NFL: Moving the extra point is change for the sake of change
Well, the NFL have announced that the extra point after a touchdown will be moved to the 15-yard line, while two-point conversions will remain at the 2-yard line.
There are a number of reasons why I don’t like the change, but I will get onto that in a moment.
I get it. The NFL is trying to make what is largely a forgotten play more exciting. There were 1,160 extra-point attempts in 2014; only eight were missed — this means 99.31 percent of attempts were successful.
Thankfully, the Atlanta Falcons weren’t among the eight missed, as all 40 of Matt Bryant‘s attempts were successful.
In all honesty, when a touchdown is scored, we just automatically add all seven points before the special teams unit even enters the field. So why the change?
“You want to add excitement with every play,” Goodell said, per Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.
I disagree. Personally, I hate seeing extra points missed by any team, unless it’s the New Orleans Saints of course.
Sep 22, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) misses a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
A touchdown should always be worth more than two field goals, unless a team wants to risk going for a two-point conversion. But at the same time, extra-point attempts before the rule change were routine, and seemingly pointless.
Even for what seems like a straightforward, routine play, they are still physical. Players can, and do get injured.
The solution?
Don’t move them further back; don’t allow the opposing team to return botched attempts and score. Just get rid of them completely.
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After scoring a touchdown, the team is awarded seven points and we go straight to the kickoff. The only time this wouldn’t be the case would be if the scoring team opted to go for two, and would then be awarded six points before the two-point attempt.
Bypassing the kick altogether would shorten the game slightly, skip the routine kick and prevent unnecessary injuries.
Instead, we will now see that 99.31 success percentage drop. Maybe not by much, but it will drop. And does that really make the game more exciting? I don’t think so.
If the Carolina Panthers botch a potential game-tying kick as time expires to give the Falcons a victory, maybe I will agree with the change.
Until that moment, I think this was the wrong move.