- Joined
- Jul 10, 2010
- Messages
- 2,923
- Name
- Tim
The NFL does not care about the quality or accuracy of their game officials. This is evident in the labor dispute impasse. But that's not the only source of my frustration.
--The NFL no longer issues statements about missed calls and referee discipline.
--The gag order on all HCs against officiating criticism is not only childish but allows the league to ignore the complaints of the media. If no one complains in the heat of the moment, is anything wrong?
--The majority of NFL zebras are not full-time employees, and those few are seen by the owners and the commissioner as purveyors of NFL policy, not the integrity of the rules. The NFL has always been too hands on when it comes to zebra access.
Is it any wonder that fans have little if any respect for NFL officiating. What we're seeing now is a direct result of the NFL's disdain for anything other than full control of their game.
Yes. I said it. Their Game. The owners may care how well their individually owned teams do, but they only care about the fan base to the point that they keep buying tickets and merchandise and Sunday Ticket. The commissioner's office's primary concern is to avoid bad press. Bad officiating is bad press.
IMO, there was a time that good officiating was a priority, but not in the last 20 years. Since the NFL adopted the salary cap and free agency, officiating has dropped way down the list.
Discuss ...
--The NFL no longer issues statements about missed calls and referee discipline.
--The gag order on all HCs against officiating criticism is not only childish but allows the league to ignore the complaints of the media. If no one complains in the heat of the moment, is anything wrong?
--The majority of NFL zebras are not full-time employees, and those few are seen by the owners and the commissioner as purveyors of NFL policy, not the integrity of the rules. The NFL has always been too hands on when it comes to zebra access.
Is it any wonder that fans have little if any respect for NFL officiating. What we're seeing now is a direct result of the NFL's disdain for anything other than full control of their game.
Yes. I said it. Their Game. The owners may care how well their individually owned teams do, but they only care about the fan base to the point that they keep buying tickets and merchandise and Sunday Ticket. The commissioner's office's primary concern is to avoid bad press. Bad officiating is bad press.
IMO, there was a time that good officiating was a priority, but not in the last 20 years. Since the NFL adopted the salary cap and free agency, officiating has dropped way down the list.
Discuss ...