First Down Measurements

[pgh guy]

First year guy is correct.  Sure, it's in the rulebook, but so is every other foul that is guided by philosophy.  Similarly, we would not want to have a measurement after a 1st or 2nd down.  The philosophy I use and it's incumbent on the wings, is "either they made it, or they didn't."  Obviously, 3rd and 4th downs are more critical, but having unnecessary measurements just because it's requested will lead to long games and is the sign of an ineffective game manager.

[Kalle]

pgh, just to get this straight. Assume a perfectly marked field.

2nd and 10 at B-26. A32 runs and is downed at about B-15.5 (obviously not on a yard line). Do you want the wings to spot the ball at B-15, B-16 or where the ball actually became dead?

If at the real dead ball spot, then this follows:

1st and 10 at B-15.5. A32 runs left towards the press box and is downed between the top of the number and the hash mark at around B-5.5. Do you measure? If not, is it a 1st and G or 2nd and inches?

If you do not measure, why would you guess the next down instead of measuring? Aren't you cheating either team A or team B?