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Technically, in the professional rules it’s referred to as a fair catch kick rather than a free kick.  Dicker isn’t the only Texas kicker to attempt one in the NFL.  Raul Allegre missed a 61 yard attempt, and Phil Fawson missed a 71 yard attempt.

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13 minutes ago, nnm said:

I’ve been watching football for about 50 years and did not know about that. Never seen it before. 

I haven’t been watching NFL this year and thought they pussified field goals too

2 hours ago, DaggerHorns said:

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I'll bet over half the coaches in the NFL don't even know about the Free Kick Rule. I've seen numerous instances where it woulda been a great call, but it wasn't used. And you never hear anyone in the booth call for it. Kudos to the chargers' coach and Dicker.

6 hours ago, Irish Wrist Watch said:

I'll bet over half the coaches in the NFL don't even know about the Free Kick Rule.

I’ll bet you’re wrong. 

9 hours ago, Anastasis said:

I am in favor of more free kicks situations. 

With Bert Auburn?

I’ll bet you’re wrong. 
Well, yeah, they all know now.
6 hours ago, Irish Wrist Watch said:

I'll bet over half the coaches in the NFL don't even know about the Free Kick Rule. I've seen numerous instances where it woulda been a great call, but it wasn't used. 

They all know and no you haven't.

Fair catching a punt inside the 50 with time for one play before the end of the half is pretty much the only time that attempting that kick would make sense. That rarely, rarely happens.

The Cowboys tried one back in the Landry era, at the end of the game that would have either tied or won the game. They missed.  I’d have to go digging to find out when, where, who. 

28 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

They all know and no you haven't.

IMG_7269.gif.c4f0d12ef9fc0e4a4f89ab32f835294e.gif

17 minutes ago, CycleTex87 said:

The Cowboys tried one back in the Landry era, at the end of the game that would have either tied or won the game. They missed.  I’d have to go digging to find out when, where, who. 

I just looked it up on Wikipedia and it doesn't show that Cowboys ever tried one. Interesting note though. The 49's had 1 attempted on them in '68 and then 3 in '69. All misses.  

7 hours ago, Irish Wrist Watch said:

I'll bet over half the coaches in the NFL don't even know about the Free Kick Rule. I've seen numerous instances where it woulda been a great call, but it wasn't used. And you never hear anyone in the booth call for it. Kudos to the chargers' coach and Dicker.

I would bet every NFL head coach and special teams coach knows about this rule.  the problem is that it rarely ever becomes a chance. 

I can't imagine you've seen numerous instances where it could have been used.  you basically need a fair catch with probably less than 7 or 8 seconds on the clock at the end of a half within FG distance.

12 minutes ago, dcar00 said:

I would bet every NFL head coach and special teams coach knows about this rule.  the problem is that it rarely ever becomes a chance. 

I can't imagine you've seen numerous instances where it could have been used.  you basically need a fair catch with probably less than 7 or 8 seconds on the clock at the end of a half within FG distance.

This one only had a chance because of a 15-yard interference penalty, right?

1 minute ago, jimmyjazz said:

This one only had a chance because of a 15-yard interference penalty, right?

Correct unless you think Harbaugh would have sent DTK out for a 72 yarder ;-)

Aubrey could probably hit one from that distance with not having to be worried about it being blocked.

41 minutes ago, T-shirt Sip said:

I just looked it up on Wikipedia and it doesn't show that Cowboys ever tried one. Interesting note though. The 49's had 1 attempted on them in '68 and then 3 in '69. All misses.  

Yes, the Wikipedia page shows that the Cowboys attempt was in a preseason game.  I didn't remember that though.  1986.

I mean it does occur at least once every couple of games (college and NFL) that a decent kicker will end up kicking the ball through the uprights on a regular kickoff (kicked from own 35). That's basically a 75 yard field goal. So anything from your own 35 or closer should have a decent chance.

26 minutes ago, utbone04 said:

I mean it does occur at least once every couple of games (college and NFL) that a decent kicker will end up kicking the ball through the uprights on a regular kickoff (kicked from own 35). That's basically a 75 yard field goal. So anything from your own 35 or closer should have a decent chance.

they can't use a tee on the free kick.

you may be able to use a tee in college

15 minutes ago, dcar00 said:

you may be able to use a tee in college

It's only a pro/HS rule.  Can't happen in college.

Just now, jimmyjazz said:

It's only a pro/HS rule.  Can't happen in college.

yeah, interesting.  I thought it was a rule across all football but apparently the NCAA eliminated the option when they brought back the fair catch.

you can use a tee on a free kick in college and HS but not in NFL and I guess only HS can use a tee on a fair catch kick.

I must be losing my mind, I swear the Cowboys attempted one some years ago. I knew about the rule because I've seen it before and the Cowboys are about the only NFL I watch (unfortunately). I looked it up and didn't see it. Maybe they lined up then changed their mind. I know I've seen the rule explaned in a prior game I've watched. Coaches know the rule, the situation in which it can be applied are just so rare, especially with today's punters who can launch it a mile from the back of the endzone. The one yesterday was only possible because of the penalty.

Edited by 'stache

There is no Fair Catch Kick in college.

Because of the penalty providing an “untimed down” to end either half, any type of offensive play could’ve been used. But yes, in NCAA or TXHSFB, it would’ve looked like a regular FG attempt, not like the NFL with no snap, hold, or defensive team rushing.

Hook’em!!!
6 minutes ago, 'stache said:

I must be losing my mind, I swear the Cowboys attempted one some years ago. I knew about the rule because I've seen it before and the Cowboys are about the only NFL I watch (unfortunately). I looked it up and didn't see it. Maybe they lined up then changed their mind. I know I've seen the rule explaned in a prior game I've watched. Coaches know the rule, the situation in which it can be applied are just so rare, especially with today's punters who can launch it a mile from the back of the endzone. The one yesterday was only possible because of the penalty.

I read about McCarthy trying one 2021 maybe last night when I was reading about the rule, but I don't remember seeing it.

2 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

This one only had a chance because of a 15-yard interference penalty, right?

I think at least a few kickers would be capable of hitting one of these from mid-70s range. You can put a lower trajectory on the ball without anyone trying to block the kick.

9 hours ago, dcar00 said:

they can't use a tee on the free kick.

Did not know that. That could throw off the mechanics a bit and trim a few yards off the distance. Still, if you've got a great kicker... I'd say from your own 45 in, less than twenty seconds left in the half might be worth a try. No blockers, lower trajectory. 65 Yarder. No snapping 7 yds back.

If you miss, you're giving your opponent a couple of plays inside your fifty... or, if it's the end of the game and you need those three to tie or win, the odds might be just as good as completing two six yarders to the sidelines, then adding the 7 yard snap... Just depends on conditions and your kicker. Wouldn't be surprised to find out that every couple of weeks the opportunity occurs once in the NFL.

8 hours ago, 'stache said:

I must be losing my mind, I swear the Cowboys attempted one some years ago. I knew about the rule because I've seen it before and the Cowboys are about the only NFL I watch (unfortunately). I looked it up and didn't see it. Maybe they lined up then changed their mind. I know I've seen the rule explaned in a prior game I've watched. Coaches know the rule, the situation in which it can be applied are just so rare, especially with today's punters who can launch it a mile from the back of the endzone. The one yesterday was only possible because of the penalty.

 

On 12/20/2024 at 12:20 AM, Irish Wrist Watch said:

I'll bet over half the coaches in the NFL don't even know about the Free Kick Rule. I've seen numerous instances where it woulda been a great call, but it wasn't used. And you never hear anyone in the booth call for it. Kudos to the chargers' coach and Dicker.

Madden had a fetish for it.  He used to talk about it all the time 

  • 8 months later...
39 minutes ago, shadow_operative2.0 said:

Just like we all predicted for his career. 

 

DBU and RBU are debated but Texas has kicker U pretty well locked up apparently. 

Wrong thread. How the fuck did I find my way here?

Edited by WhatTheBuck

5 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Butker?

Butker? I hardly know her. 

Well, Erxeblen if we're talking college. Minus a few fraud charges here and there.

3 minutes ago, SL Xpress said:

Well, Erxeblen if we're talking college. Minus a few fraud charges here and there.

Why the fuck would we be talking college when the fucking post we're talking about is NFL? holy fucking shit, maybe you should type out 5 paragraphs before spewing some 1 line bullshit like this again.

14 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Why the fuck would we be talking college when the fucking post we're talking about is NFL? holy fucking shit, maybe you should type out 5 paragraphs before spewing some 1 line bullshit like this again.

Overreact much? My gosh, if I gave a rat's ass what you thought about me, you might have hurt my feelings. 

If we're only talking NFL, btw, the clear 3rd choice is Phil Dawson. 

1 minute ago, SL Xpress said:

If we're only talking NFL, btw, the clear 3rd choice is Phil Dawson. 

holy shit, you still haven't read the original post that we were currently talking about. 

1 minute ago, BurntOrange&White said:

holy shit, you still haven't read the original post that we were currently talking about. 

Again, you're still overreacting.

I saw the thread come up. I read the last few posts. I thought we were talking about Texas as kicker U. 

You didn't give a lot of context in your post. Sorry not sorry if I missed what you were referring to. 

It's crazy how much more accurate field goal kicking has become in my lifetime. I looked on that list for who is the highest percentage kicker that retired before 2000. It's Nick Lowery, at #75. 

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