Replacement Refs

[Benny B]

Not sure what point you are trying to make.  The replacement referees are very bad....and yes, the players and coaches have occasionally been over-the-top in their reactions to them.

I say "not that bad," you say "very bad."  Let's just agree that they're "bad."  I'll concede the occasional on the over-the-top reaction, so we're in agreement there as well.  My point is as follows...

The replacement officials are going to make mistakes, granted.  But to come to the conclusion that they're getting worse by the week ignores a complementary, but significant, issue --- the players aren't getting better either.  At the risk of going Yogi, when the players are more consistent in their play, the officials will be more consistent.  To place 100% of the blame on the officials is way off base when you consider that the players are being more aggressive, making more contact, and generally committing more "penalty-worthy" action by the week (see yesterday's "de-lobing" of Matt Schaub)... the players - especially the defenses - are like 4 year olds who are testing their boundaries.  As I said earlier, there's no respect for these officials by the players, coaches or media, and that being the case, the players are going to continually and increasingly see what they can get away with.

Now I don't know if it's your intent to do so, but you can't put the blame on the NFL or the officials without recognizing the supporting role that the players and coaches are playing in what's being perceived as poor officiating.  The players are playing crappy football, relative to years' past.  I don't know if talent is on the slide in the NFL or what, but these guys just haven't playing the game over the past few years like they used to... instead of good, clean, fundamental, play-making football, these guys are just trying to chip, bump, grab, bait, cheapshot, and knockout their way to wins.  This year has gone to an entirely new level because not only are players pushing the limits to the extreme (and in doing so, creating many more instances of questionable actions/plays for the media and fans to scrutinize), they're persistently "bullying" the officials on the field of play, which can be not only distracting, but inevitably will lead to some of the "phantom" make-up calls and/or no-calls you referenced.  So everyone is complicit, not just the officials; I'm not saying to excuse the officials, but some recognition has to be given to the role of the others involved.

I'm not saying it would be a 180 degree turnaround, but if the players/coaches dispensed with the histrionics, the players shifted reliance to fundamentals rather than borderline moves/plays, we may not even notice that the officials were replacements.

[real chili 83]

That pass interference call against Seattle was spot on.

Gruden was dead wrong.

[Blackhat]

chili, I think this crew has done a damn good job thus far.    Making Gruden look whiny.

[Dish]

This is nearly unwatchable. 4 straight plays with penalities.

[real chili 83]

That defensive interference call was baaaaaaad. 

Too bad, otherwise a good game.  Might cost the pack the game.

[real chili 83]

Karma's a b1tch, aint it?

[real chili 83]

These refs had mde some really good calls, and some bad ones. 

Gruden's rant fits his narrative. 

I miss Howard.

[Blackhat]

That interference call was atrocious

[Dish]

Wow...just wow

[real chili 83]

Wow...just wow

Can't argue!

[real chili 83]

Complete cluster F.

[Dish]

I mean...

I don't even know what to say right now.

Umm,

So I'm just going to assume the real officials have a deal done by 7am tomorrow, right?

[Blackhat]

okay nevermind.


this is messed up.

[Dish]

You HAVE TO have a PAT attempt, HAVE TO. Say what you will about Vegas and gambling, but you MUST try a PAT. Just the icing on the crap cake tonight, not that Packer fans care (obviously I don't blame them), but my god.

Seriously, WTF just happened? That gives the Pack two conf losses now, that is HUGE, this isn't just a loss that shouldn't have happened, but could cost the Pack a playoff/homefield/whatever spot. Un f'n real, un f'n real. I'm embarassed to be an NFL fan right now. Sorry Pack fans, I might be a Bears fan, but that was utter BS.

[real chili 83]

Ok, at least we are watching history

[GGGG]

The roughing the quarterback was bad.  The PI was bad.  The TD call in the end zone was flat out wrong...and CLEARLY cost GB the game. 

[MerrittsMustache]

The roughing the quarterback was bad.  The PI was bad.  The TD call in the end zone was flat out wrong...and CLEARLY cost GB the game. 

What if they had called the obvious PI on Woodson a couple plays earlier? That would have changed that entire drive.

Regardless, what a heart-breaking way for the Packers to lose. On behalf of all the sympathetic Bears, Vikings and Lions fans out there, please allow me to say: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Saw it differantly in So Cal. you have to come down in posession. Ball was contested while  they were landing. 50/50 goes to Offense. Hard to rule otherwise.

[Blackhat]

I'm not sure at any point tate had "control" of anything, then putting his arms between the db's arms after the db's feet hit the ground.

regardless that's why you bat the football db's.

[GGGG]

What if they had called the obvious PI on Woodson a couple plays earlier? That would have changed that entire drive.

Regardless, what a heart-breaking way for the Packers to lose. On behalf of all the sympathetic Bears, Vikings and Lions fans out there, please allow me to say: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Packers still have more championships than the three of you combined.  (I think...I'm just so pissed now I'm just randomly spewing crap.)

[GGGG]

Saw it differantly in So Cal. you have to come down in posession. Ball was contested while  they were landing. 50/50 goes to Offense. Hard to rule otherwise.

As ESPN's guy says, that is not how the rule reads.  The defensive guy had the ball to his chest and the offensive guy wrapped his hands around it afterwards.  That is an interception.

[Jay Bee]

As ESPN's guy says, that is not how the rule reads.  The defensive guy had the ball to his chest and the offensive guy wrapped his hands around it afterwards.  That is an interception.

Gotta look at the play closer.  Good call! (although the missed off PI was crap.)

[Blackhat]

should've put jermichael finley back there,  to box out some bitches.

[Blackhat]

Yeah, okay I'm done with this.  Replacement Refs....

[QuetteHoops]

Gotta look at the play closer.  Good call! (although the missed off PI was crap.)

Jennings with 2 hands on the ball and the ball on his chest...while tate has one hand barely on it is simultaneous possession? Don't think so man...In fact anyone arguing is obviously just trolling..

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