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Sports Daily: Should the NFL Look at Elminating PATs?

  04:18 PM - January 21, 2014 by RaychelSnr

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and former Tampa Bay Greg Schiano have something in common that could change the way NFL games are played in the future -- unfortunately for Schiano, it's not an NFL paycheck. All three have proposed changes to special teams plays that would help improve player safety and also speed up games and one rule change could be coming soon.

While Schiano's plan to end kickoffs isn't on the table currently, Goodell is warming up publicly to the thought of cutting out extra points. If for no other reason, the NFL should get rid of extra points because of the time it cuts away from serious on-field action. Devoted viewers of the NFL spend around three hours tuning in for a broadcast -- approximately eleven minutes of that is actual "live" game action. If the NFL pulls the rug out from PAT's it could then serve as a gateway to more serious changes like the removal of the kickoff and it's dreadful commercial-break onslaught.

Sound Off: Should the NFL eliminate extra points or other special teams plays? What similar changes would improve the game?

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Member Comments
# 1 AntiBandwagoner @ 01/21/14 04:41 PM
Heard about this on ESPNRadio.

I feel like the change isn't really necessary at this point. The NFL seems to try their best (for better or worse) to try and eliminate as many injuries as they can. The idea of removing an extra points doesn't solve that particular issue, or actually any issue whatsoever.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
# 2 XXstormmXX @ 01/21/14 04:43 PM
I'm all for this. People complain that football takes to long and this would remove plays we don't need. And players can get injured on a play that won't matter 99.6 percent of the time, the percent of extra points that go through.
 
# 3 Branchurian @ 01/21/14 04:49 PM
I understand player safety & committment to health...But I think that would be the dumbest thing enacted. I don't feel sorry for the players...They don't have to play! It's a privelege to play in the NFL, thses guys get paid millions of dollars. More than our military, more than our doctors. Why not have them invest in their healthcare or have employee benefits like any other job? I played High School & college, you are well aware of the risk your taking when you put on the pads. If your getting paid millions to play the game than you agreed to the terms & the risk. Roger Godell is ruining the sport, why is he trying so hard to F@#! things up!?
 
# 4 XXstormmXX @ 01/21/14 04:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Branchurian
I understand player safety & committment to health...But I think that would be the dumbest thing enacted. I don't feel sorry for the players...They don't have to play! It's a privelege to play in the NFL, thses guys get paid millions of dollars. More than our military, more than our doctors. Why not have them invest in their healthcare or have employee benefits like any other job? I played High School & college, you are well aware of the risk your taking when you put on the pads. If your getting paid millions to play the game than you agreed to the terms & the risk. Roger Godell is ruining the sport, why is he trying so hard to F@#! things up!?
I agree that the Godell is ruining the NFL but this isn't about player safety mainly, it's about not stopping the game for something that happens exactly the same 99.6 percent of the time. It would make for less commercials, which would make the game more fun to watch.
 
# 5 kehlis @ 01/21/14 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by XXstormmXX
I agree that the Godell is ruining the NFL but this isn't about player safety mainly, it's about not stopping the game for something that happens exactly the same 99.6 percent of the time. It would make for less commercials, which would make the game more fun to watch.
No it wouldn't, it would just cause the commercials that are now front loaded in the first half to allow for less stoppages in second half to be spread out more throughout the game.

It would actually make it more unbearable when the game gets towards the end.

Not sure if you understand how advertising works but the number of commercials isn't going to go away.
 
# 6 Dazraz @ 01/21/14 05:50 PM
Do away with the PAT (Which is almost a formality) & make the 2 Point Conversion the default post Touchdown play.
 
# 7 Cryolemon @ 01/21/14 06:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by skabatula
I'm okay with eliminating the PAT, but what does that do with the 2 pt conversion? Is it not an option now? Would TDs be 7 points instead of 6?
The plan, IIRC is that you would either take the "automatic" extra point, or go for two as of now, with the TD only being worth 6 if you failed.

I'd prefer it if they just made the person who scored the TD kick the XP.
 
# 8 tril @ 01/21/14 06:22 PM
increase the distance by 10-15 yards. wind/weather would then play more of a factor, which would likely increase 2pt attempts.
 
# 9 tril @ 01/21/14 06:23 PM
increase the distance by 10-15 yards. wind/weather would then play more of a factor, which would likely increase 2pt attempts.
I dont want to see it go. Getting rid of PATs will kill some drama in crucial/clutch situations. tieing or winning a game with a PAT at the end of regulation still has some drama to it.
 
# 10 BlastX21 @ 01/21/14 07:07 PM
Finally, a Rodger Goodell proposal that I'm not categorically opposed to.

Its not something I would actively lobby for, but there won't be any complaining if it happens.

At least this isn't a horrible idea. Eliminating kickoffs and expanding the playoffs on the other hand....
 
# 11 razorkaos @ 01/21/14 07:50 PM
I dont like it, really. If they get rid of PATs, then, the next thing they will cut will be the kickoff (i really cant understand how someone would think about removing kickoffs, when returns play an important role in the game, and i'm not eve talking about the touchdowns on kick returns).
 
# 12 Cardot @ 01/21/14 08:13 PM
Why not narrow the goal posts? PAT's won't be so automatic, and Field Goals are a little tougher to encourage coach's to go for it more on 4th down.
 
# 13 dickey1331 @ 01/21/14 09:26 PM
I think they should just leave it alone. If it aint broke...
 
# 14 og236 @ 01/21/14 09:29 PM
Eventually kickers will be useless Lol they'll come up with some crap like automatically starting at the 20 & no more awesome kick returns


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# 15 tbook24 @ 01/21/14 10:46 PM
how about eliminate the timeout between the kickoff and the first playof scrimmage. after all you just came from commercial after the score
 
# 16 kehlis @ 01/21/14 10:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbook24
how about eliminate the timeout between the kickoff and the first playof scrimmage. after all you just came from commercial after the score
Again.

Eliminating the PAT's will not eliminate commercials. They are paid for and aren't going anywhere......
 
# 17 TDenverFan @ 01/22/14 01:07 AM
I'm OK with this, speeds up the game a bit and reduces injuries on a borderline pointless play.
 
# 18 grodbetatted @ 01/22/14 01:49 AM
Yea really sure eliminate extra point and while you're at it... Take away pads and give them flag belts
 
# 19 bonannogiovanni @ 01/22/14 05:08 AM
Eliminate PATs and force 2pt conversions all the time, that's how you add thrills to the game.
 
# 20 mestevo @ 01/22/14 05:15 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonannogiovanni
Eliminate PATs and force 2pt conversions all the time, that's how you add thrills to the game.
I think it's really less about adding thrills/excitement and more about mitigating things that are boring. ie you don't replace something relatively mundane with something riskier, that's not the purpose.

Kind of like the ideas last offseason floated about removing kickoffs. The intent was to replace them with a 4th and goal at a distance that is converted roughly as commonly as an onside recovery, something like a 4th and 17. The goal was to remove a play from the game that disproportionately injuring players, rather than to change the excitement/whatever level.
 

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