http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...anderjagt_x.htm
Three games.
Mike Vanderjagt has heard all about the Dallas Cowboys' three losses last season by three points or fewer.
In each case, kickers missed field goals — none longer than 41 yards — that might have changed the outcome. Theoretically, a 9-7 non-playoff finish might have become a 12-4 playoff run.
"I've got three games on my shoulders this year," Vanderjagt said early in training camp. "I'm supposed to turn it around."
Bill Parcells told you that?
"Yes, Bill told me that," Vanderjagt said. "(Cowboys owner) Jerry (Jones) told me. Everybody in the stands told me."
The Cowboys broke custom and signed the former Indianapolis Colt, the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history (87.5%), to a three-year, $6 million free agent contract in March. Jones gave Vanderjagt, 36, a $2.5 million bonus after relying on cheaper, less-proven legs for years.
But something beyond consistent kicks has developed this summer. Vanderjagt is nursing sore groin and quadriceps muscles — the other big injury in Dallas' camp — and has missed two preseason games. After working in pregame warm-ups and then scratching himself for game action the past two weeks, it's uncertain if he will kick in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
It leaves Parcells in a tight spot as he ponders moves for the 53-man roster.
Just as he says about Terrell Owens, trying to rebound from a hamstring injury, Parcells says of Vanderjagt, "I've got to see something."
Never mind that Vanderjagt, owner of the NFL record for consecutive field goals (42), has made 217 of 248 career attempts. After meeting with the kicker for a heart-to-heart talk last weekend, Parcells hinted Monday that Vanderjagt's status is murky.
"I'm going to do what is best for the Cowboys," he grumbled. "What opinion anybody else has is irrelevant, because they don't have the facts I have."
A psychological ploy? Maybe, maybe not.
Parcells began camp hoping that in addition to field goals, Vanderjagt would handle kickoffs — which he hasn't done since 2003. But kickoff duty might contribute to the injury and is weighed against using an extra roster spot on a specialist. Punter Mat McBriar doesn't kick off; the other kicker left, Shaun Suisham, was among three who kicked last season.
Even before Vanderjagt's injury, the kickoff question was touchy.
"It's an ego thing," Vanderjagt said. "I don't really want to do it ... but I don't want them to say, 'Aw, Vanderjagt can't do it.' "
***snip***
Three games.
Mike Vanderjagt has heard all about the Dallas Cowboys' three losses last season by three points or fewer.
In each case, kickers missed field goals — none longer than 41 yards — that might have changed the outcome. Theoretically, a 9-7 non-playoff finish might have become a 12-4 playoff run.
"I've got three games on my shoulders this year," Vanderjagt said early in training camp. "I'm supposed to turn it around."
Bill Parcells told you that?
"Yes, Bill told me that," Vanderjagt said. "(Cowboys owner) Jerry (Jones) told me. Everybody in the stands told me."
The Cowboys broke custom and signed the former Indianapolis Colt, the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history (87.5%), to a three-year, $6 million free agent contract in March. Jones gave Vanderjagt, 36, a $2.5 million bonus after relying on cheaper, less-proven legs for years.
But something beyond consistent kicks has developed this summer. Vanderjagt is nursing sore groin and quadriceps muscles — the other big injury in Dallas' camp — and has missed two preseason games. After working in pregame warm-ups and then scratching himself for game action the past two weeks, it's uncertain if he will kick in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
It leaves Parcells in a tight spot as he ponders moves for the 53-man roster.
Just as he says about Terrell Owens, trying to rebound from a hamstring injury, Parcells says of Vanderjagt, "I've got to see something."
Never mind that Vanderjagt, owner of the NFL record for consecutive field goals (42), has made 217 of 248 career attempts. After meeting with the kicker for a heart-to-heart talk last weekend, Parcells hinted Monday that Vanderjagt's status is murky.
"I'm going to do what is best for the Cowboys," he grumbled. "What opinion anybody else has is irrelevant, because they don't have the facts I have."
A psychological ploy? Maybe, maybe not.
Parcells began camp hoping that in addition to field goals, Vanderjagt would handle kickoffs — which he hasn't done since 2003. But kickoff duty might contribute to the injury and is weighed against using an extra roster spot on a specialist. Punter Mat McBriar doesn't kick off; the other kicker left, Shaun Suisham, was among three who kicked last season.
Even before Vanderjagt's injury, the kickoff question was touchy.
"It's an ego thing," Vanderjagt said. "I don't really want to do it ... but I don't want them to say, 'Aw, Vanderjagt can't do it.' "
***snip***
