Someone asked me the other day “what do you like most about football?” I said what I’m sure a lot of people would say. “I love seeing the extra points after touchdowns.” Is there an event with more unpredictability in the outcome than this? The 20-yard field goal, so to speak, is such a difficult feat to accomplish that I shout out loud with glee every time one is made. You better not go overboard with the risk of sarcasm dripping straight off this page and all over your computer.
The extra point should disappear. I’ve never heard anyone say that before, so let me be the first. Just give the scoring team 7 and let’s move on. Or you can make the 2-point conversion mandatory; that’s another option. I don’t think there is anything more automatic in the sport than the extra point. Here are some statistics to back it up. Dan Bailey of the Dallas Cowboys tried 39 extra points last season and made 39. Lawrence Tynes of the New York Giants completed 43 of 43. Alex Henery of the Philadelphia Eagles had 46 of 46 and Graham Gano of the Washington Redskins 25 of 26. If we count this, we see that the NFC East kickers were a combined 153 out of 154. Out of 154 dunks attempted in professional basketball, there will be at least 2 misses.
Do you see my point? The extra point for me is equivalent to having an unopposed dunk attempt after every three-point basket and letting it count 1/2 of a point. Yes, I know it’s stupid and that’s why it shouldn’t be done. And on the rare occasions when an extra point is lost, does anyone really freak out? The answer is no. “We will get back to that point later” is how any team will react immediately. So 99.5% of the time the kick is done and the other 5% of the time nobody gives a damn. The kick is completely inconsequential. Maybe they could find a more interesting way to earn a point. Something that would challenge the kicker. Maybe let him play from 45 and attempt a 55-yard field goal unopposed. Yes, I know it’s stupid, but it’s no stupider than it currently is. But it would be more fun to watch because there is a reasonable chance that it will get lost. As it stands now, I would be more excited to see Erin Andrews “interview” the kicker’s father in the stands. It should shine after every extra point.
