NFL Prepared to Hire Replacement Refs

The refs do a bad job imo. Too flag happy. Maybe the replacements will do a better job.

Yeah the backup official who don't have anything better to do (meaning they don't have a job as a ref currently) will be better.

Yeah the backup official who don't have anything better to do (meaning they don't have a job as a ref currently) will be better.

I guess I just want less flags thrown. It's become a flag happy league and the games are becoming way too long. Not sure if replacing the old guys will improve things but it can't be any worse.

I guess I just want less flags thrown. It's become a flag happy league and the games are becoming way too long. Not sure if replacing the old guys will improve things but it can't be any worse.

It can definitely be worse. The solution to the problem you mention is to reform veteran refs, not to throw a bunch of inexperienced folks into the fray.

It can definitely be worse. The solution to the problem you mention is to reform veteran refs, not to throw a bunch of inexperienced folks into the fray.

Agreed. We need professionals and we need people who have demonstrated their impartiality.

I wouldn't want me reffing a game between the Skins and Cow-whores.... Ok, I would but it would be pretty lopsided and obvious after I've ejected 51 of the team in blue and white.

A Board director does not equal a referee. Try again.

This is what you said:

How many multi-billion dollar companies hire part time workers who directly affect the products they sell?

In alot of cases the board of directors have a lot of power and are part time employees. I was just answering your question.

The start of the 2001 season. Maybe other times.

Thanks. I don't recall noticing a difference in the quality of reffing or hearing about it. But I was much younger then too.

I guess I just want less flags thrown. It's become a flag happy league and the games are becoming way too long. Not sure if replacing the old guys will improve things but it can't be any worse.

It's flag happy for a variety of reasons like:

- they keep adding rules
- the players are more athletic and capable than ever resulting in virtual parity on every play meaning players continue to seek advantages
- there is some weird cultural need to "perfect" the game that seemingly everyone supports including the league, players coaches and fans

None of this is because the refs as a whole are bad.

The replacement refs will be required to call the game similarly...they'll just not be as good at it. Could mean even MORE flags.

This is what you said:

How many multi-billion dollar companies hire part time workers who directly affect the products they sell?

In alot of cases the board of directors have a lot of power and are part time employees. I was just answering your question.

Thought experiment: how many board of directors actually directly effect the products their companies sell?

There was an average of about 17 flags per game in 2005...and 15 in 2011, per my recollection

I guess I just want less flags thrown. It's become a flag happy league and the games are becoming way too long. Not sure if replacing the old guys will improve things but it can't be any worse.

You say that now until the Redskins get screwed over by being fouled and the refs do not call it.
Orakpo gets held a half dozen times during a game and it does not get called. I think the culture in the NFL of cheating just enough so you do not get called for it needs to change before you start telling refs not to call certain fouls. Then the refs will not have to throw so many flags.

Like in soccer if the foul merits it they get yellow carded. After two yellows in one game you get kicked out of that game and suspended for another game.
That would stop the cheating and subsequent flags quickly.