Eagles Wake-Up Call: Chip’s 2-Point Proposal

Next week when the NFL owners meet in San Francisco, they will vote on three new proposals to change how extra points and two-point conversions are handled.

One of the proposals has been submitted by Chip Kelly and the Eagles.

The current rule is simple: After touchdowns, the ball is placed on the 2 yard line. From there, the offense can kick it for one point or attempt a two-point conversion.

The proposal submitted by the Eagles (you can read the whole thing here) would place the ball at the 15 yard line for extra point kicks. But for offenses that wanted to go for two, the ball would be placed at the 1 yard line.

There’s one more wrinkle that pertains to the defense. Under current rules, if the defense gains possession (a fumble recovery or interception) on a two-point try, the play is ruled dead. But the Eagles propose that the defense be allowed to take a turnover back to the opposite end zone and potentially earn the two points.

The Patriots also submitted a proposal. Theirs is similar to the Eagles’ except the ball would be placed at the 2 yard line for a two-point attempt. The kick would move to the 15. And their proposal does not include an opportunity for the defense to score.

And finally, the third proposal has been made by the competition committee. It’s similar to the Eagles’ in that the defense can score two points with a turnover, but it’s different in that the attempt starts at the 2, not the 1.

Summarizing the main points more succinctly:

• Eagles – PAT at 15, two-point try at 1. Defense can score.
• Patriots – PAT at 15, two-point try at 2. Defense can’t score.
• Competition committee – PAT at 15, two-point try at 2. Defense can score.

In Kelly’s first year, many (yours truly included) thought he might go for two quite often, but it hasn’t happened. The Eagles tried the old swinging gate in 2013, but they didn’t execute, and he hasn’t gone back to it. Last year, they were one of eight NFL teams that didn’t try a two-point conversion all season.

Asked last month about whether the Tim Tebow addition was influenced by the potential rule change, Ed Marynowitz said: “Not entirely. But if that does come to fruition and there is a role there, depending on his performance that may dictate, maybe he’ll have a role in that capacity.”

For any of the three proposals to pass next week, 24 of the 32 owners have to approve.

WHAT YOU MISSED

The Eagles have added Dwayne Joseph and Louis Clark to their personnel staff.

Current Giants defensive coordinator and former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo says there are “great things” ahead for Sam Bradford in Philadelphia.

Eagles sixth-round pick Randall Evans is holding on to his walk-on mentality, writes T-Mac.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com looks at the Eagles’ secondary:

Maxwell’s ability to become the No. 1 cornerback will be a deciding factor in whether Kelly’s rebuild is successful. It is unclear whether defensive coordinator Bill Davis will keep his cornerbacks on one side or move Maxwell around to cover the opponent’s best wide receiver. Davis favored the one-side approach for the past two years, which allowed offensive coordinators to get the matchups they wanted.

Sam Donnellon of the Daily News thinks Kelly should rebut the racism chatter:

As for the premise he is loathed by many black players on the team and is a divisive element, that’s not how it appears as the Eagles walk off the practice field on most days. That might be naïve, but it’s all I have to go on.

That, and that narrative put forth by McCoy and Stephen A., that suggests Kelly is a racist. It carries a lot of weight, that word, a lot of hurt. He shouldn’t have to, but if Kelly wants to keep it from hovering over him and his team, he should fight back.

COMING UP

It might just be mailbag time.