Mat McBriar was five years, 70 games and 299 punts into his NFL career before he had a punt blocked. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, his replacement, Chris Jones, didn't have as long of a wait. Dan Connor missed a block on Jones' first attempt Sunday in Seattle.
So on only his 13th career attempt, in only his fourth career game, Jones' punt was blocked by Malcolm Smith and returned for a 3-yard touchdown by Jeron Johnson.
Jones knows what is coming this week:The Bucs, who blocked a Carolina punt in the season opener, are going to test the Cowboys' blocking.
"I guess I've kind of been warned of that," Jones said. "I guess everybody has. I don't think we should have our main focus on that. I think if everybody does their job, everything's going to be fine."
McBriar had a punt blocked in three of his last four years in Dallas, including in the season opener last season against the Jets when Joe McKnight blocked one and Isaiah Trufant took it 18 yards for a touchdown.
With the Cowboys having allowed two blocks in 18 games, the Bucs smell blood.
"It's like Shark Week mentality," said linebacker Alex Albright, who is not expected to play because of a stinger. "Anytime there's blood in the water, and you see a little weakness, they like to expose it. They figure if one person can do it, then any team can do it. It puts more pressure on us as a group."
-- Charean Williams
Twitter: @NFLCharean
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