Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet

Mods: Any chance we can get a Replacement Ref avatar for those people who can't behave?

Ok, then compare it to MLB Umps or NBA refs

Ok, they all wear black and white striped shirts. I can compare it to actual Zebras in some random zoo if you like.

If the argument is that MLB umps or NBA refs are underpaid, then take that up with those particular sports.

The final factor to me is 2 things. How hard the job is and how much the industry is making. If it is a specialty job, they have more bargaining power than something that everyone can do. The NFL could have made me believe that the refs were massively overpaid and I would have backed the league 100%. Except the people that the NFL are claiming are more than capable to do the job are doing the exact opposite. So it appears this is not a job that everyone can do. Its not even a job that some experienced in that field can do. So the NFL themselves has proven that the real NFL referees are worth it. Thats on the NFL...

mlb umps dont wear striped shirts...... :-)

mlb umps dont wear striped shirts...... :-)

Gah... I thought they did. My bad. You can tell I dont watch baseball lol. My point however was more that the NFL is proving the refs worth it and that the other sports are not all that comparable.

Lets face it, MLB is review technology away from needing almost no refs whatsoever. They have close calls, but dont have to make that with 22 different players flying around in all directions. They know when that call is coming and SHOULD always be in the proper position. That cant be said for NFL refs when they also have to make sure they arent in the way. And sometimes making sure the play can happen means they move themselves out of prime location to make the needed call. Comparing NFL refs to MLB umps is like comparing the SEC to pop warner.

Mods: Any chance we can get a Replacement Ref avatar for those people who can't behave?

lolololol nice

^ i think it would be a mistake to let it go further than this weekend and they know that... i expect our regular old refs this weekend.... but not tomorow night

This. Things have gotten completely out of control and I thing the league wants them back on the field asap.

No doubt I agree with what your saying, it's just I kinda do see both sides here

Pick a side okie! Lol

Pick a side okie! Lol

He did north of the Red River. JK OK you still my boy Blue!!!!

Speaking of Hochuli...

NFL, referees still not close to deal; Ed Hochuli has prepped refs for immediate return - Peter King - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/09/26/referees-deal/index.html)

Great news. I still think what the refs were asking from the league is a bit much- they make 6 figures if I'm not mistaken, they're part time employees, they get a per diem and have a pension that they don't pay into, and they want a 401K that they don't contribute to either....

Whatever, after Monday night they need to get back on the field.

Speaking of Hochuli...

NFL, referees still not close to deal; Ed Hochuli has prepped refs for immediate return - Peter King - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/09/26/referees-deal/index.html)


Dude is a true leader for their side. Good job, Captain Biceps.

The league likely would not demand they go through any preseason training, because the NFL is so anxious for the nightmare of the replacements to be over.

The NFL will have Hochuli to thank for the training sessions the NFL has not been able to run because he has run some of his own.

Every Tuesday night, the veteran official with the Popeye arms has been holding rules-related conference calls with all officials. Average attendance on the calls, I'm told, is between 90 and 110 per week. Hochuli, the officiating sources says, gives all officials a test each week, similar to one they might get from the NFL during a regular week of preparations, and then goes over the results on the phone with the officials.
"That's one of the reasons why the officials will be up to date and ready to go,'' the officiating source said. "Ed grabbed the bull by the horns and made sure that whenever this thing ended, the regular officials would be ready to go back to work immediately.''
As for terms of the new deal, it's likely the NFL will get some but not all of what it wanted with a taxi squad of developmental officials. One source said that was accomplished by guaranteeing the officials the same pool of money they would get even if some of them are replaced during the season for performance or health reasons.