With the NFL trying to innovate their game for the modern world, they suggest a new ball placement system. The NFL in meetings is thinking of replacing the old chain gang for ball placement for something new. While the system is a concept they will try it out during this year’s preseason.
While an interesting concept, the idea could have a lot of pushback from fans and players. There is also the fact that it could relegate the chain gang for good if it succeeds. This concept could also go well for fans due to the chain gang failing at times.
The NFL’s innovation with ball placement technology could replace the chain gang for good in future seasons.
The Pros Of The NFL Using Technology To Replace The Chain Gang
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With the season getting close, with OTA’s coming soon, the NFL is testing a new ball placement technology. During the upcoming preseason, the NFL will use an “optical tracking system” to locate the football on first downs. They are trying to make the game easier for the officials in spotting the ball.
This strategy could work well for the officials in marking first downs easier than the chain gang. While footballs in the NFL are using microchips, they still have flaws in locating the first down. The optical system could do well in the preseason due to being tested on the field. This system is used in Hard Rock Stadium and MetLife, and potentially in all NFL stadiums.
The preseason will be the start of this new process and if done well could be permanent. While the chain gang for football was around for decades, it has flaws. In the past few seasons, the NFL chain gang had mistakes that cost teams games in the regular season. The human errors of the chain gang during an age of technology might not make sense to the modern fan.
Even if the gang has done good work, it could be seen as primitive technology in the NFL today. Fans of the league want changes to NFL officiating and could get it this coming preseason. Modern technology is advancing fast and the NFL is trying to take advantage of it all.
The Cons Of The NFL Getting Rid Of The Chain Gang
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While the pros of an optical tracking system could work out well, it has flaws. The microchips in footballs are not working, so the optical tracking could fail too. There are also concerns about the lack of human elements in the game. While the chain gang would be a last resort for first downs, it could end badly.
Another major concern of the chain gangs is replacing workers with technology. The idea of replacing workers with machines is there and this will be another practice. Officials with this technology might need a replay center and replace the chain gang getting people out of work.
The Replay Center for the NFL is flawed, and replacing the chain gang with unproven technology could make it worse. Even if they are still there, phasing out the chain gang could be a bad idea in general.
Final Thoughts
The NFL’s innovation with ball placement technology could replace the chain gang for good in future seasons. In the eyes of fans, the chain gang is a relic of football’s past and wants modern technology today. The pros of getting this technology now could help the league officials in the best ways of tracking down first downs.
While the plan could help officials and the league, getting rid of the chain gang could hurt them too. The NFL’s changing to more technology could go wrong due to officiating having flaws. There is also a chance that the league will cut the chain gang, and the fear of technology taking over.
While the speculation for better and worse is there, fans should see how it goes. For proper judgment, we should see how it works out this coming preseason for a better NFL
About the Author
Jordan Ramos is a sports writer and has been an avid fan of over four sports leagues in the New York City metro area for over 15 to 20 years, being a journalism graduate of Brooklyn College studying various amounts of news, politics, and sports media. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
