NFL extra-point experiment begins with preseason games

The NFL will conduct an experiment during the first two weeks of preseason games in which teams will have a choice of kicking extra points from the 15-yard line — making them the equivalent of a 33-yard field goal — or going for a two-point conversion from the 2.

The trial is to pump some excitement into the game as opposed to conversion kicks that are made 99 percent of the time.

“I think it’s good,” said Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “It actually puts more emphasis on the kicker, and it’s going to make their job more important. It’s not a gimmie, that’s for sure.

“They’ll test it for two weeks and see what the percentages are, and if they’re anywhere around 80, it’s going to be something they’re going to really look at.”

Even though teams don’t play exhibition games to win, Toub expects some teams to employ some strategy in deciding to go for two points rather than kick for one from 33 yards out.

But the Chiefs want to make the long-distance extra points part of the competition between rookie Cairo Santos and veteran Ryan Succop for the place-kicking job.

“I think you’ll see more teams try for two points the first two weeks of preseason,” Toub said. “For us, we’ve got the kicking competition going, so that’s like a field goal for us. It’s a good year for us to have this new rule.”

This story was originally published August 1, 2014 at 2:52 PM with the headline "NFL extra-point experiment begins with preseason games."