Brandon Aubrey's Unparalleled Kicking Prowess Puts the Cowboys in the Spotlight
In a season filled with electrifying moments on the gridiron, few instances have captured the essence of audacity and skill better than Brandon Aubrey's remarkable feats for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. Emerging as the team’s first-team All-Pro kicker, Aubrey has been nothing short of sensational, delivering with precision and power that demands attention from analysts and fans alike.
His standout moment came in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens when Aubrey etched his name into the annals of Cowboys history with a stunning 65-yard field goal. Kicking at their home turf, AT&T Stadium, the moment not only marked the longest field goal in Cowboys history but also set the stage for the second-longest in NFL history. A milestone of this magnitude is not easily achieved and speaks volumes about Aubrey's remarkable leg strength and composure under pressure.
Yet the season's narrative took another intriguing turn in Week 15. As the Cowboys faced off against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, Aubrey was called upon for an unprecedented 70-yard field goal attempt. John "Bones" Fassel, the Cowboys' special teams coordinator, remarked on Aubrey's capabilities, stating, "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure." Aubrey's attempt, however, veered wide to the left, offering a thrilling albeit unfinished spectacle of what could be possible in kicking feats.
Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy expressed his admiration for Aubrey's remarkable consistency from long distances, acknowledging the challenge with a nod to the unpredictable weather conditions. "I wish we were indoors," McCarthy admitted, acknowledging the influence of outdoor dynamics during such distance-defying attempts.
Despite the miss, the play was not without drama. The Panthers' Deven Thompkins seized the opportunity, returning the missed kick for a 37-yard burst, a move that further underscored the unpredictable excitement of such attempts. Reflecting on the bold decision, John Fassel weighed in, "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover." His foresight captures the tactical considerations and risks accompanying attempts at the outer limits of human kicking capability.
Aubrey himself remains unfazed. With his sights set firmly on possibility beyond current records, he epitomizes a modern kicker unfettered by boundaries. Fassel, ever ready to push the limits, stated, "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor," hinting at future adventures in distance kicking.
As the Cowboys gear up for crucial fixtures—home games in Weeks 16 and 18 at AT&T Stadium bookending a pivotal Week 17 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles—Aubrey's potential remains a tantalizing prospect. With his trailblazing kicking achievements capturing imaginations, fans and pundits eagerly ponder if further records might tumble under Aubrey’s powerful strikes.
John Fassel, analyzing the intricacies of making 70-yard attempts, ruminated on the technique, "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it." That 'drive' can elevate a kicker to untold heights—literally and figuratively. However, attempting such monumental yardage outdoors is not without extra hurdles. "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra," Fassel noted, highlighting factors that stood like sentinels against success. "It’s going to come out low, and a block, you never know who ends up with the ball in their hands," he cautioned.
Still, the allure of what could be draws fans to Aubrey and his profound potential. Each game bristles with anticipation that a new benchmark might soon glitter in the NFL records, powered by Aubrey's astounding kicks. As the season advances, the Cowboys are well aware of an ace up their special teams' sleeve—a kicker fearless in his quest to redefine boundaries and possibilities on the football field.