The owners of NFL in their meeting held in Orlando, Florida came into an agreement deciding to move the extra point attempt back to the 20-yard line for the first two preseason games this year. With this change, the extra point attempt would become a 38-yard field goal instead of the usual 20-yard attempt. There are many people on both the sides of the development; however, the strongest voice is coming from Chicago Bears Pro Bowler Robbie Gould.
Stating in an interview, Gould said that he is against the change due to the safety issues for players and he also said that he could understand the necessity of the move. Ranked as the third most accurate kicker in NFL history and hence his opposition should carry a decent amount of weight within NFL circles. Almost every kicker opposed this new rule change when asked. Their opposition is because they think that NFL is underestimating what they do for their teams. The players also opined that with this proposed rule change, it seems as if the NFL is trying to penalize the kickers for putting up good job on the field.
In the Interview, Robbie Gould also put up the question that, “Because Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and these guys have become so good at passing the football and going over 5,000 yards per season, are you going to get rid of play-action passing?” He also added by saying, “A linebacker or a defense is so good at blitzing, are you going to get rid of that? Gould further opined that one is going to embrace it.
Robbie Gould is one of the best kickers in the history of the game and when he has so strongly opposed the rule that would change the dynamics of the game, then it is important for NFL to give a second thought to their decision.
No comments:
Post a Comment