NFL kickers have mixed reactions to new extra-point rule

The NFL will make kickers work a little harder starting later this year, and some of those players couldn’t be more thrilled.

“I’m excited about it,� New York Giants kicker Josh Brown said of the league’s new rule that moves extra-point attempts after touchdowns back 13 yards to the 15-yard line. “It’s a play that you won’t turn the TV off for anymore.�

The league’s team owners approved the change Tuesday by a 30-2 vote in an attempt to add some excitement to a part of the game that has become almost automatic. Last season, kickers missed only eight of 1,230 extra-point attempts, a success rate of 99.3%.

But that was from 20 yards out. The new rule will have them trying from 33 yards out -- kickers have made about 94% of field-goal attempts from that distance during the last 10 years.

“If somebody was telling you, ‘Hey, we’re going to make your job just a little bit more important,’ why wouldn’t you take it?� said Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, who was four for four on 33-yard extra points during last year’s two-week trial in the preseason. “It’s a new challenge.�

But other kickers weren’t nearly as enthusiastic.

“I’m a traditionalist,� said Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, who hasn’t missed an extra-point kick since 2009. “I like the way it [was], but I understand they are trying to change the league to make it different.�

Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater said he “wasn’t too thrilled� when he heard about the change but figured, “What can I do about it? I’ll have to deal with it and make them all.�

Most everyone seems to agree that the rule change will most affect teams that play outdoors in sometimes inclement weather.

“Early in the year, I don’t think it changes much,� Vinatieri said. “I think come playoff time, when it’s windy, cold and fields are in crummy conditions, it might change some stuff.�

One kicker who’s taking it all in stride is Graham Gano of the Carolina Panthers.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just another kick.� said Gano, who has made 93 consecutive PAT attempts after missing one during his first game with Carolina in 2012. “That’s how I’m going to treat it.�

Twitter: @chewkiii