The NFL Moved Back PATs, Could It Increase Injuries?
Could the NFL’s new point-after-attempt rules increase players’ risk of injury? Possibly. And it may contradict previous attempts by the NFL to improve player safety.
New York Giants offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz said the new PAT rules have made the formerly routine play much more physical.
“Oh, guys are coming a little harder,” Schwartz told The Guardian. “Because those two points can make a difference. PATs used to be just five-on-five blocking up front, but now they’re doing more exotic rushes.”
The NFL moved the extra point attempts from the two-yard line to the 15-yard line this offseason. Presumably, the intent was to allow for a more competitive and entertaining aspect to extra-point attempts.
The success rate for kickers has dropped about five percent since 2014, according to The Guardian. Thus far in 2015, 24 kickers still have a perfect extra points made record, according to ESPN. Although the 2015 season is in its infancy stages, it is important to note that kickers really haven’t skipped a beat. If kickers haven’t had a significantly more difficult time, what’s the benefit of the new rule?
New York Jets kicker Nick Folk said he is concerned for the players blocking for him.
“I’m more concerned for the people up front. The defense has more incentive to block a kick now, so they’re really coming after our guys up front,” Folk told The Guardian.
The NFL’s attempt to make phases of special team play more competitive may contradict what they considered outlawing in 2012.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the competition committee would consider banning kickoffs altogether, according to ESPN.com.
The idea was brought to the forefront by then Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano.
Of course the idea behind the rule proposal was to help increase player safety by eliminating a violent aspect of the game. The league never did follow through with banning kickoffs, but Goodell and the NFL did evetually move kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line.
Amid much discussion involving concussions, head trauma and the violent nature of football, the NFL should be making a conscious effort to ensure player safety.
Perhaps the NFL should consider the sentiments of players like Schwartz and Folk before changing a rule that has little (five percent change) impact on the actual success rate of point after attempts.
