Usually when you talk about a third-year breakout player, you're talking about a wide receiver, a position where players generally really become stars in the league in their third season after adjusting to the speed, size and physicality of the NFL game.
But the Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a third-year breakout at kicker in Dan Bailey, who had another stellar season in 2013 and connected on six of his seven attempts from beyond 50 yards, and now he's a restricted free agent.
The Cowboys are looking to lock up Bailey for the long term before he hits unrestricted free agency, according to Rowan Kavner.
Kavner said Stephen Jones stated that the Cowboys and Bailey are in “pretty serious talks” with Bailey regarding a long-term contract. Jones, per Kavner, is “optimistic” that both sides can agree to a long-term deal.
Bailey was 28-for-30 in 2013 on his field goal attempts, and has been nearly as dominant in his previous two seasons. It's not terribly common to see kickers signed to long-term deals, but if there was ever one to do it with it could be Bailey, who's young and very, very effective.
