Originally Posted by
rbedgood
I watched that entire game and will claim a state of unbiased opinion as I hate the two teams equally. Their were at least 5-6 completely screwed up PI calls in the game. The most glaring was the Off PI that should've ended the game and made the decision on who "caught" the ball irrelevant. Tate pushed off, and therefore the decision between TD & Interception really shouldn't have mattered. But earlier in the 4th quarter Shields got called for DEF PI when Sidney Rice was all but assaulting him. There were a number of other occasions where phantom holding was called, and within 2-3 plays as if to 'make up' for the bad call a blatant hold or PI was allowed to slide.
I feel bad for these refs, as they are simply out-classed and don't belong on this level. Them trying to handle NFL games is tantamount to Chiefster and I trying to run the 100M dash with Usain Bolt.
Sadly someone mentioned it earlier, and I heard both John Clayton and Chris Mortensen make similar statements this evening. The fact is, the NFL owners made a business decision to lock out the refs to get the terms they wanted. They want to get rid of the pension system (as most employers have in this economy) and don't want to compensate for doing so with an equitable salary adjustment. They also want to have the ability to 'bench' refs who have severely bad games (like most of the ones so far this year) and have 21 additional refs (what about 3 crews) that are available to stand in for these benched refs. This concept would also allow for some younger refs to be introduced to the NFL level and start training replacements for the guys like, Walt Coleman (who has been an NFL official since 1989).
Frankly they need to meet in the middle. The NFL should work to preserve the quality of the game and insist in the higher training and quality standards, demanding the benching system and back-up referees, while giving some on the finances either through keeping the pension or giving a significant 'matching' amount on another retirement package.
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