Is Michael Dickson's double-punt greatest special teams play ever? | Pro Football Talk | NBC Sports

[@caseycampbell6782]

The one hand scoop was the most incredible part about it.

[@kingfisher2415]

Happens 100 times a game in Aussie Rules game, not to mention at training practice and doing it in the park as kids, Dicko would have done that action a hundred times over, welcome to Aussie Rules my friend

[@Cervantes170]

bruv just watch some AFL happens all the time nothing special

[@arconeagain]

Kids down at my local footy ground can do it day in day out.

[@bman7452]

...no doubt

[@petersnyders2388]

The Australian game is centered on getting the loose ball, if you cant get the loose ball, you shouldn't be playing - it amazes me how NFL players struggle once the ball hits the ground

[@robertferraro236]

Yes, that one handed pickup is his Aussie Rules skill. We actually train on picking up the ball as efficiently as possible while running. In fact, that entire play was what you would see in Aussie Rules.

[@michaelyrure152]

I’m sorry but Florio is completely wrong about the line of scrimmage. Michael Dickson’s foot was clearly ON the line of scrimmage and you could see it both live and in the replay. It’s crazy that Florio doesn’t know that your entire body has to be past the line of scrimmage for you to actually be across the line of scrimmage

[@forchtsengar6071]

it's actually even simpler - any part of the body can be behind the line of scrimmage, and that was even more clear

[@kingfisher7360]

It’s because Florio has the IQ of a wet diaper

[@Overland-460]

It's because Florio would run pass the line of scrimmage and leave his head behind the line of scrimmage 🤣

[@carolmiller5713]

He had too much coffee or somethin' cuz Everyone including the review team in NY saw that - Except him. 😹

[@wes3764]

don't blame him too much, old people aren't known for having great vision.

[@pippaknuckle]

If you can't do that with your eyes closed in Aussies rules you won't make D grade for Frankston.

[@cypr3ss]

I played Div3 SFNL lol, yeh there's some 120kg ressies players that''ll scoop those up.

[@user-yt2xp3qz3f]

Exactly what Aussie footy teaches you

[@michaeldailey7103]

Had he not played Australian rules football he never would have been able to one hand it , impressive !!!

[@elrifle24]

Or kick the ball like that while running

[@timslater1081]

The line of scrimmage was the 21 yard line! Watch it again and think before you speak! Greatest special teams play in NFL history!

[@christopherwilliams2351]

I’m extremely confused as to why florio is so adamant he wasn’t behind the line. Like he looks behind to me 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@carolmiller5713]

Too much coffee. The line is not between refs legs. They should show the film before the 2nd kick, clearly Behind the Line!

[@skiprockjr.6881]

I'm guessing he's thinking the line of scrimmage is the 20 yard line and not the 21. He doesn't cross the 21 until the second punt is in the air. His entire body must cross the 21 for it to be a penalty. Even if it's just his pinky finger that's still on the 21 it's a clean play.

[@jweaks]

Me too. He looks like at least a foot is behind, so this being adamant is weird.

[@EvolutionaryE]

his planted foot is one the line of scrimmage, mike. I thought it was obviously over the first time I saw the replay, but the pic you have here shows it is obviously within the rules that none of us knew until we needed to, now.

[@carolmiller5713]

And that's what review said. He needs to look at the whole scenario again instead of using still photos.

[@skiprockjr.6881]

I actually did know both rules. I knew about the double (or more) punts/FG attempts and only needing any part of the body behind the line of scrimmage. I've been waiting 40+ years for a blocked 19 yd FG to get caught by the kicker and he quickly drop kicks it while flat-footed through the uprights for 3 pts. The double punt was still nice to see though. I'll admit I didn't know the lineman could proceed downfield after the first punt.

[@emptee4494]

Incredible special teams play. Dickson should make the Pro Bowl just for this alone, crazy.

[@Nagash-ol3oe]

Ohhh my god, Florio. How bad you are not watching the original and clearly knowing that the line of scrimmage for that punt was exactly the 21 yard line ! And when Dickson starts his punt move, only his plant (left) food is a touch beyond the line. The rest of his body is clearly behind or on the line of scrimmage. And as long as one single part of your body is not beyond the line its all perfect. Dicksons right food was even at the 20 yard line when he gets it off the ground to punt, thats a whole yard behind the line. All perfectly correct !

[@kayakdog121]

Its not just where the left foot is that matters, the WHOLE BODY must be BEYOND the line of scrimmage for the punt to be illegal.. When he kicks the ball he is leaning backward over the line of scrimmage so the punt is legal.

[@geoschwa]

@The Insult Pigeon he’s agreeing with you. If you have a pinky on your off hand behind the line, you’re still good

[@kayakdog121]

@The Insult Pigeon I am saying that the punt is legal.

[@jamiemcdonald4279]

@The Insult Pigeon "wrong! You're right" is basically what you just said.

[@misterbigglesworth6852]

On 4th down, the ball was placed at the 21. Dickson began his motion at the 20. As long as the punter begins his motion behind the line of scrimmage, this is a legal play. It does not matter if his momentum carries him over the line of scrimmage. This is the same rule when a QB crosses the line of scrimmage as he is attempting to throw the ball.

[@AussieTVMusic]

In Aussie rules you're taught to pick up the ball one handed when you're on the run.

[@cptjockitch]

Looks behind the line of scrimmage to me. Not sure why Florio and king are so upset.

[@shonuff402]

They are blind, also thought he looked on or behind the line.

[@canucklehead4463]

not sure about king, but florio loves to get on his high horse and parade about.

[@primemover1416]

Especially since the play didn't adversely effect the outcome of the game.

[@carolmiller5713]

Cuz they can't see. Too much coffee or tequila...

[@wren1960]

I can't believe that everyone is amazed at the one handed pick-up. Your supposed to be sports reporters you knew he played Australian Rules look the game up and actually see skilled men play Football. Every kid whose play footy in Australia over the age of 12 could pick that ball up.

[@EarlJohn61]

And some of us who never played at all... (Too busy helping on the family farm)

[@andrepeoples2079]

Dude picking that ball up with one hand while its spinning, while running was the most savage play I ever seen in a football game. That literally almost impossible to do. Who would even think to do that???

[@ryanrobbie]

Happens at every lunch break in schools across Australia

[@wren1960]

Every kid that plays Aussie rules football seriously not that hard. It's a requirement.

[@russe19642]

Just wait till he bounces it while running

[@matthewwatts5845]

We do that ALL the time in Aussie Rules. We start practising that as soon as we can walk.

[@AnimalScienceTV]

He was behind the line on the 2nd kick Mike! Its like the opposite of a touchdown if any part of u is behind the line you are ok! The play started beyond the 21 yard line.

[@craigscarborough3696]

No he did not pass the line of scrimmage. 21 yard line was the blue line., on TV. Stop with that narrative. Can you kick it twice is the only question. Rules say??,,,? Oh.

[@craigscarborough3696]

I am sorry, can you show me that foot across the lone? Bring receipts. SHILL

[@Mav_F]

Well, I guess Michael Dickson was the only person who read the playbook for punters in the USA history. No one seems to know about this play. lmao

[@craigscarborough3696]

WHY DID EVRY SHOW I WATCHED PUT THE RULE UP, WORD FOR WORD. BUT YOU DIDN'T???? HELPS YOUR NARRATIVE TO KEEP VEIWER UNINFORMED????

[@sim8289]

Man pulled out some Aussie footy 😂

[@jancoetzee4414]

This play was so refreshing, something completely out of the ordinary. Why do more coaches not innovate and implement more "out of the ordinary" type plays in the NFL? That why I love watching college football.

[@whenthemaskfalls8591]

Coaches DO innovate constantly in the NFL, but the average fan lacks the football IQ to appreciate the nuances of play-design. This double-punt was a clutch scramble on a broken play. Desperate, unordinary plays are almost always unplanned. There are less opportunities for NFL athletes to make such plays due to parity. College football has no parity. Bigger schools w/ multiple NFL-prospects can dominate less-athletic/skilled teams on their schedules no matter what plays they run. The talent-gap and slower game speed allows for more creativity. Those "out of the ordinary" college plays you love watching don't get it done against 11-grown men on an NFL defense.

[@jancoetzee4414]

@@whenthemaskfalls8591 As a relatively new follower of American Football, I certainly have a lot to learn about the nuances of the game as you say. Which current coach do you rate as the one with the highest football IQ?

[@ssvoogel]

The line of scrimmage was the 21 yard line. Florio just gets confused because the chain marker is located at the 20-yard line for some reason. But the 4th down play started at the 21 yard line, meaning Dickson was on the line of scrimmage when he kicked it.

[@adriannerodriguez4707]

Who else think that one hand scoop while the ball is spinning is normal 😂🙌🏽 Aussie style baby

[@cit96AdizeroVapor]

Best punter in the game for a couple years now

[@roydodman3703]

Side note: Do most people notice that today's sports talk radio/television is essentially about repeating a single item over and over and over and over....

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

Younghoe Koo making three onside kicks in the same game.

[@neecs]

Thats a kicker not a punter

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

@@neecs kicking is still special teams, dude.

[@rocknral]

The guy saying " I never knew you could punt twice" telling us the rules were broken?

[@kadachiman7234]

people should watch any game of AFL (Australian Rules Football) as picking up a ball with one hand then kicking or handball passing occurs all the time. Still sensational play though.

[@alexdefrancesco8787]

This guy has no idea what he’s talking about

[@ericl1166]

Florio is: a) blind b) whiny c) a killjoy d) all of the above

[@fortranwarrior8716]

Everyone's talking about Australian Rules football, but this kind of play is typical in practically every other football code. Even in the CFL, you can do an "open-field kick" pretty much whenever you want to. There are just so many stipulations in the NFL for when you can and cannot kick the ball that nearly everyone automatically assumed this play was illegal. NFL needs to put the "foot" back in "football"

[@smackdd1]

He has trained to pick up the ball on the run since a young child

[@austinnar4494]

I'm not sure what the rule is with a punt, but with a pass it's still legal if any part of the body is behind the LOS when the ball is released. So even if he's crossed the line, in the frame shown he's still got his back foot and upper body behind the line

[@partypandamonium9116]

I’m almost positive it is the same rule. Also I’m not even sure that his foot was across the line, the line of scrimmage was the 21

[@JunctionWatcher]

Exactly. Good explanation

[@Mamillius-00]

You dipped your chip, took a bite, and then you dipped again!

[@Levon2464]

Basic skills in Aussie rules. Greatest play of all time in NFL. Okay.

[@rmm3803]

Well they're totally different games, what's your point? You really expect NFL players to be proficient at skills they rarely ever need just because they're common in some other sport? Grow up.

[@hashbrown4278]

It’s not the greatest play in NFL. Not even close

[@jwkreid]

In Aussie Rules Football, talented players often pick the ball up if it is stopped and flat on the ground. The fact that the football was spinning on its end, as odd as it may seem, made it easier for him to pick it up at speed because he didn't have to reach down as far. Great play still. The rule might need tweaking. They should either say you cannot punt it twice under any circumstances, or say that if the punt was blocked and you managed to recover it, you can punt it again if it was recovered and punted within 2 or 3 metres of LOS (give the punting team an opportunity to do what the play intended, the same way that a saved penalty in soccer can be kicked again as long as it was in one motion).

[@kingfisher2415]

Just as easy to pick it up flat on the ground mate, heaps of 1 on 1 competative training drills start out this way in Aussie rules

[@JDankens]

Line of scrimmage or not it should be allowed because it was super badass

[@wendydelisse9778]

Almost throughout the 20th Century, a punt was allowed beyond the line of scrimmage. Likely the last player in the NFL to do so before the rules changed was Danny White of the Dallas Cowboys. Back in the 20th Century, a punter going beyond the line of scrimmage hoping for a first down against a defense initially judged by the punter after the snap to be a too relaxed defense might then have a last moment change of mind and decide that a 1st down might not be possible after all, and then punt the ball from beyond the line of scrimmage. Nowadays, punting from beyond the line of scrimmage is an illegal procedure penalty. Punting from beyond the line of scrimmage was a rare event in the 20th Century, since normally once the line of scrimmage was crossed, 1st down was just a few footsteps away, and no one was going to punt the ball after 1st down yardage was achieved. The former rule that allowed punting from beyond the line of scrimmage favored the old fashioned "triple threat" man, someone who could run well or pass well or kick well, depending on the situation. A bonus for such a punt from beyond the line of scrimmage was that any penalty for an illegal man downfield would be negated by having crossed beyond the line of scrimmage, meaning that such a punt would almost never be called back unless there was a holding penalty before the punt.

[@lukyspdegaming5422]

Pat McAfee's onside kick where the team lined up for a standard kickoff and he kicked it just passed the 10 yard requirement and recovered it himself. Other than that, yeah, this might be the best special team play by 1 player ever.

[@aleksandrspektor1039]

I love that play but it's not even close to this one. That was a designed play that McAfee executed to perfection but they knew the opponent's special teams didn't pay attention on kickoffs and successfully exploited it. What's far more impressive about Dickson's play is that it was not planned but it was executed so well that it looks like a designed play.

[@JohnPritzlaff]

My understanding is that the entirety of his body, and the whole of the ball, have to be completely past the line of scrimmage *when he begins the motion of his kick* . Punters typically take two steps then kick it.

[@carolmiller5713]

If they'd shown the actual play on video (like the reviewers did) they'd see how wrong they are. Where do they think the line of scrimmage is?

[@71defjam]

Ball snapped on the 21, ball kicked on the 21. Florio may need to go specsavers

[@Xion-Rotti]

Pat Mcafee recovering his own onside

[@velder22]

Yep I just posted that same comment LOL

[@chadalpha7983]

He would have done an even better play if Polanomu didn't line up in the c gap

[@marklewfatt2113]

That's just a normal AFL move, and kick the ball both feet

[@darrengibbs4288]

if you draw a line from the 21 yard line, keeping it equal distance from the 20 yard line all the way down, the line passes through Dickson's left foot.

[@aggilos9650]

As long as the entire body isn't beyond the line its legal. Rule says as long as any part of the body is behind the line it is legal. When he initiates the punt his right foot was clearly behind the line. So this was a legal punt. This man will be so embarrassed when he looks at slow motion and sees the kickers right foot was behind the line when he initiated the kick.

[@anthonynicholson5193]

He is a former AFL player which is a common skill

[@autrostic]

Dante Hall had a better special teams play. His kickoff return for a td against the broncos

[@velder22]

Pat McAfee kicking off to himself was the greatest special team play

[@strawberryspiritz7561]

if Troy havent lined up at the C gap. Pat would've got top 2 greatest play

[@Xion-Rotti]

@@strawberryspiritz7561 Nah. A fake FG for a TD wouldn't really be a top play.

[@velder22]

@@strawberryspiritz7561 yeah Pat's the only punter I've ever searched for highlight LOL

[@strawberryspiritz7561]

@@Xion-Rotti you're no fun

[@russe19642]

Just imagine if he bounces it while he's running 😂

[@WAFishQuest]

The line was closer to 21. Amazing how wrong Florio is.

[@jamesfitzgerald2003]

It's not the foot its the entire body, so an argument could definitely be made that part of his body was still behind the line of scrimmage, this part comes up enough with forward passes that these two should of known that.

[@jredwin9938]

Los was the 21. 4 and 14. 1st down marker at 35. Any part of the punter on or behind the 21.

[@SeanStiggers]

How quickly we forget the IQ Hunter Renfrow showed on the Fake Punt just this past game on Monday Night Football.

[@JunctionWatcher]

Or the 66 yard game winning field goal in week 3

[@KWally]

Any part of the body being ON the line of scrimmage, is the same as being behind. It's also the same as a rules check that baseball does.

[@Nozawachter]

Sometimes, plays are allowed because God Wills it. It's a judo term "awase waza" the pickup was so amazing, while we are in awe "anything goes" (he was still behind the line of scrimmage according to ME) Rams still got to win, so just let it go, understand this was an insanely amazing play. It goes down in History. Michael Dickson averages 9 yards a carry. Look it up. The universe wills this man to succeed.

[@sparklingsams3155]

AFL and cricket culture in Australia mate 😅😅

[@duncanadams8679]

Pat McAfee recovered his own inside kick. Better play

[@royw-g3120]

Looked more like a rugby move to me, but I have not watched any AFL since Peter Daicos was playing. The shoulder feint before kicking cross field is exactly what a fly half would do against a rush defence.

[@natetete1379]

Pat Mac punting to himself was dope.

[@rowdy_sects]

As long as any part of his body is behind the line as he begins to kick, it’s not over the line of scrimmage. As he lets go of the ball, his kicking leg begins its motion behind the line of scrimmage . Y’all need to peep the rule book better

[@jollyandwaylo]

Florio mentions that rule but still insists he is completely past the line of scrimmage. So it isn't that he doesn't know the rule, he just thinks the line of scrimmage is in a different place.

[@shanejarvis1108]

Picking the ball up with one hand isn’t special at all, Australian rules footballers do it all the time. It’s one of the things that every kid learns to do.

[@awesome3689]

The real question did the punter know, or did he see all those Rams and was like “oh he** no!”

[@JustMe-gn6yf]

I remember when Danny White was punting for dallas he faked crossed the line of scrimmage realized he wasn't going to get the first down and punted it

[@davidnelson6874]

It’s very cool! I’ll give it that much.

[@thomaswalsh1715]

Missed field goal, ran back 109 yds for TD (twice). Hunter Renfrow, made great play just this weekend. This play and player were awesome, no doubt

[@joeking433]

That's a bad angle, MIke. You can't tell it was past the line.

[@erickyoung8331]

A day later and you still didn't watch the whole play? Twitter is going at you because you are wrong. The LOS was the 21. Check the start of the play. The announcers were saying the 20 but they were wrong (because they are more than not). That's why a ref is standing right on the line and he (and anyone watching the slo-mo and realizing it is the 21) can see his heel is behind the LOS. In fact, the ref even states that in the PA announcement. Like a pass, he has to be 100% behind the LOS. If these guys are going to claim to be football experts: 1) They really should watch the plays they are talking about in their entirety, and 2) they need to clarify their assumptions which the NFL clarified for them if they listened. I hate "controversy for the clicks" that just isn't there. Then you are no better than the drunk guy at the bar claiming to be an NFL expert.

[@joeking433]

That was phenomenal! I think all the refs were so blown away they couldn't call it back! LOL!

[@Basetornado]

Punter kicks it, it's blocked, picked up and fumbled over the los. It gets passed back to rhe punter who then kicks it again. That's a somewhat reasonable way that you can punt it twice after its been over the los. It's not likely, but it's at least somewhat scriptable.

[@Satan598]

Perhaps the NFL isnt trying to make people believe thats exactly what happened. Instead, they are informing us exactly what transpired in accordance to the record books. You cant change a play after a game has finished so thats what it still is today

[@Construct87]

Sad to say but Dickson is the best player on the Seahawks

[@EvolutionaryE]

wouldn't he be the best player on a lot of teams though?

[@Runescapewithred]

I mean. He's the best punter far and away currently.

[@tracysnow349]

Interesting how the in the first 4 weeks of the season....did anyone see what happened during the Raiders/Miami game when the ball was fielded by Raiders at the half hard line and then Miami got a 15 yard penalty call against the player (#7 Raiders) who fielded the ball, unsportsmanlike conduct, which would have put the ball half the distance to the goal, except it was already half the distance to the goal when it was fielded. so one of the biggest penalties was never actually penalized. I mean WTF? When has that ever happened? So basically, Miami started their offense where the ball was fielded and the 15 yard penalty against them was NEVER actually added ANYWHERE! The NFL gonna have to make a rule about that for sure now. 'Cus it happened, as far as I know for, the first time in NFL history.

[@blazeesq2000]

The rule says that the "entire body" must not be beyond the line. If any part of the body is behind its good.

[@royw-g3120]

Aaaah! But would another Seattle player be allowed to recover and punt it under these rules? The reason this has never happened before is the punter normally falls over if his punt is blocked.

[@johnnyneverletmedown53]

Just enjoy the skill involved in the pickup and quick thinking.

[@dampaul13]

Just another time Florio can't admit when he's wrong.

[@jackhandy00]

It is not cut and dry that the punter is beyond the 21 yardline. When in doubt...play on

[@markrichards2985]

He is behind the LOS

[@DanTheMailman330]

I always thought it was the location of the ball when it is released or kicked with respect to the line of scrimmage.

[@1burnman]

I have never seen a game where they were two punts

[@washington-wenatchee-mfpwe5918]

I wish that when the Steelers stold the super bowl a big deal but not one person said a thing about it but this is. A big deal ...

[@johnh7018]

Florio needs an ophthalmologist. King just went along with him.

[@grogery1570]

I do wonder if the review in NY was, I don't care where he was no way are we calling back possibly the best play of the year!

[@RightOnJonCrane]

These guys need to get some action!

[@jackoff1826]

Isn't there something about kicking the ball when your players are down field

[@barnowl2832]

American NFL players are doing the most insanely impressive athletic shit week in week out and then an Aussie punter just picks the ball up in a way that even the worst local aussie rules player could do 100 times over and they lose their minds about how great it was! Its so weird to hear hahahah

[@DavidNitzscheBell]

Yes, it's a year later, but.....calm TF down, Florio. Angles matter. The camera angle is not the best one to use to determine if he's past or not. I'm a volleyball ref and there are so many cases where a player or a coach blows a gasket because "it was clearly OUT" or "his foot was on the line!" and they are so dead wrong because they don't have a good vantage point. Standing 8'-10' up and looking down on the court is *much* different than a six foot tall person looking to the service line on the other side of the court. In any case, unless you are the ref standing over the line of scrimmage here, you can NOT be as sure of yourself as you are in this segment. I guess you had money on the game, eh, Mikey?

[@michaeldailey7103]

Was it a reviewable play ?

[@cit96AdizeroVapor]

The ball was on the line by the looks of it, surely when it comes to a kick that’s what matters?

[@diehardeaglesfansince1994]

i don't think they were reviewing. I think they i were looking up the rule....

[@SuperJohn12354]

Who cares, if it’s blocked and you re gather the ball and are still behind the line , you should be able to punt it again, makes the game more interesting.

[@MachineAustralia]

Do you have to be completely behind the line? or can you have part of your foot on it? If part on, no issue whatsoever. Why don't they have a line software to make the ruling?

[@JunctionWatcher]

Apparently it’s any part of the ball or kickers body not beyond the line of scrimmage. The explanation on the field was the heel was at the line therefore a legal second kick.

[@MachineAustralia]

@@JunctionWatcher Thanks for the education, interesting how the commentator on the left is massively butt hurt and the one on the right is completely unphased.

[@3716anderson]

The on field official standing right there threw the flag for being over the line.

[@jollyandwaylo]

Or maybe he threw the flag because he didn't know it could be kicked twice? Did you see somewhere that the official said why he threw the flag?

[@SupeDefy]

Florio confidently incorrect as usual.

[@SixTenVisuals]

...no, it was the greatest no-call ever.

[@feynmanschwingere_mc2270]

The NFL got caught lying AGAIN? I'm soooooo shocked (sarcasm). 😂😂😂

[@jollyandwaylo]

Where did they get caught lying again? The complaint was that the NFL won't talk about it, not that they lied about it.

[@boydmccollum692]

So at 7:02 the guy says "the someday something's going to happen in a big game ... and the NFL is going to have a mess on its hands". Is the guy somehow brain dead? A few years back and it was the Rams and Saints and the non call on a clear pass interference with the game in the balance? Already happened, and within recent memory too. SMH, and he's criticizing the NFL?