Cowboys Brace for Panthers’ ‘Dirty Ball’ Kickoff Strategy in Week 6
It’s become known as the “dirty ball” and for the Cowboys, one of the jobs on special teams this Sunday in Week 6 against the Panthers, the job will be to clean it up.
The author of this dirty ball is rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who has developed a niche on kickoffs–his ability to knock unpredictable, low line drives that come up just short of the goal line and force players in the return game into uncomfortable situations. Opponents gain just 19.3 yards on Panthers kickoff returns, second-best in the NFL behind the Rams.
It was something that Patriots coach Mike Vrabel warned against when New England faced the Panthers. Said Vrabel: “It starts with the kicker, kicks a good kick, dirty kick. So, he’s had the returners sometimes confused. He’s kicking them when he kicks them deep. They’re right at the goal line, forcing you to return them.”
Cowboys Can’t Replicate ‘Dirty’ Kick in Practice
And now it is the Cowboys’ turn to decipher Fitzgerald’s kicks. Special teams coach Nick Sorensen said part of the problem is that it’s very difficult to replicate the kicks in practice.
“It’s tough, because you can’t get the JUGS (machines) to kick them, as much as we tried,” Sorensen said. “And then Brandon (Aubrey), Brandon will kick them too. He’ll try and work on them. Those aren’t 100%. Some guys are better than others, but he tries to give us different looks at it, too.”
It’s a problem for the Cowboys because under new rules, if Fitzgerald lands the ball in the the so-called “landing zone,” and it trickles into the end zone for a touchback, the ensuing drive starts on the 20-yard line.
Panthers Cover Kicks Well, Too
Panthers coach Dave Canales credited not only the foot of Fitzgerald’s for Carolina’s special-teams success, but also the enthusiasm with which his coverage teams backs up the dirty kicks. With the uncertainty of the the landing angle, the possibility of a big play is there for the coverage group.
As Canales said: .”We watched all the kickoff coverages as a team. Just to show the spirit of our play-style, I truly believe that kickoff coverage kind of exemplifies who we want to be and that’s why I love special teams, but especially on kickoff, especially when you can start the game with a kick to be able to show the effort, the enthusiasm after great places of them celebrating the toughness, playing smart off of each other and then finishing each play.”
Cowboys Unsure on Return Men
It won’t help that usual kick returner KaVontae Turpin is likely to be out in Week 6. He’s day-to-day with a foot injury but indicated in practice he is more likely to return for Week 7. And, generally speaking, the good news for the Cowboys is that the Panthers are no juggernaut–they’re 24th in the NFL in points, at 20.4.
The Cowboys hope there are a limited number of kickoffs, then. And they’ll hope they’re ready when they come.
“So we tried to work those a little but yesterday, today with our guys. But they’re tough,” Sorensen said. “No two are exactly the same. And you know with the football, the weird shape that thing is, you can’t duplicate where that thing comes down. That’s what this guy (Fitzgerald) has done really good.”
Ben Johnson Admits Jayden Daniels Inspires ‘Fear’ Ahead of Commanders Game
The Chicago Bears mission Week 6 — and they’ve got no choice but to accept it — is to contain reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
Last October, the Commanders quarterback beat the Bears with a last-second 52-yard heave to Noah Brown, capping a night in which he went 21-of-38 for 326 yards and a touchdown, plus 52 rushing yards. The “Fail Mary,” as it became known, completely changed Chicago’s season, and now, they have an opportunity to get Washington back — but it won’t be easy.
A year later, Daniels looks just as dangerous, and Washington’s offense is humming. After missing time early, Daniels returned in Week 5 to throw for 231 yards in a 27–10 win over the L.A. Chargers, while the ground game is rolling behind rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Now under new head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears are looking to flip the script, but Johnson know his team will have its hands full with Daniels.
Bears HC Ben Johnson Comments on Washington QB Jayden Daniels: ‘He’s Dangerous’
GettyBears coach Ben Johnson said some very good things about Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“He’s dangerous,” Johnson said about Daniels heading into the matchup. “I think that’s a big reason why their running game is what it is. He strikes a lot of fear in opposing coaches, because you look at him, you’ve got to account for him. Not just as an accurate passer, not just as a scrambler, but the quarterback driven run game that they do a lot of. He’s fast, slippery — it’s going to take all 11 guys playing disciplined football to make sure we contain their attack.”
Chicago is allowing 29.3 points per game through four games (that’s 28th in the NFL) but they’re ranked 31st against the run, allowing 164.5 yards per game. With Daniels and the Commanders ranked first in rushing (156.4 yards per game), the Bears could be in big trouble — but Johnson’s not overlooking Daniels’ arm, either.
“Jayden’s an extremely accurate thrower of the football,” the Bears coach said. “Something that I think is overlooked when you look at him because he is so dynamic with his legs, and he hurts teams so much on the ground as well.”
Return of DB Kyler Gordon Should Give Bears Defense Huge Boost
The return of Kyler Gordon should be a huge help for the Bears. Chicago’s top nickel corner is expected back Monday night, and his presence alone should give Daniels something extra to worry about.
Gordon gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen more flexibility in how he’ll attack Washington’s offense. Allen’s scheme leans on disguised coverages and simulated pressures, and Gordon’s instincts and range will allow Chicago to mix its looks without exposing soft spots underneath. He’s also heck of a weapon as a blitzer off the edge.
“Hopefully it allows us to unlock a few things on defense,” Johnson said about Gordon’s return.
“He’s one of our bigger playmakers. I’ve got a lot of experience being on the opposing sideline from him and ton of respect of how he can impact the game. I think there’s only a handful of nickels in this league that you really have to account for both as a coverage player, but also a guy that likes to be nosy on the run game and could be part of the solution for us here in terms of shoring up our run game as well.”
It’s clear Johnson and company revere Daniels’ game a great deal. We’ll see if they can do enough to beat him this time around.
