Blog Post #3 Replacment Officials v The NFL

Coming into the 2012 season, the replacement officials have been the talk of the NFL.The Seattle Seahawks' 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers on "Monday Night Football" will forever be remembered for its controversial ending, with the replacement officials blowing several calls down the stretch. Due to financial agreements between the regular officials and the NFL, replacement officials from several levels, including high school and college, have been brought in to fill in the jobs. However, their lack of experience and bad decision making regarding penalties, time management, and managing the game in general, has made the NFL the laughing stock of professional sports and has gotten to the point where players and coaches are fed up with the whole thing.

Since the first game of the season, some teams feel that the replacement officials have jeopardize their chances of winning which could play a factor come December when the playoffs come around the corner. Coaches have even gotten fined for verbal abuse towards the referees. Players, during press conferences, are not shy when it comes to the new officiating crew. After Sunday's Ravens-Eagles game, Baltimore's Ray Lewis criticized the officiating and Joe Flacco ripped the refs for "affecting the integrity of the game.” There were even complaints after other games stating that the officials have been doing a horrible job with managing the game and some say they have no clue what is going on. A vicious and illegal blindside block delivered by Seattle's Golden Tate on Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (that went uncalled) sparked scrutiny from the media. This has gone to believe that the players health may be endangered due to their lack of experience.

Commissioner Rodger Godell has allegedly notified all coaches and general managers for their blunt actions towards the officials. Although the inexperience has led to the poor decisions and may have cost a few teams a win, the replacement officials as well as the rest of the league may have to adjust to the way the game is. After all, it is only temporary, allegedly speaking. But, some coaches have already been fined for their actions towards the refs The NFL hit Bill Belichick with a $50,000 fine yesterday for grabbing an official’s arm after the team’s loss Sunday night to the Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots head coach was not the only coach fined, Denver’s John Fox was fined as well.

For the moment, this is an issue everyone around the league must deal with. However, the way things are going right now, players and coaches might end with with repeated fines for their actions, even suspended. Although inexperience officials have lead with a few miscues, until the bargain agreement between the original referees and the NFL is completed, the replacements will judge the games.