Former NFL analytics coach Ryan Paganetti made a stir recently by pointing out that the Patriots have crafted an advantage for field-goal attempts via an optical illusion on the video board.
It was, and still is, perfectly legal.
Via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the NFL confirmed Monday that the tactic falls squarely within the rules.
Volin adds the text of the policy: “Video During Kicks — All video and ribbon boards must show either a static image (e.g., no flashing images, blinking effects, moving text/images, etc.) or an All-22 view (e.g., high sideline, high end zone, etc.) during field goal attempts and extra-point attempts. Any flashing, moving, or blinking text/images displayed on video boards or ribbon boards during field goal attempts and extra points are considered a violation of this policy. The prohibition will begin when the kicking team reaches the line of scrimmage and continues through the signal by the Game Officials following the kick.”
And while former Patriots rules and strategy savant Ernie Adams relishes the perception that it was another stroke of genius (“[i]f nothing else,” Adams told Volin, “we are deep into other people’s heads many years later”), the truth (as we understand it) is that the idea emerged innocuously: Former Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski didn’t like seeing an image of himself on the board before he attempted a kick.
That led, eventually, to the realization that it could be turned into another edge, with the all-22 image putting four goalposts in the view of the opposing kicker, with nothing on the board when the Patriots kicked.
It worked out perfectly that the video boards are in the kickers’ field of vision, and it’s something that perhaps teams designing new stadiums may want to try to incorporate.
Unless and until the rule changes.
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