Field Goal Asterisk

[El Guapo]

Cam Little just "broke" the NFL record for longest field goal. The previous record was 66 yards and he kicked a 68 yarder yesterday. If you don't know already, the NFL changed the rules for kicking balls during the offseason. Since 1999, teams were given "kicking" balls or "K-balls" an hour before the game began, giving staff limited time to break them in. Now teams are given 60 balls at the beginning of the season and they can be broken in as long as they don't deflate, deform, or massively alter the ball. One kicker gave the analogy that previously, it was like they were playing with a new baseball mitt every game. Now they get to use a broken in mitt.

While FG length and percentages have been climbing steadily over the years, long FGs have spiked. Kicking 50yd FGs is routine while 60 is the new 50. With records being broken left and right, something tells me that there should be a notation in league records.

Thoughts?

 

[Magooch]

Obviously it seems to be working, but I guess I don't understand the kicking game well enough to understand why a more "broken in" ball would result in longer kick distances. I would have assumed that a newer/fresher ball would have the most "bounce" to it, I guess. I've heard it said anecdotally that a more broken in ball has a larger "sweet spot" but I'm not sure how true that is.

On the other hand I also remember hearing from Bill Cowher talking about how the league has been a bit more strict about the defense lines up on the kicks and leaping/launching which in turn has allowed kickers to kick with a bit of a "flatter" angle leading to more distance. Probably a couple of things going on overall

 

[milani]

Cam Little just "broke" the NFL record for longest field goal. The previous record was 66 yards and he kicked a 68 yarder yesterday. If you don't know already, the NFL changed the rules for kicking balls during the offseason. Since 1999, teams were given "kicking" balls or "K-balls" an hour before the game began, giving staff limited time to break them in. Now teams are given 60 balls at the beginning of the season and they can be broken in as long as they don't deflate, deform, or massively alter the ball. One kicker gave the analogy that previously, it was like they were playing with a new baseball mitt every game. Now they get to use a broken in mitt.

While FG length and percentages have been climbing steadily over the years, long FGs have spiked. Kicking 50yd FGs is routine while 60 is the new 50. With records being broken left and right, something tells me that there should be a notation in league records.

Thoughts?

It is what it is. The 68 yarder came in a road game. Luke's 61 yarder was on the road as well. Does the home team control the footballs? Just leave FGs alone. If you miss there is still a field position price unless it is at the end of a half.