11:25 AM ET  08.16 | Why is the NFL still using archaic chains to measure the first down? Let's take a look at today's technology and get this brought up to the 21st century. The field is now littered with a Red line, Yellow line, Blue line etc etc....I need a code in the corner of the screen to sort it out--and I love it. How many times have we heard "well our yellow line is not official Bob" and the dang yellow line is spot ON with the chain. Let's face it, the line is AS good and takes a fraction of the time to decide if we are 1st and Ten or Nth and inches. The same Ref in the booth should own the scoreboard, look at the results of the spot and change the down and distance in a second. I understand that sometimes the coach/captain will ask for a "measurement" in order to stop the clock and think about it, pick a play and that it is a tactic to decide what to do. That option is still available, maybe a 20 second add to the play clock on an Nth and inches. While I am ranting, how do they place the ball on first down? They just eyeball it, as they do all the other downs except the potential 4th in inches. The amount of slop in the other 3 downs totally undermines the "supposed accuracy" of the 4th and inches placement. Let's get this all on the hi-tech and keep the analog versions on the sideline for technical difficulties. The sideline markers are useful for fans to glance over and get a feel for the distance to go..... With all the "jumbo-trons" in stadiums now I suspect the guys on the side lines are a bit useless but for now we keep them. Thoughts?