Goodell & the Replacement Refs: An American Horror Story
Goodell is going to kill everyone in the world by refusing to pay the real NFL refs and instead, go with the replacement refs that have been plaguing the preseason.
The refs’ holdout has been one of the worst things to have ever happened to the NFL. We’ve been watching these replacement refs call fouls on people who aren’t even on the field, let alone in the same state. Preseason isn’t the biggest deal in the worlds, as the games end results are completely meaningless, but if these things happen in the regular season all hell will break loose.
Wrong calls in the regular season games can be the difference between and win and a loss, playoffs and “there’s always next year.”
Here’s today’s memo the NFL sent to all the teams:
"In light of the current state of negotiations, we will have replacement crews on the field when the regular season begins. The replacements have undergone extensive training and evaluation, and have shown steady improvement during the preseason. We will continue the training with each crew and they will work as much of the regular season as necessary. The replacement officials are dedicated and enthusiastic, have worked very hard to improve, and have persevered despite the attacks on their qualifications and performance. We are all grateful for their service to the NFL."
Their “extensive training” must have been conducted at the playground. Their not bad people by any means, but you can’t sugar coat a brick and call it a donut. Their awful. Sorry, I meant god-awful. It’s truly impressive, and even more so impressive that Goodell and the NFL will stand by them, despite complaints from everyone; players, coaches, fans... the list goes on.
The NFL has also had the nerve to send out a note prior to this last one, telling teams not to complain about the refs:
"As discussed in our recent conference calls, it’s imperative that your entire organization welcomes these officials and provides them with an environment that maximizes their training opportunities and encourages their development… If you are asked about the negotiations or the replacement officials, feel free to refer the question to our office. Please share these expectations with your coaches, players and operations staff so that all may contribute to the success of our officials on the field in 2012…."
This is just one of many unpopular decisions Goodell has made in his time as Commissioner. It’s really easy to dislike him. I mean, really easy. I won’t even bring up the lack of decisiveness with WR Kenny Britt and his ever looming suspension. That’s a whole other rant…
Either way, things need to get straightened out. Players aren’t happy. Coaches aren’t happy. Fans aren’t happy. That’s not how you run a successful business, especially one called the NFL.
Get it together, Goodell.
You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart