free kick

niltes · Feb 6, 2017

at the end of the game when the pats fair catched (caught?)
the falcon punt, I thought they would use a little known
NFL rule called the free kick. this play happens about every
decade or two and only occurs on the last play
of the first half or the game. the way it works
(and please correct me if I'm in error) is; the
receiving team can on the ensuing play kickoff
like a regular kickoff. the kicker can use a tee
and the defense must be at least ten yards
away like a regular kickoff. if the kick goes
through the goal posts it counts like a field goal,
3 points, if not it can returned like a regular
kickoff. in this case pats received the ball at
their own 35 which would make this a 75 yd
field goal, but with a running start by the kicker
and impossible to be blocked. the danger is
that it misses and comes up short, it can
be returned (think Alabama-Auburn game
a few years ago). I was surprised that
the patriots didn't attempt this.

PatsFan1283 · Feb 6, 2017

Would've been like 75 yard FG no? Gost was looking shaky on the XP's. Guess they figured he had no chance.

I would add though that I thought it was a great call by Belichick to give D Lew a meaningless run in regulation. Think of how tired that D is at that point. And they think you're gonna kneel, now this dude is coming around the corner and it's like ahh fuck, we gotta make 1 more play? Just an example of all the little edges adding up and making them more fatigued in OT. Much better than a kneel down.

kidman232 · Feb 6, 2017

Would have been an 82 yard fg, also time had not run out on the fair catch, as they ran that fake kneel down

MantisToboggan · Feb 6, 2017

The kicker can't use a tee which makes 75 yards pretty assuredly out of his range while also giving the Falcons a chance at a return.

niltes · Feb 6, 2017

the rules say the free kick is from the spot of the catch. i don't know if this
means it is moved to the closest hash mark or to the middle of the field.
a tee IS NOT permitted, but the kicker can take as many steps as
needed to get maximum power. in the event of an unsuccessful
attempt, the receiving team can either try to return it or take
possession from the spot of the kick. there have been three
fair catch kick attempts since 2000. the last made attempt
was in 1976.

HamGlaze · Feb 7, 2017

Sounds like something the Pats would do though.

dtmad · Feb 7, 2017

kidman232 said:
Would have been an 82 yard fg, also time had not run out on the fair catch, as they ran that fake kneel down

Why 82 yards? Kicking from the 35.No snap.

niltes · Feb 7, 2017

I think the longest free kick attempted in NFL history
was 74 yds by the skins mark mosely in 1979.
obviously in was no good. most of the kicks
occur at the of the first half rather than the
end of the game. interesting in 1933 the ny giants
kicked a 30 yd free kick in the 3rd qtr. one has
to assume it was weather related. WIKIPEDIA
IS REALLY AMAZING.