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By Charean Williams
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Cowboys stood by David Buehler when he missed a 34-yarder against the Washington Redskins in the season opener. They remained faithful when he was wide left on a 44-yarder against the Chicago Bears. They continued to show confidence even after a missed 34-yarder and had a blocked extra point against the New York Giants. Then, last week, Buehler missed a 59-yarder that likely would have taken the New Orleans Saints to overtime.
When Buehler was wide right on a 48-yarder to end the first half Sunday, it was clear he was running out of chances.
"How many minutes have you got?" Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said when asked if he had second-guessed himself anytime this season on keeping Buehler as his kicker.
"He is out there, because I haven't seen a nay vote yet by any people involved with the kicker. Not one."
Buehler found redemption and fulfilled the Cowboys' expectations for him, at least for one game, with a 38-yard field goal in overtime. It was the first game-winning field goal in his career at any level.
"It's a little bit better [than in his dreams], especially playing the Colts, playing Peyton Manning, one of the best players in NFL history, and beating a team led by him," Buehler said. "It's surreal. It's an awesome feeling."
The Cowboys used two kickers in 2009, and Nick Folk and Shaun Suisham made only 21 of 30. Their 64.5 field-goal percentage was among the worst in the NFL.
Buehler, who had been their kickoff specialist last season, was handed the job in training camp despite having little experience even in college. He was 26 of 33 at Southern California and had never attempted a field goal in a regular-season NFL game.
Jones admits the Cowboys "were colored" by not wanting to keep two kickers on their roster. They wanted Buehler doing both jobs.
After Buehler had his sixth miss of the season in the first half Sunday, coach Jason Garrett remained supportive, telling Buehler to "just go kick the next one."
"He has that mentality," Garrett said. "He has a great football mentality."
It had taken Buehler a while to get over his miss against the Saints. His potential game-tying kick was wide left with 25 seconds left in the Cowboys' 30-27 loss.
It was a long wait between Thanksgiving Day and Sunday.
"It was on my mind for a while," Buehler said. "You have to let go when you practice during the week, but that gave me motivation to get better."
Buehler, who had made a 30-yarder in the first quarter against the Colts, made a 46-yarder in the third quarter. Then, he was true in overtime.
"It shows I can do it," Buehler said. "I didn't really feel any pressure. I was confident in my ability."
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Cowboys stood by David Buehler when he missed a 34-yarder against the Washington Redskins in the season opener. They remained faithful when he was wide left on a 44-yarder against the Chicago Bears. They continued to show confidence even after a missed 34-yarder and had a blocked extra point against the New York Giants. Then, last week, Buehler missed a 59-yarder that likely would have taken the New Orleans Saints to overtime.
When Buehler was wide right on a 48-yarder to end the first half Sunday, it was clear he was running out of chances.
"How many minutes have you got?" Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said when asked if he had second-guessed himself anytime this season on keeping Buehler as his kicker.
"He is out there, because I haven't seen a nay vote yet by any people involved with the kicker. Not one."
Buehler found redemption and fulfilled the Cowboys' expectations for him, at least for one game, with a 38-yard field goal in overtime. It was the first game-winning field goal in his career at any level.
"It's a little bit better [than in his dreams], especially playing the Colts, playing Peyton Manning, one of the best players in NFL history, and beating a team led by him," Buehler said. "It's surreal. It's an awesome feeling."
The Cowboys used two kickers in 2009, and Nick Folk and Shaun Suisham made only 21 of 30. Their 64.5 field-goal percentage was among the worst in the NFL.
Buehler, who had been their kickoff specialist last season, was handed the job in training camp despite having little experience even in college. He was 26 of 33 at Southern California and had never attempted a field goal in a regular-season NFL game.
Jones admits the Cowboys "were colored" by not wanting to keep two kickers on their roster. They wanted Buehler doing both jobs.
After Buehler had his sixth miss of the season in the first half Sunday, coach Jason Garrett remained supportive, telling Buehler to "just go kick the next one."
"He has that mentality," Garrett said. "He has a great football mentality."
It had taken Buehler a while to get over his miss against the Saints. His potential game-tying kick was wide left with 25 seconds left in the Cowboys' 30-27 loss.
It was a long wait between Thanksgiving Day and Sunday.
"It was on my mind for a while," Buehler said. "You have to let go when you practice during the week, but that gave me motivation to get better."
Buehler, who had made a 30-yarder in the first quarter against the Colts, made a 46-yarder in the third quarter. Then, he was true in overtime.
"It shows I can do it," Buehler said. "I didn't really feel any pressure. I was confident in my ability."
