NFL Off Topic

[kingkilla56]

Quote: Originally Posted by N51_rob

Perfect time for a PR event. Give everyday fans a chance to become an NFL official. Since 99% of fans complain about officials, give the everyday joe an opportunity to become an official. Hell, you could even make it into a "reality show" and broadcast it on NFL Network right before or after "Hard Knocks" airs on HBO.

That wouldn't ruin the credibility of the position?

[N51_rob]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkilla56

That wouldn't ruin the credibility of the position?

More or less than hiring replacement officials in June, July in preparation of the 2012 season starting in August?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[kingkilla56]

Quote: Originally Posted by N51_rob

More or less than hiring replacement officials in June, July in preparation of the 2012 season starting in August? Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

But the NFL's replacement officials would presumably have credentials. Random fan tryouts though?

[cjonesfan921]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkilla56

But the NFL's replacement officials would presumably have credentials. Random fan tryouts though?

I read somewhere they will try to get College refs, although non-BCS conference ones.

[kingkilla56]

Quote: Originally Posted by cjonesfan921

I read somewhere they will try to get College refs, although non-BCS conference ones.

Well that would make sense. Rob is, or at least I think, implying that any fan can try to be a ref. That would undermine the current NFL officials significantly more than a replacement crew of College referees.

My man Tony can be trying to get into Grad School today and tomorrow be refereeing a Saints game? Fans would lose even more respect for officials.

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkilla56

But the NFL's replacement officials would presumably have credentials. Random fan tryouts though?

This would never happen (not a bad idea but just won't happen) but they'd never be random. They'd be random in the way that Pros vs Joes is random, or the show to walk on the team with Bobby Knight was... or really how any performance based reality show is random. Speaking hypothetically about it, it could involve refs from HS, club leagues, etc... guys that know what they're doing to some degree but never had an insider to get them on the professional radar. I don't see it happening because the most likely would be college refs and you'd think they'd be looked at without the hoopla anyway.

I'm not sure about it hurting the credibility of the position though. I actually kind of feel like it could bring a greater understanding of the responsibilities and bring MORE credibility to it. It's fun to call these guys idiots but digging deeper, they've got a tough job even if they were left alone to just get better at it year after year. But then you factor in the drastic rule changes yearly, and other rules that are enforced differently yearly and it just makes it that much tougher. A show like that could show us things from the ref's perspective, as well as even get a clearer understanding of the rules as the NFL would like them enforced.

In short, we'd be smarter fans so even if we still have criticism it'd be educated. Most of the things we complain about now come from ignorance to the actual rules or how the refs are expected to be implementing them. The anger is probably misdirected most of the time.

[N51_rob]

Wwharton basically fleshed out my idea. I know plenty of HS refs that would jump at the opportunity to be an NFL ref. Not that they are good enough IMO (lol), but no it would not be "Hey you UPS delivery guy want to be a NFL ref?" type situation. If it were to be done.

[TheShizNo1]

I think I just read Blackmon is pleading not guilty? WTF exactly is he gonna say?