" 

 :@Spike-from-NH: What about from the quarterback and/or offensive coordinator who might feel cheated out of a first down in the statistics if a subsequent play and defensive penalty would have resulted in a first down by yardage?  
 :In a goal-to-go situation, the chains are meaningless and unnecessary (although there was a time, at least in college football, when they were set up, even though the would-be line to gain was in the end zone). On a kickoff, there is no line to gain, so the chains really aren't needed (though in some free kick situations, I could see using the chains to help set the receiving team's line). On an untimed but numbered down to end the half, the line to gain is a relevant concept, even though it would probably not affect the game situation if it weren't used. —''''''  "