The NFL continues to tinker with the kicking game and this preseason will be no different.  The NFL will experiment with computer chips in kicking balls this preseason to determine how far inside the uprights successful field goals and extra points are.

The goal is to examine whether reducing the distance between the uprights, which is currently set at 18 feet, 6 inches, is necessary.  If the preseason test goes well, the NFL will implement the chip during the regular season, but only in Thursday night games.

In announcing these changes, Dean Blandino, the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, noted that the specialization of the kicking game, “from long snapper to holder to kicker” has caused the NFL to look at making the kick more difficult.