Taco
12-31-2008, 04:33 PM
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008
Posted on Wed, Dec. 31, 2008
Dallas Cowboys fire special teams coach Bruce Read
By Mac Engel
Star-Telegram staff writer
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips vowed change on Monday, one day after his team’s lopsided 44-6 loss at Philadelphia.
Today, the Cowboys fired special teams coach Bruce Read.
The Cowboys were vulnerable on special teams all season, including allowing a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arizona. The team wasn’t much better on returns, averaging 6.4 yards on punts (30th in the NFL) and 22.2 on kickoffs (21st in the league). Opponents averaged 10.5 yards per punt return with a long of 35 yards and 21.3 on kickoff returns.
A blocked punt led to an overtime loss at Arizona.
In the loss to Baltimore, the Cowboys field goal defense unit overloaded the left side of the line in attempts to get a block, but the Cowboys were burned when Ravens holder Sam Koch ran for a first down to set up a touchdown.
There were a few bright spots on special teams.
Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar was averaging 49 yards before being injured against Arizona and lost for the season. Sam Paulescu replaced McBriar and averaged 41.8 yards per punt.
Kicker Nick Folk made 20 of 22 field goals.
Read joined the Cowboys prior to the 2007 season after spending the previous three seasons at Oregon State. He just completed his seventh season in the NFL, which included stops with the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers.
Also today, the Cowboys signed wide receiver Travis Wilson.
Wilson, who was originally a third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma by the Cleveland Browns, joined the Cowboys practice squad on Oct. 1 and remained there all season.
Before joining the Cowboys, Wilson spent three weeks on the Denver Broncos practice squad after being released by the Broncos on the final roster reductions.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/v-print/story/1118515.html
Posted on Wed, Dec. 31, 2008
Dallas Cowboys fire special teams coach Bruce Read
By Mac Engel
Star-Telegram staff writer
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips vowed change on Monday, one day after his team’s lopsided 44-6 loss at Philadelphia.
Today, the Cowboys fired special teams coach Bruce Read.
The Cowboys were vulnerable on special teams all season, including allowing a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arizona. The team wasn’t much better on returns, averaging 6.4 yards on punts (30th in the NFL) and 22.2 on kickoffs (21st in the league). Opponents averaged 10.5 yards per punt return with a long of 35 yards and 21.3 on kickoff returns.
A blocked punt led to an overtime loss at Arizona.
In the loss to Baltimore, the Cowboys field goal defense unit overloaded the left side of the line in attempts to get a block, but the Cowboys were burned when Ravens holder Sam Koch ran for a first down to set up a touchdown.
There were a few bright spots on special teams.
Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar was averaging 49 yards before being injured against Arizona and lost for the season. Sam Paulescu replaced McBriar and averaged 41.8 yards per punt.
Kicker Nick Folk made 20 of 22 field goals.
Read joined the Cowboys prior to the 2007 season after spending the previous three seasons at Oregon State. He just completed his seventh season in the NFL, which included stops with the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers.
Also today, the Cowboys signed wide receiver Travis Wilson.
Wilson, who was originally a third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma by the Cleveland Browns, joined the Cowboys practice squad on Oct. 1 and remained there all season.
Before joining the Cowboys, Wilson spent three weeks on the Denver Broncos practice squad after being released by the Broncos on the final roster reductions.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/v-print/story/1118515.html