Toub says NFL's new extra-point wrinkles can be a weapon for Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Disdained if you do, damned if you don't. Look, Dave Toub wasn't all that gaga over the old extra point, either.
"I love (the change)," the Kansas City Chiefs' special teams coordinator said Wednesday after the team wrapped up another session of organized team activities. "I think it's a good thing. I think it emphasizes special teams more. It's good for us."
Late last month, NFL owners moved the extra-point snap from the 2-yard line -- where the conversion rate of 99 percent league-wide made it a can't-miss prospect but can't-watch television -- back 13 more yards for a 32-yard or 33-yard attempt. Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos was a perfect 38 for 38 on the old point after, and six for seven from 30 to 39 yards out (85.7 percent).
"You can imagine they went through every scenario that could possibly happen (with the change)," Toub said. "They know that this is a positive thing. Across the board, I haven't heard too many negative things."
Although one gripe emerged right away: If you're going to attempt to make a one-point conversion more "interesting," why not double down on the tension by moving two-point conversions to the 1-yard line, making the risk a more attractive one?
"No, I just think if you're going to go from the 1, it's too easy to get it," Toub countered. "It would be crazy if that happened, I think. Yeah, there would be more people going for two, for sure.
"Then again, let's talk about safety and everything else. And then (you're) de-emphasizing the kicker, and I'm not for that."
Toub isn't into full-scale revolution here, but the man loves a new wrinkle, something new to scheme. Chiefs special teams units ranked third in the NFL last year in terms of points produced above the league average (6.7 percent better), behind only Philadelphia (8.3 percent) and Baltimore (8.0). In 2013, they ranked first overall (7.8 percent). The Chiefs have led the NFL in kickoff-return average in 2013 (29.9) and kick-return yardage (1,430) the next fall.
The other part of the NFL's special teams tweak is that the defense can return a blocked kick or a turnover on a two-point conversion for two points, a play that previously had been ruled dead.
"Then for us on field-goal block, now we've got the green light to (pick up the rush)," he said, "and the fact that the defense can score two points, that changes everything, too."
Something else to monetize. Something new to weaponize.
"Exactly," Toub said. "(It's) huge. And that changes the offense now, when they're trying for two points, (they're) not trying to force the ball. You'd tell the quarterback (that) they're just throwing it in there, nothing bad can happen. So that changes the offense's mindset as well."
If there's a way to turn something new into an advantage for the Chiefs, Toub is going to burn the midnight oil until he finds it. Or several its.
"That's the first thing we talked about, initially. As soon as the rule was changed, we talked about how on field goals, they're going to be coming a lot harder," Toub said. "So we've got to be prepared for a hard rush. Then, on the other hand, you have to bring a hard rush, so it's going to change the mindset a little bit. No question, the chance of a fake happening at the 15 on a 1-point play is slim and none."
So are we talking about false hope or false drama? The NFL success rate from the 30-ish-yard range on field goals is closer to 90-95 percent, depending on the kicker and the conditions. Isn't it much ado about nothing? Did the suits go far enough?
To that, Toub smiled.
"There's nothing (else) really that I can think of," he said. "As long as they keep the kicking game in the game, as long as they don't start taking away stuff, I'm good."
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter at @SeanKeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com.
