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Anger issues: Cowboys punt team must fix underperforming ways
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- Anger issues: Cowboys punt team must fix underperforming ways
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most accomplished and well-paid punters in the NFL in Bryan Anger . The 37-year-old special teamer is a two-time Pro Bowler, and the oldest expected starting punter in the league. The former third-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars has enjoyed quite the career, also playing in Tampa Bay and Houston during his 14 accrued seasons.
But with age, accolades and compensation come a certain degree of expectations, and for whatever reason, Anger and the Cowboys' coverage team has failed to live up. It's a situation previous broached by Cowboys Wire's Terence Watson and a situation that deserves continued attention as the Cowboys head to Oxnard next month.
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Special teams is a group effort and that's especially true in matters of punt coverage. Punters don't simply receive snaps and boom the ball as far as humanly possible. They must play within the limitations of their coverage team. Before the phrase "outkicking his coverage" became associated with the arena of finding a mate, it held a quite literal meaning. Punters must weigh the perimeters of the situation and calculate how far they can send a ball to land it just ahead of his trusted gunners. Too much room gives the returner an advantage. Too little room and he leaves meat on the bone. It has to be just right.
The conclusion of the 2025 NFL campaign saw Dallas rank just 14thin net yards per successful punt attempt (includes regular and postseason stats). It's not terrible, but hardly what one would expect from one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL. Anger might not be to blame for such average performance, but if this is as good as the unit is then maybe this would be a good time to get younger and cheaper at the punter position.
It would behoove the Cowboys to kick (punt?) some tires this summer in Oxnard. Whether it's identifying prospects to groom for next season when Anger's contract expires or whether it's to consider this year as a preemptive replacement, a little research could do a team good.
Dallas stands to shed $3,100,000 if they release Anger before the season. They aren't desperate for money and should by no means make a move if it represents a clear step back in talent. But if the expectations are to be average again in 2026, perhaps there is a more cost-friendly alternative the Cowboys can start developing.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Anger issues: Cowboys punt team must fix underperforming ways
