Post by Guvmintcheeze on May 22, 2015 1:06:23 GMT
Matt Bryant set to change practice habits for point-after rule change
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant admitted he never put too much work into preparing for extra points. That's about to change, with the new NFL rule making that kick a 33-yard attempt.
"I will be practicing the 33-yarder a lot more now," Bryant said. "Did I practice the extra point before? Yeah, I'd usually kick one during my sequence of [pregame] kicks. Did I spend an extensive amount of time on it? No. I'm not going to harp on the new one because it is another kick -- at least I have to treat it like that. But it won't be glossed over like it was before."
In a week of practice, Bryant typically attempted three or four extra points under the old format. He's unsure how many 33-yarders he'll try weekly.
"It will be the same amount whenever we do team stuff, but I'm sure it will be done more [individually]," Bryant said. "It's going to be one of those things where you don't want to be the first guy to miss that extra point. It will make it kind of interesting among the kicking brotherhood."
As for other aspects related to the rule change, Bryant believes kicking the 33-yarder in cold-weather environments will make games rather interesting. Here are a few other thoughts Bryant shared on the change:
On two-point conversions: "I present to you this question: What was considered the easiest thing [the extra point], and we now move it to the 15-yard line, but what is the thinking at the end of the game and you're down by two points and lo and behold, you're down at the 2-yard line? Are you going to move it back to the 15-yard line? We said a 20-yard extra point was too easy.''
On how it will affect scoring records for kickers: "I know some of older guys who have records, I know they're going to be happy about it: aka Morten Andersen. I already messed with him about it."
On whether special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong will always go for the kick or sometimes go for two: "You know what? My job is to go out there and kick the ball. It's not to give any type of advice. If they need me, just holler. If you don't need me, then don't holler."
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant admitted he never put too much work into preparing for extra points. That's about to change, with the new NFL rule making that kick a 33-yard attempt.
"I will be practicing the 33-yarder a lot more now," Bryant said. "Did I practice the extra point before? Yeah, I'd usually kick one during my sequence of [pregame] kicks. Did I spend an extensive amount of time on it? No. I'm not going to harp on the new one because it is another kick -- at least I have to treat it like that. But it won't be glossed over like it was before."
In a week of practice, Bryant typically attempted three or four extra points under the old format. He's unsure how many 33-yarders he'll try weekly.
"It will be the same amount whenever we do team stuff, but I'm sure it will be done more [individually]," Bryant said. "It's going to be one of those things where you don't want to be the first guy to miss that extra point. It will make it kind of interesting among the kicking brotherhood."
As for other aspects related to the rule change, Bryant believes kicking the 33-yarder in cold-weather environments will make games rather interesting. Here are a few other thoughts Bryant shared on the change:
On two-point conversions: "I present to you this question: What was considered the easiest thing [the extra point], and we now move it to the 15-yard line, but what is the thinking at the end of the game and you're down by two points and lo and behold, you're down at the 2-yard line? Are you going to move it back to the 15-yard line? We said a 20-yard extra point was too easy.''
On how it will affect scoring records for kickers: "I know some of older guys who have records, I know they're going to be happy about it: aka Morten Andersen. I already messed with him about it."
On whether special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong will always go for the kick or sometimes go for two: "You know what? My job is to go out there and kick the ball. It's not to give any type of advice. If they need me, just holler. If you don't need me, then don't holler."
