Official NFL 2012-2013 Thread

I know this might of been talked about already. But is it me or are those replacement referees suck? Or I could be just not paying attention to the flags being called. What do you think?

the refs aren't bad enough for me to notice. Yes they miss some weird ass calls but usually they are for stupid things that dont change the outcome of the actual game.

i mean, there has been discussion about the refs since the beginning of time.

i think its more of a psychological thing. you know they are replacements and you get reinforced by every single little call they get wrong, whereas you forget about the little ones when the regular refs are in.

in the eagles/ravens game, there was an obvious missed holding penalty on DRC, but apart from that (flacco calling out refs: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000062769/article/joe-flacco-calls-out-refs-after-baltimore-ravens-loss?module=HP11_headline_stack ) i think it wasnt too bad. they actually got the eagles DBs a few times for holding a few times where it was a little nitty picky. the offensive interference, yeah it was also a tough call, but he pushed off and everyone knows thats a flag. its such an easy call for the refs.


they fucked up against the packers/49ers, with a punt return TD that shouldnt have been and rodgers still complained about the refs.

bottom line is: sore losers (and thats where the majority of the complaints come from) will look for something else to explain their loss. you wouldnt see brady or peyton stand there and blame the refs after the game.

the other part of the complaints come from journalists who try to find an easy story instead of analyzing the game which is obviously too complex for them.

if these refs are in for the long run (and it might look like this), thinks WILL even out. there is human error in this officiating process and you will not be able to eliminate that.

maybe they should find a way to review more stuff and give both teams another challenge flag (i think its already a good step that they automatically review all TDs and turnovers). they could also use an official in the booth who reviews penalties quickly and tells the umpire to pick the flag up or to enforce it. especially on those 50 yd pass interferences, there should be some sort of 4 eye system. i mean a 50 yd penalty has probably as much influence on a game like a turnover or a TD

I totalyy agree

If anyone seriously thinks there is a not a difference between the normal refs and the replacements refs should probably shoot themselves in the foot/head.

^ they botched a huge one in the Jets/ Steelers game too. Reviewed it and should have been a turnover, then at the VERY LEAST should have been down 8 yards earlier. Instead Steelers get the ball back and a 1st down an continue their 8+ minute drive, Then score a TD

Although the steelers got a bad one against them too, so it was balanced.. But still terrible

Bad calls shouldn't cancel out. There should be consistency throughout the season and throughout individual games. I'm not saying the skins lost because of the reffing, cuz we obviously benefitted from it at times, but if your going to have a professional sports league, you should have the best refs available. Not some second rate refs who couldn't even work in the college leagues.

so whats the answer? the old refs suck too and while they might be the 'best' they're only marginally less bad than this rag tag group that was assembled at the last minute. they don't deserve what they're asking for bc the league doesn't really need them to make money

^ Of course the old refs have their faults but to lock out a group of officials who have a long-time familiarity with the game, understand the rules, and understand how to mediate games is just stupid. In the past, a rookie ref would only be able to ref a game with a group of veteran refs. If that was the policy, it was to ensure standards. So how do you have an entire group of refs who are beyond rookies in charge?

brian orsakpo is out for the season. FUCK

brian orakpo, all pro linebacker

6 picks in 5 quarters

by mannings

HA!

As we all know, the referee's lockout is an embarrassment for the NFL.

Officials not good enough to work college games have blown calls left and right over the past two weeks, while players—taking advantage of no authority figures on the field—have steadily increased the cheap shots and illegal hits. Did anyone catch the Broncos-Falcons game last night? John Fox looked like he was ready to strangle someone by the end of the first quarter.

Well, now we've really hit rock bottom. Faced already with potential scandals involving a former Seahawks employee who offiiciated a Seahawks game and a Saints fan who almost worked his favorite team's Week Two contest, the NFL will be forced to investigate an incident during yesterday's Eagles game. According to a LeSean McCoy interview yesterday, a ref told the running back to play well because he had him on his fantasy team. Seriously.

Deadspin has the details of the interview:

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy went on 94WIP in Philadelphia yesterday, and touched on how the refs tend to be intimidated and influenced by players and crowds. Not a surprise—this week, 14 of 16 home teams won their games. But he also gave an example of how the replacement refs seem more like contest winners than hardened employees.

"They're like fans, kind of though. I'll be honest, they're like fans. One of the refs was talking about his fantasy team, like ‘McCoy, come on, I need you for my fantasy [team].'"

This seems like a scenario out of a terrible bad episode of "The League" (Ruxin wins a contest to ref a game and calls penalties constantly on Matt Forte!), but unfortunately it's very, very real. The NFL has become the WWE.

GO BRONCOS

First off, I love you for portraying such an "against type" Eagles fan. As I recall we've had some good exchanges over the last year or so.

Secondly....how fucking awesome is it to see some high-level LB play?! It's been the bane of my existence for years that the Eagles historically undervalue the position (Bednarik not withstanding) to such a degree.

To see Ryans (whom fans inexplicably wrote off after a less than stellar preseason) and Kendricks making big plays and swarming the ball is a really exciting thing. Cole had the caused fumble, and though the d-line hasn't quite pressured the QB like maybe we anticipated, it's only a matter of time before they're putting up numbers. Also, good to see that group clog up the middle and make plays against the run. Honestly, I think the run d is better than it's been in years.

DRC is off to a great start, looking rather shutdown-ish, and Nate Allen played well this week and Coleman played well the week before. 2 games isn't enough to convince me that safety play won't be a concern whatsoever, but they're off to a WAY better start this year. I wonder how much of a stabilizing presence Ryans has been for those guys in terms of staying loose and also getting guys in the right positions. I don't know, but something is different.

Everyone was concerned with whether Washburn could get the front 7 to buy in to the wide 9 and whether JC could actually manage a defense. I'd have to say—though it's a small sample size—it looks like the system is working and that JC, while he's no Jim Johnson (who is?) is benefitting from a year under his belt.

No one would say that the Birds can be successful if they continue to turnover the rock at this clip (Who thought after two games McCoy would've fumbled twice? No one, that's who and I feel pretty confident that it won't be a theme for him given his past surety in taking care of the ball), but despite that, it's encouraging to see them consistently move the chains and at the very least turnover field position. Vick is definitely pressing a bit, forcing some throws he has no biz attempting, and holding the football a bit too long, but it's great to see Marty dial up some qb draws, and to see vick use his athleticism to his advantage as a passer, instead of instantly looking to tuck. Says a lot about a team's leadership and maturity to not panic or get down after giving away possession 9 times in 8 quarters.

 I have also been really impressed with Vick's Eli-like (I know...blasphemy) ability to stay cool and calm and lead 80+ yd comeback winning drives in the 4th qtr two weeks in a row. Let's be real, while McNabb was pretty consistent in winning (and consistent at throwing at receiver's feet...) you never really believed that McNabb, given the ball with the clock winding down and down a score, would make it happen. So, while Vick clearly needs to protect himself and the football better, it's a great sign that they've been able to win games they've had no business winning. Those sorts of experiences crystallize chemistry and player's belief in one another and the system and could pay big dividends later on in big spots against long odds.

I'm concerned with the depth at O-line, and a couple injuries during the Bmore game (mad respect to that squad, I'm a huge fan of theirs and they played a physical, tough game. They're my defacto AFC team what with growing up in DE and going to UD I love Flacco and the News Journal covers them) made those concerns all the more dire. I knew there'd be issues with Peters being hurt (even if Vick is left-handed sort of negating the usual "LT is the most important lineman watching the QB's blindside" he's still the best player on the team), but seeing Kelce and Dunlap go down is a problem. Hopefully the Eagles will sign some vets to sure up a bit, and I'm hearing that Peters is making a ton of progress and that he'll be activated at some point instead of going on IR. They're struggling a bit, to be expected, but they (the team as a whole, but them especially) NEEEEED to cut out the fucking penalties.

Lastly, holy shit.....Celek is balling the fuck out! Seriously, shades of the relationship and trust between McNabb and Chad Lewis, in seeing the Vick-Celek combo. The guy is making big plays in big spots and honestly, it wouldn't shock me if he ends up catching 10-12 TD's this year and ends up with 700-850 yds. He took a huuuuuge lick....was a little slow to get up.....and then....BOOM!! On his feet, fired up, signaling yet ANOTHER first down catch. Awesome stuff right there....and nevermind him hurtling fucking ED REED! That shit was crazy! Reed isn't a front-leg form tackle guy or anything, but the guy is a sure tackler....to see him whiff like that is a rare thing indeed.

Lastly LASTLY, I was glad to see DJack have a big day yardage wise. Looks like he's all-in this year which should concern everyone else.

I don't know....I don't see the Birds winning more than 10 or possibly 11 games, but if they get in to the post-season there won't be a lot of teams chomping at the bit to get a piece I don't think.

Marginally less bad? I don't know how many games you've watched, but you're just wrong, man. I'm not saying the pro refs don't ever blow it or make mistakes, but there's no comparison whatsoever.

 The number of stoppages and their respective lengths are totally unacceptable. They have issues with knowing where to spot the ball, where to mark off fouls from, they've been granting extra timeouts, they've had trouble with the clock, and yesterday during the Eagles/Ravens game, there were 2 two-minute warnings in the 4th quarter....I haven't even mentioned the abundance of missed and tickytack calls. They simply don't know the rules and/or how to enforce them. It's an absolute joke and it is having a direct and measurable effect on the overall quality of the games. I know they're doing the best they can, and I don't see them as SCABS or anything like that, but it is what it is; people attempting to do a job that they're incapable of doing at the level it needs to be done.

I agree that the league is in the position of power as, as of yet anyway, people are still watching the shit out of every game, so the league has almost no incentive to yield to the ref's demands. So, from a purely labor, and monetary perspective, the league is doing what's "best" for them.

 But, from a moral (I know...the word has no meaning in a business context) standpoint, a league that generates billions (according to Larry King it's actually trillions) in revenue is doing the wrong thing in denying these guys what they're asking. The difference in cost is apparently equivalent to 2million per team, or in other terms, the signing bonus of a 3rd or 4th rd pick—chump change, really. I personally think the regular NFL refs do an amazing job in an inherently thankless and ravenously criticized and second-guessed environment. The league, the fans, the players, etc. all deserve the best officials as we/they deserve the best players.

you're actually wrong. If there weren't replacement refs, or people willing to "cross the line", there'd be regular refs being compensated at a level befitting the profit margins of the league.

 You think the NFL would've actually cancelled the season (and in the process passed on making billions of dollars) to avoid an additional cost in the millions and/or out of principle? No way in hell that would've happened. I'm aware strikes happen in pro sports, but in this case there's just no chance.

I'm not someone who's out there ranting and raving about the replacements or about how they've sold out their fellow refs, but....well, they sort of have. No different than in other instances of unions going on strike, the people who give in and side with management and/or the people who who fill the vacant jobs are in a certain light, traitorous opportunists.

I'm not saying that's how I look at it or feel about it, but there's 2 ways to look at it. There's no excuse for the subpar reffing that's taking place and it's undeniably hurting the quality. Maybe your dad is a replacement ref or some shit, otherwise I can't understand why you or anyone else would just totally dismiss the issue with the quality of referees the NFL is trotting out. Would you say the same if instead of Drew Brees and Tom Brady we were watching AFL and former NFL Europe guys playng?.....all the while, the NFL continues to charge the same $ for an inferior product? Your argument is like me saying, "Pssh....so what, they're donkeys with stripes painted on 'em, be grateful your on a safari at all!"

Pussy Gmen going down to my panthers thursday night....maybe then we will finally get some respect

I was talking about this with my cooworkers today, and we think the best option would be for the players to take a stand. Right now the NFL doesn't care, they are still raking in the dough. But if the players said "we aren't playing till we get real refs," I think it would be amazing how fast the league would give referees what they want.

I don't think the players will be willing to take the chance of missing a game paycheck.

Why exactly arent the real refs working?

Money, I believe they are wanting more....cause 200,000 dollars for 16 games (more if you are one of the top crews for playoffs) isn't enough I guess.

bc they think they deserve to be rewarded for sucking. talking heads regurgitate from other talking heads and lead people to think its all about money when the amount is so relatively small no sane person would actually think thats the only reason. Goodell himself could fund the whole thing and not even feel it, now add 32 other guys who are exponentially richer than he is to the equation.

^He's such a puss.

this guy on the other hand...

I like him but he's losing it. he also got put on his back in a scuffle during the same game. he's known for always winning those, you could see he was surprised after. cant find a clip

Why do you guys deserve respect? You lost to the Bucs and beat the Saints. Beating the saints doesn't really say shit considering the redskins beat the saints. Just sayin...

Alfred Morris's ride

meanwhile VY has blown 25 million by investing his money in things like buying every surrounding seat on a southwest flight and dropping 5k a week at Cheesecake Factory

panthers are getting raped

Yeah in every way. All I heard all week was that the Giants will be in tough. I guess they were wrong

panthers offense is definitely fun to watch though

fuck yea G-MEN messing up the panthers right now

and they doubted them...

oh well, at least we have a longer time to prepare for ATL next week, hoping we bounce back with a big road divisional win.

is anyone else tired of hearing players who think they're smart because they're wearing a suit? I don't get why the media trys to make them into something they aren't; I even heard Ray Lewis refered to as brilliant and Ed Reed refered to as "a great critical thinker" in one game. Even Brady and Brees are guilty of this at times. Also Lesean McCoy was clearly making that shit up as he went along.

Good luck beating the falcons...

In the context of football...those guys are brilliant. Literally, each of those players is either currently, or has been recently, the best (one of the best) players at their respective positions. Obviously the QB position requires some intellect and an ability to make snap reads/adjustments, as does MLB in most schemes. Reed is one of the most natural read and react guys that has ever played the game, and is "brilliant" at baiting throws. Sure, Reed especially is prone to mistakes, but relative to other players, "great critical thinker" fits.

Week 3 Picks

literally none of this was new or useful information to me and wasn't even applicable to the points I was making

tell me again how the refs situation is all about money...

seriously if you want to keep quoting me you should know more about the NFL than I do (fehlination) or at least be able to not go off on mildly related tangents

you're missing one.

^I counted 16

Well I guess you dont know how to count.

week 3's thursday night game has already been played...

nvm didn't expect him to pick a game thats already been completed and clearly didn't read a single word of his post

The Oakland Pittsburgh game is the one that is missing.

again....your point was worthless, and while I didn't bring anything new to the table, you literally made some dumb shit up.

 I should've just said: No, moron, no one is sick of football players thinking they're brilliant because they're wearing suits.

You're right, that was a much better response to your post(s), which invariably suck major cock.

Here's what's funny: Eagles are no. 1 in total offense, and no. 4 in total defense. There is no way in hell the Eagles continue on their turnover pace...it would be historic and unprecedented. I think it's funny that you're banking on Vick playing like shit, and Kevin Kolb playing well. Top notch analysis, particularly the luck part. But, keep picking against the birds, went well for you last week.