DMN: Mat McBriar is all the way back

[Cbz40]

Mat McBriar is all the way back


2:57 PM Mon, Jun 15, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Kicker Nick Folk took a significant step in his rehab from hip surgery by doing some light running around the track during this morning's practice.

Punter Mat McBriar, who missed most of last season after breaking his foot in the OT loss to Arizona, has returned to Pro Bowl form. McBriar was booming the ball at the beginning of the morning practice.

The Cowboys signed Garland's Matt Fodge for at least the week because they plan to work on punt coverage/return a lot during minicamp. Fodge was punting balls from one end of the field and McBriar the other, and the difference was drastic. Fodge was consistently in the 35-40-yard range. McBriar was launching high, long spirals.

McBriar booted one ball about 65 yards in the air, so far that Felix Jones couldn't get to it after turning and sprinting. And it was beautifully directed, too, landing about a yard inside of the sideline. The ball took a nice bounce and would have rolled at least another 15 yards if a Cowboys staffer didn't stop it.

You can cross McBriar's right foot off the list of Cowboys injury concerns.

 

[Jon88]

Now that the inept special teams coach is gone, he should stay back. For a while.

 

[slick325]

That is great to read. Now if Folk gets healthy and Buehler booms kickoffs for touchbacks, our special teams may not be the achilles heel it was under Read.

Good tackling on kick and punt returns won't hurt either.

 

[Mansta54]

This is GREAT news regarding MM, he's extremely important to this teams success. Dude punts his arse off and is a helluva weapon...

 

[reddyuta]

the best news in June imo.

 

[LeonDixson]

the best news in June imo.

:bounce: I agree!

 

[AdamJT13]

We might need to raise the Jerrytron.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

glad to read that their practicing returning punts and kicks alot

I haven't seen a hole for a returner to go through, esp. on punts, in forever

 

[DFWJC]

:bounce: I agree!

X 2

He's a weapon!

 

[speedkilz88]

Maybe that steel plate is boosting his average.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Nice to hear he is back to his old self, also nice to hear they will be spending more time on ST in practices.

 

[FCBarca]

Well, that's certainly welcome news eh?

 

[tomson75]

65 yards in the air is absurd. There have only been a handful of guys in history that could do that on occasion, nevermind regularly.

I'm second guessing my insistence that the scoreboard is high enough now.

 

[viman96]

Rarely do I give a rip or get excited about a punter. Or any kicker really. But after what we experienced before geting Matt and Nick and last year after losing Matt, I'm very excited he is back! He can straight up boom it!

 

[Rampage]

We might need to raise the Jerrytron.

:laugh2: 'm gonna have to steal that from you

 

[InDakWeTrust]

I also remember reading somewheres that McBriar's foot will heal back stronger than what it was before injury. I am also sure the steel plate might be a slight competitive advantage...

 

[Faerluna]

Yay Mat! We missed you, buddy!

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

We might need to raise the Jerrytron.

I thought it was the world's largest pinata. If McBriar hits it, it's free candy for everyone!

 

[burmafrd]

With Joe lighting a fire under our coverage teams, and FOlk, McBriar and maybe Buehler, we could have one of the best ST in the league. In close games that would make a big difference.
Of course if Buehler is as advertized our kickoff coverage team might not have much to do.

 

[dogberry]

Any chance the league will make Matt remove the plate?