Blocked Field Goal Beyond the LOS

[waltjp]

I can't imagine a field goal attempt being blocked anywhere beyond the neutral zone that wouldn't put the ball in the end zone. Semantics aside, if the ball is touched by R beyond the neutral zone then K has a right to recover the ball. The touching by R beyond the neutral zone will result in a new series for somebody.

It is not the responsibility of the officials to notify the players of the ball's status.

[michaelround]

How about a 40-yard field goal, and the linebacker jumps high. He doesn't even need to jump high - the kick is low and hits his raised arm. The ball is now rolling at the 20.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by michaelround

How about a 40-yard field goal, and the linebacker jumps high. He doesn't even need to jump high - the kick is low and hits his raised arm. The ball is now rolling at the 20.

Your answer is in my previous reply:

if the ball is touched by R beyond the neutral zone then K has a right to recover the ball. The touching by R beyond the neutral zone will result in a new series for somebody.

[michaelround]

Very good - now, my concrete example. Leon Lett is ridiculed for his botched attempt to recover the blocked Dolphin field goal years ago. However, it's hard to tell just where the block took place. The defensive lineman got little penetration, so they're possibly "beyond the neutral zone". The field goal was low, probably due to the snow. The ball then rolled towards the end zone.

To me, it's possibly a live ball. Why the Dolphins didn't jump on it, I don't know. Why the Cowboys didn't either, I don't know! In the absence of an official signaling "live ball" or not, the prudent action would seem to be "recover the ball".

[Bad Mood Risin]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Your answer is in my previous reply:

if the ball is touched by R beyond the neutral zone then K has a right to recover the ball. The touching by R beyond the neutral zone will result in a new series for somebody.

If it's a low scrimmage kick, touching is ignored in the EXPANDED neutral zone.

So R has 2 yards to deal with, and I'm betting that's where the LB was when he blocked it.

Can't speak to NFL rules, but I bet it's similar, and I know every other person on the field seemed to know what the rule was except Dr. Lett. But I'm a Dolphons fan, so needless to say I laaaaaauuuuuugggghhhheeeedddddd very hard indeed. It still makes me smile to think about it.