Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Fassel Defends Oruwariye After Fumbled Block Punt
Defensive Coordinator Fassel emphasized that most players would react the same way as Amari Oruwariye did when he fumbled the blocked punt, thinking quickly and trying to make a play on the ball. Fassel reassured Oruwariye that he did not cost the team the game, explaining that he had worked hard to return from injury and had tried to make a play on the ball. The coordinator also attributed the Cowboys’ recent special teams struggles to the unpredictable nature of the position, noting that there have been several wild situations in recent weeks.
Fassel pointed out that there were no teammates around Oruwariye who could have warned him with a “Peter call” to stay away from the play, and noted that the ball could have been a partial block or shanked punt. Despite this, the coordinator felt that Oruwariye had done nothing wrong and that he should not be blamed for the team’s misfortune.
The defensive coordinator’s defense of Oruwariye is fair and reasonable, given the chaos and unpredictability of special teams situations. While some may argue that the fumble was a crucial mistake, Fassel’s assessment is that Oruwariye simply reacted in the heat of the moment, and that he had every right to try to make a play on the ball.