Despite haters of Patriots coach Bill Belichick “challenge everything” theory, the NFL has decided to test his idea of installing Pylon cameras along the sidelines and end lines of MetLife field. This decision comes after many recent controversial calls in the league like the illegal batting that occurred at the end of the Lions-Seahawks game with hope to help officials make the right decision. NFL spokesman Michael Signora told USA TODAY Sports, “It will be tested at MetLife Stadium a bit later this season, providing us with 10-12 games worth of data on viability, impact, and feasibility.”
Cameras covering the boundaries of the field have been talked about for a while now but the idea has been continually rejected due to its high price. But after lots of negotiating, the league has finally given in to the idea.
ESPN’s Production and Operations teams have already been working on the Pylon cameras for months. The Pylon camera is comprised of a custom-built pylon camera housing with a fan and a wireless transmitter. The multiple cameras within each Pylon camera are able to shoot up the sideline, goal line, and end line.
These cameras will aim to improve accuracy of replays with additional angles to analyze during a review and they will still not make it legal for officials to review subjective plays. “I think it’s really hard to review subjective decisions,” Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy said. “That’s what the officials are for.”
In the end, the pylon cameras may not be all that they have been talked up to be. They hope to access such angles that normal cameras do not get directly, but they still may not be able to show if a ball crossed the goal line or not. Players might block the cameras, and even more, it will still be too difficult to see if the ball carrier’s knee made contact with the ground before or after the ball crossed the line.
Additionally, ESPN software engineers have commented that these cameras will give fans a new, exciting angle of the game and are not just for officials. The pylon cameras offer a compelling shot of the game that fans are eager to see as well. Mike Arnold, the director of CBS’ lead NFL crew, believes virtual reality applications is on the agenda for the future of technology after pylon cameras. Arnold says, “I would say it’s 20 years down the road, but maybe it’s only going to be three.”
Be sure to check out the new camera footage later in the season where they will finally be put to use at MetLife field.