first place in the NFC East.

For the third time this season, Bailey made a game-winning field goal for the Cowboys. Just four days earlier, Bailey made a 39-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 27-24 win at Washington. On Thursday, Bailey's 28-yard field goal as time expired gave the Cowboys a 20-19 win over Miami.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/11/cowboys-kicker-dan-bailey-cont.html

[Eddie]

Amazing what a difference having a real kicker is. How many of these W's would be L's if we trotted out some of our old BS kickers???

How many games were decided by a missed FG over the past 10 years?

[Shotgun Dave]

So...why is Buehler still here then?

[Phrozen Phil]

I do note that Buehler was out there, giving Bailey some major love. I'm not sure what JJ has planned for the future kicking game, but Bailey has been Mr consistency. A lot of us felt the same about Nick Folk until his game went south. Hard to tell with kickers. Just ask Hos.;)

[viman96]

Baily has 4 game winning FGs not 3.

49ers: Overtime FG
Wash: 1:47 left in 4th to take lead
Wash: Overtime FG
Miami: Last second FG

[jimnabby]

Unbelievable. Bailey's performance on field goals has nothing to do with the decision to keep Buehler around. A lousy kickoff by Bailey led to 3 Miami points at the end of the half - get a touchback there and those points don't happen.

With our kickoff coverage playing well earlier in the season, I figured Buehler was clearly not worth the roster spot. The way the coverage is playing now, though, I think we may miss him.

[Reality]

How many games were decided by a missed FG over the past 10 years?

Actually that number wouldn't even begin to show the true value of having a dependable kicker. In recent years, we would have gone for it on 4th down unless the kick was around 30 yards or less to avoid having to depend on a kicker.

#reality

[fgoodwin]

Baily has 4 game winning FGs not 3.

49ers: Overtime FG
Wash: 1:47 left in 4th to take lead
Wash: Overtime FG
Miami: Last second FG
Correct -- I shake my head at the quality of reporting at the DMN these days, or maybe I should say the lack thereof.