Are Cowboys Better Equipped for Playoffs Now Than 2014?

[tps_title]Special Teams[/tps_title] 2014 Special Teams VS 2016 Dan Bailey (K) Chris Jones (P) L.P. Laduceur (LS) Dwayne Harris (KR/PR) Dan Bailey (K) Chris Jones (P) L.P. Laduceur (LS) Lucky Whitehead (KR/PR) Bailey is still as automatic …

[tps_title]Special Teams[/tps_title]

2014 Special Teams

VS

2016

Dan Bailey (K)
Chris Jones (P)
L.P. Laduceur (LS)
Dwayne Harris (KR/PR)
Dan Bailey (K)
Chris Jones (P)
L.P. Laduceur (LS)
Lucky Whitehead (KR/PR)

Bailey is still as automatic as they come, provided you aren’t asking him to kick it from 55 yards out. Chris Jones has improved every year and is now one of the better punters in the league, particularly adept at putting the ball on the sideline while maximizing distance. Ladouceur remains a constant pillar of long-snapping perfection.

Dwayne Harris and Lucky Whitehead are somewhat similar as return men. They aren’t consistently explosive but tease you with some of their natural instincts. Neither is a Devin Hester who other teams will fear, but both are capable of making you pay for bad coverage.

Based solely on Chris Jones’ development over the last two years, I will give a very slight edge to the 2016 team.