ARLINGTON, Texas -- After helping raise $50,000 for the Salvation Army's Youth Education Town at Reliant's Home Run Derby at Globe Life Park on Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett learned of the change in the NFL's point-after attempt.
Gone is the traditional extra point, replaced by a 33-yard kick after touchdowns. The two-point conversion will remain at the 2-yard line but defenses will now have the opportunity to return a turnover for 2 points.
"Well obviously it makes the extra point that much more challenging," Garrett said. "I think the percentage to make a PAT the way it is is north of 98 percent and I think it's about 93 percent to kick a field goal that's 33 yards. So there's a little bit of a difference there obviously. I'm glad they did the thing where the defense can return it and get two points. I think that's a good rule, and I'm glad they kept it at the 2-yard line."
Garrett was ushered away to a photo op before he could discuss a potential strategy change in how he may or may not deal with the point after attempts. Since Garrett lost the interim tag in 2011, the Cowboys have converted 4 of 7 two-point tries, but they did not have such a conversion attempt in 2014.
Dan Bailey is the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 89.8 percent and has made every point-after attempt in his career (179-of-179). He has made 38 of 40 tries from between 30-39 yards in his career with both misses coming from 35 yards.
While Bailey is virtually automatic from any distance, it will be interesting to see if Garrett's strategy changes with the two-point conversion. He has one of the best tight red-zone targets in Dez Bryant and the best offensive line in football.