Kicking In the NFL

Recently there has been a lot of talk about eliminating the extra point because it has become almost automatic. Goodell stated "I believe we had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd [attempts]. So it's a very small fraction of the play, and you want to add excitement with every play." 

In my opinion this just goes to show how skilled NFL kickers have become. I would usually be the last one to defend NFL kickers but in this case I think the Comish has gotten it wrong. If you want to make the game more exiting why not make it harder to get the point after rather than eliminating all together. After all how exciting is it to get a point just because. 

I would rather see the NFL do something that would highlight the skill it takes to be and NFL place kicker. Perhaps they could use a different set of uprights for the extra point. Maybe the uprights could be retractable like the protective net that comes down before the kick. These post could be narrower making it harder to get that "automatic" point. Or if that seem unreasonable at least move the kicker back a few yards increasing the difficulty for the kicker. 

Or even better why not go to a Rugby style system where as the kicker has to make is conversion attempt from the spot of the score. Meaning if the player scores a touchdown by running down the middle the place kicker sets up straight out. However, if the touchdown is scored in the corner of the end zone or on the pylon the kicker would have to attempt almost a corner kick type attempt from the sideline. If you go this route you could even make the kicks uncontested in order to eliminate the injury risk. Just send out a long snapper, a holder, and the kicker. Heck if you do that you could make the long snapper have to line up in the same spot every time making him have to angle his snaps to the holder in order to get a clean kick off. That would really increase the skill. I would love to see a snap from the middle of the field to a holder on the sideline while the kicker has to put some english on the ball to curve it through the upright. That would really be something. 

 I think eliminating the point after would decrease the excitement in the game not increase it. Why not make the sport more exciting while at the same time showcasing the talents of a player(s) whom rarely gets any respect in the NFL.  I for one would love to actually see how these guys would handle the pressure of a game winning corner kick as time expires.