Roughing the Kicker

[Rich]

Originally Posted by raider

Keep in mind, the punter is not a punter until he actually punts the ball. (see 2.32.8) Thus, until the kick actually happens, no special protection is given. Since the contact happened with the kick, not after, I would strongly suspect that the R player was already committed and had no opportunity to avoid, nor since the snap was muffed, was he totally sure there would even be a kick.

I would rule no foul.

-Dave

If the contact happened with the kick as you say, then there should be a flag. The defense must be aware of and avoid the vulnerable punter.