September, 5, 2011
By Tim MacMahon
IRVING, Texas -- David Buehler could be more than a kickoff specialist for the Cowboys again.
Buehler, whose performance at the scouting combine compared favorably to a lot of linebackers, played a variety of special teams roles as a rookie, such as covering punts and blocking on returns, to help justify dedicating a second roster spot to a kicker. That could be the case again for Buehler with rookie Dan Bailey handling the placekicking duties.
“He’s a very good athlete and has embraced that role in the past,” Garrett said. “We’ll work him into that. He has not done a lot of that up to this point, we’ll see how he acclimates himself to doing that stuff again. We’ll give him the opportunity.”
Garrett said Buehler would also continue to work on field goals, although Bailey would “get most of the work in that area.” That’s an indication that Buehler could be used on longer kicks. He was more accurate on 50-plus-yard field goals (4-of-6) than he was from 30-39 yards (4-of-7) last season.
By Tim MacMahon
IRVING, Texas -- David Buehler could be more than a kickoff specialist for the Cowboys again.
Buehler, whose performance at the scouting combine compared favorably to a lot of linebackers, played a variety of special teams roles as a rookie, such as covering punts and blocking on returns, to help justify dedicating a second roster spot to a kicker. That could be the case again for Buehler with rookie Dan Bailey handling the placekicking duties.
“He’s a very good athlete and has embraced that role in the past,” Garrett said. “We’ll work him into that. He has not done a lot of that up to this point, we’ll see how he acclimates himself to doing that stuff again. We’ll give him the opportunity.”
Garrett said Buehler would also continue to work on field goals, although Bailey would “get most of the work in that area.” That’s an indication that Buehler could be used on longer kicks. He was more accurate on 50-plus-yard field goals (4-of-6) than he was from 30-39 yards (4-of-7) last season.
