[fhayek]

I am always being accused of whining, but NFL referees are terrible. A few years ago they had a strike (or lock out or whatever) and the NFL brought in replacements. Everyone bitched about the replacements, as if the regulars were good or something. One play in a game can change the outcome, and one bad call can make the same difference.

I think they should ditch the part time aspect of the refs, and make it a full-time profession. During the week, referees should meet at four or so designated spots, geographically distributed, and go over game film of what should and what should not be called.

[freedumb2003]

>>I think they should ditch the part time aspect of the refs, and make it a full-time profession. <<

There are millions on the line each week. They should have done that a long time ago.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I think NFL officials are full time.

What would help is to remove all the secrecy. Make them explain their calls in post game press conferences just like coaches have to explain their decisions. It humanizes them and would really release a lot of the suspicion.

[morphing libertarian]

Since they work 1 day a week, most refs have other careers.

You could pay for full time, since the league has money, but tough to sit around the rest of the time.

[lepton]

I think they should ditch the part time aspect of the refs, and make it a full-time profession.

---

That was one of the things the union was fighting on a few years ago...to not have that happen. Not only to not be required to be full-time, but to block an expansion in the numbers of crews.

[kevkrom]

I am always being accused of whining, but NFL referees are terrible. A few years ago they had a strike (or lock out or whatever) and the NFL brought in replacements. Everyone bitched about the replacements, as if the regulars were good or something. One play in a game can change the outcome, and one bad call can make the same difference.

Yes, I remember that. The broadcasters were all pro-union, making every mistake made by the replacements into an indictment against using them. Of course, once the "regular" refs returned, each ball call is just, well, part of the game, doncha know?