Bell: Kicking linemen would have been fun, but new PAT rules a welcome change
SAN FRANCISCO — If the NFL really wanted to make the extra-point conversion truly exciting, it could have passed a rule mandating the player who scored the touchdown — or an offensive lineman that he designates — has to be the one trying the kick.
In lieu of that radical idea, get ready for a couple other twists that add excitement to the most boring play in football.
A 33-yard extra point kick? A chance for the defense to score?
Kudos, NFL. Nice going.
League owners, who were confronted with nearly 20 proposals a few weeks ago for revising the PAT, passed a version, 30-2, refined and submitted by the competition committee Tuesday that promises a new layer of uncertainty to the already unpredictable NFL.
After seeing 99.5% of the PATs made last season, the line of scrimmage for the conversion kicks moves from the 2- to the 15-yard line. The success rate for 33-yard kicks over the last 10 years was about 94%, so it's not quite as automatic anymore.
This should also increase the chances of going for two, still from the 2-yard line, while the defense now has a chance — like in college — to return a blocked kick or turnover on a two-pointer for a couple of points the other way.
As Houston Texans GM Rick Smith, a member of the competition committee, explained the change, I had to wonder: How many more points might J.J. Watt get out of this?
Smith, NFL officiating director Dean Blandino and NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent threw out a few numbers to underscore the new risk and excitement.
But there was one stat they failed to provide: The increased rate of headaches for your average NFL head coach.
Guess that can be measured this season amid the jolt of extra drama.
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Follow NFL columnist Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell