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FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey has worn many labels during his maiden voyage through an NFL season in 2023: butter — in the words of quarterback Dak Prescott — sniper — in the words of left guard Tyler Smith — and a young Mason Crosby — in the words of head coach Mike McCarthy.
Now, the 28-year-old former MLS soccer player and USFL kicker has a shot at another distinction in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders: Ownership of the best field-goal kicking regular season in NFL history. The NFC’s Pro Bowl kicker has connected on all 35 field-goal attempts this season, tying him with former Minnesota Vikings kicker Gary Anderson (1998) for the second-most makes in a season without miss. Should he drain three in a row outdoors at FedEx Field on Sunday, he’ll break former Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt’s all-time record of 37 set back in the 2003 season.
However, Aubrey already has a leg up on Vanderjagt and Anderson in two areas: experience, or lack thereof, and the distance of his attempts. He is in his first NFL season. However, the league credits him with a full season of experience already — making him an unofficial rookie — because of two years played in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. Meanwhile Vanderjagt was in Year 6 when he set the record, and Anderson was in Year 17 when he hit all 35 of his regular-season attempts in 1998.
Given his lack of NFL experience, Aubrey leans plenty on Cowboys two-time Pro Bowl punter Bryan Anger, the NFL’s 2023 leader in net yards per punt (44.9) who doubles as his holder on field goals. Aubrey allows Anger, a 12-year vet, to be his mission control before rocket-launching the football toward the uprights, beginning his pre-kick process when Anger gives him a green light.
“He’ll tell me when I’ve kicked enough [in practice], cooling it off,” Aubrey said Thursday. “Helping me…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cowboys-royalty-rookie-brandon-aubrey-doesnt-believe-in-jinxes-zeroes-in-on-greatest-fg-season-ever/
Author : Garrett Podell
Publish date : 2024-01-05 16:06:42
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