Why do chain gangs still exist? (1 Viewer)

[Beau Tocks]

Tell me why in this advanced digital age and a multibillion dollar industry we have in the NFL that the 10 yard chain is still the mode with which to measure first downs. I just don't get it, the ATP can measure a tennis ball traveling 140mph hitting a line with a laser but the number one money producing amercian sport has not changed this archaic method the was installed what over 50 years+. Can someone explain this to me? While I'm at it, the NFL also needs to get rid of the sideline "ref closet" and leave replay decisions up in the booth like college football to reduce to pain staking delays in our beloved game.

Just my

 

[NEUPJ]

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

What would going to a laser/technology system gain the NFL? Speed up the game a little? Seems like a very high cost and little return.

I agree about the replay though, use the NHL or College method.

 

[redman]

It's better to get some economic productivity out of our prison population than to just keep them rotting behind bars.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

They should change it to be like Cyberball where if you don't get a first down the ball explodes

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Ask Tony Dungy.

I hate the Colts with a purple passion but in the SD game, they got ripped by the chain.

2nd down -- ball on (can't remember exactly) 15. They get it to the 5. However, when they stretched the chain to measure -- the chain went to the 4 and they were short. Past 10 yards but short of 11.

 

[BassNBrew]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Frankly -- one day I think the ball will have some sort of chip/gps/something in it for TDs and first downs.

 

[redman]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

 

[pimptastic69]

Lasers and GPS would be great and all, but think about how the ball ends up where it is. The official runs in from the sideline, jumping over players, unpiling players, then sets the ball down where he thinks it should be.

It'd be like using high tech diagnostic equipment on a Model-T Ford.

 

[Beau Tocks]

Lasers and GPS would be great and all, but think about how the ball ends up where it is. The official runs in from the sideline, jumping over players, unpiling players, then sets the ball down where he thinks it should be. It'd be like using high tech diagnostic equipment on a Model-T Ford.

The spot of the ball will unfortunately always be humanly dictated, but once the ball has been spotted then the GPS, laser or alternative tech. tool can be used to show the 10 yard mark down to the inch. I mean they already can give us tv viewers the yellow first down line on the screen why not go a step further and take this to an official level with some accuracy, that's my beef.

 

[BassNBrew]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

 

[dwashington]

Frankly -- one day I think the ball will have some sort of chip/gps/something in it for TDs and first downs.

I agree.I also think the same thing about baseball and the strike zone.

 

[redman]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

 

[Ozymandias]

With all the new technology, I think they could find one that goes to 11.

 

[Captain Hook]

Tell me why in this advanced digital age and a multibillion dollar industry we have in the NFL that the 10 yard chain is still the mode with which to measure first downs. I just don't get it, the ATP can measure a tennis ball traveling 140mph hitting a line with a laser but the number one money producing amercian sport has not changed this archaic method the was installed what over 50 years+. Just my

...and the people actually in attendance at the game would watch what?

 

[reg]

i still think it's ridiculous taht they can't get a correct camera angle at the endzone. seems like every other week there is a questionable td call and they don't have a camera covering that particular sideline.

 

[Bad_Mo]

What? You trying start something, buddy? Have this thread deleted asap or else we'll send Rocco to pay you a visit after we track down your IP address. Catch my drift?

Sincerely,

Bad_Mo

President, Chain Gang Union

 

[BassNBrew]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

Enough that it's comical when they mark the precise location of the chains to a yard marker on the sideline to run to the middle of the field to locate off a different yard marker to make a determination that a team is an inch short of 10 yards when the whole was eyeballed to begin with at a distance of 20-30 yards.

 

[JohnnyU]

They already draw that yellow line that marks a first down. All the runner has to do is fall where the yellow line is .

 

[amnesiac]

bah. lasers couldn't possibly be as dramatic as bringing out the chains and seeing the tip of the ball just short of the marker for the first down.

if football loses that, i may stop watching.

 

[PatrickT]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

Enough that it's comical when they mark the precise location of the chains to a yard marker on the sideline to run to the middle of the field to locate off a different yard marker to make a determination that a team is an inch short of 10 yards when the whole was eyeballed to begin with at a distance of 20-30 yards.

\If I understand your point correctly, that's not how they do it. On the chain, one link is marked to the nearest 5 yard line. When they drag the chains to where the ball is, they line that same link up with the same 5 yard line marker. Then they stretch the back stick, THEN they stretch the front stick to measure the ball.

The ref you see carrying the middle of the chain? He's holding the little clip that is connected to the link that is lined up with the 5 yard line marker. So, no eyeballing involved, except for the spot of course.

I personally wouldn't want it for the same reason I wouldn't want lasers to calculate balls and strikes. Kinda makes the whole thing seem antiseptic somehow. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

bah. lasers couldn't possibly be as dramatic as bringing out the chains and seeing the tip of the ball just short of the marker for the first down.if football loses that, i may stop watching.

ding ding ding. we have a winner. its all about the drama.

 

[fatness]

I blame Sam Cooke for this.

 

[brock]

technology would get it right. chain gangs leave room for error so refs can get the correct team to win.

 

[IM666]

Tell me why in this advanced digital age and a multibillion dollar industry we have in the NFL that the 10 yard chain is still the mode with which to measure first downs. I just don't get it, the ATP can measure a tennis ball traveling 140mph hitting a line with a laser but the number one money producing amercian sport has not changed this archaic method the was installed what over 50 years+. Just my

...and the people actually in attendance at the game would watch what?

If you would prefer to watch men with chains rather than the cheerleaders, I cannot help you. Now if the chain gang was modified with a couple of poles and some dancers to utilize those poles, well I could certainly live with that.

 

[daveandken]

Why do chain gangs still exist?, with today's technology.

Thugs.

 

[PatrickT]

Tell me why in this advanced digital age and a multibillion dollar industry we have in the NFL that the 10 yard chain is still the mode with which to measure first downs. I just don't get it, the ATP can measure a tennis ball traveling 140mph hitting a line with a laser but the number one money producing amercian sport has not changed this archaic method the was installed what over 50 years+. Just my

...and the people actually in attendance at the game would watch what?

If you would prefer to watch men with chains rather than the cheerleaders, I cannot help you. Now if the chain gang was modified with a couple of poles and some dancers to utilize those poles, well I could certainly live with that.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

I'm surprised that the old XFL didnt have bikini clad chain gangs. Or down girls that would prance around holding up the down sign.

 

[BassNBrew]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

Enough that it's comical when they mark the precise location of the chains to a yard marker on the sideline to run to the middle of the field to locate off a different yard marker to make a determination that a team is an inch short of 10 yards when the whole was eyeballed to begin with at a distance of 20-30 yards.

\If I understand your point correctly, that's not how they do it. On the chain, one link is marked to the nearest 5 yard line. When they drag the chains to where the ball is, they line that same link up with the same 5 yard line marker. Then they stretch the back stick, THEN they stretch the front stick to measure the ball.

The ref you see carrying the middle of the chain? He's holding the little clip that is connected to the link that is lined up with the 5 yard line marker. So, no eyeballing involved, except for the spot of course.

I personally wouldn't want it for the same reason I wouldn't want lasers to calculate balls and strikes. Kinda makes the whole thing seem antiseptic somehow. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

I guess I wasn't clear. You can be as precise as you want with that little clip, but the initial location of the chain is eyeballed after a 25 yard completion for instance. First down and 9.5 to 10.5 would be a more accurate representation.

 

[MOAT]

Following the logic of the OP shouldn't they just have Madden of the game? That way no one gets hurt.

Oh and couldn't they just automate the commentary too? After all, the grid of lasers would know who has the ball and where it is at all times.

 

[PatrickT]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

Enough that it's comical when they mark the precise location of the chains to a yard marker on the sideline to run to the middle of the field to locate off a different yard marker to make a determination that a team is an inch short of 10 yards when the whole was eyeballed to begin with at a distance of 20-30 yards.

\If I understand your point correctly, that's not how they do it. On the chain, one link is marked to the nearest 5 yard line. When they drag the chains to where the ball is, they line that same link up with the same 5 yard line marker. Then they stretch the back stick, THEN they stretch the front stick to measure the ball.

The ref you see carrying the middle of the chain? He's holding the little clip that is connected to the link that is lined up with the 5 yard line marker. So, no eyeballing involved, except for the spot of course.

I personally wouldn't want it for the same reason I wouldn't want lasers to calculate balls and strikes. Kinda makes the whole thing seem antiseptic somehow. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

I guess I wasn't clear. You can be as precise as you want with that little clip, but the initial location of the chain is eyeballed after a 25 yard completion for instance. First down and 9.5 to 10.5 would be a more accurate representation.

OK, I see your point, but I think you're spread is too far. I guess I just don't see it as being as big a deal as you.

 

[Paddy O'Seanessy]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

PRECISELYHere's the solution. You put little transponders -- like those little IRFD's you find stuck to everything you buy these days -- in either end of the footballs. No batteries required. With local positioning technology you would know exactly where every football on the field was at every moment.

First down record the spot; need a measurement? Ask the system is this at least 10 yards from the recorded spot.

Did the ball break the plane of the endzone?

Did the kick pass above the cross bar and between the uprights?

Where did the punt go out of bounds?

Absolute precision in every case.

 

[dickey moe]

How else would Caltrans surveyors receive their on-the-job training?

 

[Tanner9919]

Tell me why in this advanced digital age and a multibillion dollar industry we have in the NFL that the 10 yard chain is still the mode with which to measure first downs. I just don't get it, the ATP can measure a tennis ball traveling 140mph hitting a line with a laser but the number one money producing amercian sport has not changed this archaic method the was installed what over 50 years+. Can someone explain this to me? While I'm at it, the NFL also needs to get rid of the sideline "ref closet" and leave replay decisions up in the booth like college football to reduce to pain staking delays in our beloved game.

Just my

 

[Beau Tocks]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

PRECISELYHere's the solution. You put little transponders -- like those little IRFD's you find stuck to everything you buy these days -- in either end of the footballs. No batteries required. With local positioning technology you would know exactly where every football on the field was at every moment.

First down record the spot; need a measurement? Ask the system is this at least 10 yards from the recorded spot.

Did the ball break the plane of the endzone?

Did the kick pass above the cross bar and between the uprights?

Where did the punt go out of bounds?

Absolute precision in every case.

Your idea has merit but what about mud,dirt,snow or Blood on the ball, would that interfere with transmission ?

 

[[icon]]

bah. lasers couldn't possibly be as dramatic as bringing out the chains and seeing the tip of the ball just short of the marker for the first down.if football loses that, i may stop watching.

 

[JTM]

Lasers and GPS would be great and all, but think about how the ball ends up where it is. The official runs in from the sideline, jumping over players, unpiling players, then sets the ball down where he thinks it should be. It'd be like using high tech diagnostic equipment on a Model-T Ford.

The spot of the ball will unfortunately always be humanly dictated, but once the ball has been spotted then the GPS, laser or alternative tech. tool can be used to show the 10 yard mark down to the inch. I mean they already can give us tv viewers the yellow first down line on the screen why not go a step further and take this to an official level with some accuracy, that's my beef.

I have season tickets at Texas Stadium--being at the games has provided me insight on this matter. TV timeouts. At home you don't realize it as much as you do at the games because at home you aren't afforded the wonderful opportunity of watching players standing around for no reason other than for the networks' need to stuff advertising down the throats of TV viewers.Point is, if they can squeeze one more TV timeout because the chain gang has to measure, they'll keep it that way. That's why soccer will never make it in American TV...no TV timeouts to pay for it...

 

[renesauz]

Chains don't lose their memory when power is lost.

And they don't measure the origination of 10 yards. Chains should be phased out.

When they "move the chains" after a first down, they don't come out on the field and measure the exact spot where the 10 yards begin.

How far off do you suppose they are on average?

Enough that it's comical when they mark the precise location of the chains to a yard marker on the sideline to run to the middle of the field to locate off a different yard marker to make a determination that a team is an inch short of 10 yards when the whole was eyeballed to begin with at a distance of 20-30 yards.

\If I understand your point correctly, that's not how they do it. On the chain, one link is marked to the nearest 5 yard line. When they drag the chains to where the ball is, they line that same link up with the same 5 yard line marker. Then they stretch the back stick, THEN they stretch the front stick to measure the ball.

The ref you see carrying the middle of the chain? He's holding the little clip that is connected to the link that is lined up with the 5 yard line marker. So, no eyeballing involved, except for the spot of course.

I personally wouldn't want it for the same reason I wouldn't want lasers to calculate balls and strikes. Kinda makes the whole thing seem antiseptic somehow. Dunno, maybe it's just me.

I guess I wasn't clear. You can be as precise as you want with that little clip, but the initial location of the chain is eyeballed after a 25 yard completion for instance. First down and 9.5 to 10.5 would be a more accurate representation.

OK, I see your point, but I think you're spread is too far. I guess I just don't see it as being as big a deal as you.

Neither do I. If the yard lines are accurate (which I would say they are in the NFL at least), remember how long the ball itself is....it makes it pretty easy actually. On TV...can't you tell 95% of the time from the spot whether they got the first? I was able to do that before the yellow line came into vogue. I can't see the clip being more then 3-4 inches out of place to begin with...which is WELL within the margin of error afforded by the officials spotting the ball to begin with.

 

[Frawfog]

Because chains are cool and manly. "Dude, my sport uses CHAINS. What's your sport got?"

 

[mtffl2]

they could probably make this happen, but there is no way it ever comes to fruition. that would put a lot of zebras out of business... their union would have a field day with that and never let it happen.

 

[Loan Sharks]

They should change it to be like Cyberball where if you don't get a first down the ball explodes

You sir have my vote for president. If you make this happen I will be your butler.