Dec 8, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (4) kicks a field goal during the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Much has been debated this week over the NFL proposal to move the extra point out to the 25-yard line, which would make the extra point a 43-yard attempt. For the Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL, I don’t like it. It’s not good for the game. Cards kicker Jay Feely is included in that feeling.
This is just one more attempt the NFL is making to improve competition. How this improves competition I don’t know. So many rumors this offseason for tinkering with the rules, more than I can ever remember in the past. Remember the idea out there to eliminate the extra point all together? Yeah, not a great idea.
I get what the idea is. The NFL is saying the extra point has become to automatic. Not many missed attempts in recent history. To me though, you’re tinkering with history. Also one of the concerns with the extra point and the reason for wanting to eliminate the attempt is safety. The NFL doesn’t want to see injuries from a nearly automatic point attempt. Remember New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski getting injured on the extra point in 2012? To me, it can happen on any play.
If you move the point attempt out to the 25-yard line, I think you invite more injury to be honest. It’s not as automatic from there. Feely thinks it would be better though if they do tinker, to move it out instead of ridding of it. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinateri makes the same point I do. How are you making the game safer by pushing the point attempt out? Players will rush harder.
Feely doesn’t expect anything to happen in 2014 but I doubt this is the last we’ve heard of the subject. I say let’s leave it alone for the better of the game though.