Perhaps it was when he missed that possibly game-clinching field goal in New Orleans; or when the Dallas Cowboys invited five kickers to Valley Ranch for an audition yesterday; or maybe when Jerry Jones wanted to meet with him; but at some point between Saturday night and yesterday morning, Nick Folk knew what was coming.
Sure enough, a few hours after the team signed Shaun Suisham, a former Cowboy and, more recently, a Redskins' cast-off, Folk was cut after two plus seasons and a Pro Bowl appearance.
Though Dallas likely didn't want to cut the embattled kicker, they were left with little choice, with Folk struggling so mightily as to be a potential hindrance to the team's playoff run. Folk was 18 for 28 on the year, with a key miss in the San Diego game and what could have been a key miss in the New Orleans game.
It was this idea, probably, that contributed to Folk's sullen acceptance of fate yesterday, as the move was made.
"The team had to do what it had to do to make the playoff push," Folk said. "I understand the situation. I can't be bitter. They gave me my first shot. I ran with it as far as my leg could take me, literally. It's the way this year has gone first because of the surgery and not being able to prepare the way I needed to prepare to start the season. And then things went the way they had. But I'm not bitter at all.
"I appreciate the Jones family giving me everything and Wade and Joe D for sticking with me. I know it's been a tough run."
For his career, Folk is 64 for 81 on field goal attempts. He added yesterday that, should the opportunity arise, he would be pen to a return to Dallas in the future.
