News: BTB: Dan Bailey wasn’t automatic for the Cowboys anymore which made his release possible

[NewsBot]

Cowboys shockingly cut Dan Bailey, but maybe it wasn’t so shocking.

The Cowboys adding Dan Bailey’s name to their cuts list sent shock waves all over Cowboys social media. How could the Dallas Cowboys release the second-most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League? Better yet, how could the release the most accurate kicker in the history of the Dallas Cowboys? The answer is because that accuracy that he’s so well-known for took some hits in the last two years:

Dan Bailey's FG% dropped from 93.8% in 2015 (best season) to 84.4% in 2016, then dropped to 75% in 2017. That's a sizable drop & maybe we were less worried about that than the #Cowboys FO #cowboyszone

— ✭Michael Sisemore✭ (@MrSisemore) September 1, 2018​

Since the Cowboys found Dan Bailey back in 2011, he’s had some amazing moments. The many game-winning layups from Tony Romo to Bailey made them both Cowboys legends forever. With that said, those numbers for Dan Bailey over the past two seasons are not very comforting and missing four games last year didn’t help either.

Just a a few years ago, when Dan Bailey lined up to kick the field goals, most fans at the stadium would go to the bathroom. He truly was automatic but you can’t deny that drop in accuracy. These last two seasons really changed everything for him and the Cowboys obviously were much more concerned than we thought. Last year he dealt with a nasty groin injury that he had suffered on a kickoff in San Francisco. Bailey would miss the next four games but was back by Thanksgiving. Though he had returned, it wasn’t the same Dan Bailey that everyone was accustomed to.

In week 14, Bailey missed two field goals and an extra point in New York though the Cowboys still dominated the Giants 30-10. On Christmas Eve, with the Cowboys postseason on the line, he would two field goals against the Seahawks that effectively helped end their season. In the Cowboys meaningless final game, Bailey missed his only field goal attempt and also missed the extra point but the Cowboys hung on 6-0.

Last season, Bailey missed five field goals and two extra points leaving many perplexed as to what exactly was going on with him. Did the Cowboys rush him back too early when he wasn’t healthy? Was he a little overeager to return to the field? All we know is that Dan Bailey hasn’t been the same and a groin injury is likely to do that to a kicker. You can argue that the Cowboys could have been more patient but kicker is the one position that NFL teams are not patient with.

Each of the last two seasons, Bailey’s accuracy has dropped over nine percent and that’s why the Cowboys are cutting him in favor of Brett Maher. Though Maher’s 57-yard field goal in the final preseason game was a surprise, it’s not the driving forced behind Bailey’s release. It’s the fact that the Cowboys are paying Dan Bailey to be an elite kicker he hasn’t been that guy of late.

At training camp in Oxnard, media guys never cared much about covering the special teams drills. This year, everyone in Cowboys media was charting all of his kicks to make sure this wasn’t a bigger issue. Turns out, Bailey missed six field goals in practices and the front office likely started to feel uneasy. Though most folks would shrug at missed kicks in practice, it’s concerning when Bailey’s $22.5 million contract is the highest total value among NFL kickers.

So the Cowboys just released the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history in Dan Bailey to keep Brett Maher. Definitely saves money. Bailey's cap hit in 2018 was $4.2 million. He was owed base salaries of $3.4 million in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

— Brandon George (@DMN_George) September 1, 2018​

This has become a very shrewd front office and they’re not going to pay declining players anymore. Every time Brett Maher misses a kick this season, you can bet Dan Bailey will be mentioned but there is a major difference:

Could the Dan Bailey move be about finances? He was set to make $3.4 million this year. Brett Maher will make $480,000.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 1, 2018​

It still remains to be seen if the Cowboys will do anything with that money that they saved with Bailey’s release but we’ll soon find out. When these types of releases happen in the league, it always becomes much clearer when you follow the money. Maybe something big?

Cowboys save $3.4 million on salary cap by releasing Dan Bailey. His replacement, Brett Maher, who booted a 57 yard FG Thursday and can also punt, will make $480k.

Cowboys only have 8 DBs on their current roster. #EarlThomas

— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) September 1, 2018​

The reality of this situation is that the Cowboys were paying top market value for a kicker that wasn’t top of the line anymore.Dan Bailey was the league’s best in 2015 but took a downturn over the course of two seasons. In 2016, Bailey fell to 17th in the NFL, he followed that up by dropping to 30th last season. Those are all the reasons the Cowboys needed to make this move. When Dan Bailey stopped being automatic, he became expendable but such is life for a kicker in the NFL.

Continue reading...

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Glad to see the present Cowboys front office doing what needs to be done– Jettisoning (when possible) overpaid players who aren't producing to their former level.

Not too long ago, they would have just held their collective noses and kept the player– And their overpriced contract.

 

[Hawkeye19]

It’s life. Someone younger, stronger, and cheaper has come along and can do Bailey’s job better right now.

I will always love Dan, but his decline over the last 2 years is pretty well chronicled

 

[The Quest for Six]

Interesting read, although I'm still shocked Bailey was cut, the numbers don't lie, it's been a steady decline over the last three years for Money Bailey....

 

[Aviano90]

I find this interesting. Prior to yesterday you would get laughed at if you suggested the team move on from Bailey. Even innocent claims of “I’m worried about Bailey” were immediately shut down with assurances that Bailey was fine and there was no need to worry.

And now the team has moved on and suggestions Bailey might not be the same or with the team aren’t instantly dismissed or laughed at? Well, the Cowboys front office culture is shrewd and making the right moves.

Be good fans and suck it up!!!

 

[roy31]

I can’t believe the people crying about this ... as harsh as it sounds... guys he’s a kicker... to me his decline has been obvious for years ... I love everything Bailey used to be but it’s time to move on.

 

[Jipper]

Hate to say it but these types of moves are ones that good teams make....bailey might have made a couple more than the new guy but we will never know....however we do know that we now have 3MM more to work with and a very serviceable option that is a 10th the cost....

Now the question becomes what do the do with the extra space....at the least they need to keep their own guys longer....at best we see some good addition or two

 

[Aviano90]

Tyron Smith and Sean Lee better watch out.

 

[Risen Star]

Operation This Had To Be Done And We All Secretly Knew That has begun.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This has become a very shrewd front office and they’re not going to pay declining players anymore.

This is what everyone has been begging for the last few years. It finally happens and half the board melts down.

 

[Beaker42]

This is what everyone has been begging for the last few years. It finally happens and half the board melts down.

Par for the country any more. No more grey, only black & white. Half happy, half pissed. Welcome to the new reality.

 

[glimmerman]

It’s life. Someone younger, stronger, and cheaper has come along and can do Bailey’s job better right now.

I will always love Dan, but his decline over the last 2 years is pretty well chronicled

Chronicled... I like that word. That is the word of the day for me.

 

[G2]

I'm not aware of the details but I always wonder why the staff doesn't trade players more often. There have been a bunch of players we could have gotten something for IMO.

 

[links18]

Jones boys think getting cute with the kicking position makes them look like geniuses. Hey, remember when Jerry thought having two kickers made you brilliant? Now, its cutting one of the most accurate kickers in league history for a CFL journeyman without public acknowledgment that a competition even existed that makes you look shrewd to your fawning fan base.

 

[Carson]

I'm not aware of the details but I always wonder why the staff doesn't trade players more often. There have been a bunch of players we could have gotten something for IMO.

It’s tough with the timing and cap hit.

Tons of kickers just became available and nobody wants the cap hit sadly

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

More money to get earl thomas with

 

[DCreppinBoysfan]

Another player whose game declined once Dak took over the mantle from Romo...

 

[Aven8]

I'm totally fine with it, but the game thread next Sunday should be fun when Maher clanks one off the uprights!! Lol

 

[starfan1]

Not unlike a QB that can’t seem to stay healthy

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It’s life. Someone younger, stronger, and cheaper has come along and can do Bailey’s job better right now.

I will always love Dan, but his decline over the last 2 years is pretty well chronicled

I agree to a point but can this guy split it down the middle with 5 seconds left for a game winner? We'll see.....