NFL Off Topic

[Brandon13]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

They are about the same as they were in Week 1. You misunderstood.

The replacements don't have a grasp over all the rules that don't exist in whatever level they're used to, aren't decisive enough, have poor control over the procedures, and are so worried about making a call that they can't control the post-whistle shenanigans or remember where the ball was spotted before the previous play. There's no denying that. No amount of screaming and yelling is going to change that, and the players/coaches need to start acting like the professionals they are. Glad to see some coaches getting fined for acting like babies. Hopefully more are to come.

I don't disagree with you about the on field behavior towards the replacement officials. They are doing the best the are capable of doing. But it is ridiculous that the NFL has allowed the integrity of the games to sink so low. This really should be unacceptable, but it's not to the point (and probably never will be) where a substantial number of fans quit watching.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

The refs are about the same. It's the players and coaches that are escalating things by knowing what they can get away with and doing it.

A more accurate statement would be to say the whole situation is getting worse each week. Directly bashing these guys is getting old because they're clearly doing the best they can. Either way, it does need to be fixed before something really stupid happens.

I'm not getting on the replacement refs for being bad, my stance is pretty much the same as Brandon's on this. They are what they are, but they are worse since week 2... which was worse than week 1. You are correct on the reason they are worse, but they're still worse.

I say that bc you do have players REALLY pushing the limits to put more pressure on them. That creates situations they didn't really have to deal with in week 1, so saying they're the same in that regard is true. However, I think the pressure is also making them worse in situations they were able to handle in week 1. After week 1 I thought they clearly looked like replacements but could be serviceable for a few weeks. Fast forward and I think week 3 should have an * next to it with how much they effected so many games in so many ways.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Yeah, damn you replacement refs. Carolina would've beaten the Giants if it wasn't for them...

[mestevo]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Figured i'd put this here instead of continuing the discussion in the game thread:

@AdamSchefter
NFL considering one-game suspension for Broncos LB Joe Mays, who landed helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Schaub. At very least, a fine coming.

Gif from the game thread:

[mestevo]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Statement from NFL executive Jeff Pash to team executives (statement info via Schefter on Twitter):

1) There remain significant gaps on the full range of issues – both economic and non-economic. We have told both the game officials and the federal mediator that we are prepared to make reasonable compromises on economic issues provided that we can obtain agreement to operational reforms that we believe will improve the quality and consistency of officiating for the long term.

2) We recognize that the current officials are under unprecedented scrutiny and we are committed to do all we can to help them continue to improve. In the meantime, we will be available to resume negotiations with the union to reach a fair agreement as soon as possible.

[19]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012



Crazy.

[Boltman]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Figured i'd put this here instead of continuing the discussion in the game thread:

@AdamSchefter
NFL considering one-game suspension for Broncos LB Joe Mays, who landed helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Schaub. At very least, a fine coming.

Gif from the game thread:

That **** is despicable.

[Feared]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

The refs certainly are getting worse each week (and having a large impact on the result of these close games too). The fighting is getting out of hand, defenders are taking cheap shots after every tackle, DBs are playing like it's 1985 without being penalized for it... but are being called for things that don't seem to be happening. Games are on pace to be 6 hours long by week 7.

But I thought Goodell cared about player Safety?

Seriously it's becoming a joke, these refs are incompetent on a whole new level. They are hesistant, and unsure in certain situations, slow to blow whistles so scuffles and late hits occur more often. They give Coaches extra timeouts, they sometimes get bullied by the crowd/coaches into making calls. They slow down the game by taking extra conferences to go over their uncertainties, there was a play in one of the games yesterday where they went into review with no clear ruling on the field and they overturned a call based on what they thought happened, not what the clear visual evidence showed. I believe it was a Pierre Thomas reception they overturned because the ref thought the ball hit the ground, even though there was no clear angle of it ever hitting the ground. Ex head ref Peirera from FOXsports even said that's not how they are taught to review plays.

It's getting harder to watch games as a fan with this sub par officiating.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Crazy.

I'm still wondering why on earth the ref even threw his hat? Don't refs do that when someone stepped out of bounds? Pretty sure he's not close there.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

But I thought Goodell cared about player Safety?

Seriously it's becoming a joke, these refs are incompetent on a whole new level. They are hesistant, and unsure in certain situations, slow to blow whistles so scuffles and late hits occur more often. They give Coaches extra timeouts, they sometimes get bullied by the crowd/coaches into making calls. They slow down the game by taking extra conferences to go over their uncertainties, there was a play in one of the games yesterday where they went into review with no clear ruling on the field and they overturned a call based on what they thought happened, not what the clear visual evidence showed. I believe it was a Pierre Thomas reception they overturned because the ref thought the ball hit the ground, even though there was no clear angle of it ever hitting the ground. Ex head ref Peirera from FOXsports even said that's not how they are taught to review plays.

It's getting harder to watch games as a fan with this sub par officiating.

To be fair, it's not the replacement refs that handle replays. Those are the same guys that have done it since they instituted instant replay.

[Bdubb]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Now I think their is a logical explanation for all this Ref nonsense.

Spoiler

[N51_rob]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

We'll they are replacement refs arent they? If you expected them to equal the established professional refs then I don't know what to say. Calling their performance bad and inexperienced is calling the sky blue at this point.

My expectations? Umm, I don't know how about know how to count? Teams get three time-outs not 4, if you call a penalty that is 15 yards you step off 15 yards not 20. What about knowing the rules. You can't challenge if you don't have a time out, then if you win the challenge you didn't have, you don't get a time out back? I wouldn't mind if they not the players were in charge. DeSean Jackson and Bernard Pollard probably should've been tossed in the week 2 game, and while it might've changed the out come of the game, I guarantee that that crew wouldn't have to worry about chippy games anymore. But if the crew that called that game ever call a Rams game, Courtland Finnegan could probably shank a guy and the refs would call the flag on the player that got stabbed after he pushed Finnegan away.

I expected the games to be slower because they would have to discuss some issues, and verify their calls. I was even prepared to be okay with late flags as they registered what they saw with the rules. What I've seen so far though is so far away from consistent, correct or timely that it's just asinine.

Sometime in labor disputes one side has a clear advantage and there isn't a lot that can be done. The NFLRA is sitting in a very strong position and maybe the NFL should just acknowledge that fact and end this dispute and get the real guys back to work.

[Brandon13]

I don't disagree with you about the on field behavior towards the replacement officials. They are doing the best the are capable of doing. But it is ridiculous that the NFL has allowed the integrity of the games to sink so low. This really should be unacceptable, but it's not to the point (and probably never will be) where a substantial number of fans quit watching.

And then tonight happened.

[mb625]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I was researching for a presentation on Pro Football in the Television Era and came across this gem, a 1970 promo for the first season of MNF... quite possibly the trippiest thing I've ever seen (I have no idea how to embed video, so you'll have to click the link... sorry.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo63eoSgE7Y

[SPTO]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I've embedded it for you:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Oo63eoSgE7Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>