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NFL's PAT change proposal slammed by a number of kickers

NFL kickers Adam Vinatieri, Jay Feely and Justin Tucker jointly agree that plans to change the PAT are wrong and "minimise the importance" of players in their position.

A number of NFL kickers have voiced their disagreement with plans to change the PAT scoring system.

According to a report by NFL.com, the league's proposal would see the ball spotted for an extra point at the 25-yard line instead of the two, making it less of a formality and encouraging teams to alternatively try for two points.

However, kicking trio Adam Vinatieri, Jay Feely and Justin Tucker have all criticised the idea, citing reasons such as safety and "phasing out" kickers as to why they disagree.

Via ESPN, Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts said: "I don't understand the logic. Will it make the game safer for people by moving the extra point back to a 43-yarder? If anything, players are going to rush harder for two points. They're trying to minimise the importance of kickers. I'm a traditionalist. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

"People are trying to phase kickers out of the game," Baltimore Ravens kicker Tucker added. "That's as blunt as I can be about it. I don't think it's necessary to change the game every couple of years to make it more exciting. If you want it to be more exciting, TV timeouts could be a little shorter and we could actually play some football."

Arizona Cardinals man Feely - who was successful with all 37 of his PAT attempts in 2013 - stated that kickers should not be penalised for being great. He said: "You don't penalize a baseball closer for being great, you celebrate that. You should do the same thing with kickers."

In January, Vinatieri said that any kicking changes made should be to place more point scoring emphasis on field goals.

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Wide receiver Michael Floyd #15 of the Arizona Cardinals looks over to Larry Fitzgerald #11 after catching a 15 yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October
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