Rex Ryan may coach by his own rules, but he plays it safe when it comes to two-point conversions, The New York Times reports.
During the 2009 regular season, NFL teams converted 24 of 53 two-point conversion attempts, according to Football Outsiders. It was the third-fewest attempts in the last 12 years.
The Jets went for two five times and were successful twice.
Ryan prefers his team's defense on two-point tries.
"I like my chances to defend the two-point play more so than to convert one," Ryan told the Times.
Ryan has learned the art of two-point failures the hard way. In a November matchup against the Dolphins, the Jets failed on three two-point conversion attempts. The Dolphins won the game 30-25.
Not all NFL coaches agree with Ryan, which is not surprising considering some of his comments on other topics.
Former Ravens coach Brian Billick, whom Ryan worked with as defensive coordinator in Baltimore, told the New York Times that he was more likely to go for a two-point conversion on the road. Billick thought his team had a better chance to convert one play than score a touchdown or kick a field goal in overtime.
Ryan and Billick clearly view two-point conversions differently. No formula is perfect when it comes to two-point conversions, but former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil does the best job of summarizing two-point conversions in the NFL.
"I don't think it's a situation you can perfect," Vermeil told the New York Times. "I do say this: I believe it's probable you don't go for two points often enough. Now that I sit and watch on TV and don't have that pressure, I can say, 'You guys are chicken.'"
Two-point conversions are much easier for Monday morning quarterbacks.
