Lockout is over.

[bsmooth]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000066725/article/nfl-referees-union-agree-to-end-lockout
They will deny Monday's game made the difference, so we will never know how much it did.

[Brian Fein]

Yes, it's pure coincidence that only 3 days after the worst blown call in league history screwed one of the league's prized teams, magically the sides came to an agreement after months of bickering.

Pure coincidence...

[mecadonzilla]

Pure coincidence...

Indeed

[Landshark]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000066725/article/nfl-referees-union-agree-to-end-lockout
They will deny Monday's game made the difference, so we will never know how much it did.

Yes, it's pure coincidence that only 3 days after the worst blown call in league history screwed one of the league's prized teams, magically the sides came to an agreement after months of bickering.

Pure coincidence...

It's not what you know. It's what you can prove.  We all know OJ Simpson killed his ex wife.   

[MikeO]

The NFL owners caved, shocking!

[EKnight]

Yes, it's pure coincidence that only 3 days after the worst blown call in league history screwed one of the league's prized teams, magically the sides came to an agreement after months of bickering.

Pure coincidence...

Couldn't you also say it's four days after brutal hits to Schaub and Bey, and they caved for player safety concerns? -EK

[CF DolFan]

Couldn't you also say it's four days after brutal hits to Schaub and Bey, and they caved for player safety concerns? -EK

I can't remember what player it was ... I think it was Jennings in an interview said that replacement refs didn't have an effect on the safety of the players. He said the fines they levy on Tuesday and Wednesday from the NFL offices are what keeps people in check. I think he's right.

[Phishfan]

Safety was never an issue with this lockout.

[EKnight]

Safety was the biggest issue from the refs POV, wasn't it? Didn't I hear numerous refs saying they should be paid more because they are responsible for the safety of the highly paid investments on the field? They used that perspective to subtantiate why they needed a raise. How is that not an issue? -EK

[Phishfan]

I may have mispoken a bit. It may have been the officials stance, but it was never an issue as far as the fans or the NFL were concerned I think. The media played it up a bit but they play up everything.

[Fins4ever]

I heard one of the bigger sticking points was that the NFL wanted to have the authority to "demote or get rid of" under-preforming refs. I would start with Lockett (the guy who screwed up the coin toss and many other plays)However, I don't even see it mentioned in the article.

?

[suck for luck]

I was wondering if that's what this was.....

» The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes and can assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL.

[MikeO]

Safety was never an issue with this lockout.

exactly! It was money and the NFL getting cheap once again and in the end they lost big and it bit them in the a$$. Now they gotta pay the refs, pay the bench they wanted, and pay in full any ref that gets benched! They STILL get paid to sit home and do nothing.

Lockout really worked well for the league!  ha ha ha

[suck for luck]

And you're happy that shitty refs can't be fired but instead will sit home on their worthless ass and get paid just like the worthless teachers, and then after a time their worthless ass will be back on the field making worthless calls?

[Fins4ever]

Couldn't you also say it's four days after brutal hits to Schaub and Bey, and they caved for player safety concerns? -EK

Agree. I heard someone use the analogy of having the replacement refs out there was like having a substitute teacher for a 6th grade class. They kids /players have no respect for the new guy.

The hits were brutal and while the refs have an obligation to manage the game. However, I think it needs to start at the top. The 15 yard penalty and a fine is not enough to deter the hit.

IMO, if the ref determines that a hit to the head was blatant (such as launching), then the player should be immediately removed from the game and suspended for a minimum of 1 game.