Dear Kid,

Important Forces Are Afoot.

And by “afoot” I actually mean “afoot.”

The NFL (deciding that the Superbowl wasn’t a sufficient topic for the next two weeks) has decided to consider eliminating the PAT (point after touchdown).

Their reasoning (as I understand it) is that PATs are dull, dull, dull in that virtually all of them get made. And by “virtually all” I mean that 99.1% of PAT attempts have made it through the uprights since 2004.

As you might imagine, sports commentators are in love with the idea of commenting on the idea.

Based on my extensive research, no one except some kickers believes the game should stay exactly as is. There seems to be general consensus that PATs are dull, dull, dull. There seems to be absolutely no consensus as to what should be done about it.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been talking about a proposal that would give teams 7 points for a touchdown, with an option to get 8 if you run or pass the ball into the endzone; if you fail to convert, you lose a point and go back to 6 points.

Another option I heard talked about is making PATs more difficult. Like moving the ball back to the 35. Or dropping spiders on the kicker just as the ball is snapped.

The NFL (and the commentators—one must not forget the commentators Oh Best Beloved) now have lots to discuss, comment on, invent, and deal in idle speculation about for most of the off-season. For reasons I don’t entirely understand, no one has yet asked my opinion. Pure oversight, I’m sure.

Note: For a rule change to take effect, at least 24 of the 32 teams must approve the changes.

Your thoughts?

Love, Mom

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