R.I.P. Nick Folk: Man Down After Battle in The Big Easy

The Cowboys dominated for 3 quarters in New Orleans on Saturday night. As a fan, it was thrilling to see the team execute and dictate a game after suffering defeats to the hated Giants and Chargers.

Before half time the Cowboy's players, coaches, front office, and fans held their collective breath as Nick Folk lined up to drill a 44 yard field goal through the uprights.

He nailed it.

Perfect.

Dallas went on to dominate much of the third quarter. The offense was on the field for the majority of it, which meant the defense and Drew Brees were watching from the sidelines.

It wasn't until the 4th that New Orleans offense game alive, and marched down field in a little over 3 minutes.

The Cowboy offense was held to a 3 and out after having 12 men in the huddle, and Roy Williams dropping yet another perfect pass that would have been a first down.

The Saints were threatening Dallas now. Again they marched down and scored. Only down by 7, the Cowboys needed to sustain a drive and maybe even score.

Romo answered.

Starting at their own 20, the Cowboys converted a third down thanks to Miles Austin. Romo and the 'Boys marched the ball into the Saints redzone and chewed the clock to just a little over two minutes.

They were in range for Nick Folk. It was a simple kick just over 20 yards. Nothing he has never done before.

He missed.

The crowd went wild.

The Saints were still in this game.

We all know what happened next. The Cowboys held on to win. They were still in control of their own destiny.

Still, something didn't feel right.

Whether you called him Nick Folk, The Iceman, or The Folk Hero, you had this feeling that the pro bowl kicker just made his last field goal attempt with the 'Boys.

I was depressed.

He's just a kicker. So what? Get over it. Right?

It's not that simple. You think back to '07. 52 yards. Twice back to back. His foot sealed the win against the Bills. Ice him? He's immune.

He was money. When he lined up to take his shot you could relax. This wasn't Vandershank or Cundiff.

I still have horrible memories of Billy Cundiff missing field goals that day that Ron Dayne killed Dallas on the ground so many years ago.

Vandershank makes my stomach turn. He was supposed to be the answer.

Gramatica? The only thing I can think of when I hear his name spoken is the botched hold against Seattle.

Nick Folk was the Man. The Iceman was the answer. The Folk Hero was our champion when the game was on the line.

No more.

Iceman, though you will probably be forgotten by many after your release, at least one fan will never forget the roller coaster that was the Bills Monday Night Football Game that you capped.

Heres to you Iceman.