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The NFL announced yesterday it would be changing the PAT in 2015. The new rule will have kickers making their attempt from the 15-yard line rather than the 2. Also, the defense can run back a turnover on a 2-point conversion to score two points itself.
Denver Broncos place kicker Connor Barth expressed some contrasting feelings about the newest change to the rules:
"Narrowing the uprights would make it a lot more challenging than moving the extra point," said Connor Barth, a six-year veteran who signed with Denver last November. "Most guys can hit 33-yarders in their sleep...It'll probably change the percentages a little bit, but we're all pretty good kickers, and I still think we'll be in the high 90 percent range on extra points from the 15," he said. "I think they're just trying to find something to change."
Later on, understanding the implications of being a good and accurate kicker, like he is, Barth expressed a different view on Twitter:
Whelp the value of the kicking position just went up! Thanks @nfl for the rule change!
— Connor Barth (@contbarth) May 19, 2015
I actually have a different take on the new rule changes, which I'll be posting on a bit later.
Patriot tears taste so good
So your owner, who for the most part has been a positive example of good ownership throughout the NFL, sees the error of trying to fight the NFL over "Deflategate" sanctions and even though still publicly disagrees with the decision decides to put the league first and take the team's punishment like a man.
What ensued from Patriots fans on the blogosphere was pure comedy as angry Massholes everywhere hurled insults and expressed their anger with Bob Kraft's decision. It was beautiful! Patriots fans finally showed their true colors and chose an individual above the team - in this case the individual is Tom Brady* (did I do the asterisk thingy right?)
I am proud to call myself a Broncos fan. In 2011, Tebow became my quarterback and I loved him. Elway shipped him outta town and made the greatest signing in FA history in Peyton Manning. I love Peyton Manning. Soon, Peyton Manning will shuffle off. Before all of this we had John Elway. Let me make this clear - it's about the name on the helmet, not the name on the back. I may admire Tebow's grit, but I am a Broncos fan first and foremost. Elway is a Mount Rushmore QB, but it still took a team to help him achieve greatness. Manning has accomplished things that no one else has, yet he's just another great player to don orange and blue.
Patriots fans in their deluded thinking wanted Bob Kraft to get into a gunfight with Roger Goodell and fight the league for the sake of their honor and the sake of one player. They wanted to become Raiders East a la Al Davis. Davis may have won the battle against the NFL, but he lost the war. The Raiders still had to operate within the NFL, and they became public enemy #1.
I know that Pats fans have this warped sense of "us vs. them" built through years and years of insecurity but you reap what you sow. Cheaters may prosper short term, but once they are found out, they will always be a cheater. The only honorable thing to do is to admit the wrong doing, accept the punishment, and move on. Bob Kraft has set a great example for his fanbase. Will the mass-holes follow?
Adrian Robinson's death ruled a suicide
Many people have been impacted by suicide. Many people out there deal with severe depression and mental illness that robs them of the joys of everyday life. I myself lost my grandfather to suicide when I was very young, and for someone like my mother it took more than 20 years before she could think about her dad without crying.
I am so sorry that Adrian reached a low in his life where the only way he thought he could end the pain was by ending his life. The final tweet on his timeline indicates he was still able to see the good things in life:
Summer and the laugh of my daughter make me believe in God.
— Adrian Robinson JR. (@CuatroTres) May 12, 2015
If you have someone in your life that struggles with depression, love them as best as you can. It's not always easy, but the best way to show that you care is just by being there for them. If you are someone that is thinking about suicide or has suicidal thoughts--please reach out to someone. There is some sunshine beyond the haze of depression and once you see it, you will be amazed at how much you are able to enjoy the little things in life--and that's what it is all about.
Take time to think about those around you. Suicide is a final decision that will affect your loved ones. For Adrian, his daughter is just a year old and will never get to know her dad first hand.
Life is difficult, we all have our struggles. But we were given the gifts of friendship, family, and empathy for a reason--we can always help each other through the rough times.
Not only that but we have Broncos Football to look forward to!
If you ever need an orange and blue brother to talk to, I'm your guy just shoot me a note---oh and check out Calikula's weekday thread--it's full of great guys and gals to mingle with!
RIP Adrian. I'm sorry for your pain
Horse Tracks
Broncos kicker Connor Barth doesn't like new NFL extra points rules - The Denver Post
NFL owners voted Tuesday to alter the league's long-held extra-point rules with the hope of making the seemingly automatic scoring attempt after touchdowns more challenging.
President and CEO Joe Ellis on NFL rules changes
Broncos President and CEO Joe Ellis said the league aimed to make extra point plays more interesting with Tuesday's decision on rules changes.
Kubiak: New rules change intriguing
Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak said the new NFL rules change on extra points will have some minor changes, especially in preparation.
Denver Broncos - ESPN
Jeff Heuerman will not play for the Denver Broncos in the coming season, but that doesn't mean he will not be a part of what they do.
Coroner: Adrian Robinson, former Broncos linebacker, died of suicide - The Denver Post
Adrian Robinson, a former NFL linebacker out of Temple University who played six games with the Broncos in 2013, died Saturday night. He was only 25.
Land deal closes for planned NFL stadium near Los Angeles - The Denver Post
A complex land deal finalized Tuesday marks another step toward development of a shared stadium near Los Angeles for the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders.
Eighty years ago Tuesday, the NFL instituted a rookie draft | ProFootballTalk
Imagine an NFL without this. Or this. Or this. Yes, the NFL would be a little less interesting without a draft. On this day in 1935, NFL owners changed the way rookies were selected into the league, installing a draft for 1936. The idea was that of then-Commissioner Bert Bell.
Extra point tries moved to the 15-yard line | ProFootballTalk
One of the NFL's staid elements is getting a shake-up. Extra points will be attempted from the 15-yard-line beginning in 2015, the NFL announced Tuesday at its spring meeting in San Francisco. Owners approved the rules change, which makes the extra point a 32- or 33-yard attempt.
NFL moves extra point to 15-yard line for 2015 season - NFL.com
NFL owners have approved the competition committee's proposal on extra points. The PATs will now be kicked from the 15-yard line with two-point conversions remaining at the 2-yard line.
Owners won’t change PSI levels, will address handling of footballs | ProFootballTalk
The 243-page report generated by investigator/prosecutor Ted Wells places no blame on the NFL or any of its employees or officials for the existing procedures for handling footballs and/or ensuring that the footballs at all times remain within the supposedly mandatory range of 12.5 to 13.5 PSI.
Derek Carr misses Raiders' OTAs with injury - NFL.com
Derek Carr was a spectator when the Oakland Raiders took the field for OTAs Tuesday. Coach Jack Del Rio declined to elaborate on the specifics of Carr's ailment.
NFL selects finalists for 2019, 2020 Super Bowls - NFL.com
The NFL has selected Miami, Tampa, New Orleans and Atlanta as finalists for the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Will New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's suspension be reduced? - NFL Videos
NFL Media's Steve Wyche and NFL Media columnist Michael Silver tell you if they think Commissioner Roger Goodell will reduce New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension.
Has NFL given Kraft an assurance on Brady suspension? | ProFootballTalk
If it's true that the NFL and the Patriots were engaged last night in "back-channel" negotiations and given that the Patriots declared that they'll drop the matter two days before the period for appealing the penalties imposed against them expired, the next question becomes whether owner Robert Kraft.