Dear NFL

[newoldtech]

Tell the real refs that the rest of the country has defined contribution plans for their retirement. GM has defined benefit, and that's why it's now Government Motors.

Take the NFL offer, and get back to frickin' work, you lazy turtles!

These refs are doing the best they can since they were thrusted into a job that they really weren't next in line or prepared for. Given some time they or others I'm sure could make the calls better.

I've been watching pro sports a long time and if its not replacements refs getting criticized it would be the regular refs getting criticized almost as much. They were complaining on ESPN that the games are much longer now. They said they used to be three hours and six minutes and now they are three hours and sixteen minutes. Woopty dooooo! I dont know exactly what the refs are demanding or what the league is offering but I am for free enterprise and right to work. I'd be willing to bet they get paid alot more and get alot better benes than the average Joe. If the refs dont like what the league is offering then they should get another job.

[mason]

Ok, I didn't read every thread but I have some thoughts.

Football is a fast, violent game, the people who make it in football have a special place they go psychologically to justify the violence that they dish out and receive on the field but are often nice people off the field, yes there is the 10-15% of boneheads just like anywhere else. So it's easy to see why someone in this state psychologically might go past the whistle and destroy some guy 40 yards away from the play, you are trying to impose your destructive will upon another man.

As far as the refs, when is it ever a good business model to take a short term relief of over reactionary news media and fans when it causes a long term loss. The fact is that the NFL refs are PART TIME and asking for the same things that life long factory workers demanded, won, and subsequently caused the long term failure of their companies. If you were a small business owner and your employees walked out asking for lucrative pay raises, full benefits and retirement for their part time position you would say good riddance and deal with the short term head aches of new guys rather than tank your company. The NFL and reg refs will work something out and even if they don't we'll all forget about it by year 2 because the new guys will be up to speed and not making these mistakes anymore. Just so you know the officials are asking for an annual pension contribution of $38,500 per official... Really??? The days of pensions are over folks it's time to move on, it's a failed business model and is basically relegated to the public sector where its accepted to spend money in non-responsible ways.

[mark beiser]

But the regular replay officials did not overturn the call.

He couldn't, in the situation in question, the replay official can only determine that the ball was caught, and the player(s) were in bounds, not who actually possessed the ball.
It is a load of crap, but that is the rule, the booth review official couldn't overturn the decision on the field that it was a "simultaneous" possession.

[mason]

He couldn't, in the situation in question, the replay official can only determine that the ball was caught, and the player(s) were in bounds, not who actually possessed the ball.
It is a load of crap, but that is the rule, the booth review official couldn't overturn the decision on the field that it was a "simultaneous" possession.

Correct, I agree that they should change that rule.

[timebuilder]

All I can see from the replay is that the Green Bay player had the ball, and the Seahawk player was reaching around to place his hands on it.

I don't see how ANY ref could say that they BOTH had it, unless placing a hand or two on a ball constitutes "having" it. If it does, it should revolutionize fumble calls....

[toocoolforschool]

You're right. The replay officials did not overturn the call. However, had the real on-field refs been in the game, the blatant offensive pass interference would have been called and the game would have ended. It's beyond me how the replay officials could not overturn the ruling. It's clear that Jennings had possession/control of the ball. At one point, while cradling the ball against his chest, you can see Tate's one hand grasping for the already secured ball and coming up with nothing but Packer jersey.Attachment 311681 Check this freeze frame from overhead. That is Tates arm around Jennings neck.

I don't watch football but I can tell you this much I would call that a interception of the green bay packer player, He had possesion of his neck.

[ControlsInMT]

He couldn't, in the situation in question, the replay official can only determine that the ball was caught, and the player(s) were in bounds, not who actually possessed the ball.
It is a load of crap, but that is the rule, the booth review official couldn't overturn the decision on the field that it was a "simultaneous" possession.

Yep. Doc, I was wrong. I believe it was also "the call stands" not "call confirmed".

And most definetly the refs blew the pass interferce no call.

That being said, I will take the win since it might be the last of the season for my seachickens!

[doc havoc]

I think your hawks will do fairly well actually. I'm a Russell Wilson fan from his year with the Badgers. He's got the makings of an excellent quarterback. If only he were a few inches taller. He's fast, smart and accurate. I met him when he was a Badger. He was very humble. Probably not used to the rock star status the Badger football players achieve in Madison. Anyhow, history can't be changed. It sucked to lose that way. The Pack is now tied for last in the division. Now I know how Vikings fans feel.

[maxster]

reports have it the "BOYs" out in Vegas lost $250,000,000 in bets when that call was made and it threw the point spread out of wack.that the Packers are publicly owned with no owner,makes a big difference. this Sunday night the Giants/Eagles play and with two major NFL owners going to be taking the game in and those refs.refs and NFL are talking at least all day here might be settled by Sunday kickoffs

[supertek65]

I love football.
Love the nfl.

I like the regular refs.

But even they called a COIN TOSS incorrectly!!!

For that kind of money and benefits?

Forget it.

I can live with the replacements!

It is just a game.

As for the packers

Even with all the bad calls that helped them in that game.

You need to score more than 12 points to win in the NFL!

I KNOW

i am a niners fan!

[maxster]

imagine if Al Davis was still around and it was the Raiders who lost that game to the Seahawks,he would of had his foot on Goodells throat....Mara is gone and Pete Rozelle never would of let it get in the condition it did...so it seems the best thing that happened was that play and mis-call to get everybody back to football the way it should be....refs will get cheered on tonight with that first flag and booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo'd the rest of the season...are you ready for some football

[newoldtech]

Well I know I'll rest easy knowing that these part time refs will now be earning up to two hundred thousand a year plus benes most of working America just dream about. Just another reason that the average American cant afford to take his family to a professional game any more. As if the regular refs dont get almost the same amount of critcism in a year. The replacement refs would of gotten up to speed in time or better more affordable ones would of been hired if some patience was shown. The players make a fortune, the refs make alot and in the end the fan has to try and pay for it all.

[doc havoc]

Well I know I'll rest easy knowing that these part time refs will now be earning up to two hundred thousand a year plus benes most of working America just dream about. Just another reason that the average American cant afford to take his family to a professional game any more. As if the regular refs dont get almost the same amount of critcism in a year. The replacement refs would of gotten up to speed in time or better more affordable ones would of been hired if some patience was shown. The players make a fortune, the refs make alot and in the end the fan has to try and pay for it all.

Last time I checked, nobody was making the fans pay for any of it. Do they pay for it? Of course. But they do so willingly. I prefer the best seat in the house. In my recliner, in my living room, in front of my TV. I get all the best angles, the beer is much more affordable and it doesn't cost me hardly anything to see the entire season, including away games and playoff games. I don't blame the refs for wanting more. I want more, and if I could go on a lockout to get more, I would. Greedy? Maybe. Looking out for number 1? Absolutely!