The onside at Minnesota? That kick was drilled into the ground, creating the really high bounce, was it not? Not covered by the rule posted above...
The ball was kicked into the ground first...I believe catch interference should have been called. You can not block a player trying to catch a free kick on the fly. Since the ball never touched the ground Jason White was illegally blocked.
SECTION 4. Opportunity To Catch a Kick
Interference With Opportunity
ARTICLE 1. A player of the receiving team within the boundary lines
attempting to catch a kick, and so located that he could have caught a free
kick or a scrimmage kick that is beyond the neutral zone, must be given an
unimpeded opportunity to catch the kick (A.R. 6-3-1-III, A.R. 6-4-1-V and IX).
a. This protection terminates when the kick touches the ground, when any player of Team B muffs or touches a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral
zone, or when any player of Team B muffs or touches a free kick in the field of play or in the end zone (Exception: Rule 6-5-1-b) (A.R. 6-4-1-IV).
b. If interference with a potential receiver is the result of a player being blocked by an opponent, it is not a foul.
c. It is an interference foul if the kicking team contacts the potential receiver before, or simultaneous to, his first touching the ball
The ball was kicked into the ground first...
How was it illegal? Watch the replay of it, just after the announcer draws on the telestrator illustrating where the ball needed to go...it's pretty clear you can see the black rubber stuff kick up where the ball hit the ground.
Besides, that's pretty much the only way kickers can get that trajectory, bounce, and rapid rotation.
Absolutely they are...that's generally what several members of the kickoff team are supposed to do. Usually you have one or two "recoverers" on each side...the other guys are charged with plowing through anyone who tries to field the kick or block for those trying to field the kick.Not sure if the kick was illegal, but is the kicking team allowed to take out Jason White while he's trying to catch the ball?
Take a look a how hard he swings his leg then...you think it would only go that far, and only that high, with that hard of a leg swing?I disagree, IMHO you are either seeing the tee or his foot kicking up the black, the ball pops staight up off his foot...