[rams1974]

A needed change but i think i'll miss the pageantry and absurdity of the chain gang:

One thing that occurred about 4-5 years ago that I think has gone really unnoticed. Referees have begun spotting the ball at exact yard markers rather than at fractional yards.

Believe this was intentional to reduce the stoppages for chain measurements (which I would bet, sight unseen, are way down); also probably improved quality of life for those writing up the game books, to have less ambiguity on whether to call 1/2 a yard a full yard, etc.

To wit, I think this thought process actually played a major part in the end of the Steeler game ... definitely did not gain it, but the refs said meh, they want us to spot it on the yard marker, so, fine .. first down. We'll let the Rams challenge it .. oh wait, oops.

I think the refs are given discretion when to try to be precise but are asked not to most of the time; but sometimes they just don't use their heads it seems, like in the Steeler game. Good job, you just handed the Steelers the win.

[Elvis]

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

???????????

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

How about "Rock, paper, scissors." If you declare an on-side kick you have to win four out of five "rock, paper, scissors".

[Elvis]

[rams74]

I'm all for this. I won't get sentimental about losing the chains.

I'm sure part of this decision is that it SHOULD eliminate yet another thing that slows down the flow of the game.

[Elvis]

I might get a little sentimental but agreed. At the game, you can watch the chain gang for a head's up on a review or whether or not a play was a first down, i'll miss that too...

[rams74]

Once they get this one out of the way, the next item on the docket should be using technology to spot the ball, especially at the goal line. Soccer is doing this already, and it works very well.

There's really no need for lengthy video reviews trying to visually see if the ball crossed the goal line or not.

[Elvis]

True but refs still gonna be the ones to say when a player is down so there will always be that...

[AltiTude Ram]

A quick whistle ends the play.

I like that technology is better at getting it right. The Refs get the final say. Overall, I think it improves the game.