The iconic "chain gang" may soon be a thing of the past.
CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports that the NFL is exploring modernizing the down-and-stance measurements. The league tested optical tracking for line-to-gain rulings at MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and the Super Bowl this year. While NFL owners still need to show support, Jones suggests that we could see this change implemented in some capacity as soon as the upcoming season. However, integrating this technology into all 30 NFL stadiums could be a time-consuming task, as Jones mentions.
That isn't the only form of technological influence we could see on the future of football. Jones also reports that the NFL tested a wearable device that functioned like a smartwatch and would buzz when the play clock hit zero to more accurately determine delay-of-game penalty calls. The future of human measurement hangs in the balance as the NFL continues to experiment with relying more on technology to minimize human error.
In addition to the potential technological advancements, Jones reports that the NFL is expected to propose a revised kickoff option similar to the XFL's kickoff. The main difference between the XFL's kickoff and the NFL kickoff is that in the XFL, players don't start moving until after the kick has been caught. This revised kickoff is intended to reduce the high-speed collisions associated with the kicking team getting a running head start. It seems that this could be the future of football, as NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent stated that he currently believes momentum is building toward owners to embrace the change.
Photo courtesy of Computer Cowboy(@benbbaldwin)
Another controversial play is here to stay. According to NFL Executive Troy Vincent, there has been no support from the competition committee to ban the highly debated "tush-push", popularized and frequently used by the Philadelphia Eagles. In an on-air conversation with PFT Live, Vincent said “The general sentiment within the league is that it’s a credit to the Eagles that they’ve found a short-yardage play that works so well for them.”
Photo courtesy of NFL on YouTube.
Lastly, the league is expected to draft a rule proposal that will further challenge defenders, as they plan to ban the hip-drop tackle. According to NFL columnist Judy Battista, the competition committee is still refining the language for the rule, but she mentioned they are 'aligned' on removing it from the game.
Photo courtesy of the NFL.
For a rule to be changed, the Competition Committee presents a report of its findings to the 32 owners, who vote on any proposed new rules or rules changes. To be adopted, a new rule or a revision must have the support of 75 percent of the owners (24 yes votes out of 32 clubs). The annual league meeting is scheduled for March 24th-27th.
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