We have published stories over the years concerning the first down chains and how the chain crews work the equipment. While the chain gang is very competent, officials want to avoid bringing the chains in for a measurement whenever possible. They want to keep the game moving and sometimes measurements cause
Tag: first down measurement
50 Super Bowl calls, Part 1: L to XLI
‘5 will get you 1’: the effective method to measure a first down without measuring
 View image | gettyimages.com It's 3rd-and-5. The quarterback is under center. The crowd is roaring. The quarterback barks hard and someone on the defensive line jumps. Flags fly and the wing officials come running to the referee to report an infraction. The referee intones, "Offside. Defense. Five yards. First down!" When
Week 12 ‘Official Review’: Turkey Day replay, 4th & 29 measure, quick whistle
video 1 (streaming) | video 2 (streaming) | video 3 (222 MB download) Busy, busy Week 12 in officiating, so let's look at what the officiating department is discussing for "Official Review." NFL director of officiating and head of instant replay Dean Blandino has the calls: On Thanksgiving Day, the obvious missed
Bucs get no measurement on final drive
Morelli crew gives Steelers 9-yd 1st down
Week 15: Jets at Steelers A failure in basic officiating crew mechanics is rare in the NFL. While there is room for argument on a judgment call or a missed call, errors in mechanics are inexcusable. In the second quarter on a first-and-10 play from the Jets 35, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall gained
Week 6 “Official Review”: Measurements, offsetting fouls, fumble calls, baseball
In this week's "Official Review," the NFL vice-president of officiating, Mike Pereira, discussed some fairly pedestrian calls from Week 6, leaving one controversial call uncovered (video, Part 1 and Part 2): The first-down measurement in the Steelers–Browns game which is widely disputed was correct, as we stated, because the camera angle
On-field measurement not decisive on TV
Week 6: Browns at Steelers The Cleveland Plain Dealer is questioning whether a first down measurement sustained a drive that resulted in a Steelers field goal against the Browns (video, forward to 1:31). The hometown paper's headline screams the Steelers got three unearned points as a result of the measurement. The camera