PBP: Why are NFL kickers missing so many extra points?

[Perfect72]

The Miami Dolphins have a kicker named Andrew Franks who has made all 24 of his extra point attempts this season.

Miami does not take this for granted.

Extra points are now 33 yards and it turns out each of the top five scoring kickers in the NFL have missed at least one attempt this season.

In Week 11, a whopping 12 extra point tries were missed, an NFL record.


The leading theory of Dolphins assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is an interesting one. Defensive players have actually begun trying to stop the kick.

“Back when the old rule was in place, I think the players would probably self-admittedly tell you as well that sometimes that was almost a play off for the defense,” Rizzi said. “You could look at the whole play and it didn’t matter how hard you came, the guy was going to make the kick. You could have the best effort in the world and the ball was still going to go between (the uprights). Now, there’s like a light of hope that, ‘Hey, we can block this thing.'”

Before last season, the NFL changed an extra point from a 15-yard gimme (99 percent accuracy) to a 33-yard field goal (94 percent), which made it a more competitive play.

But six teams now have an extra point percentage below 90 percent (Jets, Browns, Giants, Bengals, Seahawks and Vikings, worst in the NFL at 79 percent.)

Former Vikings kicker Blair Walsh was cut after missing four.

The Vikings signed Kai Forbath this week. And he had one blocked.

Former NFL kicker Jay Feeley cited “cumulative pressure” as a key factor on “Inside The NFL” this week.

Essentially, an extra point is so psychologically expected (still) that a miss can lead to psychological debiliation.

More at LINK: http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...are-nfl-kickers-missing-so-many-extra-points/

Your thoughts?

 

[nick1]

I for 1 like the rule change of a longer PAT. It should not be 100% a given. If you can't hit a 33 yarder get a better kicker

 

[ANUFan]

Geez, Don't jinx the guy!


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[Digital]

I like the rule change. Pushing it too far back would de-emphasize the kicker even more, which I am not in favor of happening. That would create a lot of incentives to go for 2 points. Now it is a gamble to go for 2, and it's still against the odds, which adds to the excitement of the 2 point play for me.

 

[Dolph N.Fan]

Dumb how a 33yd XP is worth less than a 19 yard chip shot FG

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Dumb how a 33yd XP is worth less than a 19 yard chip shot FG

Nah. Dumb is how the NFL still uses senior citizens to measure first downs w/ two poles and chain link in a era which technology is vastly superior, more accurate, and cheaper in the longer in the long run . . . but that's an entirely different conversation regarding dumb for another thread.

Meanwhile, the increased distance for XP now adds a unique element in coaching decisions and a slight edge of your seat effect for the fans.

 

[Aqua Shadow]

Not to mention the blocked kick returned the other way = two points. Changes the way teams play close game I think

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[Ruckus45]

I didn't like it at first but now I'm sold. Well, as long as it never bites the Fins in the ass.

 

[LANGER72]

I like it. It adds more pressure. The missed kicks are the result. It isn't a sure thing anymore.

 

[brumdog44]

Last year extra points were at 94%. This year even after the week debacle, extra points are at 94%.

94% is a near sure thing....better than the pretty dead set sure thing they were before. Previously you'd head to the john on the extra point.

 

[Kdawg954]

Was actually one of the better moves the NFL made and I am surprised more teams aren't going for 2. I mean if you score two touchdowns, you have 2 shots from the 2 yard line to get 2 points. As an offense, you gotta be able to get it in there at least once . . . or at least have that confidence. Just one conversion gets you the same points as what is essentially 2 33 yard field goals (extra points). Hell and if you make it twice, that is bonus points.

 

[nick1]

Was actually one of the better moves the NFL made and I am surprised more teams aren't going for 2. I mean if you score two touchdowns, you have 2 shots from the 2 yard line to get 2 points. As an offense, you gotta be able to get it in there at least once . . . or at least have that confidence. Just one conversion gets you the same points as what is essentially 2 33 yard field goals (extra points). Hell and if you make it twice, that is bonus points.

I'd trust Ajayi to get me 2 yards just power it in. And I'm not 100% sure but I think Miami only went for 2 once and converted

 

[MD]

I'd like to see them explore the value of a FG based on distance and/or giving the opposition a reward for a blocked or missed attempt. I was initially against moving the XP back but it didnt take long to become a fan of it. Best decision in a long time from the NFL.

 

[phinsgohard06]

If you can't make a 33 yard FA you shouldn't be in the NFL. The rule change didnt make the kickers job harder. It just makes them actually do their job and earn that money.