FRISCO, Texas – Growing up in the 80's, I always kind of lived by the iconic wrestler Ric Flair and his rule for determining your place.
To be the man, you've got to beat the man.
Simple enough. You're the champion, or the leader, or in this case, the jobholder, and if someone is going to take it, they have to come in and out-perform you, clearly.
I'm all for competition. I'm just not so sure this was one.
Dan Bailey lost his job on Saturday as the Cowboys decided to release him among the 36 players to get the roster down to 53. The Cowboys have every right to make whatever move they want. In this case, they're going with Brett Maher, who has never made a kick in an NFL game.
Bailey, the second-most accurate in NFL history, might still have the top spot in that category had it not been for a groin injury that sidelined him for over a month. Bailey came back and obviously wasn't the same, missing kicks he's never done before, like two extra points and another inside of 30.
But like most people, I assumed he would regroup in the offseason, knock off the rust, and get his groove back. And I believe he had done that. Ok, so there were a few days in practice where he missed a couple of kicks, but after that, he was rock-solid.
I still don't understand what happened between now and then for the Cowboys to decide to let him go.
50 of the best views from the 7-year Dallas Cowboys career of K Dan Bailey.
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) looks on at a field goal attempt as punter Mat McBriar (1) holds during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey (5) kicks the game-winning field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. The Cowboys won 27-24. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Dan Bailey holds a football before an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) and quarterback Tony Romo (9) celebrate Bailey's game-winning field goal as Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen (25) walks off the field during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey reacts to scoring the game-winning field goal against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 18-16. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey kicks a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey (5) pumps his fist in front of Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) after making a field goal during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys in overtime 19-13. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) celebrates as teammate Dan Bailey (5) is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. The Cowboys won 27-24. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks an extra point as punter Brian Moorman (2) holds during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Saints defeated the Cowboys in overtime, 34-31. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys punter Brian Moorman (2) holds as Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a fourth quarter field goal for a 19-14 lead during the NFL week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. The Cowboys won the game 19-14. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey passes a ball before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 24-17. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) hugs special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after kicking a 38 yard field goal in overtime during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Browns, 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) and Brian Moorman (2) watch as Bailey kicks a game-winning filed goal against the Cleveland Browns in overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 23-20. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) and holder Brian Moorman (2) watch as Bailey's 21 yard field goal attempt is good to win the game during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers in overtime, 27-24. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a field goal during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 38-33. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 33 yard field goal during an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, California on Monday, August 13, 2012, at O.co Coliseum. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders, 3-0. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) is congratulated by Chris Jones (6) after Bailey kicked a game-winning field goal against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys won 24-21. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Overall view as Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a field goal during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 37-36. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) watches his second field goal during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, September 15, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Cowboys, 17-16. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks the football for a field goal as punter Chris Jones (6) holds during the game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, December 9, 2013. The Bears defeated the Cowboys 45-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey watches his kick as the cheerleaders perform on the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday, Nov. 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 37-36. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey watches his field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks during warmups before 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 a 40-yard field goal in the third quarter during an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Edwards Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. It was Bailey's 27th consecutive field goal, a Cowboys record. The Cowboys defeated the Rams, 34-31. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey is greeted by Zack Martin (70) after a kick 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) and holder Chris Jones (6) watch the ball for a field goal first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) holds as kicker Dan Bailey (5) attempts a field goal under pressure from Houston Texans defensive back Andre Hal (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) holds while Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a first quarter field goal for a 3-0 lead as Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) tries to block the kick 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' Dan Bailey kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) watches the ball after a kick during a field goal attempt during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 in Landover, Md. Dallas won 19-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 21 yard field goal from the hold of punter Chris Jones (6) during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, November 26, 2015. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys, 33-14. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 30 yard field goal during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sunday, October 4, 2015. The Saints defeated the Cowboys in overtime, 26-20. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with teammates during the NFL regular season game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 in Arlington. The Eagles won in overtime, 33-27. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Cowboy defeated the Redskins 19-16. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 46 yard field goal during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, December 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Cowboys, 16-6. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) watches his 50 yard field goal kick during an NFL game against the New York Jets Saturday, December 19, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The Jets defeated the Cowboys, 19-16. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) prepares for a kickoff before the NFL regular season game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 in Arlington, TX. The Jets won, 19-16. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks the ball during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 27-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 53-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks the football for a field goal as punter Chris Jones (6) holds during a week 10 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov 13, 2016, in Pittsburgh. The Cowboys won 35-30. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) watches his kick during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 31-26. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys kickoff coverage unit runs after Dan Bailey (5) kicks during the 2016 NFL week 16 regular season game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 42-21. (James D. Smith via AP)
01 October 2017:
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs GB
Dallas Cowboys guard Jonathan Cooper (64) congratulates Dan Bailey (5) on his field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with punter Chris Jones (6) during a week 15 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with tight end Jason Witten (82) after a kick during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
I think we all would've liked to have a statement or press conference explaining why they cut their most productive kicker in team history. But that's not really my big issue with this.
What I don't understand is why Bailey didn't get a chance to truly compete. The coaches can argue that by saying something like "they compete every day in practice."
But in reality, they didn't. Bailey took most of the kicks, and made all but five of them throughout the course of training camp in Oxnard. It was something like 37 out of 42 out there, and he was even better when the team returned to Frisco for the rest of camp.
However, he didn't get a chance to really kick in the preseason games. Bailey made his only field goal attempt and another extra point. Other than that, Maher got all the other kicks, missing one in the first preseason game that would've given the Cowboys the victory in San Francisco. He made his other five kicks, including the 57-yard kick early in the Houston game last Thursday night.
Personally, I think it was that kick that got the Cowboys thinking to keep Maher.
But, why didn't Bailey get that shot? Hasn't he earned that opportunity by now? If Bailey's confidence was something to worry about, then why not let him trot out there and drill a 57-yard kick. Because I know if he had made that, no one would be worried about him heading into the season.
Isn't that what preseason games are for? The Cowboys made it really clear their intention wasn't to win the football games – and they didn't win any.
But it should've come down to evaluating players. What better way to see what you've got with Bailey then to have him attempt a long field goal, indoors, to raise the confidence level up in both him and the team?
I'm pretty sure that of the 36 players that got cut, a few of them are probably upset that they didn't get a fair chance to compete. Maybe one of the younger receivers that got here late, or maybe a linebacker that just couldn't get many reps behind this deep group of players.
But Bailey shouldn't be one of those guys. He should've had all the reps he wanted and needed to get himself ready for the season.
Again, I have no problems with a guy getting beat out, even if it's a surprise to us. But this doesn't sound like it was ever a real competition.
And I'm just not one who thinks money had a big factor here. I mean, the Cowboys cut Dez Bryant to save $8 million and haven't done anything with it. They signed Zack Martin to a deal that actually saved them money on the cap as well. Yet, they still haven't done anything major with that cash.
So cutting Bailey, who has made more field goals than any player in franchise history, just to save around $3 million on the cap doesn't make a lot of sense, especially considering how close these games are in NFL and they always come down to a field goal at the end of the half, the end of the game, and oftentimes, both.
I hate this for Dan Bailey because he's one of the classiest guys that ever played for the Cowboys. I really never met one person, either one of his teammates, a media colleague of mine, or anyone else that works in the organization, that didn't like Bailey. How could you not?
So for him, the person, you feel for him.
But there's a ton of guys like that over the years that get cut or traded because they just weren't good enough in the end.
However, that just doesn't seem to be the case in this situation.
