With so much parity in today’s NFL, games are often won and lost in the margins. With constantly evolving data, schemes and trends, teams must do all they can to separate themselves from the rest of the league, leading to an emphasis on the little things.
Even if the Cowboys offense remains among the league’s best, even if the defense improves, if the special teams play doesn’t rise from the depths then Dallas will likely disappoint in 2020.
Just how bad was Dallas on special teams last season?
They ranked 30th in DVOA. They were tied for the league-lead in missed field goals (10). Their average starting field position (own 26.3) was over two full yards less than the league average (own 28.5), while allowing opponents to start drives over a yard and a half beyond league average (own 30.1). Giving opposing offenses a shorter field while asking your own offense to travel longer fields isn’t typically a recipe for success.
In 2019, the Cowboys ranked 29th in punt return yardage (131), averaging 5.7 yards per return (27th). On kickoffs, they were even worse, ranking 30th in total yardage (325) and last in average yards per kick return (16.3).
Recent history suggests this wasn’t a fluke either, as the last Dallas punt return for a touchdown occurred in 2017, courtesy of WR Ryan Switzer (the team’s lone punt return TD in the last six seasons).
The touchdown drought for kickoff returns is even longer, last coming via RB Felix Jones in 2008, under Wade Phillips. CeeDee Lamb was just nine-years-old.
These special teams scores are rare, but seem especially so for Dallas. Their last touchdown off a blocked kick? 2015 (LB Kyle Wilber). They haven’t blocked a field goal in two full seasons.
The Cowboys were 18th in kickoff touchback percentage (55.4%) in 2019, and 29th in average kickoff yardage (60.3). They were also dead-last in yards per punt (40.8). They ranked just 26th in field goal percentage (75% – league average: 81.6%). But this didn’t stop them for attempting more field goals than essentially any other team, tying the league-lead in FG attempts (40 – league average: 30.7).
Dallas ranked second in field goal attempts of 50+ yards (nine), hitting only five. The average NFL team attempted half as many 50+ yard field goals (4.5). The Cowboys were however, one of only four teams who were perfect on extra point attempts the entire season (PIT, LAC, LAR), an accomplishment that rings rather hollow compared to their other special teams shortcomings.
The man tasked with improving these results is John Fassell, the former Rams special teams coordinator. His unit ranked 23rd and 17th in special teams in DVOA over the past two seasons, but averaged an 11th place finish over his St. Louis/Los Angeles tenure, including 2nd and 3rd place rankings in 2017 and 2016.
With all the changes set to be implemented under McCarthy, the construction of the initial 53-man roster will be a major point of focus leading up to the start of the season. Many of the Cowboys primary special teams players from 2019 currently remain (CB C.J. Goodwin, LB Justin March, WR Ventrell Bryant, FB Jamize Olawale, DB Donovan Wilson), but with new staff and 2020 roster additions, a shuffling may be in order.
It’s possible the versatility of players like former Alabama and Houston Rougneck CB Saivion Smith or UDFA WR Aaron Parker lead to roster spots and contributing roles. The departed Byron Jones and Jeff Heath accounted for a combined 306 special teams snaps last season, which will need to be filled by other players. The kicker battle between Kai Forbath and Greg Zuerlein ideally should result in a net-positive outcome for the ST unit compared to last season. And, it’s possible the return game gets a big boost, given the impact the last first-round WR to wear No. 88 had.
Fassel should have plenty to work with in rounding out his unit, but the uncertainty surrounding the logistics of training camp might make things more difficult than usual. But it’s crucial that the Cowboys improve upon their overall special teams play in 2020 if they have any hope in finally turning the corner towards becoming a truly dangerous team.
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