September, 14, 2011
By Calvin Watkins
IRVING -- The Cowboys had what seemed like 20 kickers in training camp.
In reality, the Cowboys had at least five kickers competing for the job. David Buehler and Dan Bailey survivied the battle, but so did Kai Forbath.
Forbath missed training camp with a strained right quad injury suffered during the lockout. Forbath, like fellow rookie, second-round pick Bruce Carter, was placed on the non-football injury list. He'll be eligible to start practice after the sixth week and then we'll see if he can do some things.
While the Cowboys have two kickers on the 53-man roster, at some point, Forbath will come off the list and start competiting again.
"I'm taking it as a compliment they still want me," Forbath said.
Here's a reason why Forbath is here. In his junior season at UCLA, he won the Lou Groza award as the nation's best kicker. In his senior season, Forbath made 13-of-18 field goal attempts and finished his career making 84.2 percent of his field goals. The 85 total field goals made in his career is tied for the most in school history.
But Forbath's health is the issue. He just starting kicking field goals last Friday and plans to do that again this week at Valley Ranch.
"I'm doing some stuff on my own," Forbath said. "I've hit the ball a little bit and I hit it a little harder every day until it gets there."
Forbath is attempting kicks from 35 yards "just nice and easy" until the pain leaves his quad. The last step for Forbath would be kickoffs. The Cowboys wanted Forbath more than Bailey, who by the way won the Lou Groza award last year.
Yet, the Cowboys have to wait until Forbath gets healthy.
"It feels like it's all gone now," Forbath said of the pain.
By Calvin Watkins
IRVING -- The Cowboys had what seemed like 20 kickers in training camp.
In reality, the Cowboys had at least five kickers competing for the job. David Buehler and Dan Bailey survivied the battle, but so did Kai Forbath.
Forbath missed training camp with a strained right quad injury suffered during the lockout. Forbath, like fellow rookie, second-round pick Bruce Carter, was placed on the non-football injury list. He'll be eligible to start practice after the sixth week and then we'll see if he can do some things.
While the Cowboys have two kickers on the 53-man roster, at some point, Forbath will come off the list and start competiting again.
"I'm taking it as a compliment they still want me," Forbath said.
Here's a reason why Forbath is here. In his junior season at UCLA, he won the Lou Groza award as the nation's best kicker. In his senior season, Forbath made 13-of-18 field goal attempts and finished his career making 84.2 percent of his field goals. The 85 total field goals made in his career is tied for the most in school history.
But Forbath's health is the issue. He just starting kicking field goals last Friday and plans to do that again this week at Valley Ranch.
"I'm doing some stuff on my own," Forbath said. "I've hit the ball a little bit and I hit it a little harder every day until it gets there."
Forbath is attempting kicks from 35 yards "just nice and easy" until the pain leaves his quad. The last step for Forbath would be kickoffs. The Cowboys wanted Forbath more than Bailey, who by the way won the Lou Groza award last year.
Yet, the Cowboys have to wait until Forbath gets healthy.
"It feels like it's all gone now," Forbath said of the pain.
