How important are kicked PATs?

[MarkNelson]

With the UFL supposedly going with offensive play PATs (as in the XFL) over a place kicker option (as in the USFL and NFL) the complaint from some folks is the kicker is left out.  The argument is that kickers deserve a chance to show their worth. 

Did everybody forget how the XFL brought in the offensive play PAT because the kicked convert was, and still is, as Vince McMahon once put it, “The most boring playing football?”

My thought is the kicked PAT is boring and not as important to kicker careers as people think. 

[Uncle Coaster]

The only PATs people generally remember are the ones that are missed. Not kicking PATs is ultimately better for kickers in my opinion and much better for at least this fan. 

 

[XFL4ever]

I agree with you Mark. I'm still bummed that, according to the article quoting Daryl Johnston, the XFL kickoff format will be scrapped, but indeed the XP is dull and lifeless, I love the 1,2,3 point options. 

[4th&long]

With the UFL supposedly going with offensive play PATs (as in the XFL) over a place kicker option (as in the USFL and NFL) the complaint from some folks is the kicker is left out.  The argument is that kickers deserve a chance to show their worth. 

Did everybody forget how the XFL brought in the offensive play PAT because the kicked convert was, and still is, as Vince McMahon once put it, “The most boring playing football?”

My thought is the kicked PAT is boring and not as important to kicker careers as people think. 


 

I disagree, the PAT kick is part of "Foot"ball.  A TD to me is 7 pt, 6 + 1.  I don't even like the 33yd PAT kick, prefer the old shorter distance, but I can live with it.  Kicking is part of FB, I'd prefer they keep it.

The CFB 2 pt play from 2 yrds out allows teams to stay within 1 score in a 14-6 game.  I like that.  But going for 1pt at 2yd line and 2yd at 5 and 3 at ten seems like its just there to make it more difficult for its own sake.

The USFL compromise of PAT kick for 1, 2pt from 2 and 3pt from ten to me is better than...
XFL 1pt from 2yd, 2pt from 5yd and 3pt from ten - by far.  If you go XFL style at least make it closer: 1pt from 1yd, 2 pt from 3yd and 3 pt from 6 yds so there's more likelihood of success.

[4th&long]

I agree with you Mark. I'm still bummed that, according to the article quoting Daryl Johnston, the XFL kickoff format will be scrapped, but indeed the XP is dull and lifeless, I love the 1,2,3 point options. 
 

The USFL kickoff resulted in way more returns which are an exciting part of the game, very glad they kept it.

[Rmbay]

With the UFL supposedly going with offensive play PATs (as in the XFL) over a place kicker option (as in the USFL and NFL) the complaint from some folks is the kicker is left out.  The argument is that kickers deserve a chance to show their worth. 

Did everybody forget how the XFL brought in the offensive play PAT because the kicked convert was, and still is, as Vince McMahon once put it, “The most boring playing football?”

My thought is the kicked PAT is boring and not as important to kicker careers as people think. 

I would agree.  Kickers really don't get job opportunities based on 33 yard kicks.  They're going to get them based on long distance FG kicking and the strength and accuracy of their kickoffs, both of which they will be able to show off in the league.

That being said, I see the pros and cons to both sides of the kickoff and PAT arguments. I tend to lean more towards the ability to kick an extra point, although I would be inclined to move it back a little further, perhaps 38-40 yards minimum to encourage the options more.  

I have no issue with the XFL kickoff but think that perhaps they could have put some thought into how to refine it a bit if they hadn't done so.  But one rule that I hated was placing the ball on the kicking team's 45 on a bad kickoff.  I always felt that was a bit too draconian.  

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

The PAT is a relic of the old game. I've heard proposals say "make the guy who scored the touchdown kick it" to bring it back in line with its rugby roots, but that ain't happening in a league of this level.

Also remember that one of the reasons Vince got rid of the kicked PAT in '01 was to save money on special teams. The XFL rosters at the time were 38, and usually that meant only one guy did punts, placekicks and kickoffs. That's gone by the wayside, too.

I don't like the PAT as it's currently designed. It's anticlimactic, and adding the distance seems more like a gimmick than a genuine attempt to make it relevant again. The AAF, which didn't have kickoffs OR PAT kicks, were my personal favorite. Simple, no gimmicks. Yet they put Younghoe Koo in the NFL and he's still there last I checked.

[GregParks]

I agree with the consensus here - I think the online bellyaching about taking away the PAT being a disservice to kickers trying to get into the NFL is a bit laughable, frankly. XFL kickers in 2020 and 2023 have had no trouble being signed/earning tryouts without kicking extra points. 

As I've said before, I'm a firm believer that these spring leagues have to offer something different than the NFL, even if it's different for the sake of different; there's a finite number of people who are willing to watch the exact same product as the NFL, only with inferior players. You have to draw fans in by being different somehow, and the easiest way to do that is by tweaking some of the rules.

[4th&long]

I agree with the consensus here - I think the online bellyaching about taking away the PAT being a disservice to kickers trying to get into the NFL is a bit laughable, frankly. XFL kickers in 2020 and 2023 have had no trouble being signed/earning tryouts without kicking extra points. 

As I've said before, I'm a firm believer that these spring leagues have to offer something different than the NFL, even if it's different for the sake of different; there's a finite number of people who are willing to watch the exact same product as the NFL, only with inferior players. You have to draw fans in by being different somehow, and the easiest way to do that is by tweaking some of the rules.

Well the more kicks - the more film and results to evaluate - so can't agree with that.  Also it helps all ST players.   If you want more non kick PATs make the non-kick PATs closer - I'd prefer that.  Gave examples above.

One other thing is all these makes betting that much more difficult to assess.  So the K-PAT in game helps betting IMO.  For example Bucs lost by 8 vs Detroint when a K-PAT was the way to go and cost gamblers (NFC Div game).  That's a turnoff.

[4th&long]

Well SF lost by a missed/blocked low kick extra point, so there's the argument to keep it in the game.  Clearly being able to execute is important in the NFL. 
Besides its one more way Shanahan can find to lose.