The obvious irony has not deterred Bill Belichick, in any way.
In 2008, Belichick first proposed the use of fixed cameras on the perimeter of the field to assist with replay review. In 2014, the Patriots proposed the placement of fixed cameras on the sidelines, end lines, and goal lines. In 2015, the Patriots have proposed it again.
2015 Playing Rule Proposal No. 12, submitted last month by the Patriots, would put fixed cameras on all boundary lines. This would, in theory, provide a clear, geometrically accurate view of the sidelines, goal lines, and end lines when the question is whether the line was or wasn’t crossed.
But there’s no guarantee the views will be unobstructed. That’s why the NFL needs more than cameras to determine whether lines were or weren’t crossed. The league needs a full-blown digital system with the sidelines, goal lines, end lines, and footballs interacting electronically so that it’s known with certainty if and when the ball broke a plane or touched a white line.
Also, with the prevalence of drones, why not have a squadron of small, light cameras hovering over the goal line when an offense moves into the red zone? Weather conditions could make it more challenge to get the cameras into the proper position, but the drone technology has advanced to the point that its applications are stunning. Why not use drones instead of the giant flying camera that, on at least one occasion, crashed down to the field.