Sports Daily: Should the NFL Look at Elminating PATs?

[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?

Sports Headlines for January 21, 2014

• Richard Sherman is good at sharing his opinion and Seattle is good at playing the public relations game as Sherman both stands behind and apologizes for his words on the same day.
• "The tip heard 'round the world." [Image]
• A speed skater was disqualified after making an obscene gesture at Russia's Viktor Ahn.
• Bill Plaschke sees it as hypocritical to rip Richard Sherman for his on-air rant.
• Syracuse may be undefeated but their run at a national title just got tougher with the loss of DaJuan Coleman for the rest of the season.
• Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Michael Crabtree were mic'd up for the NFC Championship Game. The Sound FX for it will be out Wednesday.

[AntiBandwagoner]

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.

[XXstormmXX]

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.

[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!?

[Profit89]

PAT is a waste of time. Get rid of it. It just serves as a commercial break. To many stoppages, get rid of it.

[XXstormmXX]

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.

[kehlis]

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.

[Dazraz]

Do away with the PAT (Which is almost a formality) & make the 2 Point Conversion the default post Touchdown play.