Brandon Aubrey's Meteoric Rise with the Cowboys
In the 2023 NFL season, a new star has emerged on the horizon for the Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Aubrey. Making headlines as the Cowboys' first-team All-Pro kicker, Aubrey has demonstrated remarkable skill and consistency, leaving an indelible mark on both team and league history.
In Week 3, against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium, Aubrey launched a jaw-dropping 65-yard field goal. This formidable kick not only etched his name into Cowboys lore as the longest in the team's history but also placed him second in the NFL's all-time longest field goals. This commendable feat drew widespread attention and admiration from fans and experts alike.
However, Aubrey's story is as much about endurance as it is about triumph. Week 15 saw the Cowboys face the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, where Aubrey attempted an audacious 70-yard field goal. "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure," asserted John "Bones" Fassel, Cowboys' special teams coordinator. It was a bold move, underscoring the confidence both the coaching staff and Aubrey possess. Unfortunately, the kick was wide to the left, a reminder of the game's unpredictability.
Despite the miss, the excitement didn't fade. Deven Thompkins capitalized by running back the missed 70-yard attempt for 37 yards. While such long kicks are fraught with risks, Fassel explained, "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover." The sentiment underscores the strategic calculations and potential pitfalls involved in such decisions.
Reflecting on the attempt, Fassel noted, "It’s going to come out low, and a block, you never know who ends up with the ball in their hands." The kick, which was attempted outdoors and into the wind, posed considerable challenges. "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra," Fassel remarked, emphasizing the unique difficulty of the situation.
Echoing this sentiment, Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy highlighted Aubrey's exceptional ability and consistency, stating, "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance." While the 70-yard attempt did not translate into success, there seems to be little doubt about Aubrey’s potential. McCarthy's sentiment, "I wish we were indoors," further alludes to the environmental challenges faced during the game.
Looking forward, the Cowboys have two crucial games scheduled at AT&T Stadium in Weeks 16 and 18, with an away fixture against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. The familiarity of home turf could serve as an advantage for Aubrey, whose confidence and performance indoors have been noteworthy.
Fassel's comments capture the team’s strategic mindset moving forward: "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor." There's an evident blend of caution and ambition in his words, suggesting that while they acknowledge the risks, the potential rewards are tempting enough to keep the possibility open.
John "Bones" Fassel summed up his views by saying, "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it." Aubrey’s technique and drive are testaments to his skill and determination, promising further highlights as the season progresses.
The combination of Aubrey’s exceptional footwork, the coaching staff's adept handling of in-game dynamics, and the Cowboys' ambitious outlook have set the stage for an exciting culmination to the NFL season. Brandon Aubrey is making the most of his time in the spotlight, and fans are eagerly anticipating what he’ll accomplish next.