With free agency coming just around the corner, it's time to start looking at our own free agents. We'll start with punter Mat McBriar.
The Good: McBriar was an elite punter for the Dallas Cowboys for years. In 2006 and 2010 McBriar represented the Cowboys in the Pro Bowl. Through the years he's lead the league, or been at the top of the league-leaders, in various punting categories. McBriar is equally good at booming a punt, or nailing an opponent deep in their own territory with precision punts. In normal circumstances, there would be little debate about the Cowboys re-signing him. But...
The Bad: McBriar suffered an injury that is referred to as drop foot. This was caused by a cyst in his left leg and kept him from finishing out the season. Reports vary on how it will affect his career going forward. He recently completed surgery at the Mayo Clinic, and they gave him a clean bill of health.
So the question is, do you re-sign McBriar counting on him being, and staying, fully recovered? Or do you move on and find a new guy? What say you, BTB community?
0 recs | 30 comments
Only if we draft Brad Wing.
TXHC - February 18, 2012
Agree, keep it in the Australian family....
Wing’s Dad was a good punter too, I played with him in Oz. He tried out for the Lions at one point – but no college history (or proper coaching) so didn’t make it. Great natural talent though.
Aussie kids grow up punting a ball as its a big part of Aussie rules – so they develop the skill early.
BoyfromOz - February 20, 2012
Or we could keep it in the converted linebacker family.....
BGSU’s Brian Schmiedebusch.
fs65 - February 20, 2012
Option C
Keep McBriar, bring in another. Best man wins in training camp. If McB can’t go in TC, he’s not the best man. Hate the thought of starting the season with anyone else, but mustn’t let loyalty stand in the way of fielding the best team.
Silverblue - February 18, 2012
+1
Shaymer - February 19, 2012 via mobile
totally agree
g8tgod - February 19, 2012
Fun flashback
Off topic but found this and had to share.
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2008/4/17/05414/3486
No, Jerry no. Let Spencer go.
intheclutch - February 18, 2012
And how are we supposed to know if McBriar is worth keeping? Send him through a workout and find out. Good thing about punters is they are pretty easy to evaluate.
intheclutch - February 18, 2012
Too Expensive
McBriar is going to command close to $2M per year. He may come back healthy, but he’s going to be overpriced for a punter. I like what Chris Jones was doing last year. Bring him back and maybe bring in some UDFA competition. Save money at P and spend it somewhere else.
inwittenitrust - February 18, 2012
+1
sgitr - February 18, 2012
Excatly what I thought.
Rufiou - February 19, 2012
+2
Save some $s, plus Jones kicking lefty has that different spin whichll cause trouble for return guys; see week 17.
DB23 - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Wait a minute...
wouldn’t coming off a rare condition actually keep his price down and wouldn’t a low-risk performance contract be more likely? There aren’t a lot of blueprints for atheletes rehabbing from something like this.
If another team rolls the dice and overpays, naturally you’d let him walk. I think the circumstances make retaining him on a low-year, lower cost basis more likely.
Cowtoys - February 19, 2012
+1
bloodyhanded - February 19, 2012
Money...
If we can get him at the right price, keep him. If not, move on and find another.
REAP IT - February 19, 2012
+$
all about the cap space
BigBad Joe - February 20, 2012
Hard call. What he brings to the table is very valuable. But if he isn't 100% back I would look for a new P.
Rena - February 19, 2012
Compete in camp
that is the fair way. He deserves a chance to make the team again if he can punt as he did before. If not we move on.
It is the right thing to do from several points of view
Loyalty for one
He has been very good and is very experienced for another
so he deserves a chance
burmafrd1944 - February 19, 2012
i dont know the details of Chris Jones contract, but i believe he signed for 3 years, so 2 yrs left
id assumehe will cost about half what mcbriar cost. so letting mcbriar walk saves about a million. downside mcbriar is a MAJOR weapon when healthy.
Jones did well when he took over for Mcbriar.
depends if using 1/10th of your cap on a punter is worth it?
yehti - February 19, 2012 via mobile
and itll suck if he is healthy and signs with a East team
yehti - February 19, 2012 via mobile
The cost for the risk suggests, "Nope"
It’s nice to keep your guys, and It’d be tough to lose him, but I think the Boys have much bigger issues than punter.
PLUS, seeing him on the field in a Giants or Philly Egos uni all the time wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Shaymer - February 19, 2012 via mobile
if he is healthy
keep him
burmafrd1944 - February 19, 2012
I absoulutely give him the benefit of the doubt...
If the surgery for his drop foot was successful, then he should be good to go. More will be known in the coming months, and who else out there will be a better option at the same price tag? I have seen bringing Weatherford to Dallas posts, and yes, Weatherford is a good punter, and the Giants likely can’t afford to keep him, but a healthy McBriar is about as good as it gets with regards to a Punter for this team. Shaymer, the need would be glaring without him (or a player of similar ability) when healthy. Having the ability to dictate field position to the opponent with a great punter is a big part of a team’s success. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of dictating field position to a team’s success.
jsrdc - February 19, 2012
either way i'm happy
foot drop can be an indicator of a bunch of nasty diseases (lou gehrig’s, ms), and it looks like mcbriar dodged a bullet here, since it (hopefully) turned out to be a cyst. regardless if he doesn’t come back and play in the nfl, it’s good news.
billstickers - February 19, 2012
if he's shows he's at least 75% he'll command top punter money
not sure if Dallas is willing to invest a cap hold like that on him. If he’s healthy keep him if not and he doesnt take a marginal paycut then it was a great tenure you sly Aussie
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 19, 2012
I guess it depends on how healthy he really is
I’m no medical expert, so I’ll have to trust the staff. If he’s healthy, then yes, bring him back. Maybe we can get Brad Wing in a couple of years.
ScottB1985 - February 19, 2012
If healthy you gotta bring him back
The Aussie when healthy is one of the best if not the best punter in the game
Terry - February 20, 2012
If its at a reasonable price. Defn incentive based contract.
Let him compete in training camp and take the best man.
thebigham - February 20, 2012
Chris Jones
I say lets give Chris Jones a fair chance for competition between him & Mc Briar. Let the best punter stay. Regardless of money or length of time with Dallas. Then we still win!
TDTEXAS - February 20, 2012
Buehler K
Time for him to go and save that spot for another position of need on this team. We don’t need an extra backup for kicker. Bailey deserves the job outright.
TDTEXAS - February 20, 2012
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