Dallas Cowboys sign local product to compete for key specialist position
The Dallas Cowboys consistently found ways to beat themselves in 2021, and special teams was just as inconsistent as other units on the team.
The organization didn’t have to look far for the new kicker it signed on Friday. Former SMU and Texas kicker Chris Naggar was signed to a future contract. He’s originally from Arlington, Texas — which coincidentally — is the home of AT&T Stadium.
Naggar, who was impressive as a kicker at SMU, should send an obvious signal to veteran Greg Zuerlein that he’ll have some competition heading into next season, according to multiple media outlets including the Dallas Morning News and Yahoo Sports.
Zuerlein was a sixth-round draft pick by the Rams in 2012 and was the league points leader and a Pro Bowler in 2017, but he struggled in his second year with the Dallas Cowboys.
Naggar, 24, was a punter at Texas before transferring to SMU and moving to full-time placekicking. As a senior with the Mustangs, Naggar went 17-for-21 on field goals and 43-of-46 on extra points to lead the conference in accuracy. He went undrafted last year, but spent part of training camp with the Jets.
Cleveland signed him just before the season; he did not play in the Browns’ Week 1 game and was then moved back to the practice squad. Late in the season, he made the active roster again as a COVID replacement, kicking a 37-yard field goal and going 1-of-2 on PATs on Christmas Day versus the Packers. He was released by the team a few days later.
Is Greg Zuerlein on Dallas Cowboys’ hot seat?
While kickers are often shrugged off as jokes, the 2021 playoffs have shown over and over again why a having a great one can make the difference and help propel teams by sealing games.
The Dallas Cowboys kicker missed a field goal in three of the team’s five regular-season losses; those games- against Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, and Arizona- were decided by three points or less.
That’s the kind of stat that jumps out to the team’s talent evaluators.
The 10-year veteran finished the 2021 season 83% on field goals and misses six PATS, the most in his career.
For the Cowboys, Naggar will be expected to push the squad’s 10-year veteran for a job. Zuerlein was 83% on field goals in 2021 and missed six PATs, the most in his career. He missed a field goal in three of the Cowboys’ five regular-season losses; those games- against Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, and Arizona- were decided by three points or less.
Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel defended his longtime kicker all year, but finally admitted last month that missing the offseason (due to back surgery) had affected Zuerlein throughout the ’21 campaign..
Dallas Cowboys fans should gear up for a good ole’ Texas kicking competition heading into 2022.