Lockout is over.

[Fins4ever]

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.

If the fines keep players "in check", then why are we seeing more hits to the head than ever before? A 25K fine to a guy making millions means nothing. 

[Phishfan]

Maybe they think it means nothing at the time but it really doesn't. These guys don't make that money forever and many end up broke at the end of it all.

[Landshark]

These replacements can now go get telemarketing jobs so they can continue to make bad calls.

[MikeO]

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?

I'm happy the GREEDY NFL lost! They got bit in the butt for being greedy over a few cents. That is what I am happy about.

That someone stood up to a greedy organization (the NFL in this case) and won!

[suck for luck]

So the product isn't any better, your lot in life is unchanged, but boy, they sure stuck it to those mean rich guys. LOL

Championing mediocrity. Awesome.

[CF DolFan]

So the product isn't any better, your lot in life is unchanged, but boy, they sure stuck it to those mean rich guys. LOL

Championing mediocrity. Awesome.

It's the little things that count. What do you celebrate that is so life changing?

[MikeO]

So the product isn't any better, your lot in life is unchanged, but boy, they sure stuck it to those mean rich guys. LOL

Championing mediocrity. Awesome.

Who says the product isn't any better? Look, if you want to root for Big Business sticking it to the little guy, go for it! Sorry, I don't root for the parts of corporate america who ship american jobs overseas to make a few extra bucks out of greed. I don't root for the rich Wall St bankers breaking all the rules then asking for tax payers money for a bailout. Rooting for the NFL to win this is rooting for GREED and big business to screw over the little guy (yes the Refs are the little guy in this example.) Billionares screwing over refs who weren't asking for anything different or outrageous!  The multi-billion dollar corporation called the NFL got GREEDY, tried a power play for no good reason against people who did nothing wrong, and LOST! Yes, I am happy about that.

[suck for luck]

Refs are the little guy?! LOL Yes, everything is relative but please. As of 2010 at $100,000 a person is in the top 6.61% of income in the country. Sorry, I couldn't find a chart that went up to what they are currently making which is 150K. At 150K I'd imagine they're probably a couple % pts higher.

So be careful Mike, next time you're snickering at the Porsche owner on the side of the road with the flat just remember there's a good chance it's an NFL ref LOL.

[EKnight]

How sanctimonious and ridiculous! I you really want to show your distaste for the billion dollar greed corporation the NFL is, stop consuming their product. Or do your convictions not run that deep? No one that gets paid $75,000+ for less than a month's worth of work is a "little man," in any scenario. -EK

[MikeO]

Refs are the little guy?! LOL Yes, everything is relative but please. As of 2010 at $100,000 a person is in the top 6.61% of income in the country. Sorry, I couldn't find a chart that went up to what they are currently making which is 150K. At 150K I'd imagine they're probably a couple % pts higher.

So be careful Mike, next time you're snickering at the Porsche owner on the side of the road with the flat just remember there's a good chance it's an NFL ref LOL.

When a company is making RECORD profits for them to go out of their way to try and go after the refs is insane. Yes, billionaire owners with millionaire players the Refs are the little guy.

[MikeO]

No one that gets paid $75,000+ for less than a month's worth of work is a "little man," in any scenario. -EK

Sound jealous someone else has a better job than you. Begin the process of becoming an NFL ref if its so good! In about 15+ years you should maybe reach that level and even that is a long shot.

How much they get paid isn't the issue, not shocking you missed the entire point. The point is when a BILLION dollar company making record profits try's to scale back one group of their employee's wages by a few cents it is just nothing more than GREED at its worst! This was a billion dollar company trying to do a money grab and being nothing more than greedy! This new deal cost each team a whopping $62,000 a year or so over the course of 8 years....ohhhh. Big savings! The bad PR was worth it cause they saved so much

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

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...

Was thinking the same thing last night.....this never would have happened if not for the huge fubar on Monday Night Football!!!!!!

Either way I am glad that it is over!!!!!!

[bsmooth]

How sanctimonious and ridiculous! I you really want to show your distaste for the billion dollar greed corporation the NFL is, stop consuming their product. Or do your convictions not run that deep? No one that gets paid $75,000+ for less than a month's worth of work is a "little man," in any scenario. -EK

The minimum salary in the NFL is from $370,000 for a rookie to $910,000 for a 10 year veteran. So the refs are this lowest paid people on the field by a large margin.
It made nine billion last year and is projected to make 18 billion by the time the next CBA rolls around. Also one of the biggest sticking points was a pension, and there are jobs out there where you can earn a pension for working part time.

[EKnight]

How much they get paid isn't the issue, not shocking you missed the entire point.

As did you- if you hate the NFL so much, why do you continue to support its product? Again, your convictions must not run very deep. "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." Twain got it right- complain all you want, but you still tune it.

Bsmooth- you aren't seriously equating the talent of the athletes on the field to guys who can't get a coin toss correct or figure out that Calvin Johnson caught a TD are you? IMO, the refs are fortunate to get what they were being paid already. I have no sympathy for EITHER side- it was a pissing contest. -EK

[Spider-Dan]

So the product isn't any better, your lot in life is unchanged, but boy, they sure stuck it to those mean rich guys.

...wait, what?

The "product on the field" with the regular refs is most certainly better than the product on the field with the replacements.