first down measurement

First-down spots limit the necessity for too many measurements

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - October 10, 2018October 10, 2018 0

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

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 1: L to XLI

50 Super Bowl calls

by Football Zebras staff - February 1, 2016February 19, 2016 1

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, attain the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

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‘5 will get you 1’: the effective method to measure a first down without measuring

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 3

Â 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

by Ben Austro - December 2, 2012December 3, 2012 0

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

by Ben Austro - November 27, 2011December 6, 2011 0

Week 12: Buccaneers at Titans 4th Quarter | 1:08 remaining | Titans 23-17 | Buccaneers ball | 3rd & 10 @ TEN 34 In a downpour with the clock running, Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman completed a pass to running back Kregg Lumpkin for 9Â½ yards. Although short, it was close, but the

Morelli crew gives Steelers 9-yd 1st down

by Ben Austro - December 22, 2010February 6, 2011 2

Week 15: Jets at Steelers AÂ failure in basicÂ 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

by Ben Austro - October 22, 2009October 22, 2009 0

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 Steelersâ€“Browns game which is widely disputed was correct, as we stated, because the camera angle

On-field measurement not decisive on TV

by Ben Austro - October 19, 2009October 26, 2009 0

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