McClay: Cowboys looking to add to kicker competition

The less said about the way Brett Maher’s final two games in a Dallas Cowboys uniform played out the better. Cutting Maher from the roster was really the only option for Dallas.

But as OTAs have begun, with training camp in California looming, the Cowboys have only one kicker on the roster. Tristan Vizcaino is handling the duties right now, with no competition pushing him for the job.

Since Dallas didn’t address the need in the draft they will have to go to elsewhere, according to Vice President of Player Personnel, Will McClay.

They already passed on Brandon McManus, who would have been a solid pick up. Both Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby are out there to sign.

Are The Old Guys The Answer?

So are the Cowboys looking at bringing in either veteran? Both are older veterans. Gould will be 41 and Crosby 39 by the end of this season.

Both have experience and have made clutch kicks when it has mattered most. But both have also had their struggles in the regular season.

In an interview this morning with DallasCowboys.com, McClay indicated that Vizcaino will have company soon.

“We’re looking at the other leagues,” McClay said. “We’re looking at guys that are out on the streets, guys that potentially come in a trade. It’s a big mix of all that stuff and when the time is that we find the right kicker to add to the competition.”

A Short-Term Solution

As mentioned above, both Gould and Crosby would be good adds to the roster, but their ages are a concern. They would clearly be a short-term solution to a problem that has ailed the Cowboys for years.

Green Bay Packers Mason Crosby (2) hits a field goal to put the Packers on the board against the Seattle Seahawks () during the NFL exhibition game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Friday, August 23, 2013. Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COM

Crosby does have ties to Mike McCarthy from their Green Bay days. He’s also a native Texan, born in Lubbock and a Georgetown (TX) High alum.

So a Crosby homecoming could be in the works. And he’s two years younger than Gould, buying the Cowboys a couple more years.

Can Vizcaino Be The Guy?

Could Vizcaino be the long-term answer? Maybe.

Tristan Vizcaino (16).

He has hit 11 of his 12 field goal attempts in his brief three-year NFL career with a long of 47 yards. He’s only 10-of-15 point after attempts.

Only 18 of his 44 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks. Vizcaino has never kicked in a regular season game for Dallas.

Looking In The XFL And USFL

The Cowboys other option is to look at the XFL and USFL kickers. But, having watched nearly every game, that seems unlikely.

No kicker in either league has really stood out. Certainly not more than an established vet like Crosby or Gould has.

So it seems unlikely Dallas would dip into either league, unless one of the USFL kickers suddenly lights up the league in its final weeks.

Hey Brother, Got A Spare Kicker?

Which leaves the final option mentioned by McClay: A trade. Who could they trade for?

Good, reliable kickers don’t grow on trees. Teams are not going to let one get away, at least not one good enough to attract Dallas’ interest.

If I had my pick, I’d hope the Cowboys would swing a geal with the Chargers for Cameron Dicker.

AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Cameron Dicker #17 of the Texas Longhorns kicks a field goal in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

They should have drafted him last year when they had a chance. They should have signed him as an undrafted free agent two seconds after the 2022 draft ended.

Had they done either, they wouldn’t have to worry about their kicking room right now. But they didn’t, and here we are.

How This Is Going To Play Out

I suspect we’ll see either Gould or Crosby signed on a 1-2 year contract. Basically, kick the can down the road as the Cowboys always have at this position.

All Cowboys fans can do is hope for the best. And pray a repeat of the 2022 Wild Card game isn’t in the cards. Only this time, a missed PAT costing Dallas a playoff win.