Originally Posted by ljudge

I saw several NFL officials this past weekend including Mike Pieira and Art McNally. They mentioned stuff about buckling down on excessive celebrations ...

Originally Posted by ljudge

These guys were pretty "down to earth." Someone asked who the toughest coach was and as they were thinking about it they were asked by name...."belichick, billick, parcells.???" Any way, I said well what about Gruden? The response was he's ok just says "F***" every third word from the sideline. Was kind of funny. They said coach Reid is one of the "nicer guys" in the league.

Originally Posted by ljudge

I saw several NFL officials this past weekend including Mike Pieira and Art McNally. They mentioned stuff about buckling down on excessive celebrations and some "minor rules changes" but nothing about uniforms.

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Joe...Did you say hello to Ed Camp or Tom Hill (former NJFOA members) while you were there?

Originally Posted by ABoselli

I was also at Liberty Bell last week and Pereira was in our breakout session (R). He and Gerry McGinn led the discussion and Pereira went into a little bit more detail about the change that is coming. Without being too specific, he intimated that officials wearing the same "Cliff Keen shirt and Cliff Keen polyester knickers" in Carolina in September as they were in Green Bay in December is stupid - with nothing against Cliff Keen - but he sees everyone on the sideline in parkas and hoods and his guys are out there with the same thing on as warm weather with some extra undergarments on. "being cold doesn't make you a better official" was the main point.

He mentioned the full length black pants for cold weather games and I'm guessing a new fabric for hot weather. He did mention the Miller Lite commercials in passing, but the way he said it, I doubt it has much to do with any change.

He seemed different than I imagined he would be. Very much a rules geek, very big on making the life of the NFL official easier, not harder. We watched a lot of film from last season (the film he is currently sharing with the teams - TV and team film) and we focused on fouls from the R position. Wasn't there to "big time" anybody, loved to break down film and mechanics - like any other guy at a meeting. Even volunteered to copy his DVDs and mail them, along with their respective script of fouls, to each of us.

I would say it was a good clinic, but there were a few hiccups, being their first year. WAY too many people - need to cull that herd by about 25%. Audio/visual/computer operations were hit and miss. Brings any presentation to a screeching halt. Could have used a little more Q&A, but that goes back to number of guys there - it'll take all day if there's too many. Was at Honig's clinic at Mich. St. the month before and they had everyone submit questions relating to their position the the first day and the position clinicians made sure they touched on those topics the next day - making sure everyone got every question answered to their satisfaction. Maybe this needs to be a two day in order for that to happen.

Got booted from the Ace Center - had to get rooms in King of Prussia - some last minute Bar Mitzvah booking. Bummer.

It was like being at the Oscars for football officials. Just in awe to be watching a presentation from Art McNalley - he wrote the 7 man mechanics manual for god sakes. Jimmy Quirk, Hill, Schleyer, Camp....all stars. Was behind Quirk as we all filed out of the driveway - nice ride: 500SL Convertible.

Originally Posted by ljudge

Oh yeah. Steve was wearing this real cool "XL" hat. You can tell him and Tom were very well respected. They referred to each other as "coach" in the clinic sessions. Any way, that's how they were introduced as working the Super Bowl. As was McGinn for working the Orange bowl and another official (forget his name) for working a Rose bowl.

They also talked about James Coleman's "call of the year." Apparently a linebacker on a field goal attempt late in a game purposely screened Coleman who is only about 5'8" as a SJ and is a rookie. Any way, after the snap the LB moved purposely in front of Coleman so the defense could execute a "pull and shoot" with out Coleman seeing the move. Any way quickly moved to the side and caught the defensive hold. He was given kudos about 5 times throughout the day.

And your buddy Mr. Camp has a Super Bowl in his future. When Mr. Pieira introduced him he told the group something like "unless something goes terribly wrong Mr. Camp definitely has a super bowl assignment in his future."

These guys were pretty "down to earth." Someone asked who the toughest coach was and as they were thinking about it they were asked by name...."belichick, billick, parcells.???" Any way, I said well what about Gruden? The response was he's ok just says "F***" every third word from the sideline. Was kind of funny. They said coach Reid is one of the "nicer guys" in the league.

Originally Posted by ABoselli

I was in the room with all you guys and didn't even know it. Next time, I'll wear my "alter ego" persona name tag to these things!

Hey - Pereira never did cover my question about the 'hook' on edge rushers as he said the film would soon show. That's the portion of our program where they all thought the machine was smoked.

You think we'll get our videos? I don't have McGinn's email but he said he had all our information.

The Honig Clinic in Michigan the month before was a bit more polished, but they've been at it for 10 years. Like I said, a lot more opportunity for Q and A and a chance to submit questions beforehand so they'll know to cover them.

Originally Posted by ABoselli

I was the guy who had just made the switch to R, to which McGinn replied, "lobotomy patient?".

I was hoping you weren't the guy with the flat top and glasses strap.

Good to know Pereira didn't forget. I did send an email to Andy as well, but no response yet. Slayton was in the back row, right?

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

I always thought black pants would look cool.

I hope they make their way down to the lower levels eventually.