The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
49°F
Current Conditions
Broken clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

NFL notes: Owners appear poised to make extra-point changes in 2015 season

Ap

Spice it up.

The NFL’s dullest play, the extra point, appears to be headed for some changes, perhaps significant ones, for the 2015 season.

While team owners didn’t vote on any extra-point proposals Wednesday, there was so much discussion and interest in potential changes that the issue will be a main focal point for the next set of league meetings in May.

“There’s a clear movement to wanting to change and change it this year,” said Rich McKay, co-chairman of the competition committee and president of the Falcons. McKay’s committee will “develop alternatives and be ready for a potential vote” in two months in San Francisco.

Among the possibilities are moving the line of scrimmage back for PAT kicks; placing the ball on the 1 1/2-yard line for a 2-point conversion; eliminating the PAT kicks entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage; and allowing the defense to score, as in college football, if the ball is turned over on a 2-point try.

McKay described the discussions as “lively, with lots of ideas … it’s time to make this a football play.”

“A couple coaches said they favor just lining up on the 2 and going for the 2-point play,” he said. “Or move the ball to the 1 1/2 for two points, or kick from the 15 for one, your choice.”

Around the league

Packers receiver Jordy Nelson has had offseason surgery on his hip. The recovery period could take six to eight weeks. … Dallas coach Jason Garrett says Greg Hardy must “do the right things from the beginning” to be part of the Cowboys. The talented but troubled defensive end was convicted in North Carolina last July of assaulting a female and communicating harassment, but the case was dismissed after Hardy reached a settlement with the victim. … Vikings coach Mike Zimmer “fully expects” Adrian Peterson to be with the team for the 2015 season, adding there are “no plans” to trade the star running back. Peterson has not yet been reinstated by the NFL from his suspension under the personal conduct policy.