Editor's Note: This is the final edition of an 11-part series analyzing every position on the Cowboys roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can be improved heading into the 2015 season. Today, we examine the special teams units.
Pressing Matters:The Cowboys have their share of questions at every position and special teams is definitely included. For starters, punter Chris Jones is a restricted free agent. They could give him the minimum qualifying tender of about $1.5 million to keep him, but that's considerably more than the Cowboys probably want to pay for a punter. Then again, Jones is also a good holder for kicker Dan Bailey, but even at that, look for the Cowboys to try and keep Jones at a lower price. Also, return specialist Dwayne Harris is an unrestricted free agent. Don't be surprised if a team with needs at both returner and for a slot receiver look to pay Harris. And the team's best coverage player, C.J. Spillman, is also an unrestricted free agent, so they have some decisions to make regarding special teams.
2014 Evaluation: The Cowboys were pretty good once again in the kicking game, headlined by Bailey. Now, he did miss two of his three postseason attempts, but he was still one of the NFL's best and most accurate kickers throughout the season. Jones had a better season in 2014 as a punter, but nothing spectacular. Harris wasn't a major factor as a returner, although his value as a do-it-all specialist on both sides of the return game is hard to match. Once again, the coverage teams were rather solid. The longest kick return against the Cowboys last year was 46 yards and 37 yards was the longest punt return. Down the stretch, Spillman showed the Cowboys his value and he could be a priority to bring back at a reasonable price.
Need More From … The Cowboys need more from their return game, although with a potent offense, the team's starting point on the field isn't always a major factor. But coming off a spectacular 2013 season that might have included a Pro Bowl selection had he not gotten injured, Harris wasn't a huge factor as a return specialist in 2014. He averaged 9.2 yards on punt returns (ninth in the NFL) and 24.2 yards on kick returns (12th in the NFL). Nothing flashy, but still rather solid. But if the Cowboys choose to re-sign Harris, it's likely they will want him to be more of a difference-maker in the return game. Then again, he's also a good role player on offense and runs down on kickoffs and punts. Harris is a good player for the Cowboys, but could give them a little more as a returner.
Upgrades Needed:At kicker and long snapper, the Cowboys have two of the best in the league. L.P. Ladouceur was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season and has arguably been the most consistent player the Cowboys have had over the past decade. As for Bailey, it's hard to complain about the NFL's most accurate kicker of all time, so those two spots are solid. The Cowboys could use an upgrade at punter, where Jones is right around the middle of pack in both net punting (14th) and punt average (18th), but it's likely the club will offer him a deal closer to the league minimum to keep their special-teams trio of Jones, Bailey and Ladouceur intact for 2015.
By The Numbers:
- Bailey set the Cowboys' record with 30 consecutive field goals made this season, a streak that started back in 2013. In four years, he has three of the Cowboys' five longest streaks, along with streaks of 26 and 21 straight made.
- Bailey ranks second on the Cowboys' all-time list of field goals made with 114, trailing only Rafael Septien (162). His 521 points scored is third in club history behind only Septien (874) and Emmitt Smith (986).
- Bailey made his 100th field goal in 2014, becoming the second-fastest kicker in NFL history to reach the mark. He hit the milestone in just 54 career games, just behind Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud, who got to 100 field goals in 53 games.
- With 10 seasons under his belt, Ladouceur trails only Tony Romo and Jason Witten (12 seasons) as the most-tenured Cowboys player on the current roster.
- Harris became the seventh player in franchise history to reach 2,000 kickoff return yards. With 2,040 yards, he needs just 377 kick return yards to move into second place in club history.
Position Series: Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys safety C.J. Spillman (37) causes a fumble by Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb (18) during a kickoff return in an NFL divisional playoff football game Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 26-21, to advance to the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys safety C.J. Spillman (37) celebrates after his fumble recovery during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars, 31-17. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) is seen in action during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, January 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 24-20. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Dallas Cowboys receiver Dwayne Harris runs for yardage during a week eight NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The Redskins won in overtime, 20-17. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) punts the ball to the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 20-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys kick returner Dwayne Harris (17) returns a kick off during the NFL week 17 regular season football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 in Landover, Md. The Cowboys won the game 44-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) catches a pregame pass before the NFL week 8 regular season football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 Arlington, Texas. The Redskins won the game 20-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) kicks during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 44-17. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) stands in the end zone during an NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys , Sunday January 4, 2015, in Arlington, TX. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Spillman (37) tackles Detroit Lions wide receiver Jeremy Ross (12) during the second half of an NFL wildcard playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) kicks during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars, 31-17. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) runs with the football during a Week 14 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, December 4, 2014. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) and Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) during the NFL regular season game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The Redskins won in overtime, 20-17. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) punts the football during a Week 14 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, December 4, 2014. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys safety C.J. Spillman (37) recovers the openiing kickoff during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 38-27. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Spillman (37) during an NFL wild card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, January 4, 2015 in Dallas, TX. The Cowboys won the game 24 to 20. (AP Photo/Peter Read Miller)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey kicks in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks an extra point from the hold of Chris Jones (6) during an NFL football wildcard playoff game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 24-20. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys receiver Dwayne Harris (17) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, November 27, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 33-10. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
