I have always thought the refs should just make the call on the field without a measurement. After all the placement could easily be a foot or so off.
They place the ball based on their best guess then measure when what they are measuring is based on rough estimate to start with.
Also if the chains are not exactly 90 degree, the chains will always be a little shorter than 10 yards.
I am glad that SC won anyway.
The next play (Clowney’s huge hit) no-call was even worse. That’s a by-rule call, not a judgment.
The next play (Clowney’s huge hit) no-call was even worse. That’s a by-rule call, not a judgment.
Reminds me of the old saying about Strategic Air Command... Measure with a micrometer, mark with grease pencil & cut with fire axe.
>>After all the placement could easily be a foot or so off.<<
Maybe an inch or two, but nowhere near a foot — at least not if the chain crew is remotely competent. There is a clip that is placed on the chain at the location of the backside of the yard line, nearest to the first down spot stick. When the Head Linesman goes back to retrieve the chains for a measurement, he goes to the clip, brings the chains out, and then places the chain down at that same yard line. The Umpire takes the line to gain stick and pulls it tight for the measurement, a determination the Referee makes. Even with the stick and the ball right next to each other, sometimes it is VERY close and a picture several feet away will not always show whether the tip of the ball is even with the stick.