The punter may not always be the topic of the Monday morning water cooler conversation, but replacing the best punter in franchise history is never easy. That's the challenge that Chris Jones faces.
But Jones says doesn't spend a ton of time thinking about the pressure.
"I know that the Cowboys' special teams are always held to a high standard, but that's not something that flashes in front of my mind," says Jones. "I know what I need to do and I know what I can do. So I just have the mentality of coming out and playing to the best of my ability."
Jones is the likely candidate to punt for the Cowboys this year, especially since Mat McBriar decided to sign with division-rival Philadelphia, a move that has many Cowboy fans worried. McBriar had a nagging nerve injury that bothered him for much of last season and required surgery to remove a cyst behind his left knee.
Even though the Cowboys gave McBriar a workout last week, but they made it clear, if signed in Dallas he would have to compete with Jones.
By allowing McBriar to walk, even after a reportedly good workout, the Cowboys are showing a lot of faith in second year punter Chris Jones. While filling in for McBriar for two games Jones had a gross average of 42.6 yards per punt.
The trust that the Cowboys have shown in him is not last on Jones.
"It makes me feel good," says Jones. "I was glad that I got the call back last year when Matt got injured and I stuck. And I had those two opportunities and I think I stepped in and did what was needed to be done."
Jones also talked about the chemistry he has built with kicker, Dan Bailey, in terms of holding kicks for him. He credits the "taste they have for each other from last season" as being crucial to their understanding of each other.
"I was the second punter and he was the rookie kicker coming in" says Jones of he and Bailey's work together last season. "So I kind of knew his steps, I knew what he likes as far as holds he likes and stuff like that."
The two special teams players have picked right back up where they left off going into this season.
"This whole offseason and ever since we've been out here it's just been rapid fire repetition and working on timing," Jones said. "I feel like it's a good mesh and it will be a good fit."
