Bears kicker Robbie Gould doesn't support longer extra points

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould doesn't support longer extra point attempts. The NFL is experimenting with extra points from the 15-yard line in the first two weeks of the preseason.

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould doesn't support longer extra point attempts, Gould told the Chicago Tribune.

The league is experimenting with extra points from the 15-yard line in the first two weeks of the preseason.

The NFL has started exploring the idea of lengthening extra points since kickers so rarely have failed to convert them — just 18 of 3,709 extra-point kicks have failed over the last three seasons. 

The New England Patriots proposed moving the ball to the 25-yard line at the owner's meetings in March, and though that change wasn't seriously considered, the NFL is experimenting with extra points from the 15-yard line in the first two weeks of the preseason.

Gould argues longer extra points will mean more attempts to block them, which makes play more dangerous for blockers. He also claimed there's no precedent for changing the rules just because statistics show a trend toward success in one area.

"We see quarterbacks throwing for the most yards ever," Gould said. "So are we going to say now you can't try a play-action pass? No. We applaud players for throwing for more than 5,000 yards."

In the first instance of the experimental change, Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Carpenter and Buffalo Bills kicker Josh Brown combined to make all three of their attempts in Sunday's Hall of Fame Game.

Gould, a former Pro Bowler, has missed just two of his career 325 extra point attempts.

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- Ben Estes