The real story behind the refs...

[wayne123]

OK. First of all, we all watch a lot of football. And, we all know the regular refs make mistakes also. So, is the game really much different with replacement refs? I don't think so. I think the real problem is the rulebook, not who is making the calls! And further...the NFL wants a complex rulebook and cherishes above all other things the drama its rules create. Lets break down the last play of professional football we have seen in order to demonstrate this assertion.

1. A blown pass interference call. No big deal. Happens all the time. And, for some odd reason it is not reviewable. Why? Well besides that it happens all the time, it is by rule a judgement call. OK...lets move on....I will come back to this at the end of my analysis.

2. I am sure there was several possible holding calls on the play. Again, happens all the time and not reviewable.

3. The interception. Or was it? Lets not forget the complex rules for completing a catch. Think back a year or so to Troy Palomalu's diving interception and roll. He dropped the ball "before completing the catch". How about Calvin Johnson's not making "a football move" before letting the ball go in the end zone? So, before we can even consider the simultaneous reception rule, we need to decide which interpretation of a catch we are going to use. In the end, the rules contradict. You cannot complete a catch until AFTER you control the ball through contact with the ground or making a football move. So, by definition, depending on the interpretation of the catch rule, this could very well be a simultaneous reception. In fact, without the ball touching the ground and with two players partially controlling the ball (even if not evenly), the result almost has to be simultaneous possession.

4. So, why was it perceived differently with the replacement refs? Well, this is, of course, the culmination of the league's plan. The NFL is an entertainment business. Controversy and opinion make for really good drama. The rules have been intentionally written to provide areas for interpretation and argument. The regular referees have developed a reputation for interpreting the rules in a fairly regular pattern. Not correct or incorrect, just predictable. This is not good for drama!
Not only do the replacement refs have just as legitimate claim to being correct (BTW, regular refs misplace the football all the time...pay closer attention if you doubt me). So, the NFL's plan to create drama and increase interest has been accomplished with the replacement refs. It took a few weeks for the masses to get drawn in...but now it has happened.

5. Now, the next move by the NFL. Once the drama intensifies to the maximum level (I suspect it will take a major injury as the result of a "failure to manage the game"...but maybe this interception non-call will do it), the NFL will settle and bring back the regular referees. The regular refs will be heralded as the only force capable of restoring order and keeping the NFL the most legitimate sport on the planet. But, we all know that it is not the most legitimate sport, the NFL's rules are made to keep things interesting and the creation of celebrity through drama remains the primary goal of the enterprise. Making celebrities out of the referees and finding a medium to demonstrate their "awesomeness" was the primary mission of the strike. The NFL is securing the drama and the believe that bringing back the regular refs will solidify the "integrity" of the game in the minds of the fans for years to come! Meanwhile the rules that allow the league's manipulation remain in place.

6. Finally, journalists are always willing dupes and victims of group thing. The Monday Night crew merely seized upon the opportunity to be the ones with the good fortune to break the story that everyone knew was coming. Reporting the failure of the replacement refs was going to happen eventually. And like the lemmings they are...the sports journalists all begin to report the same version of the interpretation of the play. Classic group think. Happens everyday on cable news, in the newspaper, and on every media outlet. As predictable as sunset. And, the NFL is playing them and us to a tee!

7. Judgement calls. The key is for the NFL to increase drama while maintaining their ace in the hole, the judgement call! In the end, the seek to give refs even more clout over deciding judgement calls so that the NFL can better manipulate the progress (and in some cases outcomes) of games. Don't ever dismiss the fact that the NFL is an entertainment industry. That is the goal...not the fair enforcement of rules and the crowning of true champions. The goal is to put on a good show. So, be honest. Seriously, be honest. Are you not entertained!!!!! Is this not drama!!!! Don't you secretly hope things get even more out of hand next week? Really.....you sure? Just a little? You can admit it. The NFL has a great product and you love it....you love the drama....you love the grey areas....you the the bickering with friends. Yep! The soap opera of the NFL must be preserved at all costs. EVEN IF IT COSTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME!!!!!!

I AM BLUE_FOOT.

[JETS SB]

OK. First of all, we all watch a lot of football. And, we all know the regular refs make mistakes also. So, is the game really much different with replacement refs? I don't think so. I think the real problem is the rulebook, not who is making the calls! And further...the NFL wants a complex rulebook and cherishes above all other things the drama its rules create. Lets break down the last play of professional football we have seen in order to demonstrate this assertion.

1. A blown pass interference call. No big deal. Happens all the time. And, for some odd reason it is not reviewable. Why? Well besides that it happens all the time, it is by rule a judgement call. OK...lets move on....I will come back to this at the end of my analysis.

2. I am sure there was several possible holding calls on the play. Again, happens all the time and not reviewable.

3. The interception. Or was it? Lets not forget the complex rules for completing a catch. Think back a year or so to Troy Palomalu's diving interception and roll. He dropped the ball "before completing the catch". How about Calvin Johnson's not making "a football move" before letting the ball go in the end zone? So, before we can even consider the simultaneous reception rule, we need to decide which interpretation of a catch we are going to use. In the end, the rules contradict. You cannot complete a catch until AFTER you control the ball through contact with the ground or making a football move. So, by definition, depending on the interpretation of the catch rule, this could very well be a simultaneous reception. In fact, without the ball touching the ground and with two players partially controlling the ball (even if not evenly), the result almost has to be simultaneous possession.

4. So, why was it perceived differently with the replacement refs? Well, this is, of course, the culmination of the league's plan. The NFL is an entertainment business. Controversy and opinion make for really good drama. The rules have been intentionally written to provide areas for interpretation and argument. The regular referees have developed a reputation for interpreting the rules in a fairly regular pattern. Not correct or incorrect, just predictable. This is not good for drama!
Not only do the replacement refs have just as legitimate claim to being correct (BTW, regular refs misplace the football all the time...pay closer attention if you doubt me). So, the NFL's plan to create drama and increase interest has been accomplished with the replacement refs. It took a few weeks for the masses to get drawn in...but now it has happened.

5. Now, the next move by the NFL. Once the drama intensifies to the maximum level (I suspect it will take a major injury as the result of a "failure to manage the game"...but maybe this interception non-call will do it), the NFL will settle and bring back the regular referees. The regular refs will be heralded as the only force capable of restoring order and keeping the NFL the most legitimate sport on the planet. But, we all know that it is not the most legitimate sport, the NFL's rules are made to keep things interesting and the creation of celebrity through drama remains the primary goal of the enterprise. Making celebrities out of the referees and finding a medium to demonstrate their "awesomeness" was the primary mission of the strike. The NFL is securing the drama and the believe that bringing back the regular refs will solidify the "integrity" of the game in the minds of the fans for years to come! Meanwhile the rules that allow the league's manipulation remain in place.

6. Finally, journalists are always willing dupes and victims of group thing. The Monday Night crew merely seized upon the opportunity to be the ones with the good fortune to break the story that everyone knew was coming. Reporting the failure of the replacement refs was going to happen eventually. And like the lemmings they are...the sports journalists all begin to report the same version of the interpretation of the play. Classic group think. Happens everyday on cable news, in the newspaper, and on every media outlet. As predictable as sunset. And, the NFL is playing them and us to a tee!

7. Judgement calls. The key is for the NFL to increase drama while maintaining their ace in the hole, the judgement call! In the end, the seek to give refs even more clout over deciding judgement calls so that the NFL can better manipulate the progress (and in some cases outcomes) of games. Don't ever dismiss the fact that the NFL is an entertainment industry. That is the goal...not the fair enforcement of rules and the crowning of true champions. The goal is to put on a good show. So, be honest. Seriously, be honest. Are you not entertained!!!!! Is this not drama!!!! Don't you secretly hope things get even more out of hand next week? Really.....you sure? Just a little? You can admit it. The NFL has a great product and you love it....you love the drama....you love the grey areas....you the the bickering with friends. Yep! The soap opera of the NFL must be preserved at all costs. EVEN IF IT COSTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME!!!!!!

I AM BLUE_FOOT.

You cannot seriously think that the replacement refs are some "master plan" to get us all upset (entertained) so we watch the games more? As for me, my Sunday, this weekend, will not be watching football for 10 hours as I usually do.. I will watch the Jets game and maybe part of the Sunday night game.. but that is all I can handle. It is painful to watch and NOT entertaining AT ALL!

[got heeem]

well thats the jets for ya. BORING..........

[BillyWaz]

OK. First of all, we all watch a lot of football. And, we all know the regular refs make mistakes also. So, is the game really much different with replacement refs? I don't think so. I think the real problem is the rulebook, not who is making the calls! And further...the NFL wants a complex rulebook and cherishes above all other things the drama its rules create. Lets break down the last play of professional football we have seen in order to demonstrate this assertion.

1. A blown pass interference call. No big deal. Happens all the time. And, for some odd reason it is not reviewable. Why? Well besides that it happens all the time, it is by rule a judgement call. OK...lets move on....I will come back to this at the end of my analysis.

2. I am sure there was several possible holding calls on the play. Again, happens all the time and not reviewable.

3. The interception. Or was it? Lets not forget the complex rules for completing a catch. Think back a year or so to Troy Palomalu's diving interception and roll. He dropped the ball "before completing the catch". How about Calvin Johnson's not making "a football move" before letting the ball go in the end zone? So, before we can even consider the simultaneous reception rule, we need to decide which interpretation of a catch we are going to use. In the end, the rules contradict. You cannot complete a catch until AFTER you control the ball through contact with the ground or making a football move. So, by definition, depending on the interpretation of the catch rule, this could very well be a simultaneous reception. In fact, without the ball touching the ground and with two players partially controlling the ball (even if not evenly), the result almost has to be simultaneous possession.

4. So, why was it perceived differently with the replacement refs? Well, this is, of course, the culmination of the league's plan. The NFL is an entertainment business. Controversy and opinion make for really good drama. The rules have been intentionally written to provide areas for interpretation and argument. The regular referees have developed a reputation for interpreting the rules in a fairly regular pattern. Not correct or incorrect, just predictable. This is not good for drama!
Not only do the replacement refs have just as legitimate claim to being correct (BTW, regular refs misplace the football all the time...pay closer attention if you doubt me). So, the NFL's plan to create drama and increase interest has been accomplished with the replacement refs. It took a few weeks for the masses to get drawn in...but now it has happened.

5. Now, the next move by the NFL. Once the drama intensifies to the maximum level (I suspect it will take a major injury as the result of a "failure to manage the game"...but maybe this interception non-call will do it), the NFL will settle and bring back the regular referees. The regular refs will be heralded as the only force capable of restoring order and keeping the NFL the most legitimate sport on the planet. But, we all know that it is not the most legitimate sport, the NFL's rules are made to keep things interesting and the creation of celebrity through drama remains the primary goal of the enterprise. Making celebrities out of the referees and finding a medium to demonstrate their "awesomeness" was the primary mission of the strike. The NFL is securing the drama and the believe that bringing back the regular refs will solidify the "integrity" of the game in the minds of the fans for years to come! Meanwhile the rules that allow the league's manipulation remain in place.

6. Finally, journalists are always willing dupes and victims of group thing. The Monday Night crew merely seized upon the opportunity to be the ones with the good fortune to break the story that everyone knew was coming. Reporting the failure of the replacement refs was going to happen eventually. And like the lemmings they are...the sports journalists all begin to report the same version of the interpretation of the play. Classic group think. Happens everyday on cable news, in the newspaper, and on every media outlet. As predictable as sunset. And, the NFL is playing them and us to a tee!

7. Judgement calls. The key is for the NFL to increase drama while maintaining their ace in the hole, the judgement call! In the end, the seek to give refs even more clout over deciding judgement calls so that the NFL can better manipulate the progress (and in some cases outcomes) of games. Don't ever dismiss the fact that the NFL is an entertainment industry. That is the goal...not the fair enforcement of rules and the crowning of true champions. The goal is to put on a good show. So, be honest. Seriously, be honest. Are you not entertained!!!!! Is this not drama!!!! Don't you secretly hope things get even more out of hand next week? Really.....you sure? Just a little? You can admit it. The NFL has a great product and you love it....you love the drama....you love the grey areas....you the the bickering with friends. Yep! The soap opera of the NFL must be preserved at all costs. EVEN IF IT COSTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME!!!!!!

I AM BLUE_FOOT.

You cannot seriously think that the replacement refs are some "master plan" to get us all upset (entertained) so we watch the games more? As for me, my Sunday, this weekend, will not be watching football for 10 hours as I usually do.. I will watch the Jets game and maybe part of the Sunday night game.. but that is all I can handle. It is painful to watch and NOT entertaining AT ALL!

I agree with this, as it makes the games miserable to watch. As someone on the east coast who gets up at 5:15 M-F, these Sunday night, Monday night, and Thursday night games lasting anywhere from 15-30 minutes later due to the excessive penalties and "indecisiveness" under the hood really takes its toll by weeks end.

Add in that every time I see my player make a nice run or big catch downfield, I hold my breath and wait for a flag that wouldn't have been called last year.

Definitely not entertaining.......extremely annoying!

[Captain Hook]

The real reason has nothing to do with entertainment and everything to do with MONEY

The owners want to bust the union for the referees and want to better control the amounts they contribute for refs (especially part time ones) to the pension plan - which they want to change to 401K which benefits the owners ...and don't think for a minute the calls from Las Vegas after Monday didn't add to the shouts to get the regular refs back to work

[wayne123]

"You cannot seriously think that the replacement refs are some "master plan" to get us all upset (entertained) so we watch the games more? As for me, my Sunday, this weekend, will not be watching football for 10 hours as I usually do.. I will watch the Jets game and maybe part of the Sunday night game.. but that is all I can handle. It is painful to watch and NOT entertaining AT ALL!"

Hey Jets SB,

I'm not buying your statement (above). Its like telling your wife that you are giving up on chasing other women...except for the blond chick. Or going cold turkey on Wild Turkey and just sticking to the good stuff. I tell myself the same kind of thing each Sunday when I open that first bag of chips. Today is going to be different. Today, I am only going to eat a handful. OK, maybe two. Alright, just one bag. Fine. Next week...no chips! But, I know I am going to eat about four bags of chips every Sunday. And you know that the "Jets game and maybe part of the Sunday night game" is really just the start of yet another 10-hour football watching Sunday!

Us addicts have to be true to ourselves. No use beating dead zebras. They had us at "Are you ready?" Just admit it.

Cheers!

I AM BLUE_FOOT.

[BillyWaz]

Thank God it's over!!

REAL referees will do tonight's game, and they are setting up for them to do this weekend as well.

Hallelujah!!!!