The NFL is hiring replacement officials

[La Pantera]

Where can I get a job application?

I'm with you... and can I request to do only Panther games!? ;)

[jtnc]

Not looking good: Talks between NFL, officials break down

Curious: For people watching the NBA playoffs, whose officials are worse?

Definitely the NBA refs.

[g5jamz]

Name any level of professional sports where whining about the refs doesn't occur.

Before you criticize...be one in a local rec ball league.

You are two eyes versus millions in the NFL. Are they paid? Yes, but they are human and not infallible. Argue about the deal...argue about having to deal with replacement training...sure, but dude...reffing is tough.

[jtnc]

I still can't get over that call vs the Titans game when Hardy unintentionally hit Hasslebeck in the head with his hand and it was called helmet to helmet hit lol.

[csx]

Name any level of professional sports where whining about the refs doesn't occur.

Before you criticize...be one in a local rec ball league.

You are two eyes versus millions in the NFL. Are they paid? Yes, but they are human and not infallible. Argue about the deal...argue about having to deal with replacement training...sure, but dude...reffing is tough.

I think that one of the defining characteristics of a sports fan is whining. Go to any sporting event, read any fan forum. It's mostly whining.

[Frizzy350]

Not looking good: Talks between NFL, officials break down

Curious: For people watching the NBA playoffs, whose officials are worse?

Easily the NBA. Foul calls are so inconsistent its a joke. I'm also convinced during the playoffs the refs intentionally make calls to make the series last longer, so there are more games to be played.

[csx]

I've never seen NFL refs as being an issue. Of course there are bad calls but not to where it's an issue with the validity of the game.

the NBA on the other hand seems to be crap from the commissioner down.

[g5jamz]

I do feel that officials should be forced to have a press conference afterwards and answer a few questions from the media. As much as I defend them...while also promoting more use of instant replay...they should be accountable.

[JawnyBlaze]

If you didn't think refs/calls couldn't get any worse, think again. Yes, if the Referees Union doesn't reach a deal before the season you will have reserve refs. Who have three months to learn the rule-book.

I really doubt they'll hire people who don't know football and have to learn from scratch..I've seen this "3 months to learn the rule book" stated a couple other places and it just isn't so. They'll have 3 months to watch video and get their eyes up to speed with the NFL, that'll be the biggest challenge. Like Snake said, maybe these guys won't have the ego most NFL refs do and will admit when they make a mistake....ON THE FIELD, rather than after the game is over (if at all).

[JawnyBlaze]

I still can't get over that call vs the Titans game when Hardy unintentionally hit Hasslebeck in the head with his hand and it was called helmet to helmet hit lol.

I still can't get over the call vs the Jaguars when no part of Stewart's leg or any qualifying body part was down (only his hand and feet touched the ground) and they brought back one of the most electrifying runs of the year. That play probably would have been up there with Jerome Simpson's flip at the goal line for most talked about play at the end of the year if they had gotten the call right.

[Inimicus]

NCAA Games will suffer the most as the NFL cherry picks the top refs from the college ranks and leaves them to back-fill with high school and arena league refs.

[PhillyB]

I still can't get over the call vs the Jaguars when no part of Stewart's leg or any qualifying body part was down (only his hand and feet touched the ground) and they brought back one of the most electrifying runs of the year.

i was there for that. the booing was the loudest i've ever heard, despite the stands being half empty from the rain.

[Guest moninghaly]

I'm with you... and can I request to do only Panther games!? ;)

haha . just hand your application form onto their hand.

[Snake]

I do feel that officials should be forced to have a press conference afterwards and answer a few questions from the media. As much as I defend them...while also promoting more use of instant replay...they should be accountable.

I really do think this should happen but never will. Honestly i think all replays should be from the booth and whoever came up with the idea of if you don't know, throw the flag should be fired.

People keep saying that the replacements will be the worst but only if they follow the same system as NFL Refs. People don't mind miss calls so long as the are not coupled with bad calls.