Data, chips, and footballs

[hefnerjm]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/17097639/nfl-finalizing-data-chip-gameball-testing-2016-preseason-thursdays

I am intrigued by the analytics aspect of this.  Potential application would be goal line technology similar to soccer or cricket, specific metrics for future proposed rule changes, and overall just getting more insight into the things we cant see.   

Id be interested to hear the thoughts of others on how this might impact us...specifically officiating philosophy, or other ways that officials associations may be able to leverage this data.

Thanks,
Hef

[ncwingman]

I find it interesting that the "British/Irish" sports (Cricket, Soccer, Tennis, Gaelic Football, Hurling) have all adopted these sorts of technologies as an instant replay aspect to absolutely determine if a ball was in or out.

"American" counterparts (Baseball and Football for the most part) have had a strong backlash stating that imperfect human officials are part of the game. I could see that hockey might try some sort of goal line technology, but after the flop of Fox's glowing pucks in the late 90's, it might be difficult to sell the public on it.

From a stats perspective it would be somewhat interesting to see where the field goals go. If the NFL really wanted to shake things up, why not move the hash marks out to college levels and make close chip-shot field goals have to deal with angles -- granted, you get a similar effect by narrowing the goal posts. I'm sure somebody will then want to expand it to first downs and touchdowns, but you'd never be able to show where the ball is when the knee touches.

I think the bigger immediate effect would be that players would be forbidden to hand out the super expensive tech enhanced game balls to fans in the crowd after scoring touchdowns (although it is just a rumor that Fox would try to recover their glowing pucks from the crowd).

[bossman72]

Hash marks are narrow in the NFL because this enables QB's to make all the throws across the whole field.  Nothing to do with making the field goals easier.

[bama_stripes]

Hash marks are narrow in the NFL because this enables QB's to make all the throws across the whole field.  Nothing to do with making the field goals easier.

Right.  All major rules differences between NFL, NCAA and FED are meant to benefit the offense.

[Ralph Damren]

Hash marks are narrow in the NFL because this enables QB's to make all the throws across the whole field.  Nothing to do with making the field goals easier.

A few years back, moving the hashes to NCAA dimensions was on the docket. My concern was the problem this would cause with some fundraisers that ran in rural areas by football boosters....

COW FLAP BINGO :
 (1) Via the 5 yard lines and hash marks, the field was divided into 60 equal rectangles;
 (2) 60 tickets were sold @ $10/ticket, each ticket would label a rectangle;
 (3) A well fed cow would be lead out to midfield;
 (4) The cow would be turned loose and allowed to wander the field;
 (5) The players would ring the field and "shoo" the cow back if it was to wander off;
 (6) The head coach would be the sole judge of whose rectangle the flap was deposited on;
 (7) The asst. coaches were responsible for removing the flap-shovels provided;
 (8) 50-50 payout - the boosters could use the $300 to buy more trinkets;
 (9) The farmer who provided the cow would get a free to the next game.

....it would have been a shame to ruin such a time honored tradition ....
......the change was voted down.....cow flap bingo survives....time for lunch

[JasonTX]

A few years back, moving the hashes to NCAA dimensions was on the docket. My concern was the problem this would cause with some fundraisers that ran in rural areas by football boosters....

COW FLAP BINGO :
 (1) Via the 5 yard lines and hash marks, the field was divided into 60 equal rectangles;
 (2) 60 tickets were sold @ $10/ticket, each ticket would label a rectangle;
 (3) A well fed cow would be lead out to midfield;
 (4) The cow would be turned loose and allowed to wander the field;
 (5) The players would ring the field and "shoo" the cow back if it was to wander off;
 (6) The head coach would be the sole judge of whose rectangle the flap was deposited on;
 (7) The asst. coaches were responsible for removing the flap-shovels provided;
 (8) 50-50 payout - the boosters could use the $300 to buy more trinkets;
 (9) The farmer who provided the cow would get a free to the next game.

....it would have been a shame to ruin such a time honored tradition ....
......the change was voted down.....cow flap bingo survives....time for lunch

What is a flap?  We call that Cow CRAP.  Or Cow Patty.   

[Ralph Damren]

What is a flap?  We call that Cow CRAP.  Or Cow Patty.   

It's colloquialism north of the Mason-Dixon and in states that have but one syllable. If someone up here calls it a cow patty, we know he isn't from these here parts

PS : To add to the enjoyment of this social event, the PA can play such ole' favorites as - "Ole' McDonald Had a Farm" and "Home On The Range". Square dancing is allowed in the end zone. Proper foot attire is suggested.

[Matt]

Thanks Ralph. I always thought that assistant coaches weren't good for anything!