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Saturday 11 January 2020
More quarterbacks are using their hands to catches passes

By ROB MAADDI the only other quarterbacks
AP Pro Football Writer to catch passes in 2019 but
Tom Brady tried it. Nick their receptions came on
Foles perfected it. More tipped balls they threw.
quarterbacks are doing it. In 2018, Matt Ryan and
Catching passes isn't just Ryan Tannehill had TD
for wide receivers, tight catches. Ryan made an
ends and running backs over-the-shoulder grab on
anymore. Coaches aren't Mohamed Sanu's throw for
shy about drawing up trick a 5-yard TD for Atlanta.
plays that let quarterbacks Tannehill was well-covered
use their hands for more on a 3-yard TD catch from
than throwing a football. Kenny Stills but tumbled
Foles has the most famous into the end zone.
catch of all because it Brady bounced back from
came in the Super Bowl in his drop in the Super Bowl
Philadelphia's 41-33 victory and caught a jump pass
over New England on Feb. from Julian Edelman in No-
4, 2018. vember 2018 but tripped
Foles lined up in the shot- and fell before gaining a
gun formation, faked call- first down. Brady had a 36-
ing an audible on the play In this Feb. 4, 2018, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles catches a touchdown pass during yard catch from Amendola
and moved up and over the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the New England Patriots, in Minne- against Philadelphia in De-
to act like he was alerting apolis. cember 2015.
the offensive linemen of a Associated Press All of these plays began
new play. Running back in shotgun formation be-
Corey Clement took the moment, right time, perfect ondary and was wide open back to Stefon Diggs going cause quarterbacks aren't
snap instead, rolled to his situation." down the left sideline de- right. eligible to catch passes if
left and pitched the ball to Earlier in that game, Brady spite having to slow down Diggs was under some they line up under center.
tight end Trey Burton, who failed to make an over-the- to make the catch. Then pressure, never set his feet Most of the plays involve
caught it coming off the shoulder catch on a pass he was flipped into the end and badly overthrow Cous- someone coming around
end, ran a few steps and from Danny Amendola. zone. ins, who was open but not the end and some include
floated a pass to Foles in The Eagles didn't wait long The Detroit Lions ran the fast enough to come close a double pitch.
the end zone for a 1-yard to try it again. Foles caught same play a week earlier to running it down. Chicago's Chase Daniel
touchdown that gave the a pass from wide receiver in a 23-20 loss to Green Bay Deshaun Watson caught a had an 8-yard catch on a
Eagles a 22-12 halftime Nelson Agholor in Week 1 to end the regular season. 6-yard TD pass from wide- different type of play last
lead. the following season. David Blough was wide out DeAndre Hopkins in a season. Daniel threw a
The play was called the Josh Allen was the latest open to catch a 19-yard TD 28-22 win over New Eng- backward pass to Anthony
"Philly Special" and it'll be quarterback to do it, mak- pass from Amendola. land on Dec. 1. But Wat- Miller lined up wide to his
remembered as one of the ing a 16-yard TD reception It doesn't work every time, son's came on a forward right. Daniel then ran out
gutsiest calls in sports his- on a wobbly toss from John however. pitch on an option play. and caught Miller's return
tory. Brown that gave Buffalo a The Vikings tried it against Taysom Hill had 21 catches, throw. Drew Brees once
"Everybody except the Phil- 7-0 lead last Saturday in a Green Bay in Week 16 with including seven TDs for New caught a TD pass from La-
adelphia Eagles thought I 22-19 overtime loss at Hous- a 10-6 lead early in the sec- Orleans this season. But he Dainian Tomlinson for the
finally came to my senses ton in an AFC wild-card ond quarter. On a third- was lined up as a wide re- San Diego Chargers. Joe
and was going to kick a playoff game. and-4 from the Packers 42, ceiver or tight end on those Flacco, Russell Wilson, Mar-
field goal in that spot," Ea- Allen handed the ball to Kirk Cousins handed off to plays. cus Mariota and Blake Bor-
gles coach Doug Pederson Brown on an end-around, Dalvin Cook going left on Andy Dalton, Jacoby Bris- tles also have made catch-
recalled. "It was the right slipped out into the sec- a sweep. Cook pitched it sett and Jeff Driskel were es in recent years.q

Betts agrees to record $27

million deal with Red Sox

eligible player. agency after this season. June but just .225 for the
Outfielder Jackie Bradley He was voted the Ameri- season as a whole, with 21
Jr. also agreed to an $11 can League MVP in 2018, homers and 62 RBIs. He led
million deal, ensuring Bos- when he hit a major the league in putouts and
ton will avoid salary arbi- league-leading .346 with assists as a center fielder.
tration with two of its big- 32 homers and 80 RBIs, Boston also acquired right-
gest stars. then helped the Red Sox hander Austin Brice from
Betts' deal topped the $26 to the World Series title. He the Miami Marlins in ex-
In this April 30, 2019, file photo, Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts million agreement last win- hit .295 last season with 29 change for minor league
smiles as he crosses home plate on his solo home run off Oak- ter for third baseman No- homers and 80 RBIs. shortstop Angeudis Santos.
land Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks in the first inning of lan Arenado, which led to Bradley is known for his Infielder Marco Hernández
a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. negotiations for a $260 mil- spectacular plays in the was designated for assign-
Associated Press
lion, eight-year deal. outfield, but his bat has ment.
BOSTON (AP) — Outfielder tract with the Boston Red A four-time All-Star and been a liability at times. He Brice, a 27-year-old relief
Mookie Betts agreed Fri- Sox, the largest one-year four-time Gold Glove win- is streaky, hitting .315 with pitcher, had a 3.43 ERA in
day to a $27 million con- salary for an arbitration- ner, Betts is eligible for free five homers and 14 RBIs in 36 games last season.q