NFL and Roger Goodell replacing integrity

George | September 25, 2012 | 0 Comments

The replacement referees have finally cast a shadow on the game of the NFL, and it’s not their fault. The men and woman who have taken on the task of officiating America’s most important professional game should not be in this position and people should hold back anything more than a “boo” for these poor souls.

The NFL is learning it’s boundaries on how far it can go and still be the cash-cow that is currently is. It is trying to determine how much fans can and will take. The reports are that the refs are making no more mistakes than the normal officials. Yet, Ed Hochuli would have knocked out that Shanahan kid if he wanted to chase him down.

The replacement refs have no control and the players and coaches have no respect for them. When those who are deemed to judge your actions are not respected then their decisions will continue to be challenged. The Unofficials lose control anytime an issue arises. They have very little grasp of the rules and the coaches and players are frustrated. The calamity on Monday Night Football was just a bad call, but when you watch the skirmishes that arise more frequently you can truly see how little control these referees have. Even though the real refs are no larger in physical stature, their presence was respected and that yellow flag meant something. Now the flags fly at the wrong time or they just don’t know why it was thrown!

This sadly is not a replacement ref problem but an NFL problem. These refs will become victims of threats and targets for outlandish taunts because Roger Goodell and the NFL are trying to save money. The sticking point is the Refs want to continue their pension plan and the NFL wants to end it. How much are we talking for a brand worth billons? How about 35-40k per official, roughly 120 officials! That seems like a large number but is it more costly than destroying your league?