Rafael Perez Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
September 26, 2012While We’re Waiting… Pat Shurmur Being Compared to a Muppet
September 27, 2012After fighting it out for the first three games NFL referees are back. The final sticking point, the pensions, appears to be decided. NFL referees will get five years under the current pension program before switching to the 401(k) system according to Mike Florio and his NBC sources.
It was also apparently important to get referees back for the Thursday matchup between the Browns and the Ravens. There were concerns that replacement referees could provide an uneven playing field to the two teams that are forced to play on Thursday night on the NFL network.
So the NFL referees are back and we can all start complaining when they make some of the same mistakes the replacement referees made.
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Who else is thinking that with everyone excited for the return of the “real” officials tonight, that there will be some terrible, game changing call go against the Browns tonight that will cost them the game?
Because, you know….that’s kind of how things work out for us.
If the Browns are in the game to have it decided by the refs, I will be excited.
For sure the regulars will make some big mistakes this weekend; how many times do we hear in exhibition season “this is training camp for the refs too.”
But these are still the best of the best, and anyone who’s read about them know the ridiculous number of hours each week they devote to rule and video review and that they are under weekly league evaluation. The substitutes were not the next tier, major college refs, because those guys would have lost their positions by temporarily running to the NFL. At least this episode gave us a moment to appreciate how tough the job is and how good the regulars are. The closest I ever came to trying to be an official was as an umpire in a ladies’ softball league and I will never, ever do that again, no matter the amount of the bribe.
I was really banking on a huge blown call to send the game our way. We just don’t get no luck.
What do you mean?
Like a Browns player throwing his helmet after he thinks he has the game winning sack on Flacco resulting in a 15 yard penalty that extends the game?
Or the refs letting the Ravens go back 2 plays to review a call and then over turn it?
Nah… Couldn’t happen
Hahahhha.. I was really thinking the same thing.
Conversely, though, what about the time that the refs reviewed the “missed” field goal and determined that it was actually the game winner*?
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/55445/ravens-browns-familiar-with-controversial-calls
/best moment in Browns/Ravens history
* edited below
Sorry, not “game winner.” It sent it into overtime, but anyway . . .
I think that’s different because they were over turning the obviously wrong call to make it right. Although, I guess technically when you throw your helmet, it’s the right call. But, you’re now allowed to go back two plays and review a call.. If you do you get beers on your head.
Except, by rule, the refs were not permitted to overturn the call on the field. I’m glad they did – and it was the “right” call – but it was still a huge mistake by the refs.
[That helmet thing still burns me up.]
FREE BEER!
That was a great moment, however, my favorite memory is the opening week win against the Ravens….the one where Jeff Garcia led us to victory in the first game, and the Browns defense was hell bent on stopping Jamal – which they did. Being 1-0 felt great.
We just don’t get ANY luck. (Hanging head in shame)
or We just don’t have any luck. (Hanging head in shame)
Yeah, it was intentional.
anyone else see that the NFLN wants to give us all a nice kick in the groin?
A Football Life: Cleveland ’95
Wednesday, October 3rd, NFL Network, 8 PM
The untold story of Bill Belichick’s Cleveland Browns, and a talented staff who rose from the ashes of the 1995 season.
The regular refs suck just about as bad as the replacements… there’s still hope bro.
What’s this “hope” you speak of?
We haven’t had that spirit here since 1989.
does it even matter? We probably won’t win a game all year…