“Move the chains” is one of many staple phrases football fans are used to hearing. Well the chains, and the whole first-down measurement system, need to be moved into the 21st century. In the future there will probably be lasers along the sidelines to update and speed up the whole process. But since that seems years away, let’s just be happy with the improvements made with this year’s CFL rule change.
I give the CFL credit: they have finally taken away the ability for coaches to request a measurement, because there is nothing more frustrating as a fan either watching live or on TV, then watching three hefty men stumbling their way 50 yards across the field to perform the sacred “measurement” for a first down. Most of the time the entire audience can clearly predict the result of the measurement well before these three pillars of health reach the football.
Now CFL fans especially be wary of these next few sentences, because your sensitive feelings may get tested… The NFL has done a far superior job at this then the CFL. How so? The NFL and CFL both use this outdated measurement system, so what’s the difference? The difference is in how often it is used.
Next time you watch an NFL game, observe the amount of time the ball is within six inches or even closer to that handy yellow first down line on the screen. Usually the official declares first down or not very quickly after the ball is spotted. The game’s flow continues without unnecessary break in action.
Our southern neighbours have a history of adopting CFL rules and trends while completely ignoring the fact that they have existed for decades in Canada. The two-point conversion rule, spread offenses, zone read offense, acceptance of shorter more mobile quarterbacks. On and on and on… So bravo to the CFL for swallowing your pride, and getting rid of unnecessary measurements.
Sure, this is a small part of the game; aren’t there bigger issues to be addressed in football? Of course there are, but it’s the little things in our game that make it great.
Image by Intel Free Press [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
