New NFL Uniforms?

[ljudge]

I didn't get a chance to speak with Ed, unfortunately. At social hour he was in a circle with the other NFL officials and I didn't want to barge in on the conversation. Every time we broke I looked for him in the hall and couldn't locate him.

I did meet with Tom Hill however. I applied to NCAA as a deep official (as per others' recommendations) so I attended the deep official meetings having never worked back there to get as much knowledge as possible. Both Tom and Steve Zimmer were excellent clinicians. They also had rookie, James Coleman with them.

You should have came, Bob. I have been told that these clinics are such a "wrip-off" by sooooo many officials. One of them, who happened to attend, said this was by far the best clinic he has ever attended in his 18 years of officiating. He has attended so many others and decided to give this a shot.

The other official I wanted to meet was Gerry McGinn who was R for the 2006 Orange Bowl and a 2006 Rose Bowl official was also there. This was truly an "all-star" clinic.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: You realize that Tommy and Zimmer both worked the Super Bowl this past season? They both grew up in the ECAC Metro Chapter...along with Ed.

[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.

[schmitty1973]

I bet the new shirts will have Yellow stripes instead of White stripes!

[ref18]

The possible changes I heard of, are stripes that curve, like not straight stripes, I dunno how to describe it by typing but yeah.

Also the option of black pants during cold weather situations. I don't know how true this all is, but given the source I'm guessing it's pretty credible.

[grantsrc]

I've tried to stay off this topic because of what happened the last time I brought up a rumor (think back to blue bean bags for Fed). I heard from several NCAA officials at a clinic this past March that the NFL will have new officials' uniforms. In fact, the new head of the NFLRA was in attendance at this clinic.

This is what I've heard. Reebok will now be the sole provider of uniforms for NFL officials. So anticipate their logo plastered everywhere, including on the side or back of the pants, hats, and shirts from what I remember. There will also be two styles of pants. They will go with the traditional knickers for fall games, and in cold weather, they will switch to a longer pant, much like many baseball players are wearing.

The biggest change will be the shirts. I've heard that the NFL is upset with the ripoff refs in the Miller Lite ads and other ads depicting officials in a negative light. So to get around this, since Reebok will only produce these shirts, advertisers will not have access to this new shirt, hence actors not looking like real NFL officials. The stripes will start off roughly 4 inches wide at the top and taper down towards the beltline into a point, much like a elongated triangle.

Again, this is what I've heard. We will see come early August if some of these changes take place. We've all heard the rumor about switching to black knickers for years so who knows, maybe this is just another example of the rumor mill going on wrong information.

[Snake~eyes]

I hope they aren't changing the shirts because of the beer commercials, those are funny and even though they make fun of officials I laugh. Who cares?

[waltjp]

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.

I've once asked Ed Camp about the coach who was the funniest or toughest and he always answers, Gruden. Hearing Ed speak about Gruden you know he has a lot of respect for him.

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.

Hey Joe it was great to finally meet you!

[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 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.

AB,
I sent an email to Pereira and he said he wouldn't forget. I don't have Mcginn's either but I do have Andy's and Herb Stayton's emails...

Honig is a great official too. I saw him a couple times at the "Big 33". This the "Bell's" first year....

I should have had my tpaul name tag on also!

But if you remember when the class started and Mc Ginn went around the room and had everybody introduce themselves...I was the first guy to go, in the front row with the glasses from New Jersey...LOL

[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?

[BigJWalt]

Ljudge

I assume you are talking about the Liberty Bell Clinic. I would agree, hands down that clinic was top notch.

[waltjp]

Who else was at the Liberty Bell Clinic?

Originally Posted by waltjp

Who else was at the Liberty Bell Clinic?

Everybody....we just didn't know it...LOL