Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet

Monkeydad

I'm a little worried for our players' safety this week. The Bengals have plenty of thugs on their team.

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Chico23231

Check the clip in middle of page


They're Getting Worse, Not Better: Here Are The 28 Worst Replacement Official Mistakes From Week 2

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Slingin Sammy 33

I don't think so. I'll bet there has been a memo sent out to the teams that any more nonsense and ejections/fines will be coming down. The NFL has I'm sure told the refs to start throwing people out that even seem like they're pushing the envelope.

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NC_Skins

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/84...s-all-32-teams


Really NFL? Really? Maybe you should be contacting the refs telling them to control the game instead of letting it become a thugfest.

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CRedskinsRule

I have to believe that they are sending that out to the replacement refs too. The game yesterday went smoothly, and after 1 pushing match, which I expected to spark many more, the teams seemed to settle down. I don't know if the league guy who's helping the refs went to both teams and said something or if the players just chilled, but I tend to think that somehow the refs got the point across that they weren't going to accept thuggery.

I hope so atleast.

Chico23231

These greedy ass owners and the greatly hypocritical Goondell administration is to blame folks. Just take a look at the numbers and what the Refs are asking for...its absolutely redunkelous.

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CRedskinsRule

Well the real refs are asking for a full pension plan - as a part time employees! who else in the US has that now. Take a 401K, enjoy the extra money in your pocket and get back on the field.

That said, seems like they could put in a grandfather clause that allows current refs with more than x years to keep the full pension, then phase it out as new refs are hired. Crazy the two sides can't agree on something.

Chico23231

You mean the same pension plan they've gotten from the league since the 70s?

Bingo!!!!, 9 billion industry a year. It should be a going forward action with new hires, you cant switch it up now.

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CRedskinsRule

I never understand bringing up gross amounts in the discussion. It may be a 9billion dollar a year industry, but every part gets its share:
players get half of that +/-
coaches get some
FO staff and general employees get some
owners get some
and
refs get some.

The basic percentages are already laid out, clearly the NFL is trying to force the refs out of an outdated paradigm, again who else in the US is getting a fully funded pension as a part time employee?

Having said this, I just prefer that reffing in the games gets under control, regardless of which refs are actually running the games.

Chico23231

Perspective and context. Wonder what NFL writes checks to each year...hard to find those numbers, that would provide even more context. Also its speaks to the risk the NFL would put on its product. What it worth to them. They would risk impact on games, playoffs, and player injury. The latter is really interesting. both sides of the mouf from Goondell and the owners on that.

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CRedskinsRule

I don't think those numbers are hard to find out. Packers have to disclose their numbers, the rest have been bandied about often times. As for the NFLRA, I believe every writer agrees that the NFL upped the straight cash numbers, the issue is how the pension is handled. Again seems like they could come to agreement somehow, but:
a) The refs all have other successful careers, so the NFL can't force it like they could with players

b) The refs are stuck on forcing the pension issue

c) the NFL isn't going to suffer financially regardless of how long this drags on

d) the NFL won't keep the same pension as in the past.

Ultimately there is just no leverage on either side to get this agreement done, and it's not a simple case of bad greedy owners, any more than it is evil money grubbing refs.

Stalemate

scowan

The two sides got together on Monday and Tuesday, but I guess nothing became of those talks?

CRedskinsRule

For the record:

Did Falcons get away with illegal play to extinguish rally by Broncos? - The Denver Post