Officiating!

There have definitely been more bad calls this year than there have been in recent memory. What really bugs me is the inconsistency. What’s roughing the passer in one game isn’t in another. I’m not sure how guys can play defense at all in that situation. I honestly believe the league should sit down with the refs and really clarify to all of them what they should and should not call. I know they have officials meetings at various times throughout the year for just that reason, but this needs to happen now. It’s getting ridiculous.

Also, Brees took yet another helmet to helmet yesterday that wasn’t called.

I’m sick of it. They are killing the game. Every week this discussion is continuing throughout the league. They had all season last year to get their sh*t together and they still look like they have no idea what they are doing. I think they should do away with the refs all together and let the people in the booth make the calls or at least let the booth have the final say in all matters. The roughing the passer could have cost us the game on a completely legal play. I get nervous as hell when we get a sack now just like what was discussed on the podcast. It shouldn’t be like that. I suggest making the officials do post game interviews with the press so they have to explain themselves and take the heat for their calls during the game. I want to watch the idiots watch the play in front of everybody and explain why they made the call. If they have to endure this on a weekly basis they will think twice about throwing a flag on a play that they aren’t sure about, are trying to be bias towards a player or team, or that they just think they can do whatever the hell they want to without repercussions. Throw the zebras to the wolves every week and we can get this problem fixed rather quickly.

that the officials that are selected to perform at the NFL level have to have a minimum of 12 or 14 years (can’t remember which) at the lower levels (high school & college) and have to undergo an intense interview process before they are approved and picked by the league. If that is the case, I can’t believe that the officials we are now seeing around the NFL are the ones that were performing the best. Something needs to be done as there are going to be games where players get hurt and final results are affected by bad calls or non-calls.

But I’ve got to wonder if the referees calling the games are ever held accountable if a bad call makes a difference in the outcome of a game?

The refs should absolutely be held accountable for bad calls. Errors happen, but repeat offenders should be fined or removed.

earn between $25,000 and $70,000 per year, which is substantially less than officials in other pro sports, where salaries go well into 6 figures. Does anyone know if this is accurate?

I know the number of NFL games played is less than in MLB, NHL etc, but you would think the NFL revenue is substantial enough to pay the officials more competitively. You get what you pay for.

we effing won anyway!

• “Their” = “the officials”

I honestly have no idea how we won that game.

Panthers 3 and out…. oh wait, no there’s a penalty. Let’s give them another try.

Panthers 3 and out…. oh wait, no there’s a penalty. Let’s give them another try.

Panthers 4 and out…. oh wait, no there’s a penalty. Let’s give them another try.

“Saints are getting too many first downs! We gotta call something, but what…” “Roughing the passer?” “No, there on offense, stupid!” “Oh.. duh! False start!”

“unsportsmanlike conduct” for celebrating levied on the LSU punter

Nice video. First LSU!! LSU!! play I’ve seen this year. And good call, the punter taunted before the play was over.

The problem is that all premature celebration is completely banned.

Dumb rule? Yeah I think so. But it’s still the rule.

For the NFL… just don’t get me started. I’m too tired of this crap to waste any more time on it.

just never think the LSU punter, or any punter, would be the example.

It does seem like there are a lot more bad/missed calls this year, but to me it’s a trend that’s been happening for several years, getting a little worse each year. It’s also the case that the officiating is generally worse in the first quarter of the season and then gets a little better week to week.

I think there are two main causes for the trend. First, the number of things the refs have been tasked with watching has increased quite a bit, and the number of judgement calls they have to make has also gone up. Second, there is also a lot more emphasis on certain things, like QB hits, than there used to be. I think both of these things could be mitigated by adding another official on the field. I really didn’t like when the umpire was moved from the defensive side to the offensive backfield, but I can appreciate that it was done for safety. I think if the tasks of the umpire in his current position were more limited, and another official added back where the umpire used to be stationed but allowed to move out of the way earlier, things might be improved. Another pair of eyes couldn’t hurt.

Refs decisions are made according to the score and time to play…