Here we go again: Cowboys fans can’t escape specter of Brett Maher debacle

Just when Dallas Cowboys fans thought they were done with bad kicking after the departure of Brett Maher, there was a rough competition on Saturday.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ 2022 season saw them make it to the Divisional Round, only to lose to the San Francisco 49ers. But in the Wild Card Round, it became evident that the Cowboys needed to address the kicker position, as Brett Maher missed four extra points in the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This had never been done by a kicker in a playoff game. What made it that much more puzzling was that Maher had been reliable all year.

Dallas moved on from Maher and is instead holding a competition between Tristan Vizcaino and Brandon Aubrey. So, how’s that competition going?

Well on Saturday, Vizcaino missed four straight field goals in the 30-39 yard range, although as the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken points out, one was attributed to a bad snap. However, all of those misses went wide right. All in all, Vizcaino went 4-for-8.

As for Aubrey, he went 5-for-7, missing 33- and 42-yard kicks.

Cowboys kicking competition looks dire after practice Saturday

Sure, this is only a practice in early August, with over a month to go until the start of the season. But for Cowboys fans who are expecting the team to contend for a Super Bowl, they are going to want to see consistency.

Vizcaino joined the Cowboys last year after Maher’s rough playoff performance against the Buccaneers. However, Maher would get the start in the 49ers game, making both of his field goal attempts and missing his lone extra point attempt in the 19-12 loss. Vizcaino was re-signed by the Cowboys after the season.

Before joining the Cowboys, Vizcaino played for the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. In three games total, Vizcaino made both of his field goal attempts (1 30-39, 1 40-49), while making all three extra point attempts.

As for Aubrey, he is a former soccer player, notably playing for Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Toronto FC. He played for the United States Football League’s (USFL) Birmingham Stallions this past season before signing on with the Cowboys this offseason.

Again, there is still a lot of preseason left to go. But after the reports from training camp practice on Saturday, Cowboys fans may be fearing the worst.