Replacement Refs [merged x2]

[MikeO]

Here is an update. I still have not read any articles that are specific to the details of the holdup, but it has to be about $$$$. One thing for sure, the replacements are going to be around for awhile. I saw the G-Men and Panthers last night and I thought they did a good job, from what I saw. 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/09/21/nfl-officials-lockout/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp

Here are some good articles explaining the details. For a league with $9.5 BILLION in revenues the league is getting cheap over a few pennies.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/169593/why-are-nfl-refs-locked-out-its-all-game

http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-the-nfl-is-still-using-replacement-refs-2012-9?op=1

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8295812/in-nfl-lockout-referees-no-thought-safety-middle-class

This tidbit from "THE NATION" article explains it well in a nutshell.....It’s also bewildering. Consider the multibillion-dollar entity that is the National Football League. Then consider that NFL referees are 119 part-time employees who make $8,000 a week. As Jeff MacGregor calculated at espn.com, at a cost of $50 million a year—less than one percent of total revenue—NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could hire 200 full-time officials at $250,000 a year. Conversely, if Goodell gets everything he wants from the referees union and he doesn’t have to spend too much in legal fees, it works out to league-wide savings of just $62,000 per team.

Locking them out is like using an Uzi on a field mouse.

[Fins4ever]

Update 9.24

The officiating is getting worse and worse and the games are getting longer and longer.

I have also noticed a disturbing trend. Has anyone else noticed how players are successfully lobbying for the flag? I saw 5 plays yesterday alone where a player gives the "WTF" hand signal or pretends to take a flag out of his pocket and throws it well after the play....and a few seconds later a flag magically appears. UNREAL!

[Fins4ever]

broke Goodell's back???

Consider.....

1. The Belly incident. It ain't no secret that Kraft and Goodell are tight and Kraft has to be upset after what happened yesterday.

2. Officiating continues to get worse, not better.

3. ESPN noted that even the most mild mannered HC's have been seen shouting, yelling and throwing stuff. They used John Fox as a prime example.

4. Maybe most importantly. This situation is detrimental to the game and is making the NFL look bad. Even the fans are booing the officiating. It is Goodell's job to make the NFL look good.

Comments?

[Brian Fein]

The "BULLSHIT" chant coming from Baltimore's crowd (and probably sent the FCC into convulsions) should be all they need to know.  Every stadium should adopt that process when the refs F up.

[dolphins4life]

The main problem seems to be a lot of PI calls, but are they justified or not?

[Dave Gray]

I think this is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Players and coaches are pushing the replacement refs farther and farther, because that's what the public expects.  It's not the calls that are the biggest problem, in my opinion.  It's the way that the refs can't seem to keep the sidelines in-line.

If the replacement refs are going to continue, they have to start flagging the sidelines more and more for slowing down the game with bullshit.  They have to be extra stern to make up for it.

Also, the NFL has to stand behind them, start fining and suspending players for bullshit.

[fyo]

The main problem seems to be a lot of PI calls, but are they justified or not?

Judging from the Dolphins game... "not".

[Fins4ever]

Judging from the Dolphins game... "not".

These bozos are the Barney Fifes of officiating. I forget which one, but in 1 game there were over 35 penalties. WOW!

[Brian Fein]

They tend to call PI any time its even close.  being that its often a 20+ yard penalty and could change a game's outcome, I'd swallow the flags unless it is flagrant.

[mecadonzilla]

The calls have been so wildly inconsistent that I don't think any of the players knows what is and isn't a penalty anymore.  It's pretty clear the players and coaches have lost confidence and respect in the replacements. 

Also please note, players know that they can feel free to push/shove/fight each other whenever they want to without much fear of reprisal.  A lot of the games are getting pretty chippy from the opening kick off because of the "ref's" total lack of control.

I didn't think it was possible, but the officiating is getting worse week by week.

[MikeO]

The Fasano catch was NOT a catch. Glad they messed up but that as bad.

They 2 calls these "replacements" love are blocks in the back on kickoffs and pass interference. They never call holding on o-linemen, but they love calling the other 2. Yesterday's Miami game as the perfect example

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

The "BULLSHIT" chant coming from Baltimore's crowd (and probably sent the FCC into convulsions) should be all they need to know.  Every stadium should adopt that process when the refs F up.

During week 1 when the refs spent 12 minutes deliberating over the phantom 4th time out for the Seahawks....UOP Stadium erupted in one of those bullshit chants too. Because it was not a nationally televised game nobody seemed to care but you could hear it live on TV.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The "BULLSHIT" chant coming from Baltimore's crowd (and probably sent the FCC into convulsions) should be all they need to know.  Every stadium should adopt that process when the refs F up.

It certainly was successful in intimitating the refs.  Up until that point the calls were very bad but not biased.  There were bad calls in both directions.  From that point on all the calls went against the visiting team. 

[dolphins4life]

These PIs are getting out of control watching this MNF game.

What's odd is, when they used replacement officials in 2001, there was not a problem.     

[mecadonzilla]

So, after watching the last play in MNF, do the scabs have any idea what's going on?  I think the real officials have all the ammunition they need to come back to work now.

Kim Jong Goodell, it's up to you.  YOU are keeping this league from having competent officiating.