Cowboys willing to consider the worst possible special teams option

Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brett Maher (19): Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brett Maher (19): Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher remains available, and his return is on the table.

Brett Maher infamously got the yips during a postseason, missing four-of-five extra point during the Cowboys Wild Card game win, and then missing another in their Divisional Round defeat, though he did make two field goals.

“I think everything’s on the table,” Fassel said, per NFL.com. “Let’s face it, if you look at Brett, he had a great year. He had a bad game. But he played 22 games, but he had a bad game-and-a-half. I think everybody’s on the table. I’m proud of what Brett did last year. If he gets a shot here or somewhere else, I’m sure he’ll perform well.”

Letting Maher back in the building would only bring up bad memories, especially in Dallas. Perhaps there’s room for him in another organization, but a fresh start is needed.

Could the Dallas Cowboys bring back Brett Maher?

Maher, however, would have some competition for the job. Tristan Vizcaino  — who has played just 10 games in three seasons — is on the roster as well. And there’s talk of Dallas adding another kicker in free agency to set up an open competition.

"“It’s probably the easier way (to go) because you know more what you’re going to get,” Fassel said. “If you’re going to bring them in, you’ve got to be excited about what it is. There’s veterans on the street right now — let’s face it, there’s Mason (Crosby), there’s Robbie (Gould), there’s (Ryan) Succop. There’s a lot of guys that have performed at a good level in the NFL, and you weigh that against everything else. There’s really no secrets of who’s available. I think the good thing for us at the kicker spot is just being patient and deciding who that second guy is we’re going to bring in, whether it’s now or training camp to compete against Tristan.”"

All in all, Dallas’ special teams problem is a depressing one. Jim Fassel is willing to look in lower leagues, like the USFL and XFL, for options as well.

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