OXNARD, Calif. — Patience.
That is what the Cowboys knew this process would entail.
Patience with a 22-year-old undrafted rookie who has a big leg but raw mechanics. Patience with a 32-year-old veteran whose professional experience is mostly concentrated in Canada. Patience as they compete and develop.
But then Jonathan Garibay failed Saturday to reverse his rocky training camp, missing seven of 11 field goal attempts, including each of the last four. His final attempt was pressure-laced from 39 yards: Quarterback Dak Prescott waved a white towel over his own head, pumping up more than 4,400 fans.
The kick sailed right. The cheers deflated.
Speaking of white towels, at what point do the Cowboys throw theirs?
If their patience wasn’t already being tested, it is now. There was Tuesday’s practice in which the Cowboys backed up Garibay and Lirim Hajrullahu into a headwind. Both struggled, going 6 of 11 and 4 of 11, respectively. Some of those attempts wouldn’t have been tried in a game; several were from between 48 and 59 yards. When removing that outing, Texas Tech’s Garibay has made 51.2% (21 of 41) of field goals attempts against a live rush compared with Hajrullahu’s 85% (34 of 40).
On Saturday, the Cowboys kicked into the same end zone where wind proved to be a problem four days earlier. Hajrullahu was 8-for-11 this time to Garibay’s aforementioned 4 of 11. On days when the Cowboys are not kicking into that end zone, Hajrullahu has made 89.7% (26 of 29) of live attempts with Garibay at 56.7% (17 of 30).
If totaling every live kick from camp, wind-blocked 59-yarders or not, Hajrullahu is at 82.4% (42 of 51). Garibay: 51.9% (27 of 52).
No matter which way it is sliced, Garibay has much to resolve.
“I don’t think it’s a secret we got a competition there,” right guard Zack Martin said. “It’s been back and forth, and I’m sure they like to hit more kicks than they have. I don’t know what it’s like to be in those situations, but we need them to step up and make some kicks.”
After practice, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he is “not really” worried about the kicker situation.
“I know we’re challenged there against the wind out there,” said Jones, whose team will play in windy conditions this season. “I’d like to see them in the calmness of the stadium hitting those 32-yarders, which happens to be the extra point. Let’s get that down. That’s where I want consistency right there.”
Last year, the Cowboys kept patient with Greg Zuerlein, who still hadn’t attempted a live field goal at this stage of camp while recovering from back surgery.
Zuerlein never recaptured his pre-injury swing, and the inconsistency cost the Cowboys at different points of the regular season, including a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zuerlein was released in March.
Six weeks from Sunday, the Bucs are the Week 1 opponent again.
The team can either choose patience at kicker for a second straight camp, or someone other than Garibay will be competing with Hajrullahu before long.
Big man on move: Rookie left guard Tyler Smith is one of the Cowboys’ most physical players, but showcased his athleticism in space Saturday, delivering a downfield block on a linebacker to help clear running back Ezekiel Elliott on a screen to the left flat.
It is only practice between teammates, so the block’s force was constrained.
Still, Smith said the play “felt good.”
“That’s definitely something I take pride in, just being able to move around,” said Smith, who continues to split first-team reps with Connor McGovern. “I did a lot of sports growing up. I feel that’s really helped me in my transition to football, just being multidimensional in terms of what coaches ask me to do, moving out in space or making reach blocks. It’s a big part of my game.”
High reaching: In Week 1, Noah Brown and CeeDee Lamb are expected to be the Cowboys’ only wide receivers to whom Prescott has previously completed a pass in a regular-season game.
Plays like one Saturday can improve a team’s confidence about the situation.
Brown high-pointed a deep ball through contact over rookie cornerback DaRon Bland. Brown landed hard on his right side but quickly stood up, punching the football with his left hand while facing the bleachers.
Medical update: Linebacker Jabril Cox returned to practice Saturday after having missed a few days. He wore a brace over his right knee for the first time in camp. Cox suffered a right ACL tear last Halloween. He was a limited participant, as the Cowboys ramp him up gradually.
Tight ends Jake Ferguson (hamstring) and Jeremy Sprinkle (Achilles) worked with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown on the side. Coach Mike McCarthy said that they’re progressing better than expected.
Running back Rico Dowdle remains sidelined with COVID-19. Undrafted rookie Malik Davis has run well as the No. 3 back in his absence.
Twitter: @GehlkenNFL