Gramatica versus Folk in Dallas

By Carlos Zepeda  |   Monday, July 09, 2007  |  Comments( 7 )

Dallas Cowboys
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Last year the Dallas Cowboys thought they had their place-kicking problems under control when they signed Mike Vanderjagt. The most accurate field goal kicker in the history of the NFL signed a three-year, $5.4 million contract in 2006, bringing his big leg to Dallas.

Vanderjagt missed five field goals by Week 11 of last season, causing then-head coach Bill Parcells to cut the former Indianapolis Colt and sign Martin Gramatica to take his place. Gramatica had once been known as "Automatica" years prior in Tampa Bay, with his claim to fame being his boisterous celebrations that follow converted kicks.

Since he helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2002, those celebrations have been rare. Gramatica is 28-for-46 in field goal tries. He was six for eight last year, including a clutch field goal in the Meadowlands to beat the Giants, and was rewarded with a two-year contract.

In this year's draft, Dallas used a sixth-round pick on kicker Nick Folk from the University of Arizona. Folk made a name for himself during the Senior Bowl, impressing scouts with his leg strength and accuracy.

Folk also handled punting duties during his senior year after Arizona's starter got injured. He was the first-team All-PAC-10 punter with a 44-yard average and placed 24 punts inside the 20-yard line.

The Cowboys thought so highly of Folk that they passed on kicker Mason Crosby from the University of Colorado, who was regarded as the best college kicker because of his ability to hit long field goals.

Folk will battle Gramatica during training camp for kicking duties. The latter is at a disadvantage because he doesn't have the booming leg for kickoffs that Folk has, but his veteran experience should give him the edge.

Dallas is looking to win a playoff game this year, and during the campaign there will be a few close games that will come down to a field goal or an extra point, so this is not the season to break in a rookie kicker.

The job is Gramatica's to lose, and unless his leg falls off there is no reason he shouldn't be the starting kicker. Folk was brought in to create competition, and he will probably handle the kickoff duties.

The Cowboys would prefer to keep one kicker rather than use an extra roster spot to carry two; but if Gramatica falters, Dallas could be looking for another veteran kicker to pair with Folk.

The list of free-agent kickers is short. The most experienced is Morten Anderson, the all-time NFL career leader in field goals made. There is also John Hall, but injuries have limited him for the last four years. Finally, there's former Cowboy Billy Cundiff, who had one field goal try in 2006 (which he missed), and some guy named Mike Vanderjagt.

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CommentsComments: 7  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Rick71		03:42 PM
07/09/2007
Passing on Mason Crosby didn't make sense. Crosby had a 70% touchback rate on kickoffs while Folk's rate was 59%. He is an...
No.2
Reuben36		04:53 PM
07/11/2007
Wasn't Crosby kicking in Colorado where the air altitude who cause the ball to travel greater distance? When theye were head to...
No.3
Jesse		12:13 AM
07/12/2007
Ah what is it about the Cowboys that produces bad kickers? Mason Crosby would have been a good pick, and seriously? I'd say...
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