The point is, extra points are too easy, and even Andersen, one of the game’s best-ever kickers, recognizes that. The NFL Competition Committee, according to NFL.com, is considering making the most predictable result in football a bit tricker. The idea being floated is to make the extra point 43 yards long, with the ball placed at the 25-yard line. It’s currently placed at the 2-yard line.

Andersen told Sporting News that “they should do it in preseason and see what the responses are and how it affects the flow of the game and outcome of the games.”

Last season, five of 1,267 extra points were missed — a conversion rate of 99.6 percent. Field goals, however, between 40 and 49 yards were good 83 percent of the time. With the extra point falling in that range, the outcome still favors the offense, but it’s less of a gimmie.

That also increases the likelihood that teams might try a 2-point conversion. The success rate there was about 50 percent.

Andersen, a seven-time Pro Bowler, said it would be interesting to see “what players and coaches think strategy wise versus going for 2 closer to the end zone…It might make play more exciting.”

He isn’t in favor of eliminating the extra point all together. That, too, has been batted about.

In January, commissioner Roger Goodell told NFL Total Access that the league was exploring the possibility. Touchdowns would be worth seven points, instead of six. After the score, teams would have a choice to either go for two for a total of eight points. A failed two-point conversion attempt would drop the point total to six. Or they could take the seven points and walk away.

That would be far more radical than moving the ball back 23 yards and complicating the rote extra point.

“Adjusting it could be beneficial for the game,” Andersen said.


ROMO HELPS COWBOYS' CAP WOES


The Dallas Cowboys, thanks to well-compensated quarterback Tony Romo and linebacker Sean Lee, have trimmed almost $17 million in their attempt to get under the 2014 NFL salary cap.

Now they'll see if it will help them keep two of their other big names: defensive end DeMarcus Ware and wide receiver Miles Austin.

According to ESPN Dallas, after the team restructured Romo's contract to convert base salary to bonus, his cap number dropped $10 million (from $21.773 million to $11.773 million). By working out something similar with Lee and cornerback Orlando Scandrick, another $6.8 millon came off the books.

Although that puts the Cowboys at little more than a $1 million over the higher-than-expected $134.55 million cap, they are still starting at more than a combined $24 million invested in Ware and Austin. They could save just less than $13 million in cap money if they cut both past Pro Bowlers.

It's more likely, however, that they work out a way to keep Ware with an adjusted contract and just decide to let Austin go. Ware was just getting warmed up as a 4-3 defensive end before he battled through an injury-marred 2013 season. Austin was hamstrung and couldn't get on the field, doing little in just five games.

The free-agent statuses of tackle Jason Hatcher and end Anthony Spencer means it's more important to keep Ware, both for his playmaking and leadership ability under Rod Marinelli. As for Austin, Romo trusted Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley in complementary wideout roles to Dez Bryant in 2013. In addition, with Gavin Escobar developing opposite Jason Witten, there should be more opportunities to feature two receiving tight ends in 2014.

It's hard to see Ware suiting up for anyone else, and Jerry Jones has a history of keeping his favorite veterans. They should just take the needed savings on Austin soon, get under the cap and focus on the draft, because their number says they won't be a big player in free agency.


FORD BACKS UP TRASH TALK


Auburn defensive end Dee Ford swung high and hard in good-natured jest when said of potential No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Jadeveon Clowney: “Honestly, if you watch the film, he plays like a blind dog in a meat market, basically.”

We’ve never seen a blind dog in a meat market, but it’s safe to say it wasn’t a compliment. With that kind of trash-talking, Ford had no choice but to put up or shut up at Auburn’s NFL pro day Tuesday.

He was not medically cleared to perform at the Combine due to a reported back problem. But at the pro day, he put on a show:

Here’s how he stacked up to Clowney’s Combine results:

Height/weight:

Ford: 6-2, 244 pounds

Clowney: 6-5, 266 pounds

Arms:

Ford: 32 7/8 inches

Clowney: 34 1/2 inches

Hands:

Ford: 10 1/4

Clowney: 10

255-pound bench press:

Ford: 29 repetitions

Clowney: 21 reps

40-yard dash:

Ford: 4.53 unofficial (4.66 approximate official)

Clowney: 4.53 official

Vertical:

Ford: 35 1/2 inches

Clowney: 37 1/2 inches

Broad jump:

Ford: 10 feet, 4 inches

Clowney: 10 feet, 4 inches

Ford did nothing to embarrass himself. In fact, his performance was quite impressive and despite being a smaller guy than Clowney, he can match the South Carolina defensive end athletically in a controlled environment. Of course, it’s all different when the lights are on and a player like Clowney turns a blur of speed off the edge.

Ford was second in the SEC this season in sacks with 10 1/2, trailing Missouri’s Michael Sam who had 11 1/2. Clowney, routinely double-teamed and schemed against, had only three.

Ford might have been stirring the pot when he made those comments to SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“I’m better (than Clowney). Let’s put it like this,” he said on the show. “People like to talk about size all the time. Size is pretty much overrated in my eyes. You can look at guys like Robert Mathis, Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller. These are 6-2 guys and under. People are just looking at the fact that he’s a physical specimen.”

Ford still had to back up, or else Clowney could have countered with this zinger: “It’s mighty poor dog that gets beat in his own backyard.”


BROWNER REINSTATED


Although the Seattle Seahawks' 2013-14 postseason played out just fine without cornerback Brandon Browner, any additional defensive secondary pieces are key in today's pass-heavy NFL.

So, Browner's tweet Tuesday announcing he's been reinstated by the league from what was supposed to be a yearlong drug suspension in November should only excite Seattle football fans — depending, of course, on what the team decides to do with the unrestricted free agent.

Browner's complete message:

I received wonderful news today. The NFL has reinstated me, and I now have the opportunity to prove to the fans and my teammates how important this sport is to me. I realize now more than ever that being part of the NFL is not a right, but a privilege. I am grateful that Commissioner Goodell and my agent were able to resolve this issue in a positive, productive manner so I can continue my career, provide for my family, and help my team win a Super Bowl. Thank you to all who have gone out of their way to show their support. I will live up to your expectations of me.

Browner's agent, Peter Schaffer, confirmed to The Associated Press that his client had been reinstated. The league has not commented on Browner's tweet.

Browner unsuccesfully appealed the his ban for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The suspension's term became indefinite after the appeal was denied Dec. 19.

The news of the 29-year-old's reinstatement comes as a surprise, considering Browner was supposed to wait a year to even apply. Just last week, he reportedly was planning to sue the league over the suspension.

We assume that won't be necessary, now.


MACK’S PRO DAY


The more opportunities Khalil Mack has to display his athleticism in front of NFL scouts, the higher he’s likely to rise on teams’ draft boards.

His pro day showing is just the latest example.

Mack, a 6-2 1/2, 251-pound outside linebacker from Buffalo, ran unofficial a handheld time that was somewhere between a 4.53 to 4.55 (4.66 to 4.68 approximate official time). That’s consistent with his Combine official electronic time of 4.65. More than 20 scouts were on hand to watch Mack’s workout, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

Browns’ new head coach Mike Pettine watched closely, as did Raiders’ GM Reggie McKenzie and Bills’ GM Kevin Whaley.

Mack leaves Buffalo with 28 1/2 sacks, 75 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles. That kind of production doesn’t come by happenstance.

Mack is that good, and he’s showing that in front of key decision makers. He could very well be among the top five players selected in May’s draft. His explosiveness was demonstrated by the 40-inch vertical posted at the Combine and he scored well in all of the other tests as well.


FALCONS RE-SIGN PETERS


The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed Corey Peters, one of the team's three defensive tackles who were unrestricted free agents, to a one-year contract.

The Falcons' other free-agent defensive tackles are Jonathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry.

Peters, a third-round pick in 2010, had his 2013 season end with a right Achilles injury on Dec. 23 that required surgery. He has started in 53 of his 56 games.

He made 15 starts in 2013, when he set a career high with five sacks and had 48 tackles. He has nine career sacks.

Peters was chosen the Falcons' 2011 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Terms of the one-year contract were not immediately released.

Contributors: Rana L. Cash, Tadd Haislop, The Associated Press