Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/replacement-refs-were-hired-rush-were-background-checks-010552861--nfl.html]Replacement refs were hired in a rush; were background checks part of the process? | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

I'm pretty sure this story will be getting greater coverage as these replacement refs keep performing horribly, so I feel it's time for it to have its' own thread.

In between what appears to be the NFL not doing its' homework on these scab refs, and the multiple horrible calls across the NFL games that came on last night, it's clear that the NFL really doesn't want this becoming a big story, because it will only serve to give the real refs more public sympathy in their fight against the NFL.

I'm with everybody else on this matter, the sooner we have the real refs back, the better.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

And another article:
[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-teams-no-complaining-replacement-refs-224047436--nfl.html]NFL to teams: No complaining about the replacement refs! | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

This will be a fiasco if the NFL doesn't be careful.

Maybe a few live games will let them weed out the obviously bad replacement refs, and find the necessary replacements, but last night showed there is a long way to go before that happens, and only 4 weeks to get it right.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

i went to NFL.com and gave a lil feedback through their "contact us" section. It's a player safety issue as well. NFL pretty much looked unprepared, showed on the field last night. Time to get the professionals back on the field now.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Chico23231;930115]i went to NFL.com and gave a lil feedback through their "contact us" section. It's a player safety issue as well. NFL pretty much looked unprepared, showed on the field last night. Time to get the professionals back on the field now.[/quote]

More instances like the F'ed up punt spot, and a deal will be hammered out in no time.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

This is the classic case of the grass is always greener on the other side. As much as we like to complain about the refs, we need them back ASAP! Can't Ed Hochuli just put these lawyers in a head lock and force a new deal?

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

I'm getting really tired of how the NFL goes about its business as a whole, not limited to this issue. From the bullshit they pulled with us and Dallas, to the rule of Herr Fuhrer Goodell, they really don't seem to realize there are limits to what they can get away with. They need a good loss in court to set them straight. I'm hoping Vilma ends up prevailing, though I'm less than confident that will happen.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;930138]I'm getting really tired of how the NFL goes about its business as a whole, not limited to this issue. From the bullshit they pulled with us and Dallas, to the rule of Herr Fuhrer Goodell, they really don't seem to realize there are limits to what they can get away with. They need a good loss in court to set them straight. I'm hoping Vilma ends up prevailing, though I'm less than confident that will happen.[/quote]Alot of fans feel the exact opposite , the NFL can't and won't let the inmates run the system.Am I happy with everything ...no, but with that said, to hell with Vilma and with the saints ....they were told to stop over and over and didn't but overall I like what the commissioner is doing.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[IMG]https://p.twimg.com/Az9TkgKCQAIqi-o.jpg:large[/IMG]

Another bad call by the refs.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=mooby;930175][IMG]https://p.twimg.com/Az9TkgKCQAIqi-o.jpg:large[/IMG]

Another bad call by the refs.[/quote]

Anymore calls like that punt call in the first and the old refs will be back any min!.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=mooby;930175][IMG]https://p.twimg.com/Az9TkgKCQAIqi-o.jpg:large[/IMG]

Another bad call by the refs.[/quote]

damn, that ish wasnt even close. perfect throw and catch

[QUOTE=Chico23231;930178]damn, that ish wasnt even close. perfect throw and catch[/QUOTE]

Regular season and we would have challenged

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Wow, hadnt seen that picture before.....wtf

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Giantone;930174][B]Alot of fans feel the exact opposite , the NFL can't and won't let the inmates run the system.Am I happy with everything ...no, but with that said, to hell with Vilma and with the saints ....they were told to stop over and over and didn't but overall I like what the commissioner is doing[/B].[/quote]
Hear, Hear..........

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

At least they can spot choke holds against our defensive line right? :laughing-

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Giantone;930177]Anymore calls like that punt call in the first and the old refs will be back any min!.[/quote]

That was awful. It made absolutely no sense either. The ball was four yards from the end zone. The missed catch was just as bad. A regular red would have gotten that one.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

That was just in the first 2 quarters of one game and they were just blatantly obvious. I am sure there were missed penalty flag all over, and nouances the game day refs would have called.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Here's a nice [URL="http://deadspin.com/5933558/how-bad-were-replacement-refs-last-night-lets-examine-the-video-evidence"]rundown[/URL] of all the missed calls from Thursday night. And there's also a nice story [URL="http://deadspin.com/5932679/the-replacement-ref-who-worked-the-hall-of-fame-game-may-have-been-dismissed-from-the-lingerie-football-league?tag=replacement-refs"]here[/URL] about the ref from the Lingerie Football League that apparently might have been kicked out of that before he was chosen to be on the crew for the HOF game. And just to top it off (PFT disclaimer), here is a [URL="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/07/pereira-says-nfl-is-embellishing-the-credentials-of-replacement-officials/"]story[/URL] from PFT about Mike Pereira (former VP of officiating for NFL and now Fox employee) saying the league is trying to embellish the credentials of the replacements.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Why would you offer a disclaimer for PFT news report? Are you under the impression they simply make up interviews?

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=FRPLG;930281]Why would you offer a disclaimer for PFT news report? Are you under the impression they simply make up interviews?[/quote]

I do that because even though PFT has been growing on me, their reputation as a legit news source is still questionable amongst the populace. Just by quoting a PFT article, I'm opening myself up to criticism from people who still don't think PFT has any credibility, hence why I included the disclaimer.

Are you under the impression I think PFT has nothing to offer? Because while they don't exactly post relevant news some of the time, there are other instances where they post credible info.

Seriously thought FRPLG, as a long time member of this board, you should be pretty familiar by now with the problems people have with PFT.

Scabs

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Need Daryl Grant to punch a bus window here!

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=mooby;930282]I do that because even though PFT has been growing on me, their reputation as a legit news source is still questionable amongst the populace. Just by quoting a PFT article, I'm opening myself up to criticism from people who still don't think PFT has any credibility, hence why I included the disclaimer.

Are you under the impression I think PFT has nothing to offer? Because while they don't exactly post relevant news some of the time, there are other instances where they post credible info.

Seriously thought FRPLG, as a long time member of this board, you should be pretty familiar by now with the problems people have with PFT.[/quote]

If you're so worried about opening yourself up to criticism, why not just link to the original source?

[url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/07/pereira-replacement-refs-will-only-hurt-the-nfl/]Former NFL Chief Referee: NFL Is Lying About The Experience Of Replacement Refs « CBS Chicago[/url]

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

PFT has been a joke on some things. I've seen them get set up quite bad at times.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=SmootSmack;930325]If you're so worried about opening yourself up to criticism, why not just link to the original source?

[url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/07/pereira-replacement-refs-will-only-hurt-the-nfl/]Former NFL Chief Referee: NFL Is Lying About The Experience Of Replacement Refs « CBS Chicago[/url][/quote]

I didn't think it was that big of a deal until FRPLG posted, I only included the disclaimer so people knew what my source was.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=mooby;930830]I didn't think it was that big of a deal until FRPLG posted, I only included the disclaimer so people knew what my source was.[/quote]

All I'm saying clearly you thought in your original post you needed to put in a disclaimer. As do some others it seems, but people can avoid the whole "is PFT reliable" mess by just bypassing PFT and going to where they got their story from

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Giantone;930174]Alot of fans feel the exact opposite , the NFL can't and won't let the inmates run the system.Am I happy with everything ...no, but with that said, to hell with Vilma and with the saints ....they were told to stop over and over and didn't but overall I like what the commissioner is doing.[/quote]

Bleh, noone here cares if you are happy with everything, with your little bitch of an owner. Mara could have targeted other teams that did the same shit, some could even say to a greater extent, but instead only went for the two in his division. Ya, thats defending the "spirit" of the agreement.....

F the Giants, and F Mara

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Mechanix544;930932]Bleh, noone here cares if you are happy with everything, with your little bitch of an owner. Mara could have targeted other teams that did the same shit, some could even say to a greater extent, but instead only went for the two in his division. Ya, thats defending the "spirit" of the agreement.....

F the Giants, and F Mara[/quote]

Can we also give a big F to Dallas and the Eagles. He!! yea

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=mooby;930282]Seriously thought FRPLG, as a long time member of this board, you should be pretty familiar by now with the problems people have with PFT.[/quote]

I do...and I think they are by and large completely and totally ridiculous. Grates on me when they get questioned for a story they're simply aggregating which is what a majority of their content is.

People need to use a little more concrete thinking when they read news (not just PFT) to determine whether they are reading actual news or opinion. The two types of content need to be consumed differently.

Let me now unhijack this thread.

Why is the NFL taking such a hard line on this when they money they're fighting over is pretty small to the league?

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Don't you want the best refs you can get? Whichever owner is helping to negotiate this thing will give when his team loses a game this year due to a bad call.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=FRPLG;930940]Why is the NFL taking such a hard line on this when they money they're fighting over is pretty small to the league?[/quote]

I've honestly paid no attention to the story, but maybe they want to contribute a smaller percentage to the referee's union?

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=FRPLG;930940]I do...and I think they are by and large completely and totally ridiculous. Grates on me when they get questioned for a story they're simply aggregating which is what a majority of their content is.

People need to use a little more concrete thinking when they read news (not just PFT) to determine whether they are reading actual news or opinion. The two types of content need to be consumed differently.

Let me now unhijack this thread.

Why is the NFL taking such a hard line on this when they money they're fighting over is pretty small to the league?[/quote]

I used to feel the same way, but now I think some of their content has merit and shouldn't be discredited simply because it comes from PFT. As far as this story goes, I probably would've been better served quoting the Chicago paper that PFT got their headline from, but I felt a story like this deserved attention regardless of the source.

Anyways back to the topic at hand as soon as I can find it I am going to link to an article that mentions an interesting reason why this whole situation might be going on. Something about the NFL might be interested in making some refs full time whereas the refs don't want to do it full time because for many being a ref is a part time gig (and they have full time careers).

Edit: [url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report-nfl-could-replacement-officials-regular-season-145603759--nfl.html#more-27359]Report: NFL could have replacement officials into the regular season | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/15/replacement-ref-blunder-in-bills-redskins-game-was-inexcusable/]Replacement ref blunder in Bills-Redskins game was inexcusable | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

I'm usually ok with work stoppages when the stopping side has a decent motivation but in this case I can't understand for the life of me why the NFL thinks nickle and diming the refs is a good idea. The refs are asking for a pay increase in line with their last one and a continuation of their existing benefits. Seems pretty reasonable to me. The NFL wants to give them a lower increase and sunset their pension. Stop being cheap NFL. We're talking like just a few million a year. For a entity that makes BILLIONS. Its budget dust. And the refs are part of their product.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

[quote=Mattyk;930957][url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/15/replacement-ref-blunder-in-bills-redskins-game-was-inexcusable/]Replacement ref blunder in Bills-Redskins game was inexcusable | ProFootballTalk[/url][/quote]it was ridiculous, has there been any word form them as to what was said? who called it? that was crazy

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Wow...

[QUOTE]The NFL would like you to believe that its current replacement officials are almost as good as the real ones it has locked out. But with 6:08 left in the second quarter of Wednesday night's New England Patriots-New York Giants game, we saw something that told an entirely different story.

After the Giants' Steve Weatherford punted the ball from his own 20-yard line, the flags were thrown, and there was a long conference between crew chief Donald King and two of his buddies. King then walked over to Bill Belichick and had a little talk with the Patriots' head coach, and King then prepared to make the call.

"We have fouls by both teams during the kick," King said. "We have illegal shift by the kicking team. After the kick ... "

King was then interrupted by one of his officials, who informed him that both penalties were on the kicking team. Whoops!

"After the kick, we have a 15-yard penalty, re-kick, 5-yard penalty," King said, after mistakenly pointing at the Patriots' side and eventually getting the teams right. Then, as the Giants prepared to re-kick from their 15-yard line, there was a whistle stopping the play, and there was a first in NFL history: a play stoppage so that the refs could figure out what exactly the heck they were doing. They also had to get the play clock started, which is kind of important. King then turned his microphone back on, and probably wished he hadn't.

"Correction on the reporting of the foul. Both teams were ... both off ... both fouls were on the kicking team. Five-yard penalty."

The camera then panned to Patriots players laughing and making fun of King on the sideline which seemed to be an entirely appropriate response. But, wait! King wasn't done butchering this one. After another interminable delay in which the replacements once again discussed just what the heck they were doing, we had this:

"Both fouls were committed by the kicking team. The first foul was an illegal shift by the kicking team. The second foul, after the kick, was a personal foul, face mask. We ... enforce the 5-yard penalty and re-kick."

This isn't a simple blown call. Most people understand that those will happen. The speed of the professional game makes perfection impossible. This is a crew of officials led by a man who doesn't understand which team should be penalized, how to get a game clock started or how to make a simple penalty call. NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson said in a Tuesday memo to all 32 teams that these officials are improving, which begs the question: If they're improving, how unmercifully bad were they before?

"No, we don't," Anderson told Scott Hanson of the NFL Network, when asked if the use of replacement officials compromises the integrity of the game. "We are going to deploy the best we have available out there, and we think they have gotten better, week in and week out. They will continue to get better. So, while there's no perfect world in officiating, and no one's going to be completely satisfied, whether it's our current officials who are out there working, or our regular officials who were out there working last year. There are always complaints, unfortunately and reasonably, about non-perfection, but that's our world. We're very comfortable that the group of officials that will be out there beginning next week will do a good job for us."

If the NFL is comfortable, it's safe to say that anybody watching the Patriots-Giants game is a bit more squeamish about the whole idea.[/QUOTE]

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/adventures-officiating-penalty-turned-miniseries-140730407--nfl.html]Adventures in (replacement) Officiating: The penalty that turned into a miniseries | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

I'm not exactly sure where the negotiations stand, but if I am the real refs I keep on letting this clown show continue.

Got to be tough for a coach to just sit there and bit their tough.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

I think the magnitude of the situation will increase once the games actually matter. It can only help the locked out refs' cause that the replacements will officiate week 1. Once they blow calls in front of packed stadiums and the media makes a larger deal of it, the pressure will increase on the NFL.

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

i'm scared

Re: Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet
 

Petrified

Thinking I could never live without by my side