Recently released kicker could fit right into the Cowboys’ roster

As the graphic shows, McManus is in good company since coming into the league in 2014. Being up there with Tucker, Zuerlein, Crosby, and Prater is nothing to scoff at.

How does he fit with Dallas?

The Dallas Cowboys kicking situation in 2022 seemed promising. Brett Maher won the job in training camp over undrafted free agent Jonathan Garibay, and didn’t look back.

Maher made 29/32 (90.6%) field goals and 50/53 (94.3%) extra points in the regular season. His only field goal misses were from 59, 59, and 46 yards out.

The problems started in Week 18 at Washington. After a Dak Prescott touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb right before halftime, Maher missed the ensuing extra point.

He did not attempt another kick the rest of the game, and carried that over into the Wildcard round at Tampa Bay.

Dallas scored four touchdowns before Tom Brady and the Buccaneers even got on the board. Maher missed all four of those extra points.

I was sitting at the bar in my local bar and grill with fellow Cowboys fans, and we were all in disbelief. I yelled out “what are you doing???” after the third missed kick, and was speechless after the fourth miss.

I’d never seen anything like it, and everyone at the bar actually stood up and applauded when his fifth attempt barely made it through the uprights.

The thought that Maher’s confidence was back heading into San Francisco in the Divisional round was quickly squashed when he missed the extra point attempt after a Dalton Schultz touchdown catch.

Currently, the Cowboys only kicker on the roster is journeyman Tristan Vizcaino, and Special Teams Coach John Fassel didn’t exactly give him a vote of confidence.

When asked what the Cowboys plans are at kicker, Fassel was quoted saying they are considering “anybody else on Earth”.

The Cowboys are about as confident in their current kicking situation as a native Texan is confident for snow to fall this summer.

So how does McManus fit in? He is a veteran kicker with a better than average track record. He not only makes the easy kicks, but is adept at hitting kicks under pressure, and still has range from over 60 yards away.

He is getting up there in age, but an indoor kicking situation could nullify the wear from being 32 years old.

If the Cowboys’ front office can bring him in with a bargain contract, Cowboys Nation won’t have to hold their breath at every extra point and field goal attempt in 2023.