Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/23/bill-belichick-doesnt-see-the-point-in-extra-points/related/]Bill Belichick doesn’t see the point in extra points | ProFootballTalk[/url]



I would like to see the league go one step further and eliminate the touch-
back as well, except in two instances. The rule change on kick-offs has all but eliminated one of the most exciting plays in the game of football. It has reduced the potential for actually scoring points minus plays from scrimmage.

This is what I wish I could propose:

(1) Kickoffs be moved back to the 30yd. line and all kickoffs be returned. Touch-back awarded only if the KO goes through and out of the end-zone. No more awarding the opposition a free 20yds. at the discretion of the returner. The KO is a free ball, unlike a punt which is a change of possession and should be returned from anywhere in the field of play....including the end-zone.

(2) Punts....unlike the KO do not have to be returned. The option is available before the ball is punted. The option to fair catch should remain in tact and any ball punted into the end-zone should be declared a touch-back and awarded the free 20yds.

This may all sound completely absurd to some, but I would like to hear what you guys think.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I'm not really a fan of the fair catch either

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

could not agree more. the 20 yard extra point is meaningless. make it a little more interesting. make it a 40 yard fg for the point.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Longtimefan;826291][URL="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/23/bill-belichick-doesnt-see-the-point-in-extra-points/related/"]Bill Belichick doesn’t see the point in extra points | ProFootballTalk[/URL]



I would like to see the league go one step further and eliminate the touch-
back as well, except in two instances. The rule change on kick-offs has all but eliminated one of the most exciting plays in the game of football. It has reduced the potential for actually scoring points minus plays from scrimmage.

This is what I wish I could propose:

(1[B]) Kickoffs be moved back to the 30yd. line and all kickoffs be returned. Touch-back awarded only if the KO goes through and out of the end-zone. No more awarding the opposition a free 20yds. at the discretion of the returner. [/B]The KO is a free ball, unlike a punt which is a change of possession and should be returned from anywhere in the field of play....including the end-zone.

(2) Punts....unlike the KO do not have to be returned. The option is available before the ball is punted. The option to fair catch should remain in tact and any ball punted into the end-zone should be declared a touch-back and awarded the free 20yds.

This may all sound completely absurd to some, but I would like to hear what you guys think.[/quote]

It would never happen but that would be a GREAT rule.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Longtimefan;826291]This is what I wish I could propose:

(1) Kickoffs be moved back to the 30yd. line and all kickoffs be returned. Touch-back awarded only if the KO goes through and out of the end-zone. No more awarding the opposition a free 20yds. at the discretion of the returner. The KO is a free ball, unlike a punt which is a change of possession and should be returned from anywhere in the field of play....including the end-zone.
[/quote]

Would go against what they are trying to achieve. Player safety. Not going to happen.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[QUOTE]Another option would be moving the line of scrimmage for all extra points to the 1-yard line. Extra point kicks would still be chip shots, but two-point conversion attempts would be easier, which would encourage coaches to go for two more often, which would make the game more exciting.[/QUOTE]

This sounds like a more middle ground reasonable option

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=SmootSmack;826293]I'm not really a fan of the fair catch either[/quote]

I remember when the fair catch rule was first implemented. The idea was to help prevent injury to the returner due to his being in such a vulnerable position trying to catch the punt.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[QUOTE]
Another option would be moving the line of scrimmage for all extra points to the 1-yard line. Extra point kicks would still be chip shots, but two-point conversion attempts would be easier, which would encourage coaches to go for two more often, which would make the game more exciting.

Or move the goal post back to where they used to be.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

PAT's are so useless

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Longtimefan;826300]I remember when the fair catch rule was first implemented. The idea was to help prevent injury to the returner due to his being in such a vulnerable position trying to catch the punt.[/quote]

Yeah I suppose that (and moving the goalpost back to where it used to be) are more safety precautions than anything else.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Kindoy;826315]PAT's are so useless[/quote]

Apparently the Redskins thought so in the Bucs game last year

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I like the XFL idea where there are no extra point kicks. All extra points are run/pass.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=NC_Skins;826297]Would go against what they are trying to achieve. Player safety. Not going to happen.[/quote]

This.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I'd support eliminating the kick from the 2 yard line but moving to the 18, making it a 35 yard FG or going for 2 from the 2 yard line. It would make that play mean something other than when it fails by randomly poor execution (TB game) or fluke (Suh having to kick because regular kicker got hurt).

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I think your points about kickoffs are well thought out and agree they should be returned unless kicked out of the endzone. That should be flagged just like it went out on the sideline!

You is right in stating the ball is live once kicked and should be treated as such with the return team not being able to just catch it in the end zone and have it then being given a gift by putting it on the 20 yard line! If they want to fair catch it it should have to only happen in the field of play!

To say that an onside kick must happen within a certain yardage is crazy imho when in fact the whole field is in play! This would force the recieving team to have to act in such a way to raise the level of excitement concerning the kicking game. Whether the 30 yard or 35 yard line is used is not material to the subject imo while it is much more important to have the recieving team do ANYTHING rather than just fair catch the ball in the endzone. Just as the QB can't be caught inside the endzone the kick return man should be treated the same way

As for the extra point I have no opinion one way or the other, my whole desire is to see the level of excitement increase and return to the game I love.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I am in favor of leaving the best game in the world the way it is. Maybe the PAT is automatic but who cares...it takes 10 seconds and they are off to the kickoff. The NFL needs to stop trying to fix what's not broken.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

With the new rule changes kickoffs are pretty much worthless. No one but the stupid or the desperate will bring it out deep in the endzone so what's the point of having kickoffs all together? I suppose some would like the opportunity to have a chance of returning if they have a good return game.


As for the extra point i'm down with moving it back...not to the 20 yard line but to the 15 yard line.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=celts32;826463]I am in favor of leaving the best game in the world the way it is. Maybe the PAT is automatic but who cares...it takes 10 seconds and they are off to the kickoff. The NFL needs to stop trying to fix what's not broken.[/quote]

I agree that its not broken and doesnt need fixed. While PATs seem automatic it never fails that when a team misses one it seems like that missed point haunts them the whole game and ends up making things interesting in the end.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

Yeah i think theres waaaayyyyy too much tinkering with the game. Just leave it as is.

I remember this game. It kept the Bangles at home during the playoffs:

[url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261224007]Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos - Recap - December 24, 2006 - ESPN[/url]

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

Also when Tony Romo dropeed the snap at the Seahawks playoff game. While not a PAT it was acutally 1 yard closer then a normal PAT. Sometimes things taken for granted become real nerve racking when its a must make situtation

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

Frankly, I don't care what they do with PATs. They can eliminate them, move the line back, whatever.

I am saddened by the new rule that makes kickoffs a far smaller part of the game. However, as long as "player safety" is a prime motivator, the kickoff return is going to be an "endangered species".

Note that the Canadian Football League has no fair catch and it has a rule that the returner must have a "bubble around him" with no opposing players in the bubble for him to field the punt. If defenders get too close, it is a penalty. I would like to see the NFL experiment with that rule in the exhibition games next season.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I think they have to allow punt returners the option to fair catch, they would get blasted but i suppose instead of fair catching the ball they could just let it go and the punting team would be rewarded some more yards unless it does a crazy bounce.

Im still waiting for teams to figure out how to work the shortened kickoffs to their advantage instead of just booming it into the endzone for a touchback.

with the shorter kickoffs it should allow the kicker to send a high kickoff landing around the 2 yard line so his coverage team has more time to get down there and tackle the returner before the 20. But they also changed the rule to were the coverage team has to be within 5 yards of the ball at kickoff to prevent guys from getting a 20 yard head of steam like before . . . but i could def see a ST coach try and use the shortened kickoffs to his advantage instead of just taking the seemingly automatic touchback. get creative

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;826476]
Note that the Canadian Football League has no fair catch and it has a rule that the returner must have a "bubble around him" with no opposing players in the bubble for him to field the punt. If defenders get too close, it is a penalty. I would like to see the NFL experiment with that rule in the exhibition games next season.[/quote]

That's interesting -- it would make PRs a lot more interesting. Imagine banks having a chance to slip by like 3 guys who are in a 3 yard circle. How do u officiate that though because the returner could kind of sort of move and cause people to be closer than they should be.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

That CFL rule is what first got me thinking, almost 20 years back, that we could do without a fair catch.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

For the money these guys make they should remove just about all the rules and make it a free for all!!!!!!!

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=firstdown;826545]For the money these guys make they should remove just about all the rules and make it a free for all!!!!!!![/quote]

That's called wrastlin'

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I like that a TD and resulting play can be worth 6-8 points. It adds an extra level of strategy and flexibility into the game!

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;826476]Frankly, I don't care what they do with PATs. They can eliminate them, move the line back, whatever.

I am saddened by the new rule that makes kickoffs a far smaller part of the game. However, as long as "player safety" is a prime motivator, the kickoff return is going to be an "endangered species".

Note that the Canadian Football League has no fair catch and it has a rule that the returner must have a "bubble around him" with no opposing players in the bubble for him to field the punt. If defenders get too close, it is a penalty. I would like to see the NFL experiment with that rule in the exhibition games next season.[/quote]
THAT'S Awesome....can the opposing players hurl insults, threats and surly rhetoric at the returner?

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=NC_Skins;826297]Would go against what they are trying to achieve. Player safety. Not going to happen.[/quote]

I understand as this is supposed to be all about safety. In the interest of safety, just put the ball on the 20yd. line to start the game and eliminate the KO altogether.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I think Belichick is ridiculous.

I for one like the extra point. It's part of the game. It adds strategy (weather to go for 1 point of 2) and it does add excitement during the rare instances where something goes wrong.

As for the kickoff why dont we just add a variation of the CFL rouge. Which would give a point to the kicking team if they trap the returnman in the endzone.

I always thought that at the very least the kicking team should get a point if the kicker could kickoff and kick the ball through the uprights of the endzone.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

As others have said it is ridiculous that the kickoffs were moved forward because of player safety. If big hits are really what the NFL want to prevent why even make it a possibility? Eliminate the KO all together. The justification makes no sense.

And yes, give points to the kicker if he kicks it through the uprights on a kickoff. Kind of a ridiculous way to get points, so it should be worth half of a PAT. But since we as Americans don't like decimals and we value point spreads, double the value of each scoring play. KO FGs =1; PATs=2;SAF-4; FGs=6; TDs=12.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I am somewhat kidding about the last part. But for the sake of changing stuff, why not?

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I say keep it, but move the ball to the 1 yard-line.

Why make a PAT shorter? Because it also makes the 2-point conversion closer and more attractive to try.

Keep the 1 and 2 point options, but make the 2 not only possible with a run (they're almost always pass attempts from 2 yards out) but also more frequent. This would make things more exciting.

It would make the PAT kick a yard shorter and it would also enrage us more when one is shanked. All the more reason to do it. :D

I also have had the thought...

FGs <39 yards = 3 pts
FGs 40-49 yds = 4 pts
FGs 50+ yds = 5 pts

The 5-point kick seems like overkill, so maybe just 4 pts for 50+ would suffice.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

Here's another PAT option. Use college hash marks for PATs. More will be missed.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=hooskins;828860]Here's another PAT option. Use college hash marks for PATs. More will be missed.[/quote]


How about NO hash marks. If the last play ends near the sideline, there's your kick angle. :D

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

I'm down.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Monkeydad;828859]
FGs <39 yards = 3 pts
FGs 40-49 yds = 4 pts
FGs 50+ yds = 5 pts

The 5-point kick seems like overkill, so maybe just 4 pts for 50+ would suffice.[/quote]

Same idea but mine was ....

any thing from 1-10 yards =1 pt
" " 11-30=2pts
" " 31- and on =3pts

....and all saftys are touchdowns.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Giantone;828907]Same idea but mine was ....

any thing from 1-10 yards =1 pt
" " 11-30=2pts
" " 31- and on =3pts

....and all saftys are touchdowns.[/quote]

Thats pretty cool bro. I like that.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

[quote=Giantone;828907]Same idea but mine was ....

any thing from 1-10 yards =1 pt
" " 11-30=2pts
" " 31- and on =3pts

....and all saftys are touchdowns.[/quote]

You realize that the minimum yards for a field goal have to be somewhere between 17-20 right? I think the end zone is 10 yards long, and the kick comes from like 7 yards behind the LOS, so unless I'm mistaken it's 17. I can't clarify this anywhere though, so I might be wrong. The shortest field goal I've ever seen kicked was like 20 yards though, I've never seen one under 20.

As for this thread, I agree. Special teams could use an overhaul.

Re: Belichick Would Like To See The Extra Point Eliminated
 

Hypothetically, what would happen if they got rid of field goals all together and kept only the Kickoff after a TD???