Kick holder

[nabwong]

When the Pats sent Mallett out with the punt team, it forced miami to take a timeout. That was really interesting. I don't suppose most special teams would put their back up QB with the punt team but I wonder why don't they use the backup QB as the holder on field goal tries. Wouldn't that cause more teams to drop more players in coverage = less pressure on the kicker? Or at least they'd go after the holder more instead of the kicker?

 

[Sciz]

I think it comes down to practice. It's a lot easier to send the three specialists over into a corner to practice together than to have the backup QB split practice reps between offense and holding.

 

[JJDChE]

A lot of teams do use a backup QB as the FG holder, though it doesn't seem as prevalent now as it used to be.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A lot of teams do use a backup QB as the FG holder, though it doesn't seem as prevalent now as it used to be.

After the punters started going down like flies, the Pats used Cassel as a holder.

Then again, infamously, so was Tony Romo.

 

[BradyBranch39]

It was a great move to get MIA to use a 2nd half timeout there.

I admit I've always wondered why teams don't send gimmick personnel out there on ST plays more often, just to get the opponent to burn a TO.
So I had a close-to-home reason to really love that wrinkle today.

 

[nabwong]

Also, on kickoffs, we used Devin McCourty all the time to hold the ball. What's the pros and cons of using someone with his speed holding as oppose to someone bigger and slower like Rivera?

 

[Fencer]

Haven't there been some questionable snap/holds this year? I'm sure Gostowski gently implied it early in the season, and I think somebody else did as well.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Waiiiitt a minute... what if sending #15 in on the punt team was BB making a Tebow joke.

 

[smg93]

Anyone else remember when the Cowboys Punter was backup QB Danny White (who eventually became the starter after Staubach I think).

 

[Jared]

Also, on kickoffs, we used Devin McCourty all the time to hold the ball. What's the pros and cons of using someone with his speed holding as oppose to someone bigger and slower like Rivera?

Recovery speed. I'd rather have McCourty have to stand up and then sprint, compared to having a slower player be unable to catch up and cover his responsibilities downfield.

 

[102 Pat]

I've always wondered if there is a fake punt play drawn up that can be run if they see a certain look. Hopefully it will turn out better than when Chung did it in the 2010 Jets playoff game.