New NFL Uniforms?
 

I heard that the NFL refs might be wearing re-designed uniforms in the upcoming season.

I'm just wondering if anyone's heard anything about this, or what anyone thinks about it.

REPLY: I hadn't heard that, but I hope they don't put any more patches on their hats!:eek:

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.

I think the NFL officials uniform is the classiest one in professional sports. It's good as it is. It hasn't changed much over the last 40 years, except the color of hats, and the number plackards.

DON'T CHANGE IT!

I agree the patches on the hats are awful. I also vote to NOT change the uniform.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

Longer pant for cold weather? My calves are the last thing to get cold in cold weather. UA cold gear will take care of that.

Heck, if you can keep your hands and feet warm, your body will be fine.

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.

Why is it stupid?

I've never heard a football official say, "man, we are freezing our butts off out there; if they would only let us wear different pants..."

I'm not a cold weather authority (even though it does occassionally get pretty cold down here in November), but if I'm packing for a cold night game, I'm much more concerned about shirts, undershirts, gloves, and maybe socks.

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.

-- That makes perfect sense. I just hope they don't overhaul the uniform and make it lose its integrity.

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.

-- I wonder if he touched on when Red Cashion made a cameo appearence in a commercial a few years ago


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

-- Ouch that had to suck!!

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

-- When your a great umpire, you get to drive the good cars.

REPLY: ABoselli...Mr. Quirk did quite well for himself on Wall Street before retiring. On the other hand, Messrs. Hill and Camp are still public school teachers and probably drove down together in something considerably less 'obvious' than a Mercedes.
:D

This comment from Pieira got the biggest cheer of the day!

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.

Joe, I was in thed referee class with Mike Pieira and Jerry McGinn. Mike said the uniform changes would be for different climates. Black pants for cold weather. Different material for hot weather but no real change in the "look."

I got to meet and talk with Ed for a few minutes. I know I have talked with him on a different message board before...

Hey AB,
I was also in the R break out! I thought the "Bell" was the best conference I've been to. Yes, they had little problems, as always....I stayed in King of Prussia it was only $80. Com paired to the Ace center $200.

Hey Joe it was great to finally meet you!

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

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?

I always thought black pants would look cool.

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

Oh, I know who you are I remember that!

Nope. I can't remember that dudes named but I worked a scrimmage with him at Princeton University.

I sent a email to Andy too. Gave some of my thoughts on the clinic.

Herb Stayton was in the back with the grey hair. He is my mentor....

I like back better too in Nickers and shorts, white is a bad color!

They were showing clips of Bruce Smith, when he was at VaTech, last week as he was inducted into the College FB HOF. In a few of the shots, the R has white shorts on and no placket on his shirt.

They showed a bunch of sacks, so this guy was in a couple different clips, and it's the first time I can recall seeing that. I don't know what conference VaTech was in before they joined the Big East, but does anyone know if it was standard issue back then?

This had to be '84.

By the way, tpaul, I kinda chuckled every time I looked over at Mr. Glasses Strap. Maybe he thought we'd be going full contact or something. If we had - he was ready!

Bob Webb was two seats over from me. I first met Mr. Webb at Milt's clinic last year. He's a character - loudest voice I've ever been around.

I have also met Mr. Webb at the Big 33 last year...

Ljudge

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

Who else was at the Liberty Bell Clinic?

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

Get that DVD and script. Wish you could share that. I'm always looking for stuff like that. I bought last years NCAA 2005 Officiating video with Dave Parry narrating, but he doesn't go into much detail of mechanics and ruling discussion. Maybe I'm not looking for it in the right places.

Is that the one that you play on your CPU and it has a little window you have to watch it in?

Yes, it is in a small box b/c I think they chose the lowest resolution they could use to get all their files to fit on one CD.

I bring up the CD in windows explorer directory, then you can play the individual mpeg files and size it the way you want in media player.

They need to go to DVD to preserve the video quality though. Their page shows the 2006 Baseball officiating on DVD. Maybe '06 footbal will be too. http://ncaa.sportgraphics.biz/index....ory&param_0=16

I took the files out and put them on DVD and they came out great!

making a DVD
 

So is it still mpgs on dvd or is there some conversion? How do I do that?

I don't know I just copied the files into my DVD burning program and burned it to a DVD...? And it worked...

Tom,
Email me. I have a question for you. Thanks,
Grant

I did...did you get it?

No, I didn't. Try again.

gsrcathotmaildotcom

I send it to a different Grant...LOL

More clinic talk
 

Tom, With Jersey being so close, do you know of any good clinics in that area, or do you find the better ones to be in PA?