IRVING, Texas --Don't expect the Cowboys to keep five specialists (two punters, two kickers and reliable long-time snapper L.P. Ladouceur) on the 53-man roster for the rest of the season.
Doesn't sound like David Buehler's going anywhere at this point, though, based on head coach Jason Garrett's praise of the third-year kicker.
Ladouceur is a fixture. At punter, the Cowboys' hope is Mat McBriar's nerve condition calms down enough in his plant foot to punt consistently, effectively and without pain. Then rookie punter Chris Jones -- who did an excellent job in relief against Seattle -- would likely give way to another position player. McBriar's status has truly been day-to-day over the last couple of weeks, though.
Then there are the two kickers. Dan Bailey hasn't missed a game field goal in nearly two months. Buehler, who's back to the kickoff specialist role from his rookie season, has drilled four touchbacks on seven tries since returning from a groin injury two games ago.
That's what the Cowboys want from him, particularly with the new 35-yard line kickoff rule.
"We feel good about David Buehler as a kickoff guy," Garrett said. "We feel like he can have an impact on the game and he did (Sunday). We felt like that would be worthwhile thing to be patient with."
