"If it's short, fair catch it."

[Harrious]

On the punt before the end of regulation, Belichick calls time out, and yells to Edelman "if it's short, fair catch it", and then motions toward an area that might be makeable field goal range, I assume to give the opportunity of a free kick. I guess that's just Bill and situational football.

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but I just now noticed it.

 

[flutie66]

Wow great point! As a big fan of little known rules like this I can't believe I didn't think of it myself in that situation. How cool would it have been to win the SB on a free kick while 90% of the country watched completely confused!

On that note, instead of a free kick we got to see what will likely be the only fake kneel down in our lifetimes

 

[Tony2046]

That would have been awesome. Imagine how much of the media would have tripped all over themselves trying to explain that one.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I had it in the back of my mind on the punt. 75 yards was too much, but I wonder at what distance Bill would have let Gostkowski try it. 70? It would have been a great ending!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If harmon came down with that pick its ball in the 40 with 12 seconds left. Not that im complainin tho

 

[Hammer of Thor]

On the punt before the end of regulation, Belichick calls time out, and yells to Edelman "if it's short, fair catch it", and then motions toward an area that might be makeable field goal range, I assume to give the opportunity of a free kick. I guess that's just Bill and situational football.

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but I just now noticed it.

You are 100% correct - that is exactly what he was doing. Ultimately the kick wasn't short so he decided against it.

"Three seconds to go,” Belichick said. “It is too far to take a field goal. We could have had a free kick on that, but it was just too far. It would have been 75 yards. Throw a 75-yard Hail Mary."

Bill Belichick preferred the fake kneeldown over a free kick or Hail Mary

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Still wish he had tried it. And I think a free kick, even a 75 yarder, had a better chance of working than that fake kneeldown did (though it was a cool play, too.)

 

[Dr Pain]

Still wish he had tried it. And I think a free kick, even a 75 yarder, had a better chance of working than that fake kneeldown did (though it was a cool play, too.)

Could a free kick be returned if short?

 

[Digit]

Yes it can, which is why they didn't do it, I imagine.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

True, but unlike with a normal field goal where you have team full of fatties out there to block the rush, on a free kick you can put out your usual, award-winning kick return coverage team. Also, you tell Ghost that his primary job is to make sure the ball goes through the endzone even if that means the ball doesn't go through the uprights. Finally, the clock starts on the free kick attempt so even if it goes out of the endzone with no one touching it the quarter is over and you go to OT.

 

[Gwedd]

Yeah. That reminds me the intentional safety that Belichick had his team take in the endzone during the Denver game in what, 05? It was brilliant because he knew that that defense could keep the Broncos to 3 & out, and get New England to within striking distance after the punt. Worked out great, just as envisioned, and the Patriots won the game. Situational football. All day, every day.

 

[Gumby]

You are 100% correct - that is exactly what he was doing. Ultimately the kick wasn't short so he decided against it.

"Three seconds to go,” Belichick said. “It is too far to take a field goal. We could have had a free kick on that, but it was just too far. It would have been 75 yards. Throw a 75-yard Hail Mary."

Bill Belichick preferred the fake kneeldown over a free kick or Hail Mary

So, if Gronk was healthy. . .do you think he changes that play? I would think you then give it a shot, send all deep EZ right, except Gronk to the 10 left and give him a shot to run it in or pick up a PI.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I remember that last time the Pats executed a free kick was vs the Dolts. They missed it.

In 1984.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

I remember that last time the Pats executed a free kick was vs the Dolts. They missed it.

In 1984.

Other way around. Colts attempted it (and missed). Google for: Allegre free kick

 

[RobertWeathers]

Other way around. Colts attempted it (and missed). Google for: Allegre free kick

I thought Cammarillo kicked it?

I need to google that. Memory sucks...

 

[bormio]

Edelman actually catching the ball has been questioned by some, as the risk of Edelman mishandling it would be felt to be greater than the Pats doing anything to score. But I do not think BB ever gave it a second thought. He completely trusts JE to properly execute whatever job he gives him.

 

[Gwedd]

Edelman actually catching the ball has been questioned by some, as the risk of Edelman mishandling it would be felt to be greater than the Pats doing anything to score. But I do not think BB ever gave it a second thought. He completely trusts JE to properly execute whatever job he gives him.

Coach also trusted Flutie to attempt the last dropkick seen in the NFL. Flutie nailed it, too.

 

[Patjew]

Edelman actually catching the ball has been questioned by some, as the risk of Edelman mishandling it would be felt to be greater than the Pats doing anything to score. But I do not think BB ever gave it a second thought. He completely trusts JE to properly execute whatever job he gives him.

I admit to yelling "don't even try to catch it!" on that punt.

 

[Tony2046]

I remember that last time the Pats executed a free kick was vs the Dolts. They missed it.

In 1984.

Edit: This is the Colts attempting it vs the Pats. Not sure if this is the game you were thinking of.

I had to look up what a fair kick would look like because I had never seen one and wasn't aware of what exactly a fair kick was. But while I was searching I found that 1984 game on youtube. It's funny becuase it took a few minutes for everyone to understand what the hell was going on.

 

[Tony2046]

I thought Cammarillo kicked it?

I need to google that. Memory sucks...

I'm not sure forgetting which team kicked a fair kick in 1984 constitutes as memory sucking. hahahaha