Here’s something I was wondering about this morning, why do NFL teams employ a punter and kicker for extra points and why not better athletes for these situations. Some further detail using my favorite team, the Cincinnati Bengals (WHO DEY!).

We all know that you can opt for a 2 point conversion over an extra point. By using the punter (or backup QB) as the holder and a kicker for the extra point, wouldn’t it offer an additional option for defenses if we used better athletes (no offense to the holder and kicker)?

Since we’re using the Bengals as the example, I’d like their 3rd down back, Brian Leonard, as the holder and Chad Ochocinco kicking (he’s done it before). Ideally, the holder is a former quarterback who can run.

By doing this, we have set up a situation where we can run the option with one of our best athletes who can receive the pitch or our holder can keep it. Add to that two tight ends on the ends and we open the pass option. And, let’s not forget just taking the extra point kick.

I’m in no way suggesting this for field goals, but for an extra point I think it’s a great option. It would keep the special teams on their toes and present a constant option of 2 points over 1.

Also, I realize you’d typically just kick the extra point and 2 points doesn’t make a difference, but I think it would open that option up and possible blow the game open.

Place Kicker and Holder was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 07:57 and is filed in Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.