A whole generation of football fans grew up knowing that Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal in 1970 was not just the NFL record, but one of the most extraordinary feats in NFL history. But in the modern NFL, 63-yard field goals are so ordinary that one happened in a preseason game on Friday — and it wasn’t even the longest field goal of the day.
Titans kicker Joey Slye made a 63-yard field goal on Friday but was topped by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who made one from 64. Neither was even close to the longest field goal of this preseason; that distinction belongs to Jaguars kicker Cam Little, who booted one from 70 yards.
NFL kickers are so good now that the very concept of the term “field goal range” has changed. It wasn’t long ago that until the ball got inside the 35-yard line, coaches wouldn’t even think about sending their field goal team onto the field. In the not-too-distant past, coaches would rather try a coffin-corner punt on fourth down than a field goal of 53 yards or longer. Now a kicker who can’t consistently make 53-yard field goals won’t have a job in the NFL for long.
The official NFL record for the longest field goal currently belongs to Justin Tucker at 66 yards, but that record won’t last for decades the way Dempsey’s record did. In fact, there’s a good chance that it will be broken this year. Little showed that NFL kickers can make field goals from 70 yards in game conditions, and on Friday night both Slye and Aubrey made their kicks with enough room to spare that both of them would have been good from at least 67 yards. (Slye also hit a 53-yarder in the same game that bounced off the top of the upright and through, and in the NFL the uprights extend 35 feet above the crossbar, so that kick had the distance to set a record as well.)
The field goal record is sure to be broken soon. The only question is which coach will give his kicker that opportunity, as the NFL is now full of kickers who have redefined field goal range.
Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is not happy with his team or his lack of a new contract, and he didn’t wear his jersey while every other Cowboy did during Friday night’s preseason game. But one thing he says he would never do is treat his teammates with disrespect.
Parsons was pictured lying down on the training table on the sideline, appearing uninterested in the game, but on social media he amplified reporter Mike Leslie of WFAA pointing out that he was only on the training table for a short time.
“I actually appreciate this,” Parsons wrote. “The way media shapes perception and narratives is wild—and if he hadn’t said anything, everyone would’ve just run with it. I’d never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives.”
Although the preseason doesn’t matter to star players, it’s still of vital importance to the players competing for roster spots, and it would be a bad look for a star like Parsons to disregard those players. Parsons is making clear that his feelings about the Cowboys and their refusal to pay him what he wants do not extend to the teammates still working to make the team.
The Micah Parsons contract situation has hit full boil over the past couple of days, culminating in owner and G.M. Jerry Jones sounding off to Michael Irvin — and in Parsons spending time during Friday night’s preseason game on a table.
After the game, coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked about Parsons’s decision to kick back and ignore the game. Via Tommy Yarish of the team’s official website, Schottenheimer said he didn’t notice it — but that he’ll look into it.
“We’ll look at the film and we’ll talk to everybody involved and we’ll have a great assessment of how we did both on and off the field,” Schotteneheimer said.
The first-year coach added that he still believes Parsons will play in the first game of the regular season, in 12 days at Philadelphia. Schottenheimer may be in a shrinking minority of people who think Parsons will play, unless a new deal is signed before then.
With real questions regarding whether the Cowboys have a capable No. 2 to Dak Prescott, second-year quarterback Joe Milton had a solid night in the team’s preseason finale.
In extended action, Milton completed 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 33 yards on four attempts, with another touchdown.
He played into the second half, throwing a 29-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jalen Brooks in the third quarter.
Will Grier completed four of six passes for 40 yards.
The lingering question is whether Milton is ready to be one snap away from playing in the regular season. Despite impressive skills, the Cowboys could decide that he needs more time to develop — and they could still make a move before Week 1 to add a veteran understudy to Prescott.
Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue made his preseason debut Friday night and scored his first touchdown.
But his night didn’t end the way he wanted it to end.
The Cowboys have ruled out Blue with an ankle injury.
It is the same right ankle/heel that he originally injured in an Aug. 7 training camp practice, according to the Cowboys broadcast. Blue only returned to practice Tuesday, missing almost two weeks.
The Cowboys start the season Sept. 4.
The fifth-round pick had nine carries for 25 yards, scoring on a 1-yard run. He was injured on a tackle by Falcons defensive lineman Simeon Barrow at the end of Blue’s 6-yard reception from Will Grier with 13:17 remaining in the game.
The play was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty on Josh Kelly.
