Aubrey's Rise to All-Pro Status Spurs Cowboys on Epic Kicking Quest
In an improbable rise to stardom, Brandon Aubrey has solidified his status as the Dallas Cowboys' first-team All-Pro kicker in 2023. With his extraordinary ability on display, Aubrey set a new benchmark in Cowboys history, delighting fans with memorable performances that highlight both the skill and audaciousness of modern special teams play.
This season, Aubrey's most memorable moment arrived in Week 3 when he successfully converted a 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens at the famed AT&T Stadium. This kick not only stands as the longest in Cowboys history but also marks the second-longest in NFL history, further cementing Aubrey's reputation as an exceptional talent.
Though marked by success, Aubrey's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Week 15 presented a significant test when the Cowboys faced the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Against the odds, Aubrey attempted an astonishing 70-yard field goal outdoors. While the kick veered wide to the left, the sheer ambition of the attempt captured the football world's imagination. Deven Thompkins seized the opportunity from Aubrey's miss, making a 37-yard return, which highlighted the inherent risk that accompanies such bold attempts.
Special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel reflected on the decision to go for the monumental 70-yard attempt, remarking, "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover." Despite the miss, Fassel remains confident in Aubrey's abilities: "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure."
The unpredictability of special teams play, especially when executing such long kicks, was evident. Fassel explained the strategy and execution, stating, "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it." The attempt's conditions—a 70-yarder into the wind—posed significant challenges, as Fassel noted, "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra."
For Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Aubrey's consistency from considerable distances has been nothing short of impressive. McCarthy stated, "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance," underscoring the confidence the Cowboys have in their kicker’s abilities. McCarthy, aware of the environmental factors impacting kick success, wistfully noted, "I wish we were indoors." This sentiment reflects the calculated risks the Cowboys are willing to take with Aubrey's powerful leg at their disposal.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys have upcoming games in Weeks 16 and 18 at the reliable confines of AT&T Stadium, which may offer more amenable conditions for another showcase of Aubrey's range. However, their Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles presents another road challenge—though indoor conditions would certainly be in Aubrey's favor if the opportunity arises.
As the season progresses, the Cowboys' strategy appears unwavering. Fassel encapsulated the team's mindset as they embrace the challenge and thrill of pushing the limits: "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor." Such a philosophy indicates a team fully aware of its weapon in Aubrey, ready to trust his exceptional talent at pivotal moments.
Brandon Aubrey's journey through this NFL season illustrates not just personal achievement, but the way the Cowboys' special teams unit is rewriting the possibilities of field goals. Fans eagerly anticipating each kick will no doubt await further attempts that test the very boundaries of what is conventionally possible on the gridiron. In an era where victory often hinges on the slimmest of margins, Aubrey's moments of brilliance provide both drama and hope for the Dallas Cowboys' faithful.