Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (4) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have started something good in the Bruce Arians era. They went 10-6 in 2013. They could have easily been 8-8 or 12-4. A couple of possible rules changes the NFL is proposing doesn’t really hurt a team like the Cardinals but it sure doesn’t help either.
A couple of changes being floated around both revolve around the kicking game. There are rumors that the NFL wants to abolish the kickoff. Bad idea. Special teams can make or break a team. That’s part of what makes the game so exciting. Kick returns have become strengths of some teams. Guys like Javier Arenas this year and LaRod Stephens-Howling in the past have made the play very exciting.
Another proposed change brought up this week by commissioner Roger Goodell is the abolishment of the extra point. Say what? I’ve been holding my tongue on this one trying to formulate my thoughts. I get why the change is being brought up. They want to try to make the game more exciting. I say leaving it in does make the game more exciting. Sure, only five extra points were missed in 2013. However, under the proposed rule change, 100 percent of touchdowns would get seven points unless a team went for that extra point, which in case if it failed, the scoring team would go back to 6. So in other words, it’s a two-pt conversion attempt without it really being worth two points. So explain to me where we lose drama again?
Kickers like Cards kicker Jay Feely didn’t miss an extra point in 2013. In fact, he hasn’t missed one since 2003 when he was with the Atlanta Falcons. It is still a kick that has to go through the uprights. Yes, the chances are the kick is good. It’s not a given or 100 percent though. Leaving no doubt about a score leaves me feeling underwhelmed. Leave the rule the way it is.