McBriar an awesome field-position weapon
Cowboys Insider: McBriar an awesome field-position weapon
Web Posted: 10/19/2006 04:48 PM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys' MVP after five games isn't known by his initials like Terrell Owens. He's never been to the Pro Bowl multiple times like Roy Williams and Jason Witten. And he doesn't play a glamour position like Julius Jones.
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But punter Mat McBriar does have something that sets him apart from his teammates – startling impressive numbers.
Like a league-leading 51.8 gross punting average. Like an NFC-best 41.8 net average.
"It's a big weapon, a very big weapon," Bill Parcells said of having one of the league's top special teams performers.
McBriar has 14 punts of 50 or more yards and five of 60 or better. On Sunday, he ripped off a 75-yarder against Houston.
"You're not going to see too many 75-yard punts," Parcells said. "I don't know how close to a league record that is, but it's got to be pretty close."
The league's record longest punt is 98 yards by the New York Jets' Steve O'Neal in 1969. But McBriar's 75-yarder in the Cowboys' 34-6 victory over the Texans tied for the second-longest in team history, trailing only Ron Widby's 84-yarder in 1968.
McBriar did set a single-game team record with a 56.8-yard average on four punts (47, 75, 56 and 49 yards).
With the exception of his bobbled snap and fumble against Philadelphia – a miscue that led to an Eagles touchdown – McBriar has had a flawless season. A humble sort, the third-year player from Australia says his success is a team effort.
"I love working with L.P. (Ladouceur) snapping," he said. "The protection is awesome. Having Keith Davis as my fullback is like a godsend."
McBriar isn't the first standout punter to play for Parcells. Sean Landeta led the NFC in punting as a member of the New York Giants in 1986 and 1990.
The Giants won the Super Bowl after both seasons.
"Hey, I've always been lucky as a coach to have a good punter," Parcells said. "I really have. (Sunday) is a perfect example. Where was the ball? It goes out on the two. That's 75 yards – think about it. How many first downs they have to make? If it was just a 40-yard punt, they have to make three more first downs. That's a lot."
McBriar isn't the only special teams standout for the Cowboys. Kickoff returner Tyson Thompson ranks fourth in the league and first in the NFC with a 26.4 average.
Even place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt had a good game against the Texans. He had seven kickoffs, recording one touchback and putting another in the end zone.
"I don't know what got into him, but it was good," Parcells said.
Web Posted: 10/19/2006 04:48 PM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys' MVP after five games isn't known by his initials like Terrell Owens. He's never been to the Pro Bowl multiple times like Roy Williams and Jason Witten. And he doesn't play a glamour position like Julius Jones.
advertisement
But punter Mat McBriar does have something that sets him apart from his teammates – startling impressive numbers.
Like a league-leading 51.8 gross punting average. Like an NFC-best 41.8 net average.
"It's a big weapon, a very big weapon," Bill Parcells said of having one of the league's top special teams performers.
McBriar has 14 punts of 50 or more yards and five of 60 or better. On Sunday, he ripped off a 75-yarder against Houston.
"You're not going to see too many 75-yard punts," Parcells said. "I don't know how close to a league record that is, but it's got to be pretty close."
The league's record longest punt is 98 yards by the New York Jets' Steve O'Neal in 1969. But McBriar's 75-yarder in the Cowboys' 34-6 victory over the Texans tied for the second-longest in team history, trailing only Ron Widby's 84-yarder in 1968.
McBriar did set a single-game team record with a 56.8-yard average on four punts (47, 75, 56 and 49 yards).
With the exception of his bobbled snap and fumble against Philadelphia – a miscue that led to an Eagles touchdown – McBriar has had a flawless season. A humble sort, the third-year player from Australia says his success is a team effort.
"I love working with L.P. (Ladouceur) snapping," he said. "The protection is awesome. Having Keith Davis as my fullback is like a godsend."
McBriar isn't the first standout punter to play for Parcells. Sean Landeta led the NFC in punting as a member of the New York Giants in 1986 and 1990.
The Giants won the Super Bowl after both seasons.
"Hey, I've always been lucky as a coach to have a good punter," Parcells said. "I really have. (Sunday) is a perfect example. Where was the ball? It goes out on the two. That's 75 yards – think about it. How many first downs they have to make? If it was just a 40-yard punt, they have to make three more first downs. That's a lot."
McBriar isn't the only special teams standout for the Cowboys. Kickoff returner Tyson Thompson ranks fourth in the league and first in the NFC with a 26.4 average.
Even place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt had a good game against the Texans. He had seven kickoffs, recording one touchback and putting another in the end zone.
"I don't know what got into him, but it was good," Parcells said.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:50 PM
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