NFL extra point rule change: Jay Feely not happy with alterations
While many are happy that the NFL extra point has been altered, some are still having issues. One of those people is former kicker Jay Feely, who played 14 seasons in the league. After the rule was announced, which is taking the extra-point snap from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line, Feely went on Twitter and blasted the NFL.
I thought NFL was concerned about player safety? Those 60 plays will be much more dangerous for OLine now. https://t.co/IEQfEA3CXQ
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) May 19, 2015
What did the NFL really accomplish? It's still nearly automatic (90%vs 99%) but greater risk of injury to Oline https://t.co/PgEpxEE3CT
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) May 19, 2015
A lot more on FG's than Extra Points bc defense didn't rush hard on EP. That will change now. https://t.co/cjewCJIiuF
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) May 19, 2015
NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino said if conversion rate for PATs from 15 doesn't fall much below 99 percent, may move kicks back further
— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) May 19, 2015
60-80 extra points per team that the defense didn't rush hard but now they will bring it. There will be injuries https://t.co/yNqVr9Ktpx
— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) May 19, 2015
Give Feely credit whether you agree with his assessment or not. It is a valid point to wonder how many players are going to sustain injuries from defensive linemen trying to block kicks, when before it was generally accepted to just stand there and let the kick go through. Even though it is only a 32-yard kick, the trajectory will now be a bit lower, helping a hard-charging lineman to get a hand on the ball.
Back in September of last year, Feely wrote about a potential extra-point rule change over at Peter King’s MMQB. These are a couple quotes from Feely’s Arizona Cardinals teammates at the time.
"“There is no question the defense rushes harder on field goals compared to extra points,” left tackle Jared Veldheer said “That’s where I feel like my head and neck are most exposed.”Tackle Max Starks told me: “I injured my neck blocking for a field goal and had fusion surgery. On extra points they may rush hard one out of every five times. But on a field goal they are coming hard on every play. The 33-yard extra point is really just another field goal for us.”"
It will be interesting to chart if there are more injuries on extra points in 2015.