Roger Goodell doesnt want to stand pat with the PAT. Arijanet Muric Manchester City Jersey . Hes suggesting potential changes in the extra point that, well, might have some legs. The NFL commissioner says the extra point kick after touchdowns, which had a success rate of nearly 100 per cent, is too automatic. Sure is. And with few teams attempting 2-point conversion plays until desperation hits late in games, the old 1-pointer from 20 yards is the way coaches go. All that does is draw yawns. So Goodell wonders if the league can add excitement by making some major adjustments to the extra point, suggesting perhaps making a touchdown worth seven points instead of six, with teams having the option to run a play for another point. But failing on that play would cost them a point. Gimmicky, for sure. But if Goodell likes the idea ... A look at how changes to the extra point would affect football: HOW AND WHO? Passing any changes to the playing rules in the NFL is, unlike the extra point kick, no snap. The competition committee meets with the players union at the NFL combine in February, where any new proposals or ideas are discussed. Its not unusual for the players to have input in potential adjustments, as they did recently on defenceless player penalties. The powerful committee, chaired by Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, meets for about a week in early March and comes up with any proposals, whether from the teams or union or, yes, the big boss. At the league meetings later in March, the committee presents potential changes for discussion by all 32 owners, who can either vote on them or table them. McKay said Tuesday: "We do anticipate the topic being discussed." KICKING AROUND? The idea of toying with the extra point is not entirely new. John Mara, owner of the New York Giants and among the most influential members of the competition committee, says "it came up for brief discussion in past meetings, but no action was taken." It took the NFL years to come around on the 2-point conversion, which can be a pass or run play from the 2-yard line -- and under Goodells apparent preference, could be worth one point if the kick is eliminated. The 2-pointer existed in the old AFL from 1960-69, and college football has had it since 1958. But it was defeated several times in NFL owners votes before it passed in 1994 as part of a package of changes to help the offences. YEA AND NAY Coaches will hate any changes, particularly ones that would mean more decisions for them to make. They so rarely go for the 2-pointers until the fourth quarter, and are reluctant to do so then because, well, theres nothing automatic about those attempts. Indeed, less than half (33 of 69) worked in 2013. "I will say this: Since 2000, I believe, over 99 per cent of the extra points are made," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Its almost a given that it is going to be made. Im sure that the competition committee will address it. As a coach you have to play how the rules are." Short-yardage backs such as All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert of Carolina shouldnt mind the elimination of PAT kicks. Nor should running quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton, whose improvisational skills would be a huge advantage. Kickers? They probably will shrug and practice their field goals -- which is what they normally do regarding extra points anyway. WHO STAYS, AND WHY Rosters would get slight revamping, with teams likely keeping at least one power back active every week and having two on the roster. Often, those guys also play on special teams, so their presence wouldnt throw a lineup out of whack. PRACTICE WONT MAKE PERFECT Teams would work even more on their short-yardage packages, beginning in training camp. They would use their PAT offences in other situations on the field in games, too. While going for a fourth-and-2 near midfield is less rare than it once was, it might become all the more common when coaches know the more times they attempt such plays, the more seasoned their players will be when trying for the extra points. WILL IT HAPPEN? Its impossible to gauge the owners thinking, and a three-quarters majority is needed to pass any rules changes. "I know a lot of times when were at owner meetings, those things are brought up, and its great when youre in those meetings because you hear all the different opinions that are brought up with that," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. "Im sure there will be discussions about that. Im excited about hearing all those." Goodell doesnt get a vote. Then again, it sounds like he already has cast his. Phil Foden Jersey . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City. Custom Manchester City Jerseys . 8 Sergio Parisse for its penultimate Six Nations match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday. Oakland also signed former New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Boothe to a two-year deal. Boothe began his career with the Raiders in 2006 before spending the past seven seasons with the Giants, where he won two Super Bowl titles. Jones, who turns 30 later this month, brings a playoff pedigree and proven pass-catching ability to a position whose most experienced player currently under contract is inconsistent three-year veteran Denarius Moore. "We have a lot of young receivers," Jones said. "Ive been in the game for a minute, so Ill be able to help those guys out leadership-wise. Other than that, just doing what I do on the football field, making some plays, and hopefully I can give the offence a spark." General manager Reggie McKenzie once again reached back to his past in Green Bays front office to add a piece to the Raiders. Among the many other former Packers that McKenzie has brought in since taking over as general manager in 2012 are Charles Woodson and Matt Flynn. Jones said he has been talking to the Raiders the past few days and was lured to Oakland by McKenzies vision for a franchise that has not made the playoffs since 2002. "The way he runs his team the GM way is the kind of way I play out on the football field; just hungry and trying to be the best, and thats how Reggie is," Jones said. "Im excited to play for Reggie and hopefully we can turn this thing around." Jones has 310 career catches for 4,305 yards and 37 touchdowns in 104 games over seven seasons in Green Bay. His most productive year came in 2012 when he had 64 catches for 784 yards and 14 touchdowns. Jones had 59 catches for a career-high 817 yards and three scores last season despite being without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers for seven games. But after playing with Rodgers and Brett Favre his first seven seasons, Jones now joins a team with uncertainty at quarterback. Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin return after splittiing most of the time last season but Oakland still is searching for its starter and will likely add more quarterbacks either through free agency or the draft. Blank Manchester City Jersey. "Aaron is one of a kind. Hes a special player," Jones said. "Whoever we put behind centre here, I am going to do the same thing I did for Aaron - just run every route to win, be as open as I can to help whoever is back there and to get this offence rolling." The deal is a homecoming for Jones, who was born in San Jose and played college ball at San Jose State. Jones overcame many obstacles on his journey to the NFL, having been in and out of homeless shelters for much of his childhood. The Raiders have been lacking a veteran presence at receiver for years. Their top receiver last year was Rod Streater, a former undrafted free agent who led the team with 60 catches for 888 yards in his second pro season. The other key receivers on the roster include Moore, who has shown flashes of stardom in three seasons, and Andre Holmes, who had 22 catches for 366 yards and a touchdown over the final five games in 2013. Boothe has started 32 games the past two seasons and has started at both guard positions and centre in his career. He was a starter when the Giants won the Super Bowl following the 2011 season and a reserve on their title team four years earlier. Boothe joins right tackle Austin Howard as additions on a line that lost starting left tackle Jared Veldheer to free agency. "I like the direction of the team," Boothe said. "Theyve put some pieces together here and its a great culture that theyre building over here, and I am excited to be a part of it. The fact that I have been here before, obviously, this place has always held a special place in my heart as the team that drafted me." McKenzie has placed a premium on acquiring players with winning experience so far this off-season. Six of the seven free-agent additions to Oaklands roster over the past week have played in a Super Bowl, with Jones, Boothe and defensive linemen Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley having won it all in previous stops. ' ' '
|
yyys123
