For the Dallas Cowboys, 2023 has unfolded as a year marked by remarkable achievements and ambitious endeavors. At the heart of this narrative is Brandon Aubrey, the team’s first-team All-Pro kicker. Aubrey has not only made a name for himself within the franchise but has also etched his place in the annals of NFL history with his exceptional kicking prowess.
A Historic Kick
Brandon Aubrey captured the attention of the football world in Week 3 with a phenomenal 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. This kick was the longest in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, elevating Aubrey to the status of a record-holder within the franchise. It also claimed the title of the second-longest field goal in NFL history, a testament to Aubrey’s powerful leg and pinpoint accuracy.
Cowboys' head coach, Mike McCarthy, expressed his admiration for Aubrey’s abilities, stating, "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance." McCarthy’s confidence in his kicker underscores the faith the team has in Aubrey’s capacity to deliver in high-pressure situations, a crucial quality for any player in the NFL.
The 70-Yard Attempt
The excitement surrounding Aubrey’s kicking skills only grew as the Cowboys dared to experiment further. In a bold move during Week 15, Aubrey attempted a jaw-dropping 70-yard field goal outdoors against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Although the kick veered wide to the left, the play demonstrated the team’s willingness to trust Aubrey with such a formidable attempt.
The vision and strategy behind this daring effort were explained by John "Bones" Fassel, Cowboys' special teams coordinator. "We said if we get anywhere in that neck of the woods, we're going to give it a big old whack," Fassel noted. However, the risk associated with such an ambitious play did not escape his consideration. "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover," he commented, highlighting the potential consequences of missing a long-range kick.
Challenges and Conditions
Attempting a field goal of this magnitude requires not only skill but also favorable conditions. Unfortunately, in Charlotte, the 70-yarder faced challenging conditions, as Fassel pointed out, "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra." Despite the miss, Fassel has no doubts about Aubrey’s capabilities: "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure."
With a little skip step to drive the ball into the distance, Aubrey’s effort was valiant. Observers could see the mechanics at work. "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it," Fassel commented. Although the attempt was not successful, it served as a learning experience for the team, prompting Fassel to state, "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor."
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Cowboys have pivotal games on the horizon. Weeks 16 and 18 will see them return to the familiar confines of AT&T Stadium, where the controlled environment could provide Aubrey with another opportunity to take aim at long field goals. However, the Week 17 away game against the Philadelphia Eagles poses its own set of challenges, where unpredictable weather conditions could impact performance.
As the Cowboys strive for success in the remaining weeks of the season, the team’s management and fans alike will watch closely, knowing that with Aubrey at their disposal, they possess not just a reliable kicker but an asset capable of redefining what’s possible in field goal kicking.
Aubrey's journey and achievements in 2023 exemplify the spirit of innovation and risk-taking in professional sports. His potential to continue breaking barriers in the sport underscores the Cowboys’ strategic outlook and commitment to excellence.