NFL to lengthen extra point attempts, allow defense to score on two-point plays

[datruth55]

SAN FRANCISCO — The most boring play in the NFL has gotten slightly more interesting.

League owners approved multiple changes to the point after attempt Tuesday, with the extra point now being snapped from the 15-yard line instead of the 2-yard line — effectively making it a 33-yard try — while the defense will now have the opportunity to score two points on a return. The two-point conversion will remain at the 2-yard line.

The proposal, submitted by the competition committee, passed with a 30-2 vote, with only the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders voting against it.

The change is currently approved for only the 2015 season, but Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith, a member of the competition committee, said the expectation is that the change will stick long term.

"This isn't an experiment. It's a rule change," Smith said. "We have given ourselves the ability to look at the statistics and make sure we are accomplishing the things we are trying to accomplish."

And that is making the extra point a more competitive play after kickers converted 99.5% of those kicks in 2014. Dean Blandino, the NFL's vice president of officiating, said kickers made between 93-94% of attempts from 33 yards last season.

"The overall goal throughout the process was to make the play more challenging and a more skilled play than what it was," Blandino said.

It could also mean more two-point conversion attempts after just 59 such plays in 256 regular-season games last season.

Owners considered a proposal from the Philadelphia Eagles that would have moved the line of scrimmage for the two-point conversion to the 1-yard line, but it was rejected, in part because of concerns about teams running pick plays in such a tight space.

There were additional concerns that snapping the ball at the 1-yard line would be an unfair advantage for teams with large, mobile quarterbacks, like the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton or San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick.

The competition committee also weighed concerns from several cold-weather cities, particularly from the AFC North, about a disadvantage that comes from kicking a longer field goal in poor weather conditions.

"That's how we ended up at the 33-yard kick," Blandino said.

The owners rejected a proposal from the New England Patriots that had no provision for a defensive score.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...d-line-defense-two-point-conversion/27608751/

Sturgis is 17 of 20 from 30-39 yards over the last two seasons.

 

[tazthenomad]

They really did not think this through. One of the incentives for scoring a touchdown is the "give me" extra point. I predict that there will be more times when coaches will settle for what could be "half a TD".

 

[NYPhinzFan]

I agree with this. I always thought the extra point was stupid, might as well just made a touchdown 7 points with an option to go for "2" and get an extra point to make it 8 points. At least now the extra point won't be so automatic. It's still a chip shot for an NFL kicker; makes them a bit more valuable than they are currently.

I also like that a fumble or INT on the 2 point conversion can be returned by the defense. Gives the offense something more to consider before going for 2. This makes things a bit more interesting.

 

[normaldude]

I agree with this. I always thought the extra point was stupid, might as well just made a touchdown 7 points with an option to go for "2" and get an extra point to make it 8 points.

Yeah, get rid of the 1 pt extra point play. They never provide positive excitement. They can only ruin a great moment.

[video=youtube;kTGco82JKHo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGco82JKHo[/video]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-video...s-Multi-Lateral-TD-Missed-Field-Goal-12-21-03

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_City_Relay

 

[Kdawg954]

I'm cool with all the changes . . . . they make the game more entertaining. I'm sure people will oppose it because people in general have a tough time with change . . . but this will be a great addition.

 

[scodoublet]

I don't like it....I don't like change. :)
I mostly don't like the team on defense being able to score.

Picture this scenario:
It's Week 17, Pats are @ Miami and the season is on the line. Winner is division champs, loser goes home.
It's the end of the 4th quarter and Miami just scored a TD putting them up 25-24 against the pats.
Miami decides to just go for the extra point and blows the snap.
Pats recover the ball and return it for 2 points!

All that work to get ahead with a TD and a mistake on the "gimmee" point loses the game.
It's bound to happen, I just hope it's not to Miami!

 

[FSU Truth]

This could make players like Parker and Cameron way more important...

 

[Phinatic8u]

I don't like it....I don't like change. :)
I mostly don't like the team on defense being able to score.

Picture this scenario:
It's Week 17, Pats are @ Miami and the season is on the line. Winner is division champs, loser goes home.
It's the end of the 4th quarter and Miami just scored a TD putting them up 25-24 against the pats.
Miami decides to just go for the extra point and blows the snap.
Pats recover the ball and return it for 2 points!

All that work to get ahead with a TD and a mistake on the "gimmee" point loses the game.
It's bound to happen, I just hope it's not to Miami!

Then you live with those consequences.

 

[JEDIJ007]

What about this. Can you line up for a 2point conversion. Then audible and line up to kick an extra point. That way you get to kick from the 2 yard line.

 

[Kdawg954]

What about this. Can you line up for a 2point conversion. Then audible and line up to kick an extra point. That way you get to kick from the 2 yard line.

Or maybe teams that struggle in short yardage situations can go for 2 from the 15 yard line.

 

[Gonzo]

They really did not think this through. One of the incentives for scoring a touchdown is the "give me" extra point. I predict that there will be more times when coaches will settle for what could be "half a TD".

Sorry, I don't understand that logic. The odds are more in their favor if they are opting for the double points and still highly likely extra points. Extra points (single) from the new range still have a 90+% chance of success. This just creates more incentive for going for 2 and more incentive for the defense to stop it/create a turnover.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

One of the incentives for scoring a touchdown is the "give me" extra point.

I read "America's Game" recently. The author did note that originally touchdowns were originally just a means to get the free kick, which was the main objective. The scoring used to be worth more for the kick than than the touchdown. The touchdown being worth 6 and being the main scoring device in football evolved during the early years of the game. Still, i'm good with the change since it will add some variability to an otherwise uneventful part of the game.

 

[Gonzo]

I don't like it....I don't like change. :)
I mostly don't like the team on defense being able to score.

Picture this scenario:
It's Week 17, Pats are @ Miami and the season is on the line. Winner is division champs, loser goes home.
It's the end of the 4th quarter and Miami just scored a TD putting them up 25-24 against the pats.
Miami decides to just go for the extra point and blows the snap.
Pats recover the ball and return it for 2 points!

All that work to get ahead with a TD and a mistake on the "gimmee" point loses the game.
It's bound to happen, I just hope it's not to Miami!

That's just it, they are lessening the concept of "gimme" points. I don't see how that's a bad thing in any sport.

 

[nick1]

I don't like it....I don't like change. :)
I mostly don't like the team on defense being able to score.

Picture this scenario:
It's Week 17, Pats are @ Miami and the season is on the line. Winner is division champs, loser goes home.
It's the end of the 4th quarter and Miami just scored a TD putting them up 25-24 against the pats.
Miami decides to just go for the extra point and blows the snap.
Pats recover the ball and return it for 2 points!

All that work to get ahead with a TD and a mistake on the "gimmee" point loses the game.
It's bound to happen, I just hope it's not to Miami!

A defense can only score if you decide to go for 2

 

[Gonzo]

A defense can only score if you decide to go for 2

No, if they block the extra point kick and return it, they score as well, as they should.