As good as the replacement refs were in Week 1

[NoSaint]

Just keeps spiraling.

[thebug]

The refs are making this game hard to watch......

[John in Jax]

Yeah, maybe Manning can blame the refs for his 3 pics....and Denver's D can blame them for their sieve-like play.

[Simon]

And the refs just lost control again

 

Did one just get hit in that fight?

 

That's a BIG mistake by the officials and goes back to control, respect and confidence issues I was speaking about earlier. Can't control guys when your busy figuring out the calls.

 

And I still think that was Denver's ball. How'd Atlanta get it?!?

Wow, didn't think it would happen that quick.

During that 10 minutes of football free buffoonery I turned it off and never even bothered turning it back on.

It was like watching two frathouses play each other with a sorority calling the game.

[NoSaint]

Honest question: is it me or are there several times the normal amount of WRs getting called for false starts?

 

Seems like a ton. Maybe just the games I've seen?

[Bud Adams]

Did one just get hit in that fight?

 

I swear I saw the same thing -- I thought to myself, "ejection and suspension."

 

BA

[John in Jax]

Pretty good rant from espn's website.

 

 

Dear NFL Players, Coaches and Fans,

 

Shut up.

 

Stop your whining, you sad losers. We are replacement refs, but you are full-time pathetic.

 

Many of us work during the week as schoolteachers in classrooms full of teenagers. Yet after two weekends with you people, we see the weekdays as our opportunity to spend time with mature and rational people.

 

So we have gotten some calls wrong? Embarrassed ourselves here and there? Oh, wow! What a travesty! This has never happened before in an NFL game with the fancy regular officials, right?

 

Show us the one game -- and there are 31 to choose from so far -- where we affected the outcome. While you rack your brain to come up with nothing, let us point to this game when Ed Hochuli single-handedly won a game for Jay Cutler and the Broncos against the Chargers. Yes, your beloved and muscled patron saint of referees enabled Jay Cutler to win a big game. That’s almost impossible, but he did it.

 

Yet we have guys like Joe Flacco saying this garbage after games (saying it because they lost and they’re sad): “The [Eagles] were all over our guys and not in a very legal way sometimes." And that we are “affecting the integrity of the game.” Flacco also laughed at how one of us made a call: "He didn't even throw a flag. He threw a blue beanie and then put his hands in the air -- like offensive pass interference -- I mean, come on."

 

Ha-ha-ha. It’s funny because Flacco is criticizing how someone else throws. OK, fine. It was a mistake to throw the blue beanie and not the flag that one time. Just like how you made a mistake completely missing your receivers 20 times. 20 > 1. At least the official was intending for his thrown object to land on the ground.

 

Are we as dumb as Redskins receiver Josh Morgan was taking his team out of field goal range with a stupid personal foul penalty? Not even close.

 

Did you see Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams fumble the ball late in their game against the Patriots when his only job was to not fumble? And then did you see Stephen Gostkowski blow a game-winning field goal right after that? We haven’t done one thing half as incompetent in two weeks as two players did a few minutes apart in one game.

 

Jim Harbaugh has made a hobby out of screaming at us, but he didn’t even know what down it was during one series against the Lions. Jim, we’re sure you’re insanely screaming some great points at us, but it’s pointless to debate with someone who doesn’t know basic facts.

 

Do we sometimes misspeak when making a call or mess up with the public address system? Yep. But this is our second week on the job. Andy Reid has been coaching for 14 years and still doesn’t understand how timeouts or challenges work. Advantage: replacement refs.

 

We usually are officiating games played by middle school and high school kids. Here’s a news flash for you: The transition from them to you hasn’t been that great. You’re bigger and stronger and faster, sure. But we’re managing. Again: We haven’t affected the outcome of a single game. That’s pretty good for a weekend job we got just to make some money to put in an above-ground pool in the backyard. And we’re on TV now, which has made us pretty much the most famous people in our towns.

 

So shut up. Worry about what you’re doing and let us keep doing our part-time temporary job. You guys are full-time professionals and you screw up way more than we do. If you have lost a game, it’s on you. Not us.

 

Think about it: If you guys are so perfect and infallible, why do officials even exist?

 

See you again next week. We can’t wait to see how you all mess up this time.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Replacements

[BuffaloBillsForever]

Yeah, maybe Manning can blame the refs for his 3 pics....and Denver's D can blame them for their sieve-like play.

 

Yup. The refs didn't play any role in the outcome of that game. There was nothing egregious I have not seen before in a football game. Refs are just being used as scapegoats because coaches and players can.

Edited September 18, 2012 by BuffaloBillsForever

[Mr. WEO]

Wow! I love that rant! Everyone who is bitching should read it and relax a bit.

 

Anyone see that clown John Fox screaming ("that's bullsh*t!") at the refs when he clearly had 12 men on the field? And then he blew his last challenge to confirm the undisputed fact that he is a total !@#$? Priceless!

[BuffaloBillsForever]

Wow! I love that rant! Everyone who is bitching should read it and relax a bit.

 

Anyone see that clown John Fox screaming ("that's bullsh*t!") at the refs when he clearly had 12 men on the field? And then he blew his last challenge to confirm the undisputed fact that he is a total !@#$? Priceless!

 

Yes, that was classic.

[NoSaint]

Wow! I love that rant! Everyone who is bitching should read it and relax a bit.

 

Anyone see that clown John Fox screaming ("that's bullsh*t!") at the refs when he clearly had 12 men on the field? And then he blew his last challenge to confirm the undisputed fact that he is a total !@#$? Priceless!

 

have you been watching? honestly, someone will get hurt if they dont straighten some stuff out fast - and very possibly a ref if they keep allowing everyone and their brother to crowd around and scream at them.

 

the nfl needs to put in a hard line rule that no one can leave the sideline (except perhaps the head coach?) and the refs need to flag some guys for getting in their faces (or last night physically touching them).

 

that is not an any given sunday situation.

 

and lost in that mess is that it shouldve been denver ball in the scrum - in what amounted to a 1 possession game. short of blowing a call on the final play (how many chances for that to happen even occur?) what would it take for someone to note that the first half of that game was HIGHLY effected by officials? delays, wrong calls, marking off an extra 6 yards on the D holding late etc.... heck, atlanta mightve run away with it more with momentum uninterrupted, or maybe they never run away if denver keeps that ball. to say they had no effect is nonsense.

Edited September 18, 2012 by NoSaint

[Mr. WEO]

have you been watching? honestly, someone will get hurt if they dont straighten some stuff out fast - and very possibly a ref if they keep allowing everyone and their brother to crowd around and scream at them.

 

the nfl needs to put in a hard line rule that no one can leave the sideline (except perhaps the head coach?) and the refs need to flag some guys for getting in their faces (or last night physically touching them).

 

that is not an any given sunday situation.

 

and lost in that mess is that it shouldve been denver ball in the scrum - in what amounted to a 1 possession game. short of blowing a call on the final play (how many chances for that to happen even occur?) what would it take for someone to note that the first half of that game was HIGHLY effected by officials? delays, wrong calls, marking off an extra 6 yards on the D holding late etc.... heck, atlanta mightve run away with it more with momentum uninterrupted, or maybe they never run away if denver keeps that ball. to say they had no effect is nonsense.

 

I agree the sideline stuff got out of hand. I would have ejected the Falcons player who swatted the ref. I would have flagged Fox just to shut him up.

 

As for the fumble, they ruled that the Falcons had possession. A Bronco subsequently coming up with the ball and running away from the pile is not possession. You've certainly seen that before many times.

 

The safety issue is blown out of proportion. Haven't seen an injury atrributable to the replacement refs yet. Players injure other players, nothing a ref can do except throw the flag after the fact. If a guy wants to cheap shot another, he knows he's going to get the 15 yards and does it anyway--if he's even thinking about the penalty. No evidence he will more likely take a shot because he "can get away with it".

 

If the Real refs just agree to the nice annual raise they are being offered by the NFL (are you being offered up to 11% raise every year over the next 5 years?) for this high profile, fun part time job, this problem goes away. Direct your anger at them, not the current crew trying to get it right under the worst of circumstances.

[Just Jack]

Do we sometimes misspeak when making a call or mess up with the public address system? Yep. But this is our second week on the job. Andy Reid has been coaching for 14 years and still doesn’t understand how timeouts or challenges work. Advantage: replacement refs.

 

Uh, no. This is your 6th week on the job. Remember pre-season?

[NoSaint]

 

 

I agree the sideline stuff got out of hand. I would have ejected the Falcons player who swatted the ref. I would have flagged Fox just to shut him up.

 

As for the fumble, they ruled that the Falcons had possession. A Bronco subsequently coming up with the ball and running away from the pile is not possession. You've certainly seen that before many times.

 

The safety issue is blown out of proportion. Haven't seen an injury atrributable to the replacement refs yet. Players injure other players, nothing a ref can do except throw the flag after the fact. If a guy wants to cheap shot another, he knows he's going to get the 15 yards and does it anyway--if he's even thinking about the penalty. No evidence he will more likely take a shot because he "can get away with it".

 

If the Real refs just agree to the nice annual raise they are being offered by the NFL (are you being offered up to 11% raise every year over the next 5 years?) for this high profile, fun part time job, this problem goes away. Direct your anger at them, not the current crew trying to get it right under the worst of circumstances.

 

the problem i had with the fumble was it looked clear that the player to first land on it was the same to emerge from the pile with it. thats a bit different than the typical who knows whats going on down there. a normal ref may flub that too though, you are correct. whats tough in this discussion is that are they better or worse is still a bit abstract at its core.

 

i definitely don't want to blame the replacements, as its not their fault that the nfl gave them the chance. somebody had to step up, or we had no games. this is better than nothing but i think that it will start to effect prime time ratings. when it takes minutes to sort out basic calls, and its not a game im heavily invested in... i start clicking around, and might not return. id like to think that im probably among the more dedicated nfl viewers out there, so i can only imagine what joe who doesnt like either team, but what the heck, ill peak at the game cause its football, will do.

 

safety wise, i think this week we started to see the players push the edge of what they can do. hopefully next week the league and officials bring them back in some.

Edited September 18, 2012 by NoSaint

[BuffaloWings]

I like how they correct there mistaken calls though. I think the only reason they correct them is because everyone gets together and say what they saw and get the correct call. The regular refs thought they were correct no matter what so they wouldn't bother to get the call right.

 

One thing I have seen is how (for the most part) they let everything play out. I wish the real refs would do this on every play...this way, the plays that are questionable calls can be played out and are more easily reversible if they need to be.

 

The problem with last night's game and the Eagles-Ravens game is how the players got a bit out of control on the field. If Goodell is watching, the players need some serious fines or suspensions.

[PatsFanNH]

They didn't get screwed at all. That was absolutely a legit holding call on the Pats TE right at the point of attack.

 

Well the FORMER head of the NFL Referees (the guy on FOX Pre game show) disagrees with you. He said it was at BEST a marginal call and that the regular NFL referees would never call that since Gronk had his hands in the proper position and kept the guy DIRECTLY in front of him.

[Fan in San Diego]

have you been watching? honestly, someone will get hurt if they dont straighten some stuff out fast - and very possibly a ref if they keep allowing everyone and their brother to crowd around and scream at them.

 

the nfl needs to put in a hard line rule that no one can leave the sideline (except perhaps the head coach?) and the refs need to flag some guys for getting in their faces (or last night physically touching them).

 

that is not an any given sunday situation.

 

and lost in that mess is that it shouldve been denver ball in the scrum - in what amounted to a 1 possession game. short of blowing a call on the final play (how many chances for that to happen even occur?) what would it take for someone to note that the first half of that game was HIGHLY effected by officials? delays, wrong calls, marking off an extra 6 yards on the D holding late etc.... heck, atlanta mightve run away with it more with momentum uninterrupted, or maybe they never run away if denver keeps that ball. to say they had no effect is nonsense.

 

Start ejecting a few people and the getting in their faces will end pretty quick.

[NoSaint]

 

 

Start ejecting a few people and the getting in their faces will end pretty quick.

 

which wouldve happened last night, if the refs felt confident and empowered, id imagine.

 

the problem being they dont. the nfl has to find some ways to make that happen.

[zow2]

I like the analogy being talked about that the NFL players are like kids trying to take advantage of the substitute teachers. It's clear DB's are grabbing a bit more and getting away with it more often (another reason to be so disappointed by the Bills DB's in week #1). Seems to be a little more rough stuff after the whistle too. The Rams got away with "sending a message" to RG3 last week, BIG Time. Way to many after the play forearms to the chops in several games. I think this week the NFL is gonna make sure the refs get flag happy for week #3.

[Offside Number 76]

Pretty good rant from espn's website.

 

 

Dear NFL Players, Coaches and Fans,

 

...

Sincerely,

 

The Replacements

 

Dear Replacement Officials: We're spending anywhere from $50-$500 per seat, depending on stadium and location within, to watch football. You don't get to tell us how hard it is for you to do your job. Shut up and learn how to ref a game. Sincerely, the fans.