Chains

[billyb]

Frank,
Not too many people think about the initial placement of the chains after a first down, when the chains are moved. They are placed where the official shows them, usually by putting his foot where he wants the tip of the chain.
Well, the front of the shoe is rounded, not pointed, so that may be and inch or so from where the ball actually is. And the official, when placing his foot, where he want the chains, may also be off by an inch or more.
So when a team comes up an inch short, or makes it by an inch, it may have been due to the fact of a poor initial chain placement. But we will have to live that fact, as it would just take the flow away from the game, to try and accurately get that initial chain spotted correctly. Because even if the chain was off by an inch, it is the same for every play for both teams, so long at the initial chain placement is accurate it would be fair.