The Replacements

The labor union for the NFL refs has asked for too much and in reality the NFL should continue using replacements as long as it takes for the union to relent on a few of their requests.  These requests include a pension that the refs do not have to pay into, and full benefits for part time employees.  There is not an employor in this world that operates in that fashion.  So the refs have asked for too much and perhaps the NFL should just keep using replacements.

I do not like the replacement refs.  Does anyone like them? Of course not!  There are of course the on field calls that are missed or made incorrectly that will drive any NFL fan nuts.  But there are some other deeper reasons to be unhappy about the replacement ref situation.  One reason relates to the power the NFL has garnered over recent years.  Another reason is the flippant attitude shown towards missed calls and the inevitability that at least one if not a few games will, at some point, be completely blown because of decisions made by refs that are just not qualified to be in the situation.

Before diving into those reasons, one argument I am not buying into is the injury protection that the professional referees bring to the game.  The proponents of this argument naturally point to Golden Tate’s big hit on Sean Lee last week that was without question a penalty.  It was a blown call, but not one that directly affects the outcome of the game. “But the 15 yard penalty could have made all the difference.”  Please, football is a 60 minute game that comes down to more than one personal foul call at the very start of the fourth quarter determining the final outcome.  Back to the injury concern, the NFL has already established a firm stance on illegal hits and how they will react to them.  We are seeing fewer and fewer of them, and through the first couple weeks have seen big hits all within the confines of the game.  This is more a respect among players than a need for someone to police every play for violence.  The Replacements have also kept enough order in that sense, that through two weeks we are only talking about one play.  Last season we had already talked about a handful of players and had many fines handed down with the professional refs in play.  Enough of the injury argument!

The blown calls that do concern me are the scoring plays and end of game situations that will inevitably be blown by a lack of understanding on the part of the Replacements.  The NFL has chosen to ignore this situation.  When it finally does happen, and it will, we will all sit around saying “See, told you so” and the NFL will try and spin it into a positive to bring back the pros.  All the while there will be actual wins and losses established by poor decision making rather than play on the field.  It will then be easy to blame the Replacements, but they should never have been there in the first place!  They are a good group of people doing their best in an impossible situation.  None of them are prepared to call a game at the speed of which the NFL plays.  None of them are prepared to handle the abuse from players and coaches that is doled out repeatedly throughout a game.  These Replacements cannot and should not be officiating at the level they have been thrust into.

What makes the whole situation even worse is that Dictator Goodell is haggling over $50 million for highly valuable employee services when he runs a $30 billion dollar industry.  I am tired of the NFL abusing its power and leveraging its stranglehold on American sports against anyone or anything that challenges it's entity.  Roger Goodell has become the NFL Dictator with no one in place to keep him in check.  The Saints players challenging him on the bounty case, regardless of the outcome, has been a breath of fresh air.  When did a commissioner become the most important person and face of a professional sports league?  Fans watch their favorite sports for the action on the field.  Football gives us speed, talent, and intense physicality.  The players are the ones making this happen.  The refs level the playing field and ensure integrity throughout each game.  Fans deserve the best possible product and right now we are not getting it because of abusive control by the NFL leadership. 

The time has come and gone for the Replacements to be replaced.  I see a lot at risk each passing week.  It is not something that will be gradual, but a big knockout punch that will create havoc in the league and nightmares for the team/s that are on the receiving end.    No, the professionals are not perfect, but we know they can handle the task given them each week.  Sign a bargaining agreement, replace the Replacements, and give us back the league we deserve to watch each Sunday!