So Harry Kane wants to become a kicker in the NFL after he retires. He wouldn't be the first English football player to do that. Bobby Howfield played for WFC for two spells in late 50s, early 60s, as well as spells with Bushey Utd, Millwall, Aldershot and Fulham. He became a kicker for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets for 6 years from 1968-74. He was very combative as a player and maybe more suited to American Football than Kane. His son Ian (OTT attended Columbine High School) also played in the NFL Miami Dolphins in 1987, Seattle Seahawks from 1988-1989 (signed to the practice squad for both years), Denver Broncos in 1990, Houston Oilers in 1990-1991, Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993. He led the Oilers in scoring in 1991.
Wasn't it Snorbens born Mick Luckhurst who beat the longest ever kick of an American football with his first ever kick (or something).
"Luckhurst scored a rushing touchdown on a fake field goal for the team..." Whatever the heck that means. Sounds like Stuart Attwell may have been the ref that day.
Any kicker who tries to rush on a Field Goal attempt is very likely to get hit hard & often, which might explain why he only did this once in his entire career!!!
My understanding of a fake field goal is; Both sides line up as if a field goal is to take place and, in the case of the defensive team, that's exactly what they're expecting. Because the vast majority of the defensive side are going to rush the kicker they are predominately in line with the posts at the line of scrimmage faced by the blockers on the attacking side. The ball is passed backwards to a bloke who is going to spot the kick, ie. hold the ball for the kicker. As the ball is passed back the defensive unit begin to rush the kicker in an attempt to block the kick but they will, in turn, be blocked by the attacking sides blockers(!) When the bloke (kick spotter) catches the ball, instead of teeing it up to be kicked he'll stand and pass to the kicker who has faked his kick by running up as usual before swerving off to one side in readiness of a thrown pass by the kick spotter. Because all momentum and expectation on behalf of the defensive side is towards blocking a kick they're generally out of position to block the kicker from heading towards the end zone, providing he caught the ball. It will generally only happen when shortish field goals are attempted because kickers are not athletes and watching them run is akin to watching someone rushing out of the toilet with their knickers pulled up to knee height. The stride length gets very short very quick. It's also usually only attempted if you're behind on points by some margin.
Exactly. I can be found over at Oxhey Playing Fields, on my own, dressed like an American footballer trying out special teams plays.. oh, you meant watching NFL games.. yeah, that's what I meant. I haven't watched an NFL game for ages now but I remember the fake field goal thing not only because it happened so rarely but because the commentators would nearly explode with excitement. Then adverts would come and what may have been engrossing and exciting to watch just became a bit mundane really.
He certainly was: I remember somebody chopping him cynically from behind. He leaped to his feet and proceeded to dance on the fouler with his studs, in a state of fury. Even in those days he got sent off for that. Don't altogether blame him, though; I hate the man-only trip from behind, too.
He was excellent on the C4 show that also explained what was going on, rules, tactic and picking out the star players/teams. Unfortunately he also spoiled it for me as when I watched my first ever live match (a superbowl '86?) I wasn't expecting 30 s of action interspersed with 5 min advert breaks...
While I accept a lot don’t like NFL, and I know it’s an ‘each to their own’ sport - I don’t complain about our media coverage as I think outside the top teams we are treated just the same. But watch the BBC show hosted by Mark Chapman for NFL highlights - shows the BBC can do it well, not just show the top sides every week and do a good job. Wish they’d take notice of the good format and knowledgable analysts.
Bobby Howfield is featured in the next volume of the Watford Treasury, available soon I believe Mick Luckhurst was a St. Albans boy and paid for all the kit for the St. Albans Kestrels back in the ‘80s
I really like the NFL show on the BBC. Mark Chapman does a great job, the programme is always funny, all of the presenters seem to like each other, and there is none of the over simplified drivel spouted by the likes of Shearer et al. All in all MOTD the day could do well to learn from these guys on how to create a lively engaging programme.