Cowboys using high-tech footballs to improve technique

The Dallas Cowboys are following suit behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and their new robotic tackling dummies with their own practice innovation.

The Cowboys' running backs are practicing with balls infused with technology to teach proper carrying technique, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. When the player holds the ball in the proper "high and tight" position, the it lets out a high-pitched beep.

"It's a good technology," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "The idea is that you want to hold the ball high and tight, and you want to have the point of the ball be up. We talk about five points of contact. Oftentimes, the ball gets down, and it gets loose.

"You don't want it low and loose. You want it high and tight. It's a good mechanism to have. (Running back coach Gary Brown) says, 'I want that ball singing.' So if he has the ball up, it's going to sing. That's a different way to reinforce the importance of ball security."

The measure is more preventative than reactionary, as the Cowboys ranked 21st in the league in fumbles last season. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott has a reputation for being an especially secure ball carrier.