At the end of the first half of the Titans-Texans game, Tennessee attempted a free-kick field goal from the 48 yard line. Rob Bironas' kick came up well short and was returned to about the 20.

Definitely the first one I have ever seen, anyone know the last time this happened in the NFL?

EDIT: Also, they were not allowed to kick off a tee; it was held on the ground just as on a normal field goal attempt. Any reason this NFL rule is different from NFHS?

[Edited by bigwes68 on Oct 9th, 2005 at 02:38 PM]

Under NFL rules, no tee is allowed for try for point kicks, field goal attempts, after a safety, or free kick following a fair catch. The only time a tee is allowed is on a kick-off to begin a half or following a score.

I'm suprised he missed it. That is only 62 yards and with no rush and could take his normal KO run up, I'd bet more than 1/2 the kickers would have made it.

This was done twice in a game in KY this past weekend. Of course, the officials were ready as the HC has said all year he wanted to do this. Both were good and the opposing coach did not know what was going on.

But this is a little different. In the NFL they can't use a tee. On kickoffs they can use a 1" tee. That is significant. You won't see many kickers at all trying to use a kickoff approach when the ball is on the ground. It is too easy to hit the ground with the kicking foot when you use the big approach. Accuracy is also an issue there as there is more variability in the approach.

But I agree with you that probably half of the leagues kickers could have made that.

I missed that one. How do they line up for the free kick? Is it just like a kick-off? Is there a snap?

Just like a kickoff (except for the holder). There is no snap.