Chains

D.P.Johnson · #1 01-13-2015, 10:16 AM

I've always wondered how often the chains are calibrated...Do they shrink or expand depending on the temperature???...Do they stretch over time due to the constant pulling???...Where does the NFL buy the chains from???...Does some company have an exclusive NFL chains contract???...How often are the chains replaced???...Do they ever break???...If so, are they repaired or replaced with a new set???...If they are repaired, does some company have an exclusive NFL chain repair contract???...How much does a net set of chains cost???...Where are the chains kept between games???...Could some unscrupulous fanatic access the chains and alter their length???...What would happen if all the chains were stolen???...How much does a used set of chains cost on eBay???....(I'll go check on this right now and get back with you...

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glenv · #2 01-13-2015, 10:23 AM

I remember a game where on 1st down the defense had an off-sides penalty and the refs marked off 5 yards. After two incompletions, the defense had another off-sides and the refs marched off another 5 yards. Then they brought out the chains to see if it was a first down and they were a few inches short...

Section103 · #3 01-13-2015, 01:45 PM

To me, the room for improvement isn't just in the chains; but perhaps more importantly spotting the ball correctly. Each tackle has a certain amount of arbitrary placement (some more than others, of course) which over the course of downs/drives makes the chain measurement precision kinda pointless.

Like you though, I think there are great areas of advancement that could be made soon. You cant just flash a laser line across the field (it crowns and the first person to step in front of it turns it off). The microchip in the ball could be a great use too; just not sure how to integrate it with "down by contact".

frankbmd · #4 01-13-2015, 04:29 PM

Once again I don't have a big problem with chains and my sarcasm is difficult to differentiate from my feelings in these posts.

The dichotomy in accuracy that exists in today's game between frame by frame slow motion booth reviews to determine whether the plane is broken before the knee is down and hauling out two sticks linked by a chain to determine first downs seems incongruous, I repeat incongruous.

The statistical significance of never ending decimals in mathematics lacks relevance if you are using a chain to measure it. It really is just as accurate to say that Eddie Lacy gained 4.7 yards on a given play as it is to say he gained 4.68524583 yards. And to say that he gained 5 yards is fine with me.
Using both a micrometer and a yardstick for measuring in the same arena is also incongruous.

Officiating on the field has become the starting point for determining outcomes on close calls and is no longer the final word. Extrapolating forward with the current trend we might see a day in the future where a football game takes 12 hours to complete.

D.P.Johnson · #5 01-13-2015, 04:35 PM

I like the idea of 12 hour games.

Her: "Honey, are you going to mow the lawn today?"

Me: "Absolutely my dearest; I'm gonna do that right after this game is over. Do you mind grabbing me another beer?"

Runscott · #6 01-13-2015, 04:36 PM

Frank, this was a great topic - thank you.

To summarize my thoughts, I hate instant replay. I also hate that stupid giant robot looking mascot they use throughout the game, the dumb theme songs they repeat until you can't get them out of your head, coke-head and murderer former players turned announcers and various other things.

I would gladly trade HD t.v. and go back to a small vacuum tube fuzzy screen, to get rid of all of the above.

frankbmd · #7 01-13-2015, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runscott

Frank, this was a great topic - thank you.

To summarize my thoughts, I hate instant replay. I also hate that stupid giant robot looking mascot they use throughout the game, the dumb theme songs they repeat until you can't get them out of your head, coke-head and murderer former players turned announcers and various other things.

I would gladly trade HD t.v. and go back to a small vacuum tube fuzzy screen, to get rid of all of the above.

Thanks Scott, I think you get it and we agree more than we disagree. I am just struck by the things in football that haven't changed in 60 years. There is a kickoff and there still are four downs. There are still 15 minutes in a quarter and four quarters in a game (but how they are measured has changed). There are still eleven players on both sides of the ball. And lets not forget the chains, but almost every other aspect of the game has evolved (some would say improved). Technology has impacted the game (in football and in other sports as well), but not the chains. And the championship game of 1958 between the Colts and the Giants was just as enjoyable as this year's Super Bowl will be. And some would say more enjoyable.