Brandon Aubrey: The Kicking Sensation of 2023
In the annals of NFL history, few kickers have made as immediate and profound an impact as Brandon Aubrey did in 2023. Joining the Dallas Cowboys, Aubrey swiftly cemented his reputation as a powerful force on the field, earning a first-team All-Pro selection. His journey is not just about the distance covered by his kicks, but also the daring pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what's possible in professional football.
Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens was nothing short of historic for Aubrey and the Cowboys. When he lined up for a 65-yard field goal attempt at AT&T Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. The kick not only soared through the uprights, setting a new Cowboys' record, but also marked the second-longest field goal in NFL history. The achievement wasn't lost on Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy, who lauded Aubrey, saying, "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance."
The buzz around Aubrey's exceptional performance persisted throughout the season, with the kicker continuing to dazzle fans and opponents alike. However, it was in Week 15 that the audacity of Aubrey and the Cowboys' coaching staff truly came into play. In a high-stakes situation against the Carolina Panthers, outdoors in Charlotte, Aubrey prepared for a monumental 70-yard field goal attempt. With the game on the line, the kick veered wide to the left, but the endeavor underscored the belief in Aubrey's extraordinary capabilities.
John "Bones" Fassel, the Cowboys' special teams coordinator, reflected on the ambitious attempt with a blend of pride and pragmatism. "We said if we get anywhere in that neck of the woods, we're going to give it a big old whack," Fassel noted. His confidence in Aubrey was unwavering, as he emphatically stated, "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure."
Despite the miss, the play was far from over. Deven Thompkins seized the opportunity, running back the missed field goal for 37 yards, showcasing the unpredictable dynamism that makes football exhilarating. Fassel acknowledged the gamble inherent in such long attempts, remarking, "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover."
The Cowboys' approach to long field goal attempts is not without its calculated risks. "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra," Fassel observed, emphasizing the challenges posed by the elements. He further elaborated on the technical aspects, explaining, "It’s going to come out low, and a block, you never know who ends up with the ball in their hands."
The missed 70-yard attempt, while not the desired outcome, has only reinforced the Cowboys' aggressive strategy regarding long-distance kicking. Fassel emphasized that conditions would always be a factor in such decisions, candidly stating, "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor."
The Cowboys' schedule promises more opportunities for Aubrey to showcase his talents, with Weeks 16 and 18 set to be played at AT&T Stadium, providing a familiar indoor environment that might favor another historic kick. The team will also face the Philadelphia Eagles in an away game in Week 17, where outdoor conditions could test Aubrey's skills anew.
As the season progresses, Brandon Aubrey's journey continues to captivate NFL enthusiasts, embodying a blend of precision, power, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. His story is a testament to the enduring allure of football, where even a single kick can etch a name into history books and ignite the hopes of an entire franchise.