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Started By
Message
Company pitching laser first-down system visible in NFL stadiums
Posted on 1/23/13 at 1:36 am
Posted on 1/23/13 at 1:36 am
quote:
Fans watching NFL games on television have grown accustomed to the imaginary yellow line that runs across the field in accord with the first-down marker.
That first-down line could one day become part of the in-game experience at all 32 NFL stadiums.
Alan Amron, with financial backing from former NFL player and broadcaster Pat Summerall, has developed the First Down Laser System. Amron said the system projects a first-down line across the field that can be seen in the stadium and on TV.
LINK
9
Posted on 1/23/13 at 1:40 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
financial backing from former NFL player and broadcaster Pat Summerall,
I didn't know Summerall had racks like that
This post was edited on 1/23/13 at 1:42 am
Posted on 1/23/13 at 1:44 am to Bench McElroy
Literally a gamechanger.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 2:01 am to Harry Caray
Goddamn I got bored within the first 10 seconds of his monitone voice. 
Posted on 1/23/13 at 2:38 am to Bench McElroy
I wanna see a laser become the official marker. I hope one day we see all aspects of sports officiating computerized and robotic, with near 100% accuracy. frick the human aspect. Get the call right.
This post was edited on 1/23/13 at 2:40 am
Posted on 1/23/13 at 3:17 am to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
Why stop there?
LINK
TLDW
Posted on 1/23/13 at 3:18 am to Nonetheless
quote:
Summerall had racks like that
thought he spent it all on booze
eta: Anyone else remember on madden when you did a franchise and you got like 15 years if you could upgrade the stadium with hologram goal post
This post was edited on 1/23/13 at 3:20 am
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:11 am to Bench McElroy
This is a great idea, but I would take it a step further. I always thought they should place a small sensor inside the ball. Then place some type of monitoring system on the sidelines or even onto the overhead cameras. This system could tie into a computer in the replay booth that could accurately spot the ball, tell if it crossed the goaline and maybe even detect whether the touched the ground when a receiver catches. The replay booth official could call down to the field after every play and tel them exactly where to spot the ball or the Head ref could carry ansmart phone or something like it that would show him on a display where the ball was down at.Thus taking all the guess work out of these types of calls and ball spots. With all the technology out there I think they could eliminate the human factor of a lot of calls in football as it is.
This post was edited on 1/23/13 at 7:15 am
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:18 am to SmellslikeKevinBacon
quote:
detect whether the touched the ground when a receiver catches.
After seeing the Douglas "catch" cleary hit the ground and move around in the Falcons/49ers game, it seems like they need to determine what a catch really is.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:20 am to SmellslikeKevinBacon
quote:
I always thought they should place a small sensor inside the ball
They go through 20-40 balls a game. That would be a nightmare.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:22 am to Bench McElroy
The article is from 2013, but the video shows Summerall in the old Texas stadium, which was torn down years ago. Looks like the technology came out years ago, and now they have it perfected enough to pitch to the league.
Awesome to hear Summerall's voice again. I grew up listening to him and Madden in the booth.
Awesome to hear Summerall's voice again. I grew up listening to him and Madden in the booth.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:23 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
Pat Summerall
How do ya feel about Ahman Greene, John?
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:25 am to Bench McElroy
about time. surprised it didnt happen ten years ago.
now, lets see if we can keep cameras at the goal line
now, lets see if we can keep cameras at the goal line
Posted on 1/23/13 at 7:41 am to GonzoLeslie
Horrible idea. It takes away from a player having to have field awareness of where the first down marker is.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 8:12 am to 7thWardTiger
I doubt that the laser would always be visible. It would probably be put in position and turned on when they needed to measure.
My buddies and I were talking about this last year. Seems like it would be pretty simple to set up, especially by a survey company.
I don't think sensors in the ball is a good idea and it won't do anything but create more questions. Just because a ball is sensed at a certain spot doesn't mean that's where the ball should be marked.
Laser technology is the way to go for first down markings but there's no way to completely eliminate the human element from the equation.
My buddies and I were talking about this last year. Seems like it would be pretty simple to set up, especially by a survey company.
I don't think sensors in the ball is a good idea and it won't do anything but create more questions. Just because a ball is sensed at a certain spot doesn't mean that's where the ball should be marked.
Laser technology is the way to go for first down markings but there's no way to completely eliminate the human element from the equation.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 8:24 am to Nonetheless
quote:
I didn't know Summerall had racks like that
Royalties from all the original Madden games will pad that bank account. I'm sure Madden hooked him up NIICE.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 8:28 am to 7thWardTiger
quote:
Horrible idea. It takes away from a player having to have field awareness of where the first down marker is.
Or it adds to their field awareness. Isn't it awesome when they can see the goalline and its exact location and they do whatever they can to get there, even sacrificing their well-being? Well I think this line would be like that. A carrot-on-a-stick if you will. It will be so enticing that players will try harder to get there because they know its pinpoint location.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 8:37 am to slinger1317
This was on that show Shark Tank a few months ago. Guy had pitched it to the league several years ago and got rejected. Made some improvements and pitched it on tv and got rejected, but told how to change it to make it where it had a good chance of success.
Posted on 1/23/13 at 8:37 am to tress4pres
quote:
Just because a ball is sensed at a certain spot doesn't mean that's where the ball should be marked.
i may be giving up some million dollar idea, but a sensor "skin" around the outer 1/3 of each side would solve most every issue
it would cover
1. 1st downs
2. touchdowns
3. ball hitting ground
99.999% of the time
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