Dicker The Kicker

[NeverMarryAStripper 22,274]

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.

[Hank_Hill 19,988]

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

[DaggerHorns 3,170]

[Rimbo 27,001]

Dicker the Kicker baby.

[Irish Wrist Watch 1,495]

2 hours ago, DaggerHorns 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.

[futureman 22,691]

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. 

[jimmyjazz 47,125]

9 hours ago, Anastasis said:

I am in favor of more free kicks situations. 

With Bert Auburn?

[Paco 1,960]

I’ll bet you’re wrong. 

Well, yeah, they all know now.

[HornOnTheBayou 9,062]

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.

[Alien Octopus 664]

57 yards- Boom!

[CycleTex87 3,023]

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. 

[Gandalfish 389]

28 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

They all know and no you haven't.

[T-shirt Sip 2,205]

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.  

[dcar00 14,946]

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.

[jimmyjazz 47,125]

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?

[Pimphand 6,357]

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 ;-)

[kevwun 16,437]

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

[CycleTex87 3,023]

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.

[utbone04 15]

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.

[dcar00 14,946]

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.

[NeverMarryAStripper 22,274]

[dcar00 14,946]

you may be able to use a tee in college

[NeverMarryAStripper 22,274]

There is no Fair Catch Kick in college.

[jimmyjazz 47,125]

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.

[dcar00 14,946]

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.

['stache 22,131]

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 Friday at 04:42 PM by 'stache

[msucolt45 4,227]

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!!!

[kevwun 16,437]

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.

[The Hot Dog Buffet 1,314]

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.

[Irish Wrist Watch 1,495]

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.

[Bookman 4,758]

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.

 

[shadow_operative2.0 16,255]

That is some peak Chan Gailey shit right there, but the real funny part is ol' boy actually talked about it for 16 minutes. 

[Coach pop a bitch 5,965]

 

[WBT 20,965]

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