Rough Around the Edges for Replacement Referees

As the NFL season wrapped up week two on Monday, there is a huge amount of controversy swirling around the league about the replacement referees being used. The regular NFL referees have been locked out because of failure to come to contract agreements with Commissioner Roger Goodell and the rest of the NFL. As replacement refs take over, one sees just how much the regular refs are missed.

                Touchdown or no touchdown? Penalty, but was it really?! Extra time outs awarded and calls regarding the rules being missed. Those are all just a few of the huge mistakes these replacement refs are making. The replacement refs consist of a select few of college referees that have been reading up and studying the NFL rule book since June in preparation of a lockout. As the refs take on the huge challenge of officiating an NFL game, their weakness and poor effort is really starting to irritate coaches, players, and countless fans.

                Some of these calls that the refs are missing have the potential of being game changing. Many times the calls are irritating, but we can let them go. However some, such as one in the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Brown game could have possibly changed the outcome of the game. In this particular situation, an incomplete pass by the Bengals should have stopped the clock; however the refs allowed an additional 29 seconds to run off. The Browns then ended that half on the Cincinnati 29 yard line. Perhaps that extra 29 seconds would have allowed the Browns to score and end up winning the game.

                According to ESPN.com, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was told by a ref that the official needs LeSean McCoy to do well for his fantasy team. This is being looked into by the NFL because referees having a fantasy team is NOT permitted by the NFL. Another situation concerning replacement refs is when a ref is a fan of the team they are officiating. A few hours before kickoff of a New Orleans Saint game, the NFL removed side judge Brian Stropolo from the New Orleans-Carolina game because it was noted that he is a Saints fan. Being a fan of the team you are officiating is a huge violation. Officiating with an unbiased opinion is a requirement for referees. These replacement referees have line-ups set through week five in preparation that the lockout continues. As a fan myself, I cannot wait for the regular officials to return. Not only does this give fans a look at how hard it is to officiate an NFL game, but it should open our eyes to realize how hard regular NFL officials work to make the right call. We may not always agree with it, but they certainly do a better job than the replacement referees. (WC 469)