SerpApi.Org
There was a brief moment this offseason when Dallas Cowboys fans weren't so sure about extending Brandon Aubrey. That skepticism had nothing to do with Aubrey's value, however, and everything to do with his rumored demands.
After a stressful negotiation, the two sides found common ground by way of a four-year, $28 million pact that included $20 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.
Already the holder of myriad kicking records, Aubrey stands to become even more of a cheat code if the NFL borrows another rule change from the UFL, which implemented the four-point field goal on makes of 60 yards or longer this past season.
ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco floated the change and asked several of the NFL's best kickers whether they'd be on board. Even though such a change would benefit the Cowboys as much as any team, Aubrey pinpointed one obvious drawback that could ultimately hurt Dallas.
"I think it's a little weird," Aubrey said. "Kind of incentivizes you to stall the drive in a certain spot. It makes you really, really question your playcalling around that 50-yard line area. It's interesting for kickers that have the leg to get it there, maybe [there's] a little bit more value there. But kind of perverses the incentives of football where the goal is to get it as close to the other person's half as possible."
Four-point 60-yard field goals would actually be bad for the Cowboys
Aubrey couldn't have scripted a better answer.
On the surface, four-point 60-yard field goals would be an advantage for Dallas. Aubrey has arguably the biggest leg in the game, and his six career makes from 60 yards or longer are the most in league history. It's not hard to see how the Cowboys would benefit.
However, the change might encourage even more conservative decision-making from Brian Schottenheimer, which is the absolute last thing this team needs. While the offense evolved under the 52-year-old, his approach noticeably changed once Dallas crossed midfield (Aubrey's range).
Having a security blanket like Aubrey is every play-caller's dream. It's almost unfair to send him out with confidence from near the 50-yard line after a drive stalls, but on far too many occasions, it looked like Schottenheimer was playing for a long field goal rather than pushing the envelope.
Whether it was calling underneath passes on third-and-long or sending Aubrey out on fourth-and-short, Dallas often settled for three when there was an opportunity to chase seven. What made Schotty's conservative approach indefensible is that he had an elite offense and a defense that couldn't keep opposing teams out of the end zone.
The chance to put four points on the board instead of three could tempt Schottenheimer into falling back on his more conservative tendencies. That's one area Schottenheimer must improve in Year 2. Rewarding 60-yard field goals with four points could make it even harder to keep his foot on the gas.
The Cowboys' defense should be much improved under Christian Parker, and having a kicker as automatic and rangy as Aubrey is a luxury few teams can match. But if Schottenheimer leans too heavily on that advantage, Dallas will struggle to keep pace in an NFC loaded with high-powered offenses.
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This article was originally published on thelandryhat.com as Floated rule change would make Brandon Aubrey unstoppable (but also hurt the Cowboys).
