Sperm Edwards Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/03/25/extra-point-after-touchdown-rule-change-regular-season-steelers/70443546/ PHOENIX — A rules alteration that would inject more excitement into the near-automatic extra point could be adopted for the 2015 NFL season as early as the league's next meeting this May. There was lively discussion among the 32 teams Wednesday about adding significant drama to the mundane point after touchdown before the three-day owners meetings in Arizona concluded. The competition committee was charged with coming up with a recommendation within 30 days for further discussion and likely voting two months from now in San Francisco. The leading candidate was proposed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to entice more teams to go for the two-point conversion by moving the extra-point snap from the 2-yard line to the 1½-yard line. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had favored a proposal moving the PAT to the 1-yard line last year. But with so many long, athletic quarterbacks able to lean in and dive across the goal line on keepers, the move to the 1½-yard line represents a nod toward evening the odds for defenses. But whatever revised form the extra-point play might take, there is a clear desire to add a layer of intrigue. "I'm not sure what it is yet, but there's some momentum in the room to make a change there," Steelers president Art Rooney II said. "I think there's a pretty good chance something will change by the time we get to May." The New England Patriots proposed making extra points more challenging by snapping the ball from the 15-yard line, thereby making it a 33-yard kick rather than one from 20 yards. "My preference is that we wind up with adding a football play as opposed to just making it a harder kick," Rooney said. "It would encourage the two-point play. There's talk also about allowing the defense to score two points if they recover a fumble or return an interception (on a two-point try)." Competition committee chairman and Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay said the clubs spent at least a half hour engaged in "a very interesting and lively discussion with a lot of ideas" on how to re-invent the routine play. "Clearly, it was positive in support of making a change," McKay said. "The alternatives being discussed today were all over the place, but some very consistent." Coaches will be consulted before the committee finalizes its proposal. "I think all teams pretty much said the same thing: It's time to make this play a football play, and the way to make it a football play is, No. 1, allowing the defense to score," said McKay. "So really adopt the college rule that says if you block the kick or you stop a two-point play, and the defense happens to get control of the football, they can score two points. "There was a lot of consensus to the idea of the alternative — that being move the ball to the 1½, or kick from the 15, you make the choice, (and get) one point for kicking, two points for going for two." And that choice will apparently be coming very soon. "There's clear sentiment that there's a movement to want to change and change this year," said McKay. An overtime proposal by the Chicago Bears — it recommended both teams be granted one possession — was voted down. The proposal for an unsportsmanlike foul to carry over from the end of the first half to the second half or overtime was approved. A player with an eligible number lining up in an ineligible position outside the tackle box has been ruled illegal. *** Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 just make a TD 7 points and we can all move on with our lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I might be in the minority, but I have no issue with the current rules regarding PATs. They take two seconds and the time between the touchdown and PAT is filled with sideline shots and instant replays. Not sure when this whole movement to get rid of "the most boring play in football" began. It takes literally two seconds. If the NFL wants to increase the entertainment value, then ban networks from PAT, commercial, touchback, commercial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetscrazey Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Give them the extra point for free without kicking or make them play for 2. Simple. I could live without the extra point, but I would like to see kickoffs brought back. Will never happen though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetlife33 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Just leave it how it is. Sheeet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLV Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Leave it as is, or award 7 points for a touchdown and let them go for one point if they want. If their opponent stops them they get one point, or the trying team loses one. point. Same as now, just removed the "boring" play that no one actually cares about except the owners for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 I do like the idea of the points going the other way if a 2-point play is intercepted/fumbled and is taken all the way back. An interception return should count more than a mere broken-up pass. It could add something extra while not materially changing the league very much (since it wouldn't be that common). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I think it's a good idea to inject some excitement into the PAT. Another option would be to force teams to go for 2 rather than giving them a kicking option at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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