Tom Brady’s Four-Game N.F.L. Suspension Erased by Judge

[TheRealJoeFish]

There's no need to even do it when the ball enters play. The officials should be given the balls in advance of the game, do their measurements and then keep them in a secure location on field, guarded by an NFL employee.

They used to do this.

In fact, I recall hearing on ESPN that it was Brees and Manning at the forefront of lobbying to get this rule changed and give the QBs more control over their footballs.