Offside Number 76

The reason that regular officials' mistakes are relevant is because one of the key issues in the dispute is how to deal with poor officiating by regular refs. As the OP and topic state, it isn't just about money. The NFL is trying to improve the on-field product long-term (and let's face it, the mistakes by the regulars are more than occasional), and in the short term, we're suffering through more mistakes than usual. It's a "it'll get worse before it gets better" situation. I'm fine with it as long as it eventually gets better.

The small stuff happens every week with the real ones. Steelers coin flip. Extra timeouts to teams. It happens EVERY week with the real ones. That's why the NFL is insisting--and should insist--upon replacement refs in the wings. I couldn't care less about the money stuff. Let me make this more clear: I'm ready for the refs, this weekend, to let Brady dribble the ball backwards for fifty yards and award him two free throws and a penalty shot, and give Welker an extra base on the overthrow. I get it. The replacements suck. But so do the regular refs. And if the sticking point is whether the regulars can be replaced, I'm with the league.

Those four instances came to mind immediately, with no research, no google, etc. A result-changning bad call won't happen weekly, or annually, with replacement refs or with "real" ones. Did it happen last night? Sure. Does it happen almost every season? I'd bet. The "real" refs are hardly great. One of the things the league wants is to be able to substitute better refs for poorer ones. How is that bad?

Back to this...can't agree more. This is the reason why I'm on the league's side on this one. And regular refs blow calls as bad as last night, too. Don Beebe went out of bounds and came back in. Tom Brady fumbled. "Just give it to 'em." Vinny Testaverde scoring a touchdown on the one-half yard line. Etc.

Let 'em fly under the radar. I guarantee the cheats are focused, but if the Niners and Cardinals are looking past the Bills, fine.

I just wanted to repeat it.

McLovin' got the crap beaten out of him as a gunner and--came close--didn't get a penalty called for retaliating. And he had every reason to retaliate. Good on him. He is far from my favorite player, and I'll forgive the one drop in the endzone (should've been a TB anyway), but nice game today. Nice game, 21.

Yes. He didn't look great, but he was a workhorse. That said, I really hope FJ is back. Choice just isn't what his name advertises, despite a nice game today.

Yep. It's like punting from the opponent's 45 on 4th and 3. It's stupid, but coaches have to do it.

Sorry, no hamburger.

Whisky or an orange liqueur? Look down. If it hangs out, whisky. If it's looking for something to go into it, orange liqueur. This shouldn't be hard. And if you're drinking the orange liqueur, neither should you.

He doesn't suck and isn't an all-star. I still like him. And I'll take the under on 50.

Not to threadjack, but a team can grab a WR in free agency anywhere. TE is tougher, OLB, too. And I'd draft a Q every freaking year. Not necessarily in the early rounds, mind you, but every year.

There really should be something pinned for this. This thread happens in advance of every home game--no offense to OP at all!--but we really should just pin a thread for our guests to consult. And good Lord, Soho is not a nice restaurant. Even on Chip, Bacchus and Papaya are there. Soho? Good burgers, not great.

They have seats in Cleveland? Movin' on up...

He'll still wake up in the morning and realize that he's at Clemson. That's the sad part. On the other hand, because of the helmet, he'll still wake up in the morning and realize that he's at Clemson.

It's like a group showing up to a Bills game wearing Brett Hull jerseys. Don't do it...

It wasn't even a hit! Good Lord.

If he is the only one left after three games, I will buy him a hamburger.

eball, thanks for the thread. It made me look into getting the iPad app--is it really $70 to see the all-22 video?

The fan support is a joke because the product is a joke and not the other way 'round,

Well, remember which one and then link to the charts. I don't doubt you inherently, but I'd love to see the actual evidence.

There was passing?

Both teams are horrible. This game is a mess. The announcers could make Nik Wallenda's walk seem like a stroll from Macy's to Lord & Taylor in the mall. Even the band is half-assed. I'm watching for the "train wreck" effect, and because I put off the movie I wanted to watch just long enough that I'm not starting it tonight. UB doesn't have to do D-I athletics. If it is going to continue, it needs to be more committed. Otherwise, it just should go back to D-III and being a better academic school than it is right now. Reset it to 1980-something.

Certainly, you will get to sleep early. That may be important. Not kidding.