When Opportunity Knocks

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DLH17

Couldn't agree more. We work in a profession that can be a difficult one to advance within. Every opportunity to do so, should be taken. Why not? We don't work as hard as we do to let big time opportunities come and go without action. I praise the replacement officials. And, I think they have done a great job, thus far. Good for them.

There's a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice that NFL officials make to get to that level. No NFL official is going to be hired until he works quite a while in Division I. No officials get to Division I without putting in time at smaller college levels. No officials get there without putting time in at HS and lower levels.

The replacements have taken the ultimate shortcut. Why should that be praised?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Rich

There's a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice that NFL officials make to get to that level. No NFL official is going to be hired until he works quite a while in Division I. No officials get to Division I without putting in time at smaller college levels. No officials get there without putting time in at HS and lower levels.

The replacements have taken the ultimate shortcut. Why should that be praised?

Ultimate shortcut? I doubt it. I suspect most of them have been working just as long and just as hard as the one's they're replacing. They just didn't have the right connections at the right times to get the job or just missed the cut.

[REFANDUMP]

If you are a person whom has no realistic shot to move up the ladder to work D1 or higher, I understand why you would consider doing this. What a thrill it must be for these new officials. What do you have to lose.

If you have a realistic ambition to advance, this is the kiss of death.

I couldn't do it, as I have too much respect for my fellow officials. I accept where I'm at on the totem pole, and do the best I can with the games I've got.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Ultimate shortcut? I doubt it. I suspect most of them have been working just as long and just as hard as the one's they're replacing. They just didn't have the right connections at the right times to get the job or just missed the cut.

I've worked HS and small college basketball, baseball, and football for over 25 years. Doesn't mean I'm good enough or belong there.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Ultimate shortcut? I doubt it. I suspect most of them have been working just as long and just as hard as the one's they're replacing. They just didn't have the right connections at the right times to get the job or just missed the cut.

There are no D1 NCAA officials working as replacements, so it is not guys "who just missed the cut". And by the age of a lot of the replacements I've seen, there are not a lot of up-and-comers either.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but by-and-large it seems to be guys who have plateaued at the D2/D3 level.

[BballRookie]

I think there is a lot of grandstanding about how "they haven't earned it" or "put in the time" when we all know it takes are rare blend of special things happening to officiate at the highest level. Guys that we all know and respect have had great careers but haven't moved up and gone to the NFL/NBA/whatever. I'm not saying this because I'm buried and bitter, I've barely started my little "career".

I think that in many circumstances officials will hold the short end of the stick with pay to the schools, tournaments, etc. In that circumstance rally the troops and demand better wages. With the NFL guys the story is different. They have tons of money, a pension? , and other benefits they get and now more? They are asking for somebody to at least try to take their job. The NBA had to settle with the officials since the replacements blew it, but with the NFL has the difference really been that big of a deal? Nobody is going to put an asterisk by this season. Only the 24 hour news cycle keeps the talk going.

Locally, I wouldn't cross the line. At the professional level if it was going be my only shot, sure. Guys I respect have told me they would never cross the line. But, at some point in time you really don't have anything to lose.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BballRookie

Locally, I wouldn't cross the line. At the professional level if it was going be my only shot, sure. Guys I respect have told me they would never cross the line. But, at some point in time you really don't have anything to lose.

Here's the thing. You wouldn't cross it locally, but you'd cross at the NFL level. Chances are, if you crossed for the NFL, you'd piss off some local guys who either are, were, or know some NFL officials. That could have some local consequences. Just keep that in mind next time Roger Goodell's number shows up on your cell phone.

[Multiple Sports]

Originally Posted by BballRookie

I think there is a lot of grandstanding about how "they haven't earned it" or "put in the time" when we all know it takes are rare blend of special things happening to officiate at the highest level. Guys that we all know and respect have had great careers but haven't moved up and gone to the NFL/NBA/whatever. I'm not saying this because I'm buried and bitter, I've barely started my little "career".

I think that in many circumstances officials will hold the short end of the stick with pay to the schools, tournaments, etc. In that circumstance rally the troops and demand better wages. With the NFL guys the story is different. They have tons of money, a pension? , and other benefits they get and now more? They are asking for somebody to at least try to take their job. The NBA had to settle with the officials since the replacements blew it, but with the NFL has the difference really been that big of a deal? Nobody is going to put an asterisk by this season. Only the 24 hour news cycle keeps the talk going.

Locally, I wouldn't cross the line. At the professional level if it was going be my only shot, sure. Guys I respect have told me they would never cross the line. But, at some point in time you really don't have anything to lose.

Give yourself 20 years in the business, some maturity ( not saying you don't have any) watch the effort that people put into this game and your opinions will change !!!!!

Wherever you land in this game accept that fact and be the best you can be. Then you can make everygame your super bowl !!!!!

[BigBaldGuy]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Ultimate shortcut? I doubt it. I suspect most of them have been working just as long and just as hard as the one's they're replacing. They just didn't have the right connections at the right times to get the job or just missed the cut.

Or maybe they just weren't good enough until the real NFL officials got locked out and all the good D1 officials didn't want to screw their brothers.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BigBaldGuy

Or maybe they just weren't good enough until the real NFL officials got locked out and all the good D1 officials didn't want to screw their brothers.

Or maybe some of them were previously thrown under the bus or was stepped on by one of those NFL officials in the past and they have no reason to have any loyalty to them.

Everyone wants to act like there is a sweet brotherhood among officials. All you have to do is open your eyes to know that is hardly true. There are certainly great people out there and I'd be loyal to them without hesitation but there are as many snakes in the grass as there are good guys. I can't count the number of times I've witnessed disgusting backstabbing and two-faced deceit form officials. I have direct knowledge of some cases of outright shameful behavior form people that have fooled many into thinking they're a saint....they just hide it well but I've caught them in their lies.

I'm just not going to be blindly loyal to an entire group of officials when there will be as many of them that would as soon step all over you.

[IUgrad92]

All of this handwringing and talk about 'not crossing the line' is ridiculous. Last I thought, we lived in a capitalist country. To me that means that anyone is expendable, and anyone is replaceable when it comes to a free market position. At the same time, there will always be someone there to fill any and all vacancies. And those that do are not doing anything illegal or immoral. Does anyone really think that this doesn't hold true for the officials in the NFL?

They are not the risk takers in this business/league and therefore they do not carry enough weight to push their demands. It is not that simple? Now maybe if the attendance around the league declines immensely and is deemed in direct correlation to the replacement officals, then maybe they have more weight. However, that is not going to happen.......

They are not being asked to take huge paycuts. One change and objection is moving to a 401k plan verses a pension plan. Really???? Do not the majority of us live with a 401k plan?

Are these guys officiating for the love of the game or something else? Are we being asked to think that the league is truly attempting to 'railroad' them? The games WILL go on with or without them, that has already been proven. The officials working the games will only get better. It now boils down to whether the Big Boys want to continue to be a part of it or not.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by IUgrad92

... Last I thought, we lived in a capitalist country. To me that means that anyone is expendable, and anyone is replaceable when it comes to a free market position. ...

Being a capitalist country goes both ways. Someone can also fire you or not hire you based on your actions. So if these guys work or hope to work for college supervisors who side with the NFLRA then then they may not have jobs or opportunities waiting for them when they are done working games for the NFL. They also can be easily replaced.

Originally Posted by IUgrad92

...Are these guys officiating for the love of the game or something else? ...

Not sure what this has to do with anything.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by IUgrad92

They are not being asked to take huge paycuts. One change and objection is moving to a 401k plan verses a pension plan. Really???? Do not the majority of us live with a 401k plan?

Are these guys officiating for the love of the game or something else? Are we being asked to think that the league is truly attempting to 'railroad' them? The games WILL go on with or without them, that has already been proven. The officials working the games will only get better. It now boils down to whether the Big Boys want to continue to be a part of it or not.

They are also asking them to be full time, which means that if they have jobs already, they probably cannot work those jobs or businesses anymore. Then if they are to be fired on a whim, then they are a$$ out.

Yes the games will go on and they have, but they are one bad call away from a lot more complaining than there already has been. It is one thing if the next in line took the jobs, it is another that many were not even college level officials.

Peace

[SNIPERBBB]

I think the use of the replacements will help the regulars in their negotiations barring a major improvement in the job thats being done by the current replacements.

If the NFL is not satisfied with the replacements performance, the regulars should be able to name their price. If they are satisfied...well the regulars will need to offer up something fast that they can stomach,take things to court, or look into other means of employment.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by IUgrad92

Are these guys officiating for the love of the game or something else?

I don't think this is relevant at the higher levels. I officiate HS football for the love of the game. That $60 (cut down by at least $30 once I pay for dinner and gas) isn't a life-changer. My $150 on Saturdays takes anywhere from 8-16 hours to earn. Again, not a life-changer for anyone.

$4500/game is a couple of mortgage payments. It's college tuition. That's $18000/month during the season. This is a second job for most NFL officials, not just something they do because it's fun.

The comment above is a good one -- many people want NFL guys to be full-time. The NFL wants this to a certain degree for a number of their officials. They also want to be able to fire these guys or put them on the bench pretty easily if someone judges they performed poorly. If I was an NFL official, I'm not sure I'd respond well to that, either.