NFL History was made

[Jester of Death]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- For 21 years, Doug Flutie's career has been defined by one play. Now the "Hail Flutie" has its historic bookend.

The 43-year-old Patriots backup converted the NFL's first successful drop kick since 1941, making an extra point in the fourth quarter of the Miami Dolphins' mostly meaningless 28-26 victory Sunday over New England.

"I think Doug deserves it," said usually dour Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who broke into a wide smile when his sprightly quarterback split the uprights off one bounce. "He is a guy that adds a lot to this game of football, has added a lot through his great career -- running, passing and now kicking.

"He's got a skill and we got a chance to let him use it, and I am happy for him. First time since '41," said Belichick, a football historian who last month brought out a leather helmet in his media session. "It might be 60 years again, too."

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Web site, the league's last drop kick for points was on Dec. 21, 1941 -- two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor -- when Ray "Scooter" McLean converted for the Chicago Bears to beat the New York Giants 37-9 in the NFL championship game.

"Flutie might have been there the last time it happened," placekicker Adam Vinatieri joked.

The ball was more round until 1934, making the bounce more predictable. And the rules were changed to require the kicker to be behind the line of scrimmage, relegating the drop kick to a riskier version of a place kick or extra point.

The dropkick remains in the NFL's official rule book, even though it hadn't been successfully converted in decades. Rule 3, Section 8 defines the drop kick as "a kick by a kicker who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground."

According to the Hall of Fame's site, ex-Bears quarterback Jim McMahon begged his coach for a chance to attempt a dropkick in a game. But his coach, Mike Ditka, denied the request.

But when ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman mentioned to Belichick that he'd seen Flutie drop kick, the coach called his quarterback into his office and asked if he could do it.

"I said, 'I could do it,' " Flutie said. "'There's no real application for it, but I could do it.' "

A native of nearby Natick, Flutie won the Heisman Trophy at Boston College after connecting with Gerard Phelan on a 48-yard touchdown pass to beat Miami as time expired. That is his signature play -- and one of the most memorable in college football history.

With the Patriots already happy with their playoff seeding, Tom Brady sat out most of the game so Matt Cassel, who's usually No. 3 behind Flutie, could get some snaps. He hit Tim Dwight for a 9-yard touchdown with 6:10 left, and Flutie came onto the field with the kicking unit.

"It sort of screwed me up," said Dolphins coach Nick Saban, who needed a timeout to get things straight. "I couldn't figure out what was going on. They had a quarterback in, four tight ends and a receiver and there was no kicker."

Flutie took his position for a regular shotgun snap, then retreated to the 12 yard-line to await the ball; he caught the ball, dropped it to the grass and kicked it off the short hop straight through the uprights. After getting a hug on the field by his teammates, Flutie ran off to embrace Belichick.

Even Saban appreciated the moment.

"I was kind of pleased to know that somebody can still drop kick," Saban said. "Man, when I was a kid we all practiced that. Thought it was a lost art.

"But," he added, "you know Flutie showed his age on that one."

The 1984 Heisman winner went into the USFL and the NFL, but only achieved stardom in the Canadian Football League, where he was a three-time Grey Cup champion and six-time Most Outstanding Player. He returned to the NFL in 1998 and played three years with Buffalo and four with San Diego before returning to New England for a second stint with the Patriots.

He hasn't said he will retire, but the impression that this is his final season was reinforced by Belichick's postgame valedictory.

"It's possible, but I'm not going to rule anything out," Flutie said. "But if that ends up being my last play, it wouldn't be bad."

[Clawson]

I've never tried a dropkick but...

FLUTIE FLAKES~!

[Mick]

And another thing, can the drop-kick be used in the same way a forward pass is used, or is it only used as a way to score points?

I believe the result would be considered (Assuming that nobody catches the ball) as having the football live. It would be a fumble

[lanky316]

What are the way the points for a dropkick work in the NFL, is it just a single point or does it get more?

[gunnar hendershow]

What are the way the points for a dropkick work in the NFL, is it just a single point or does it get more?

Nobody's sure. But in this case it counted as one point. I guess it could be used for more points, like a forward pass.

[King Ellis]

Over here on 5 they were discussing this, one of the presenters was very happy because he's wanted Flutie to have the chance to try it, more from a punt fair catch free kick rather then an extra point but it's all good. He did say that it could work like a field goal in some situations.

I had been wondering about it though, whether the ball would be live, as I saw the CFL grey bowl highlights a few weeks ago and just as time was running out one of the QB's just kicked it as he was getting pushed out of bounds.

[ROC]

Man, yesterday was just a memorable day. I mean, Jerome Bettis and Dick Vermeil's last games as well as possibly Bill Parcells and Brett Favre. Add in the fact that Dungy came back from the death of his son and this thing, and I can't think of a day this year with so much drama and impact.

Hell, even NFL Primetime and Sunday Night Football said their departing words. Does anyone know what they're doing with Primetime next year? I know they're moving it to Monday but is that all they're changing?

[Mofoticon]

Primetime is now officially done, NBC will be taking over the highlight show on sunday nights, and espn will keep monday night countdown.

[Mick]

Primetime is now officially done, NBC will be taking over the highlight show on sunday nights, and espn will keep monday night countdown.

I'm going to miss that music they had when they were reviewing the game on PrimeTime

I'm also going to miss Berman giving goofy names to teams like "The Dolts" and "The Bungholes".

As far as MNF...I only watched it when the Bucs were playing in it.

[ROC]

Primetime is now officially done, NBC will be taking over the highlight show on sunday nights, and espn will keep monday night countdown.

[gunnar hendershow]

Primetime is now officially done, NBC will be taking over the highlight show on sunday nights, and espn will keep monday night countdown.

Dammit. At least there's still Berman's top ten plays on SportsCenter every Sunday night...

As for NBC's highlight show...good luck being better, you'll need it.

The way NBC covers most sports I have to say I'm going to get out a pillow when their highlight show is on.

[apsham]

and this thing, and I can't think of a day this year with so much drama and impact.

Well, it was the first day of the year yesterday.

[ROC]

and this thing, and I can't think of a day this year with so much drama and impact.

Well, it was the first day of the year yesterday.

[Cactus Drags]

Drama and impact? Half the playoff teams didn't even fucking show up.

[ROC]

Drama and impact? Half the playoff teams didn't even fucking show up.

[VerbalPuke]

And surprisingly nobody has mentioned Shaun Alexander's significant touchdown. He broke the single season record of TD's set by Priest Holmes only a few years back. He is also expected to be named NFL MVP, so congratulations to him.

[ROC]

And surprisingly nobody has mentioned Shaun Alexander's significant touchdown. He broke the single season record of TD's set by Priest Holmes only a few years back. He is also expected to be named NFL MVP, so congratulations to him.