I was watching the Packers/Bears game and like everybody else saw the blocked field goal. But even before and after that attempt I noticed that it looks way too easy to anticipate the snap of the ball on the Packers field goals. The sequence plays out like:

Linemen set
Holder watches as kicker positions himself
Kicker nods to holder
Holder turns to center
Holder raises right hand to help catch the snap
Ball is snapped

It seems to me that it was way to easy for me to anticipate the snap from watching it on TV based on the action of the holder raising his hand to receive the snap. How easy was it for the D-linemen to do? I never played football and to be honest this was the first game I noticed it in, but do teams ever do a hard-count on field goals to try to draw an offsides/encroachment penalty? Are there any obscure rules against it? Obviously even with a guaranteed method of anticipating the snap not every kick would be blocked, but it would significantly improve their chances.

Thoughts?

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Nope.. you are taught early to ignore everything but the ball on FG snaps.. soon as it twitches.. you fire.

But what is predictable is gap sets, studying ST films and lineup heavy in the weak gaps.. add to it, Peppers (ex BB player) really excels at the timing.. much like a rebound elevating yourself at the proper time.. and being a physical freak.

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No one wants to risk a penalty on a field goal. Besides Peppers has done this many times before.

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