Okay let me start off by saying this. The NFL's replacement refs are doing an absolute horrible job. Blown calls. Games altered. Kevin Ogletree slipped on a referee's hat while running a route through the end zone. But hey they're getting a first hand look at how their fantasy players are doing (and if they somehow find a way to influence it so they come out on top in a tight matchup to get a win then at least someone is benefiting from their presence).
But maybe, just maybe, we should be giving these replacement referees a little bit of a break. Could Roger Goodell have tried to find somewhat more adequate referees to fill in? Absolutely. Take from the NCAA or any credible league. Not guys who called house league or high school games. But the league is making due with what is apparently the best they have at their disposal. With that said everyone coming in to the season knew what to expect. Things were going to be a little different. We knew these refs weren't going to be as precise or consistent as those who have been calling games at this level for ten or more years. The worst thing for these refs is the constant berating they are taking. Not only from fans who are watching their picks go down the drain but the announcers constantly calling them out and picking them apart over live broadcasts.
But maybe, just maybe, we should be giving these replacement referees a little bit of a break. Could Roger Goodell have tried to find somewhat more adequate referees to fill in? Absolutely. Take from the NCAA or any credible league. Not guys who called house league or high school games. But the league is making due with what is apparently the best they have at their disposal. With that said everyone coming in to the season knew what to expect. Things were going to be a little different. We knew these refs weren't going to be as precise or consistent as those who have been calling games at this level for ten or more years. The worst thing for these refs is the constant berating they are taking. Not only from fans who are watching their picks go down the drain but the announcers constantly calling them out and picking them apart over live broadcasts.
Give these guys a break I mean if the alternative is having the season put on hold until the league and referee's union gets a deal done, then I think we're in pretty good shape. Plus how is anything going to get solved or how are these refs going to get any better if they are constantly being scrutinized by their peers? Simply put: they won't. Goodell's smartest move would have been to ensure that everyone kept quiet and tried to give the replacements as much of a benefit of the doubt as possible. All these mistakes being pointed out are just fueling the usual refs' case that, yeah Goodell, you need us.
The two sides reportedly spoke on Sunday and the league is undoubtedly taking a lot of heat from owners to get the deal done. Too many games being lost and with players clearly beginning to take advantage of the lack of stability these refs are presenting, someone is going to get hurt. We've already seen tussles and skirmishes start to get out of hand with the refs unable to control the players.
I'm positive the referee union went in all smiles knowing they have the league exactly where they want them. A deal will in all likelihood be done sooner than later and trust me, the league is not going to come out on top of this deal. But really, until then the replacements need a little more slack. Fans are going to be upset yes but all we can do is hope Goodell finally
realizes that it might be time to open up the wallet and save the face of the season.
- Big Easy
The two sides reportedly spoke on Sunday and the league is undoubtedly taking a lot of heat from owners to get the deal done. Too many games being lost and with players clearly beginning to take advantage of the lack of stability these refs are presenting, someone is going to get hurt. We've already seen tussles and skirmishes start to get out of hand with the refs unable to control the players.
I'm positive the referee union went in all smiles knowing they have the league exactly where they want them. A deal will in all likelihood be done sooner than later and trust me, the league is not going to come out on top of this deal. But really, until then the replacements need a little more slack. Fans are going to be upset yes but all we can do is hope Goodell finally
realizes that it might be time to open up the wallet and save the face of the season.
- Big Easy
