David Buehler Signing: New York Giants ink former Dallas Cowboys' placekicker

Possibly signalling that they don't expect to retain unrestricted free agent placekicker Lawrence Tynes the New York Giants Wednesday announced the signing of free-agent kicker David Buehler, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.

Buehler, 26, was with the Dallas Cowboys from 2009-2011. He handled kickoff duties throughout the first two of those seasons and in four games in 2011. In three years, Buehler had 60 touchbacks on 175 kickoffs, a 34.3 percentage. He led the NFL with 29 touchbacks (on 76 kickoffs) as a rookie in 2009.

In 2010, Buehler was also the Cowboys' field goal kicker. He made 24-of-32 attempts (75 percent) with a long field goal of 53 yards. Buehler also succeeded on 42-of-44 extra-point attempts.

Buehler played in four games the following season and had nine touchbacks on 18 kickoffs. He did not attempt a field goal. Buehler was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 10, 2011 with a torn adductor muscle. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip on Dec. 11. Buehler was waived/failed physical by the Cowboys on March 13, 2012. He did not play at all last season.

Tynes has been with the Giants for six seasons and has made 122-of-146 field-goal attempts (83.6 percent). He has also twice converted field goals that sent the Giants into Super Bowls. He has now completed a five-year, $7 million contract with the Giants and is expected to test the market.

Whether or Buehler is the answer if Tynes leaves is difficult to say. It does, however, appear that the Giants are taking steps to prepare themselves in the event they need a new placekicker in 2013.