Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice

Attached Thumbnails · 08-05-2010, 05:16 PM

METAIRIE, La. ― When Garrett Hartley laid his foot into the ball at the 50-yard line, he knew the kick had a chance.

When it sailed cleanly over the crossbar, he knew it was a special kick.

But it was when special teams coach Greg McMahon ran onto the field like the kick had just won the Super Bowl that you knew the kick was good.

And then Hartley’s coach jokingly scolded him.

“We actually were working the Baltimore drill trying to get the returner,” Hartley said. “Coach came up to me after and said, ‘You screwed up my drill.’ ”

Hartley’s kick was good from 60 yards out, the latest sign that the third-year kicker is more than one-year wonder.

Yet, Hartley wasn’t supposed to make the kick. The team was working on a drill where the kick was intended to fall short to a returner, who would then run upfield with the ball, a la Chris McAlister with the Baltimore Ravens when he returned a field goal 107 yards for a score in 2002.

That wasn’t to be with Hartley, though, who knew from the outset that the distance might be too short for him to comply with the drill.

“Originally it was scripted at 58,” Hartley said. “I told them, ‘Look, if you’re even going to try to give the returner a chance, you’re going to have back it up a little farther.’ ”

Said McMahon, “The way you defense that is not let the returner touch the ball. If you make the kick, it takes that out of it. So, it was a great kick for him and it was exciting that we didn’t have to cover the darn kick more than anything.”

In fact, Hartley’s longest in the indoor facility is 64 yards. This one would have easily been good from 65.

The day didn’t end perfectly for the youngster, however. He followed up the make by missing a 37- and 41-yarder.

“Coming out here regardless of making a 60-yarder, they’re just as important as making a 30-yarder,” Hartley said. “That’s one thing to stress. Those are crowd-pleasing, especially from 60, but what’s more important is being consistent from 42 in.”

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SmashMouth · 08-05-2010, 05:30 PM

64 yards ....hmmmmmmmmm ....could he beat Dempsey's record?

dizzle88 · 08-05-2010, 05:31 PM

just imagine if he gets within that range on a game winning opportunity, payton is gunna pull the trigger!!

TheEnigma · 08-05-2010, 06:33 PM

Srgt. Hulka · 08-05-2010, 08:11 PM

Where's a cat picture when you need one?

SmashMouth · 08-05-2010, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka

Where's a cat picture when you need one?

08-05-2010, 05:16 PM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,044 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) METAIRIE, La. ― When Garrett Hartley laid his foot into the ball at the 50-yard line, he knew the kick had a chance. When it sailed cleanly over the crossbar, he knew it was a special kick. But it was when special teams coach Greg McMahon ran onto the field like the kick had just won the Super Bowl that you knew the kick was good. And then Hartley’s coach jokingly scolded him. “We actually were working the Baltimore drill trying to get the returner,” Hartley said. “Coach came up to me after and said, ‘You screwed up my drill.’ ” Hartley’s kick was good from 60 yards out, the latest sign that the third-year kicker is more than one-year wonder. Yet, Hartley wasn’t supposed to make the kick. The team was working on a drill where the kick was intended to fall short to a returner, who would then run upfield with the ball, a la Chris McAlister with the Baltimore Ravens when he returned a field goal 107 yards for a score in 2002. That wasn’t to be with Hartley, though, who knew from the outset that the distance might be too short for him to comply with the drill. “Originally it was scripted at 58,” Hartley said. “I told them, ‘Look, if you’re even going to try to give the returner a chance, you’re going to have back it up a little farther.’ ” Said McMahon, “The way you defense that is not let the returner touch the ball. If you make the kick, it takes that out of it. So, it was a great kick for him and it was exciting that we didn’t have to cover the darn kick more than anything.” In fact, Hartley’s longest in the indoor facility is 64 yards. This one would have easily been good from 65. The day didn’t end perfectly for the youngster, however. He followed up the make by missing a 37- and 41-yarder. “Coming out here regardless of making a 60-yarder, they’re just as important as making a 30-yarder,” Hartley said. “That’s one thing to stress. Those are crowd-pleasing, especially from 60, but what’s more important is being consistent from 42 in.” Link Back Attached Thumbnails
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08-05-2010, 05:30 PM	#2
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,044 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice 64 yards ....hmmmmmmmmm ....could he beat Dempsey's record?

08-05-2010, 05:31 PM	#3
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,118	Re: Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice just imagine if he gets within that range on a game winning opportunity, payton is gunna pull the trigger!!

08-05-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
TheEnigma 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 711	Re: Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice
TheEnigma 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 711

08-05-2010, 08:11 PM	#5
Srgt. Hulka 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 4,417	Re: Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice Where's a cat picture when you need one?

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08-05-2010, 08:17 PM	#6
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,044 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Hartley drills 60-yard field goal in practice Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka Where's a cat picture when you need one?
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