Is the Extra Point Getting Phased Out? And Other Bullets

Jan 22, 2014

As NFL/funny commercial/Bruno Mars(?) fans count down to Super Bowl Sunday, I’m reminded of one of my own pet NFL causes: going back to just one week between Championship weekend and the Super Bowl. It’s probably never going to happen, as the NFL has demonstrated a desire to be relevant for as many weeks as possible throughout the year. But two weeks is such a pointless buildup, as there’s only so many times talking heads can debate Richard Sherman’s antics and/or Peyton Manning’s legacy. Beyond the media factor, I feel like a forced bye week can dull the proceedings a bit once the game actually starts. Teams lose some of their sharpness. Not to the same degree that college teams do in the layoff from the end of their regular season to the bowl season, but it’s still there. Ah well. It’s probably not going to change, so there’s not much point in hoping.

Something that might be changing? The extra point. Roger Goodell told the NFL Network on Tuesday that the league’s competition committee might look at removing it from the game, as it’s basically become an automatic result. Indeed, as ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert notes in his analysis of the proposition, teams attempted 1,267 extra points in 2013, and missed just 5. That’s a 99.8% conversion rate. It’s also 1,267 plays that could have been removed, which would in theory benefit player safety (linemen still bang into each other) and also help to speed the game along. On that second point, I think it’s the sort of change that could help the in-game experience, as it takes some time to get the field goal teams out to the field, more time to set up for the play, and then more time to rotate out, go to the other end of the field, and kickoff. Cutting out that middle section could very well save a lot of time, and the game experience for fans who physically attend can certainly use that. And considering how rare the misses are, I don’t think the league would be demonstrably changing the look of the sport.

But what of the two-point conversion? Goodell covered that too, noting that under the new system, touchdowns would be worth seven points, but teams could elect to try a conversion for an extra point (an eighth) but if they failed on that conversion attempt, they’d lose a point, leaving them with six. In essence, it works out the same as the current system. The only wrinkle it eliminates is a potential fake on a traditional extra point attempt, which I’m not sure I’ve ever seen. I don’t think teams would go for two less often, a potential concern cited by Goodell; it seems like teams treat the current extra point as a certainty in their decision-making process, which is understandable given the numbers. I wouldn’t be upset by this change, if it is indeed enacted; I think it makes more sense than trying to make a PAT more difficult, or something along those lines. That would be a departure from the game to which we’ve grown accustomed.

Along the same lines, and as mentioned in the Seifert piece I linked to above, field goals are also becoming more bankable. Steve Politi of the New Jersey Star-Ledger thinks the NFL should consider narrowing the goalposts to combat the trend. I guess I’m not sure what the problem really is in this case; who cares if kickers are more accurate than ever? As 49ers kicker Phil Dawson noted on Twitter, NFL offenses have become a lot more efficient as well. But no one is arguing that the league should make the balls heavier so they’re harder to throw. I’m all for outside-the-box thinking, and appeals to tradition don’t carry a lot of weight for me. But it just doesn’t seem like there’s much here to debate.

If you’re a Bears fan and a fan of HBO’s Hard Knocks program, there’s a chance Chicago could be the featured team this summer. As Deadspin noted (and I’m kicking myself, because I’d noticed this was a possibility a few months ago, but the Bears were still in the playoff race) Chicago is one of eight teams that could be compelled to appear on Hard Knocks, regardless of the team’s wishes. This is a new thing, as HBO struggled to get a team to volunteer last season, so owners passed a rule that says a team can be forced onto the program as long as they don’t have a new coach, they didn’t make the playoffs in either of the two seasons prior to the offseason in question, and haven’t been on the show within the last ten years.

If you’re wondering which teams fall into those categories, here they are: the Bears, Bills, Cardinals, Giants, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Steelers. Of course, a team can volunteer to be on the show that wouldn’t otherwise qualify, but this isn’t an opportunity teams have jumped at lately. If HBO does decide to use one of those eight teams, I’d think the Bears are a very strong candidate, along with the Giants and the Steelers, for fairly obvious reasons. (Market size, large fan base, and compelling characters.) ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright notes that Phil Emery is on record as not wanting to be on the program, due to the potential for distraction.

It’s a story that has circulated for a few days in rumor form, but Rich Campbell reported for the Tribune that the Bears have hired Paul Pasqualoni to their defensive coaching staff. Pasqualoni will coach either linebackers or the defensive line; apparently that hasn’t been determined. He has a bevy of college and pro coaching experience, and I’d guess that’s what made him an attractive candidate.

Kyle Long will play for the Pro Bowl team coached by Deion Sanders; he was selected as part of the new draft process on Tuesday. That process concludes today, and the other Bears have yet to be chosen.

CBS Chicago’s Adam Hoge is at the Senior Bowl, and he profiles Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garappolo (Hoge notes the Bears have scouted him) in this piece. It’s an interesting look at a player from a smaller program (EIU is an FCS school), albeit one not without an NFL quarterback pedigree (Tony Romo played there.)

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Sign 6 Players After Rookie Minicamp Weekend Tryouts

The Chicago Bears offseason roster churn continues. In addition to their five-player draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze (plus nine more players who were signed as undrafted free agents), the Bears have signed six free agents who...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

They’re No. 1: Bears Wide Receivers Room Ranks as NFL’s Best

One of my biggest frustrations with the Ryan Pace regime was how the former Chicago Bears general manager didn't invest in wide receiver upgrades the way you'd expect a team building around a young quarterback should. Meanwhile, his replacement, Ryan...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Cost of Being a Football Fan (And Other Bears Bullets)

In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

Luis C. Medina

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bears

A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

Luis C. Medina

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

Luis C. Medina

May 11, 2024

Chicago Bears

Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

Luis C. Medina

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Luckiest Dude at the Ballpark

I have been to more Cubs and MLB games than I could realistically remember. And not ONCE — not even once — have I caught a ball. No homers, no foul balls, no outfielders chucking it to me. Nothing. And...

Michael Cerami

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Injury Notes: Morel, Almonte, Alzolay, Smyly, Wicks

We don't yet know if there's an "injury" here, but it's a pretty scary possibility, so I'm leading with it. If you didn't catch the moment in last night's game, Christopher Morel fouled a ball off his toe in the...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

A Reliever Trade! Chicago Cubs Acquiring Tyson Miller from the Mariners

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring righty reliever Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners for minor league utility man Jake Slaughter, per Jeff Passan. The Cubs did it! An early-May bullpen trade! It can be done! ... ok, there are some...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Las Vegas Aces face the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET in the season opener for both teams. The matchup airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Lynx take on the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN3, BSNX, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies will take the field against the New York Mets (19-21) on Tuesday. The game begins at 1:10 PM ET on SNY, with the Phillies listed as -140 favorites on the moneyline.Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 14

The New York Mets (19-21) play on Tuesday in Queens against the Philadelphia Phillies (29-13). First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Aaron Nola (4-2) to the mound, while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Boston Celtics are massive 15.5-point favorites in a decisive Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on Wednesday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. The Celtics have...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are 4.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Wednesday, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The series is tied 2-2....

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The over/under in...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Is the Extra Point Getting Phased Out? And Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular