Poll: Should the NFL Eliminate Extra Points?

Should the NFL eliminate extra points? That is a question that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said will be discussed this offseason, as an effort to speed up the game for something that is virtually automatic. In the interview, Goodell mentioned a possible solution if the extra point was eliminated:

"The extra point is almost automatic," Goodell said. "I believe we had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd (1,256-for-1,261, to be precise). So it’s a very small fraction of the play, and you want to add excitement with every play. There’s one proposal in particular that I’ve heard about. It’s automatic that you get seven points when you score a touchdown, but you could potentially go for an eighth point, either by running or passing the ball, so if you fail, you go back to six."

I understand the logic behind such a proposal, and on paper, it seems to make complete sense. However, I'm a little wary about embracing the removal of an element that has been part of the game for so long. Also, as silly as this may sound, it reduces some of the playing time that special teamers receive. One could also make a case that all of those "automatic repetitions" on extra points help ensure the chemistry between the long snapper, holder, and placekicker on actual field goals that are more important.

Also, when an extra point is missed, it can change a game big time. In 14 years with the Browns, Phil Dawson connected on 350-of-358 extra point attempts (97.7%). Billy Cundiff was 32-of-32 (100%) on extra point attempts this season. Plus, people are talking about speeding up the game, but I think the extra point actually gives someone like me a little bit of extra time to quickly look around the league at what else is going on -- an extended commercial break or sorts.

What do you think, Browns fans? Should extra points be retained, or should they just be made automatic?