Report: NFL might experiment with 42-yard extra-point attempt

[madinmaryland]

The NFL has discussed experimenting with a longer extra point during the preseason, reports NFL.com’s Judy Battista.

According to the report, the league’s competition committee held preliminary talks last weekend and discussed placing the ball at the 25-yard line for the kick, which would essentially make every extra point a 42-yard attempt.

Currently, the ball is placed at the two-yard line on extra-point attempts.

In 2013, kickers missed only five of 1,267 extra-point attempts, a 99.6 percent success rate. Twenty-seven kickers hit 100 percent of extra-point attempts last season.

http://tracking.si.com/2014/03/03/nfl-experiment-extra-point-attempts-longer/?eref=sihp

[BeyondGeography]

1. What the hell?

Turn the game over to the kickers why don't we. Stupid idea; someone must be bored.

[JJChambers]

6. They're trivial under the current system

They just take up time. Why even have them with a 99.6 accuracy rate? If they're going to have them, at least make them interesting. I love the idea.

[Logical]

15. It would be great. It is stupid now, who the fuck watches the extra point? n-t

[stopbush]

20. Well, the game is called FOOTball, even though the actual kicking of the ball is limited

to maybe 5 minutes of playing time between EPs, punts & kickoffs. And they're talking abut doing away with the kickoff for safety-of-the-players reasons.

Soccer - now THAT'S FOOTball!

[PeteSelman]

2. It might encourage more two point attempts.

Surprisingly, this isn't a terrible idea.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. That was my first thought too

More conversion attempts. Not to mention, 99.6% success rate? I admit - extra points bore me to watch. Can't remember the last time someone missed one when I was watching.

I kinda like the idea.

[pipi_k]

49. Oh, I've seen

my share of missed extra point...

and you know when it's most likely to happen?

When the sports commentators say something like, "He hasn't missed an extra point in _____ attempts".

It's like a curse!

Having said that, though, I don't usually stick around for most extra points unless it's crucial to the score...

[Laelth]

7. Well, see, that might be the problem.

Nobody's going for two points from the 25 yard line, are they?



-Laelth

[Journeyman]

9. Well, it would certainly add to the "surprise" factor . . .

[stopbush]

21. They could leave the 2-pt as an attempt from the 3 yard line.

The kick could move to the 25.

It would get interesting if there was a flub on the hike of the ball during a kick attempt from the 25. Presently, you can try to run one of those in for the 2pts. Might not be so easy from the 25.

Another solution - do away with the EP and the 2-pt conversion option.

[PeteSelman]

29. I don't think they'd be that stupid.

You'd have the choice of kicking the long extra point or going for the two yard two pointer.

Then again, you can't underestimate their stupidity.

[Journeyman]

4. Why not change the Field Goal scoring, as well. As it is, now they're rewarded for giving up. . .

Almost every field goal within 15 yards is a gimme anymore, and even out to 30 yards is a good bet depending on the leg and the defense.

Instead of rewarding teams for "giving up" when they are at 4th and short near the goal line, change the scoring on Field Goals.

A kick inside the 10 is an easy 3, while a 4th and 1 so close to the goal is always exciting.

If someone kicks a field goal inside the 15 yard line, score 1 point. Between 15 and 30, score 2. And over 30 gets 3.

This would make teams reassess that "easy 3" when they're close to the goal, set up more goal line stances, and appreciably increase the excitement of the game.

Or, at least, that's what I believe.

(Edited for clarity.)

[Logical]

18. I have wanted that for years. More exciting. n-t

[stopbush]

22. That would work for me.

[MysticHuman]

27. The only thing I see that "might" be a problem is

teams giving up on a drive just so they CAN kick the longer goal. Especially if they need the extra points it would provide. Time running out... knowing you won't get the ball back you are down 2 and you stop and just kick a longer field goal to get the 3 points instead of using the clock wisely and scoring a TD.

Interesting thought though.

MH

[customerserviceguy]

52. You could add a time rule

Not valid during the two minute warning, for instance. I do like the idea of variable points on a field goal, but you're smart to point out that it would need some tweaking.

[LeftyMom]

5. Ideally I'd think you'd want PAT to have twice the success rate of a two point conversion

But that's currently the case as the league averages around a 50% success rate on two point conversions and very few teams risk them over the nearly automatic PAT, excepting situations where the additional point is potentially game changing. So I guess if you want to goose the odds to get more exciting two point conversion attempts and fewer rote extra kicks, you'd need to add yards to the PAT to make it less automatic, thus making the two point attempt a better deal.

So basically the question comes down to whether the league wants a play that makes for bad TV or one that puts less wear and tear on well paid players, because either way the question of adjusting the rules will ultimately be about making the owners more money.

That said the addition of the two point play to the NFL game is a fairly recent invention and there's still a real possibility that as coaches who used it in college or in their own careers become a larger share of the league's coaching pool, there may be a natural shift to using it more. That would be a bit like happened when the NBA added the three point line- for years three pointers were rare but as players who were used to them through their development came to dominate they became more common and are now so routine that the league is discussing moving the line back. Because sports are somewhat instinctive fully adapting new strategies takes time and personnel turnover.

[pintobean]

8. life, the universe, and the extra point

[jmowreader]

10. Better idea: get rid of "extra point attempts" entirely

Get rid of both extra-point kicks and two-point conversions; make touchdowns worth 7 points (which, when only five attempts missed all season, they basically are anyway) and immediately set up to kick off to the other team. If nothing else, it'll make games go quicker.

[Logical]

17. The two points conversion is a possible game winner. leave it. n-t

[former9thward]

19. The game will not go quicker.

The teams and the referees all are controlled by the networks. They have X many commercials to run and they are going to be run no matter what.

[NobodyHere]

47. The NFL has sort of floated the idea.

Upon scoring a TD teams would be given the option of taking a free point (as kicks essentially are now) or giving up that point to try for two.

Kickers were unhappy with that idea as they see their position being made that much more irrelevant.

[madinmaryland]

11. Woops! I thought I posted this in the sports group.

I was wondering why this thread was getting so many replies!! I guess it is a reprieve at least from the angst of the day in GD.

[In_The_Wind]

34. Hahahaha

[img][/img]

[El Supremo]

12. The Cowpies aren't going to be happy about that.

[madinmaryland]

14. I'm glad you are feeling better...

[NM_Birder]

40. ah, the nimble fingered Tony Romo,

Highest paid quarterback to never see a play-off game win.

[Captain Stern]

51. He won one in 2009 against the Eagles. nt

[NM_Birder]

53. LOL...I'll admit it, I didn't believe you

but sure enough you're right, he did win one. my bad.
My most hated quarterback, beat my 2nd most hated team, surprised I don't remember that.

Must have still been in 2007 shock.

[Dr. Strange]

54. They really couldn't comment on it...

what with extra points coming after touchdowns.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

13. Lose the holder and make it a drop kick.

Or make the goal posts narrower.

[madinmaryland]

16. I like that. Old School!!! Here's a quick video of one...

[rurallib]

30. yes, yes, yes

[KamaAina]

39. Like in arena ball

Of course, that would affect FGs, too.

[pipi_k]

50. Even more excitement...

Blindfold the kicker, give him the ball, spin him around, and then have him drop kick it.

[NightWatcher]

23. If during a kick off it goes through the uprights they should get another point

and then the other team would get the ball on the 20 yard line.

They want to get rid of kick returns because of injuries, this would be a way to get rid of a few more returns.

[LittleBlue]

24. Stupid rule. Do we want games to be decided so much by kickers?

Kickers will now have an even bigger influence on the game. Both teams score 3 TDs but instead of overtime, one of the kickers missed his ridiculous extra point.

I hate this idea. The rules should be geared toward ensuring that the best team wins, not that the winner won because a strong gust of wind happened right as the opponent kicker took his 42-yard extra point.

[hughee99]

33. It will encourage more teams to go for two, especially in bad weather or with weak kickers. n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

45. Exactly. If it was all about kicking, they'd call it *foot*ball. Oh, wait... n/t

[LittleBlue]

48. If the game were accurately described we'd call it hand egg or airball

If you really want to be accurate, football is played on a pitch with goalies

[nolkyz]

25. Put it on the 20

A 37-yarder will be successful most of the time, which rewards the team for scoring a touchdown, but it's not automatic.

[GP6971]

26. Well, doesn't that just suck. n/t

[postatomic]

28. I think the kicker should be blindfolded

Now that would be entertaining.

[Kurska]

32. On an Extra point it is already 99% muscle memory.

I imagine it wouldn't be as difficult as you think.

[NickB79]

35. While wearing a pink tutu

[hughee99]

31. If they want to make the extra point more challenging, and encouraged more teams

to go for two, this would do it.

As it is, the extra point is a waste of time with no excitement and the potential for injury.

[Orrex]

36. The kickers should be blindfolded and should have to kick with both feet at once.

[FSogol]

37. Or the team's kicker would also have to play center.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

43. Slather the kicker in bacon grease...

and release wild bears onto the playing field.

I'd tune in...

[KamaAina]

38. How dare you post a sports thread in GD?!

[Orrex]

41. Good call.

Shame on us for objectifying the kickers.

[KamaAina]

44. Actually, I was pointing out their special teams privilege.

[Orrex]

46. Win.

[AgingAmerican]

42. That would be

one hell of a two point conversion.