By Dwain Price, NDG Sports
FRISCO – In an attempt to keep their sinking ship afloat, the Dallas Cowboys made a major change in their organization in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams.
No, the Cowboys didn’t relieve head coach Jason Garrett of his duties. But earlier this week they did release kicker Brett Maher, who has contributed mightily to the team’s woes this season.
While leading the National Football League in missed field goals this season with 10, Maher finished his second season with the Cowboys with 20 made field goals in 30 attempts. Three kickers tried out this past Monday’s for Maher’s old job, and the winner is Kai Forbath, who has been with five teams in eight years and who also beat out by Dan Bailey for the Cowboys’ kicking job in 2011.
“Kickers, it’s a small community,” Forbath said. “We all know each other, so you never root against each other, but at the same time, it’s a business.
“When that opportunity comes I’m going to be ready for it. It’s not the best situation, but you make kicks you stay around. So, I guess that’s the name of the game and that’s what I’m here to do.”
The death knell for Maher came after he missed a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter last Thursday against the Chicago Bears that would have tied the game at 10-10 and given the Cowboys some much-needed momentum. Miraculously, after the game, Maher had this to say.
“I felt like I did a good job staying in my lane this week,” Maher told reporters. “I felt I hit every ball pretty well.
“I’ll put my head on the pillow (last Thursday night) feeling good about what I did this week and moving forward.”
Four days later, the Cowboys replaced Maher with Forbath.
For his career, Forbath is 121-of-141 on field goals for a solid 85.8 percent. He also recently kicked in one game for the New England Patriots after their regular kicker, Nick Folk, underwent an emergency appendectomy on Thanksgiving day.
“I definitely feel more comfortable coming in here after getting that one game in,” Forbath said. “I’m scoring points and that’s what I’ve done for seven years now.
“I’m just here to be consistent and make kicks.”
The failure is an all-around team effort
Of course, the Cowboys wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on a field goal kicker if they could just find a find to muster up some touchdowns. While losing seven of their last 10 games – including the past three – the Cowboys have struggled mightily on offense.
The Cowboys’ defense also hasn’t lived up to its expectations, either, as opponents have marched downfield and scored touchdowns too frequently recently.
“It’s unacceptable,” linebacker Jaylon Smith said. “We know the type of defense that we’ve been and that we want to continue to be.
“But you have to go out and execute. You have to go out and get your job done by any means necessary.”
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence agrees.
“I take ownership of those last couple of games (because) I haven’t been playing like myself,” Lawrence said. “I haven’t been taking the leadership role that I should be taking. It’s time for me to step up.”
Despite their issues, the Cowboys are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the lowly NFC East. Both teams are 6-7 and will play each other on Dec. 22 in Philadelphia.
But before facing the Eagles, the Cowboys will host the Rams on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
They are looking but not looking for a new head coach
Meanwhile, on his weekly radio show on 105.3 The Fan, owner Jerry Jones denied he has actively spoken to coaching candidates the Cowboys are hoping to employ to replace Garrett, whose job reportedly is in jeopardy due to the team’s subpar performance this season.
“I can confirm that it is absolutely not correct,” Jones said. “We have not met with any coach.
“Normally when somebody says that you met with such and such, or you’re interested in such and such, and you said ‘I have not,’ the implication is you’re not interested. The facts are we just have not talked to any coach, potential coach, in the NFL.”
