By Todd Archer
Link
IRVING, Texas -- The two-kicker debate has been stirred up a little bit here over the last few days. Given Jerry Jones’ comments after Thursday’s loss to Miami about how much he loves touchbacks, I’m giving David Buehler a spot on my fourth roster projection.
I’m not saying I agree with using two roster spots on kickers, but let’s look at what the Cowboys’ reasoning could be.
It starts and ends, to me, with Rob Ryan’s defense.
The Cowboys are still trying to figure out Ryan and Ryan is still trying to figure out his players. His scheme is much more multiple than the one Wade Phillips used. He has players in different spots. He likes to create confusion before the snap for the quarterback.
But the Cowboys can’t go into the year feeling tremendously confident about using the full package. Not when the starting corners did not play a snap in the preseason. Not when they allowed big plays. Not when they allowed yards on the ground.
It will be a work in progress, especially early in the season.
Which brings us to the importance – possibly – of having Buehler on the roster.
In his first two years Buehler has 51 touchbacks, close to a 32 percent rate. With the kickoffs moved up 5 yards, that rate should improve in 2011.
Here’s why it matters to the defense: Last year 1,401 drives across the league started inside the 20 and only 12.9 percent resulted in touchdowns. In 2009, only 13.3% ended in touchdowns. In 2008, only 13.9% ended in touchdowns.
The more you force an offense to travel 80 yards for a touchdown, the more successful your defense will be. With the Cowboys still learning Ryan’s scheme, they will need all the help they can get.
Link
IRVING, Texas -- The two-kicker debate has been stirred up a little bit here over the last few days. Given Jerry Jones’ comments after Thursday’s loss to Miami about how much he loves touchbacks, I’m giving David Buehler a spot on my fourth roster projection.
I’m not saying I agree with using two roster spots on kickers, but let’s look at what the Cowboys’ reasoning could be.
It starts and ends, to me, with Rob Ryan’s defense.
The Cowboys are still trying to figure out Ryan and Ryan is still trying to figure out his players. His scheme is much more multiple than the one Wade Phillips used. He has players in different spots. He likes to create confusion before the snap for the quarterback.
But the Cowboys can’t go into the year feeling tremendously confident about using the full package. Not when the starting corners did not play a snap in the preseason. Not when they allowed big plays. Not when they allowed yards on the ground.
It will be a work in progress, especially early in the season.
Which brings us to the importance – possibly – of having Buehler on the roster.
In his first two years Buehler has 51 touchbacks, close to a 32 percent rate. With the kickoffs moved up 5 yards, that rate should improve in 2011.
Here’s why it matters to the defense: Last year 1,401 drives across the league started inside the 20 and only 12.9 percent resulted in touchdowns. In 2009, only 13.3% ended in touchdowns. In 2008, only 13.9% ended in touchdowns.
The more you force an offense to travel 80 yards for a touchdown, the more successful your defense will be. With the Cowboys still learning Ryan’s scheme, they will need all the help they can get.
