Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942
The NFL is considering narrowing the uprights and will place computer chips the league’s footballs to help them come to a decision on the matter. The senior vice-president of officiating for the NFL, Dean Blandino, said the goal posts may be brought closer together to make it more challenging for players to kick field goals and extra points. The league announced that 85 per cent of field goal attempts have been successful over the last three years and it may be becoming a bit too easy for them. Blandino said the league will study the situation this season by placing a computer chip in the balls during the 2016 preseason schedule.
The computer technology will tell the league exactly how far inside the goalposts the extra points and field goals have been kicked. If the information is helpful the league may decide to use computer chips in footballs for Thursday night games during the regular season. Blandino told the media that the data gathered will help determine if the goal posts should be narrowed and what the right distance would be. He added that if there are changes to the uprights they could come as early as the 2017 campaign. Blandino stated, “You never know. We’ll see what the data tells us. The committee will discuss it and then make a recommendation for 2017 if they feel we need to go that route. But I wouldn’t know at this point, without seeing how it goes this year.”
Currently, the uprights have a distance of 18.5 feet between them. In 2015 the NFL experimented with them by narrowing the posts to 14 feet during the Pro Bowl game. Adam Vinatieri, a kicker with the Indianapolis Colts, had a hard time with the narrower uprights as missed a couple of 35-yard kicks for extra points as well as a field goal attempt from 38 yards out. Blandino also said the league plans on enforcing its current rules more efficiently this year and mentioned there may be an eighth official added to games to decide controversial calls.
There is a new touchback rule in place this year which is designed to cut down on the amount of kickoff returns, since it’s viewed as the game’s most dangerous play. The ball returner will be allowed to take a kneel-down when he receives the ball in the end zone. However, some experts believe this will lead to more kickoff returns as kickers will try to keep the ball from making it to the end zone as they hope the returner won’t make it to the 25-yard line. This is supposed to be a year-long experimental rule during the upcoming regular season and the league will decide whether or not to keep it after this year. Blandino added that the league will be cracking down on low hits to the quarterback when he’s in the passing mode as well as crown-of-the-helmet hits on runners who are outside of the tackle box.
TweetLeave a Reply


- Best Live Score Sites – NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, CFL, Golf, Tennis and Soccer
- How Not To Rob A Sportsbook
- NASCAR Betting Free Picks: Daytona 500
- Winter Olympics Betting: Total Medal Count
- Handicapping the ‘new’ Arena Football League
- Tips On Betting The Superbowl: Part 2 of 2
- Tips On Betting The Superbowl: Part 1 of 2
- NFL football betting: Handicapping the wild card round
- College football betting: handicapping the ‘late’ bowl games
- Handicapping final week NFL betting
Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

- September 13th, 2016
Tiger Woods returning to competitive golf - September 12th, 2016
Formula 1 sold for $4.4 billion - August 29th, 2016
Russian hockey player Damir Ryspayev handed lifetime ban - August 29th, 2016
Russia booted out of 2016 Paralympics - August 15th, 2016
Swimmer Michael Phelps could be greatest Olympian of all time - August 9th, 2016
Golfer Jim Furyk makes PGA history with score of 58 - August 1st, 2016
American golfer Jimmy Walker takes the PGA Championship - July 25th, 2016
Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady finally accepts four-game suspension - July 19th, 2016
Henrik Stenson wins 2016 British Open in record fashion - July 19th, 2016
2016 ESPY Award Winners announced
Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942
Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942