On Tuesday, NFL owners approved a new rule change that will move the extra point from the 2-yard line all the way back to the 15-yard line.
In addition, defenses can now return blocked extra points or turnovers on the two-point conversions for two points themselves. Previously, the play would be ruled dead after a turnover.
The rule changes are drawing varied opinions from all across league circles. Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor was the latest to weigh in on the subject Wednesday on Cleveland Browns Daily.
When the rule change was originally discussed, Tabor said he was against it because the swirling Cleveland winds late in the season make this type of kick much more difficult, then, say, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
"You've got to embrace it – there's no other way around it," Tabor said. "It's just like anything. If you don't embrace it, obviously your chances for success go down. When you are a cold weather team you always think about the weather and wind and those types of things. At the same time, I'll have confidence in whoever we put out there that they will get the job done."
Tabor said he and his staff went back and did the research. Since 1999, there have only been 25 kicks at that 32-yard range, and there's only been one miss. Last season, the Browns converted 25-of-32 field goals using Billy Cundiff and Garrett Hartley, a percentage that ranked 28th in league.
There's no doubting the kicking rule change adds more drama for NFL fans, but it will also change the way Tabor coaches up his units. While there will be increased pressure on the kicker-holder-snapper trio to execute the kick, there's also now a greater opportunity for the defensive unit to swing momentum in a game.
"The whole mentality of your field goal block team, and wanting to go after the kick, that will be increased dramatically" Tabor said. "On extra points, you just kind of conceded the point. Now, guys will be screaming off the edge, so-to-speak."
