Despite the move to send David Buehler to injured reserve Thursday, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis has confidence that rookie Dan Bailey can handle being the lone kickoff specialist.
"I think he's going to get better because he's doing it all the time," DeCamillis said of Bailey. "He's going to have to make sure he's very good with his direction. We're going to have to make sure we put the ball in places where the returner has a small area to work in. He's not going to be the guy that knocks out of the end zone every time. We're hoping that he gets us at least a few touchbacks. We're going to have to change up the coverage scheme and do a great job of covering. Hopefully he'll get better as the year goes on."
Bailey has six touchbacks in four games, compared to nine in four games for Buehler.
This year, Bailey's specialty has been on field goals, where the rookie has made 19 straight, the third-longest streak in Cowboys history. DeCamillis said he's not worried at all about Bailey being affected on field goals now that he has added responsibilities.
Overall, DeCamillis said it is disappointing all around that Buehler is out for the season. "I'm disappointed for everyone concerned," DeCamillis said. "Obviously he's a guy we had some confidence in. we knew at the very least, we knew what his role would be if he was not the field-goal kicker, we thought he could be a cover guy and kick off for us. Unfortunately, he was never healthy at all this year. We're sorry for him but we're also sorry for us."
