We're Not Measuring!

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Rich

The field *could* be off.

That doesn't matter to me -- if we spot it on exactly the 35 for 1st and 10, it has to reach the 45 *on that field* for a first down. Matter of fact, I'll argue that this is a reason to *never* measure in this situation -- otherwise, how can we ever use the field markings?

I agree. What if the goal line is crooked? Would you award a score on the basis of the ball's being dead where the end zone should have been marked?

I would make an exception for crooked goal posts, though. If an upright is bent and the ball is kicked beyond its vertical extent, I'm not projecting that angled line into space to judge whether a FG try succeeded. But that's only because it's a projection; if the ball passed inside or outside the physical post itself, that still counts.