NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer breaks down the Dallas Cowboys, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2015, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2016.
SPECIALISTS
Under contract: Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, L.P. Ladouceur
Free agent: None
A look back: If you’re looking for the best part of the Cowboys’ season, look no further than Dan Bailey. He made 30 of 32 field-goal attempts and did not miss a point-after attempt. The most accurate kicker in NFL history will be headed to his first Pro Bowl at the end of the month.
While the PAT change affected a number of kickers, it didn’t bother Bailey. He made all 25 of his tries. His only missed field goals came from 48 yards on a windy day at Tampa Bay and from 50 yards at Buffalo on a cold day.
He had three field goals hit the upright and fall through. Sometimes it’s good to be lucky.
When he is needed to perform in the clutch, Bailey delivers. Having that kind of security blanket is a big deal for an offense when games are so close.
Punter Chris Jones had his best season, too. He averaged 45.1 yards per punt with a 42.3-yard net average. He had just one touchback and 26 of his 64 punts ended up inside the opponents’ 20. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur had another flawless season.
The biggest blemish on special teams was the 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by former Cowboy Dwayne Harris in the New York Giants’ 27-20 win on Oct. 25. The Cowboys worked hard to tie the game but gave it right back on the ensuing kickoff. Harris was not touched.
Rookie wide receiver Lucky Whitehead had some positive moments as a kickoff and punt returner, but not enough of them. He helped set up Bailey’s game-winning field goal at Washington with a 46-yard kickoff return. He set up a touchdown with a 79-yard kick return against Philadelphia.
A look ahead: There will be no change in the kicking trio of Bailey (signed through 2020), Jones (signed through 2017), and Ladouceur (signed through 2017).
The coverage teams will change because they change every year. Danny McCray is a free agent. Kyle Wilber is a free agent. Lance Dunbar is a free agent. Jeff Heath is a restricted free agent.
A look out: As much as Whitehead improved, the Cowboys need him to be dynamic in 2017.
The special-teams unit did not make enough big plays, outside of Bailey’s field goals. They were not able to flip field position enough. Given how good kickers are at kickoffs these days, the return game is mitigated greatly. Finding a special returner is hard.
The Cowboys like to bring in an extra leg to spell Jones or Bailey in camp, and another snapper because of Ladouceur’s age (he'll be 35 in March). They’ll do it again in 2016, but those guys will not push for a roster spot.
