News: NFL making changes to game ball security procedures

[xwalker]

Yeah maybe so. Makes me wonder if we ever actually put a man on the moon.

They basically had an unlimited budget back then. The money spent to make that possible was astronomical.

 

[xwalker]

Don't they already do this for reviewing balls and strikes in baseball? I don't watch it. I just think if we have the technology to eliminate human error, we should use it.

Yes, they could call balls and strikes without the umpire. I believe all of that is a camera based system.

The problem with spotting the ball correctly, starts with where the player was down on the previous play. That is a complex determination of where the ball was located when the play was down. Determining when the player is down would be really difficult to do automatically; however, the booth replay refs could be reviewing that if they're not already.

 

[Longboysfan]

I expect this to be Tom Brady's breaking point and he will suddenly announce his retirement because he can't play with a properly inflated balls.

Hmmmmm... Does that carry over to when he's at home????

 

[Jarv]

Anyone want to bet the Cheatriots have an increase in turnovers this year?

 

[burmafrd]

They basically had an unlimited budget back then. The money spent to make that possible was astronomical.

actually even for the time the moon budget was not really that big. and at THAT time NASA really had a lot on the ball so they got it done - unlike now.

 

[LandryFan]

It is a chip depending on weight could throw the balance off but doubtful. The base could be placed near the ball bag or whatever is used to store the balls when not in use so range should not be too much of an issue since it is a field similiar to an RFID field.

Can they come up with a chip to prove a catch is a catch? If so, I'm on board...

 

[LandryFan]

Yes, they could call balls and strikes without the umpire. I believe all of that is a camera based system.

The problem with spotting the ball correctly, starts with where the player was down on the previous play. That is a complex determination of where the ball was located when the play was down. Determining when the player is down would be really difficult to do automatically; however, the booth replay refs could be reviewing that if they're not already.

Seems like "forward progress" would also be difficult to determine, which is often the determining factor in whether a first down was made.

 

[LandryFan]

Anyone want to bet the Cheatriots have an increase in turnovers this year?

But then someone with come up with a statistical "analysis" that says the increase in turnovers was a natural one and had nothing to do with playing with properly inflated balls.

 

[xwalker]

Seems like "forward progress" would also be difficult to determine, which is often the determining factor in whether a first down was made.

Yes, it would all be really difficult to determine automatically; however, they already have replay officials in the booth. What are those guys doing for most of the game? As far as I can tell, they only review challenges and scoring plays. If they're already there, why don't they review each play and just call down to the field if they see a mistake. If we the fans can see the problem from TV before the next snap, those guys should be able to see it also.

 

[jrumann59]

Yes, they could call balls and strikes without the umpire. I believe all of that is a camera based system.

That system is pretty hard to implement, easier than for football but hard none the less. Baseball strike zone is not hard and fast because each player has a different strike zone from pitch to pitch I think the issue is the calibration and getting the system to call it fast enough. The height is from the knees to the letters, the width and depth is based on home plate

 

[LandryFan]

Yes, it would all be really difficult to determine automatically; however, they already have replay officials in the booth. What are those guys doing for most of the game? As far as I can tell, they only review challenges and scoring plays. If they're already there, why don't they review each play and just call down to the field if they see a mistake. If we the fans can see the problem from TV before the next snap, those guys should be able to see it also.

Agreed, though I think the problem with that would be that they're looking for ways to shorten games, and that would only serve to lengthen them. Having said that, I'd much rather a game last a few minutes longer while getting it right than for the game to be shorter with incorrect calls.

 

[DogFace]

Don't worry, you're already well established in the camp of people not even remotely interested in a fair outcome.

Count me in that camp too. Those caught repeatedly cheating have proven not to be fair and deserve not to be treated fairly.

 

[Rogah]

Count me in that camp too. Those caught repeatedly cheating have proven not to be fair and deserve not to be treated fairly.

 

[DogFace]

 

[Rogah]

Anyone want to bet the Cheatriots have an increase in turnovers this year?

Anyone want to bet the entire league has an increase in turnovers this year?

 

[xwalker]

Agreed, though I think the problem with that would be that they're looking for ways to shorten games, and that would only serve to lengthen them. Having said that, I'd much rather a game last a few minutes longer while getting it right than for the game to be shorter with incorrect calls.

I really think it has more to do with the Refs resisting it. There is a lot of ego involved with the Refs and their union. The replay officials were oddly not part of the union back when the Refs went on strike. The on-field officials want to be in charge and not have the replay officials be in power over them. I think any changes that are made have to be approved by the Refs union and they are a cantankerous bunch.

 

[Rogah]

If the league lied about the Cowboys the way they lied about the Patriots, this forum would explode. It would break CowboysZone.com, maybe permanently.

 

[LandryFan]

I really think it has more to do with the Refs resisting it. There is a lot of ego involved with the Refs and their union. The replay officials were oddly not part of the union back when the Refs went on strike. The on-field officials want to be in charge and not have the replay officials be in power over them. I think any changes that are made have to be approved by the Refs union and they are a cantankerous bunch.

You may very well be correct on that...I hadn't thought of that angle.

 

[xwalker]

You may very well be correct on that...I hadn't thought of that angle.

There was a show where they followed some NFL refs around in both their professional and personal lives. I was somewhat disturbed by how much attitude they have and how much their personalities appear to affect their judgement on making calls. They really really don't like to be called out for being wrong and have somewhat built into their mindset a resistance to admitting fault. It really seemed that they were more focused on themselves and their career and reputation and not that focused on what is best for the game.

 

[joseephuss]

actually even for the time the moon budget was not really that big. and at THAT time NASA really had a lot on the ball so they got it done - unlike now.

In recent years NASA has landed rovers on Mars, shot a comet and captured great photos of Pluto. They seem to be getting a lot done.