Safety

[Rich]

Originally Posted by maven

That's a better option for game management, even if not completely following the letter of 4-2-2e(2).

If the question, however, is "TB or safety?" then I'll go with safety.

It's not even following the spirit of the rule. I was being a bit facetious, I'll admit. It's a free kick -- I gotta let it live since K can recover it, even if it's laying there not moving -- I'm not blowing it dead until both teams show me that neither is trying to recover it.

It can't be a touchback unless the kick put it across the goal line. Doesn't sound like that is even in the ballpark.