Sympathy for the replacement refs (1 Viewer)

[Borat]

I think people need to ease up on the personal attacks on the refs. They are obviously not as good as the "real" refs, but they are trying their hardest. The objective criticism is warranted, but the personal attacks are not.

And obviously (though I'm sure some will deny this), anyone in their shoes would absolutely jump at the chance to call an NFL game, regardless of being a "scab." Just like none of you would hesitate to suit up for your favorite NFL team, given the chance, if the players went on strike or got locked out.

Thoughts?

 

[Gawain]

Bring back the Pinkertons

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

It's just a game.

 

[Matt Sullivan]

I think people need to ease up on the personal attacks on the refs. They are obviously not as good as the "real" refs, but they are trying their hardest. The objective criticism is warranted, but the personal attacks are not.And obviously (though I'm sure some will deny this), anyone in their shoes would absolutely jump at the chance to call an NFL game, regardless of being a "scab." Just like none of you would hesitate to suit up for your favorite NFL team, given the chance, if the players went on strike or got locked out.Thoughts?

I don't have sympathy.I won't do a job if I can't do it well. I wouldn't jump at the chance to suit up.

 

[DarkManX]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

 

[foxco]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

Agree with this.

 

[JaxBill]

I honestly do feel bad for the Back Judge who tried to signal for the INT and got overruled.

 

[renesauz]

I honestly do feel bad for the Back Judge who tried to signal for the INT and got overruled.

I don't...the other ref had a better view...and it WAS a simultaneous catch. (They COMPLETED the catch together when both had their hands on it when the hit the ground and neither could immediately wwrestle it away!...a catch is NEVER completed while in the air!)Of course...that same other ref messed up big time not throwing the flag for offensive PI.

 

[Phenix]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

For the most part yes, but when you are doing a job of this sort you better do it up to the standards that are expected, and that is not happening either on the refs part because they do not understand the game.Refs announcing to wrong side of field?Refs marking off from wrong 44 yard line?Refs throwing hats in field of play when player does not step out?Calling a play at the end of the game wrong?These are the refs fault, most novices to reffing even know these rules, why cant these schmucks?

 

[Sabertooth]

They are scabs. I have no sympathy for them at all.

 

[robertd52]

We need to export our ref jobs over seas....we could hire 22 refs per game at much lower rates who won't give a crap about pensions!

 

[Quibbler]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

This, except I also give the regular refs a heaping share of blame.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

"So if you meet me

Have some courtesy

Have some sympathy, and some taste

Use all your well-learned politesse

Or I'll lay your soul to waste,

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guessed my name,

But what's puzzling you

Is the nature of my game"

 

[Pipes]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

It's not their fault they are in over their heads.

 

[twistd]

It takes a long time to learn how to effectively officiate an NFL game. I agree with you that these replacements are trying their best to do this job.

Normally a new official will be put on a crew of veterans that can help to bring them along. The regular officials have years of experience in officiating these games. New people have the support of experienced, knowledgeable colleagues to help them learn. These replacement officials have been tossed in to the fray with no prior experience officiating NFL games, and nobody on a crew that has any more knowledge than they have. It is unrealistic to expect them to have the same level of knowledge of the NFL game as the regular officials. I do think they are trying to do this job to the best of their abilities.

I believe that many of these replacements, given time, could probably develop in to quality NFL officials. The problem is that we have to put up with this level of ineptitude while they are learning. And it may take a few years for these officials to grow in to the same level of competency that the current batch of regular officials have reached.

So unless this gets settled, we can expect to see a lot more of these games decided by bad calls as the season rolls on.

 

[roadkill1292]

It's just a game.

 

[Pots]

They are scabs. I have no sympathy for them at all.

Pathetic reason.

 

[glock]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

For the most part yes, but when you are doing a job of this sort you better do it up to the standards that are expected, and that is not happening either on the refs part because they do not understand the game.Refs announcing to wrong side of field?Refs marking off from wrong 44 yard line?Refs throwing hats in field of play when player does not step out?Calling a play at the end of the game wrong?These are the refs fault, most novices to reffing even know these rules, why cant these schmucks?

Never reffed a game, I see...

 

[Sweet Love]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

For the most part yes, but when you are doing a job of this sort you better do it up to the standards that are expected, and that is not happening either on the refs part because they do not understand the game.Refs announcing to wrong side of field?Refs marking off from wrong 44 yard line?Refs throwing hats in field of play when player does not step out?Calling a play at the end of the game wrong?These are the refs fault, most novices to reffing even know these rules, why cant these schmucks?

I don't mind your opinion (though I disagree with it), but I have to ask, what is your solution then? Should they have pushed back the season or cancel games and make it a 14 or 12 game season once they could resolve the issues with the real refs? And "just get it done with the real refs" is not a plausible answer in this case. The refs would be holding out regardless...in fact, this was supposed to put more pressure on them to close the deal. The NFL took the best at what was available to them.

 

[pantagrapher]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

This, except I also give the regular refs a heaping share of blame.

If anything, the regular refs are proving they have a special skill set that is worth generous compensation.

 

[TxBuckeye]

It's just a game.

Yea, pretty sure it ceases being "just a game" when the folks "playing it" make millions for owners making billions.

 

[gianmarco]

We need to export our ref jobs over seas....we could hire 22 refs per game at much lower rates who won't give a crap about pensions!

Yeah, having a bunch of ex-cricket refs from India trying to call penalties would be about as awesome as it gets.

 

[Reepicheep]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

Agree with this.

If the Packers cut and traded away all their players to save money, and brought in Arena League players and lost games, I wouldn't be mad at the crappy players. I'd be mad at the Packers leadership for fielding a crappy team.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

They are scabs. I have no sympathy for them at all.

Pathetic reason.

But resorting to calling people like that scabs is a typical pro-union stance.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I'm not qualified to ref an NFL game but I would damn sure do it if I got the call.

I don't blame the refs.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

+1

 

[Jobber]

The replacement refs are the next best thing to the regular refs. Yeah is sucks, but it's better an a bunch of 16 year old rec football referees suiting up for an NFL game.

 

[Quibbler]

I dont blame the refs, I blame the NFL for letting it happen.

This, except I also give the regular refs a heaping share of blame.

If anything, the regular refs are proving they have a special skill set that is worth generous compensation.

I'd hardly call this proof. Of course the regular refs are better than the flotsam and jetsam the league found to replace them on short notice. But would Division 1 refs be this bad? Or even the replacement guys if they had a year or two of proper training? Not to mention that the regular refs were already being generously compensated before the lockout. Should they earn more? Maybe, I don't have a settled opinion on that. But over $100,000 for a part time job/hobby is pretty sweet.

 

[Borat]

I think people need to ease up on the personal attacks on the refs. They are obviously not as good as the "real" refs, but they are trying their hardest. The objective criticism is warranted, but the personal attacks are not.And obviously (though I'm sure some will deny this), anyone in their shoes would absolutely jump at the chance to call an NFL game, regardless of being a "scab." Just like none of you would hesitate to suit up for your favorite NFL team, given the chance, if the players went on strike or got locked out.Thoughts?

I don't have sympathy.I won't do a job if I can't do it well. I wouldn't jump at the chance to suit up.

Sounds like a winning attitude to me.

 

[WisWolvrns]

I give them some slack. Like it's been posted above, these are the best refs that the NFL could get. The NFL choose to go this route, the people working the job are doing the best they can. Give them some more games/years and they would get better at it too. It isn't like the regular refs were perfect. Many times they cost teams games and/or made very bad calls throughout games. People call for new refs at some point each year.

Just now though, it seems a mob mentality fed by the sports media who have been looking for the perfect scapegoat/game changing call to pile on. It is really a scary view of our nation how the sports media can rile up so many... too bad that is how other factors play just the same way which has put us where we are today as a nation.

bread and circuses...

 

[VibeBox]

they're scabs.

they are hurting a union that is under attack.

#### them

i mean, i can understand that these guys are just jumping at a chance for more money than they probably have seen in their lifetime, but that should be a huge concern for everyone actually. officials need to be paid and given long term security enough to offset temptation of the huge amounts of money available from bookies.

 

[renesauz]

they're scabs.they are hurting a union that is under attack.#### them

So all UNions are good, no matter what they're asking for or fighting against?GOT IT.

 

[Two Deep]

I think people need to ease up on the personal attacks on the refs. They are obviously not as good as the "real" refs, but they are trying their hardest. The objective criticism is warranted, but the personal attacks are not.

And obviously (though I'm sure some will deny this), anyone in their shoes would absolutely jump at the chance to call an NFL game, regardless of being a "scab." Just like none of you would hesitate to suit up for your favorite NFL team, given the chance, if the players went on strike or got locked out.

Thoughts?

I don't have sympathy.I won't do a job if I can't do it well. I wouldn't jump at the chance to suit up.

That is not what your boss told me!

 

[Two Deep]

they're scabs.they are hurting a union that is under attack.#### themi mean, i can understand that these guys are just jumping at a chance for more money than they probably have seen in their lifetime, but that should be a huge concern for everyone actually. officials need to be paid and given long term security enough to offset temptation of the huge amounts of money available from bookies.

Teamsters suck ###

 

[Two Deep]

The Packers sucked Monday night. They should be pissed at themselves for their suck ### play.

Rodgers 8 sacks and his inability to throw a TD were more detrimental than the call at the end of the game. If you don't want to lose on a single preceived missed call, don't leave it in the Ref's hands.

 

[Matt Bitonti]

it's easy to make this political but on a human level it's bad form to scab. It's undermining to others in your profession. It's not a high character thing to do.

keep in mind, they had to dig really deep to find these guys. None of the FBS, FCS refs would do this, out of respect for their fellow refs. These guys are div III, high school and arena rejects.

we can talk about the politics of labor vs capital but from a pure human standpoint being a scab is not a high character choice. It's selfish and short sighted. When the "dream" is over where will these guys be?

 

[Matt Bitonti]

The Packers sucked Monday night. They should be pissed at themselves for their suck ### play.

this is also true and I believe it was Darren Sharper on NFL total access who said all the Packers DB's had to do was knock it down. there's no football reason why that dude should try to make an int. there are selfish stat padding reasons but the correct football move is knock the ball down.

 

[Quibbler]

they're scabs.

they are hurting a union that is under attack.

#### them

i mean, i can understand that these guys are just jumping at a chance for more money than they probably have seen in their lifetime, but that should be a huge concern for everyone actually. officials need to be paid and given long term security enough to offset temptation of the huge amounts of money available from bookies.

So, let me see if I have this right:$180,000 a year and a pension plan = clean refs

$180,000 a year and a 401K plan = might as well hire Tim Donaghy

 

[Two Deep]

it's easy to make this political but on a human level it's bad form to scab. It's undermining to others in your profession. It's not a high character thing to do.

keep in mind, they had to dig really deep to find these guys. None of the FBS, FCS refs would do this, out of respect for their fellow refs. These guys are div III, high school and arena rejects.

we can talk about the politics of labor vs capital but from a pure human standpoint being a scab is not a high character choice. It's selfish and short sighted. When the "dream" is over where will these guys be?

Back working at their old job with more money in their savings accout. Possibly a few will hang on in the NFL (better themselves). Why begrudge somebody willing to work, try to improve their work situation and provide money for their families.

 

[Quibbler]

it's easy to make this political but on a human level it's bad form to scab. It's undermining to others in your profession. It's not a high character thing to do.

keep in mind, they had to dig really deep to find these guys. None of the FBS, FCS refs would do this, out of respect for their fellow refs. These guys are div III, high school and arena rejects.

we can talk about the politics of labor vs capital but from a pure human standpoint being a scab is not a high character choice. It's selfish and short sighted. When the "dream" is over where will these guys be?

I'm fairly torn on the overall issue, but this just isn't true. The NFL actually didn't ask the major conference refs to serve as replacement official. This was because 1) many of the conferences had agreements with the NFLRA that prohibited their officials from serving as replacements at the NFL level, and 2) they assumed most top-level college officials would turn down the offer because it would lead to their being blacklisted by the NFLRA.

 

[Warhogs]

The NFL is really to blame in this situation. The replacement refs are taking all the heat (I'm a Packer fan and have been none to pleased this week). I think the NFL is making a mistake though because they went from the best football officials to some real scrubs instaed of targeting the next best available. In looking at the talent level of what the brought in they should have also looked at restructuring and possibly adding more officials or finding a senior official for each game well versed in the rules that could step in and correct errors as they occur. Maybe have a buzzer to the lead official to guide them through and try to prevent these errors.

 

[VibeBox]

they're scabs.

they are hurting a union that is under attack.

#### them

So all UNions are good, no matter what they're asking for or fighting against?GOT IT.

in the current situation, under capital...yes.

they're scabs.

they are hurting a union that is under attack.

#### them

i mean, i can understand that these guys are just jumping at a chance for more money than they probably have seen in their lifetime, but that should be a huge concern for everyone actually. officials need to be paid and given long term security enough to offset temptation of the huge amounts of money available from bookies.

So, let me see if I have this right:$180,000 a year and a pension plan = clean refs

$180,000 a year and a 401K plan = might as well hire Tim Donaghy

first, i was referring to the replacement refs with that bit. they have no long term interest here and are more likely to cash in on bribes.lol if you don't understand why a pension is worth much more than a 401K