Patriots' Savvy, Silver Lining: Viral Blocked Field Goal
Redemption, thy name is Schooler.
In the midst of the New England Patriots' 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Foxborough specialist Brenden Schooler united the divided gridiron court of public opinion by delaying fate's arrival. With Miami looking to create a three-possession lead in the latter stages of the third quarter via field goal, Schooler took a running start from the sideline and timed the Dolphins' snap perfectly.
Unfettered and unabated, Schooler easily blocked Jason Sanders' 49-yard triple to keep the score at 17-3 and hope for a New England comeback alive.
While fully making their way back proved to be true fantasy football, the Patriots could nonetheless toast the antics of Schooler, who is likely back in the internet's good graces. The same viewers that likely roasted Schooler for his rejected gift for Bill Belichick last season were unanimous in their support for his swatting prowess that kept the game within reach.
"He timed it up and hit it well," Belichick said of Schooler's stuff, per team reporter Alexandra Francisco. "(He) made a good play.”
Officially listed as a safety, Schooler has made his professional living by stopping teams from scoring through special teams since joining the Patriots (0-2) as an undrafted free agent out of Texas last season. Blocking Sanders' relatively deep attempt should only increase his fame among mainstream football watchers, especially if the practice proves prevalent over the coming weeks.
According to Zach Cox of NESN, Schooler said that "the Patriots identified a weakness in Miami’s field goal unit they thought they could exploit" before "he timed his steps up well and was able to make a play." Another post from Sophie Weller of AtoZ Sports hinted that a premonition from Matthew Slater might've been a factor as well.
“When we went on the field," Schooler said of the Patriots' previously long-established special legend. "He said you’re going to block this.”
Time will tell if Schooler's skill becomes a recurring segment: the first opportunity comes when New England faces the New York Jets next Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
