NFL Officials Should Return Under Harsh Scrutiny



Get Ready for the Hochuli "Gun Show" This Weekend!


If you didn't realize that the NFL finally came to terms with the "regular" officials, then you need to wake up and turn on the TV, log in to Twitter, get on Facebook, or read the newspaper.  Terms of the agreement were finally released, but who cares.  I know I sure don't want to hear about pension programs, retirement wages, or anything else in this "done deal".  What I do want to make sure is that the NFL returns to its normal state.  What is that state you ask?  Simple...America's greatest sport.  The game has been mashed into pieces in the past 3 weeks, the last of which came to a head with the Packers loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football that ended on a call that would make anyone scratch their head.  When the league couldn't get any lower, when it was being bashed inside and out, and when fans left the league office over 70,000 angry voicemails...they caved.  The NFL caved and for once the fans feel like they have a voice! 

All isn't right with the world just yet.  These officials that are returning to work haven't done an NFL game in a long time.  There is sure to be some rust.  Not only that, but can all the NFL fans that are going crazy over the replacement refs please remember that the regular refs made alot of mistakes too.  It isn't anyones fault.  The NFL game is so fast, and there are so many people moving in different directions that there will always be calls that are missed or overlooked.  What I do know is that the article I wrote earlier this week saying that the Time is Now for the deal to get done highlighted 3 main reasons why the replacement refs need to go, and the regular officials need to get back to work.  Those reasons were: 1. Indecision 2. Length of Games and 3. Injuries to Players (If you want to see that article you can scroll down on the main page).  None of those reasons were due to missed calls, or not enough calls.  That happens with the regular refs.  The replacement officials just weren't "up to snuff".

With all of that said, I am going to be the first to say (maybe not the first, but who cares) that the regular refs upon their return need to be under the same scrutiny as the replacements were.  Those poor replacement officials were placed in a lose - lose situation.  There was a deal going to be made eventually between the owners and the NFLRA, and the replacements were just filling the void.  If the regular officials make mistakes, they should be crushed by the media like the replacements were.   Everyone and their brother wanted the regular officials back.  Well, now you have them.  I, for one, am going to expect alot from them, but have the feeling I will be disappointed.  I don't know what people expected...Ed Hochuli to come flying in like Superman to save the day?  Lets see how the "real" refs do this weekend...but they SHOULD be under the microscope in a big way.