Comments on: Tuesday Morning Buzz – Week 3, 2012

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:31:32 +0000

Dear Author,

This is the first time I have been on this site. I came here for fantasy football reasons, but came across this post. I couldn’t AGREE with you more!!! What you said is sooooo spot on. Your analysis step by step is absolutely correct.

I might add to your post that the public opinion on this has been created by “authorities” (NFL analysists) commenting on the subject without a proper understanding of the rules, but instead in the emotional embarrassment of the Nations-beloved Packers being defeated by the mocked Seahawks. It seems natural that the player with “more” control (i.e. Jennings with the ball on his chest and 2-hands the whole way) then they should win. The rules haven’t been articulated enough.

ANyways, I am now looking for a subscription for this site because of this post. Thank you for critically reviewing the data for yourself and not taking the public opinion because it’s the easier thing to do.

By: Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 23:14:46 +0000

Dave – I would say Kolb is a better play than Bradford simply because the Cardinals are surging right now. If it is possible to keep Bradford on your bench it may be a good idea, but if not, Bradford may still be on the Waiver wire later in the year if necessary.

Jon – My expectation of MJD’s injury is actually not about his injury history at all. It is the history of running backs when they hold out through training camp, if there was ever a sure thing, it’s that a hold-out RB struggles with injury in their return. Richardson already has had two knee surgeries, I don’t expect him to hold up to an entire season’s worth of hits.

Everyone else, I have noted your comments and we’ll talk more next week. Thank you for your comments and questions! I appreciate all of your opinions.

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:04:59 +0000

It seems to me there is suddenly a lot of concern for the “real” referees, whom, six months ago, we could not have cared less about (and frankly, complained about just as much) or given half a thought to their earnings or pensions. And, dear friends, if we are so up in arms about how greedy and money-grubbing the NFL is, why are we still giving them money? If you are so enraged by the NFL’s treatment of the refs, their pocket-lining through use of exclusive media (cable), then take a stand! Write a letter, cancel your NFL Network subscription, do something. The NFL acts the way it does because we the fans are empowering and enabling them to do so.

Whether you agree with the author’s stance on the pension issue or not, he makes a valid point that a group of less-trained individuals have been given the officiating position and are then berated, demeaned, and tested. “The refs are not a third team on the field, and they should not be strategized against.”

By: Emil

Emil — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:10:38 +0000

Aaron, you are right on the money. This is exactly why this country is in such an economic mess (one of the main reasons). Decades ago when times were good we were held up by unions for pension plans that are unsustainable today. They are being offered 200K a year (up from the present 150K) for 20 weekends. I think thats pretty fair in this economy. Don,t forget these costs are all passed down to the fans.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:32:27 +0000

Okay, so it takes years of training and experience to get paid $189k for 16 weeks of work. Let’s not forget that they are paid all along the way be it reffing little league to reffing high school and eventually college and finally NFL. During this entire time, it is always a part time job where the pay scale moves up from $25 a game to $80 for high school to a couple hundred for junior college games and then a big jump to $2-3k+ for Division 1 and finally 10k+ for NFL(I have a friend who refs junior college games in California so the salary numbers are not made up. It took him 6 years to get to the juco level) The only training refs go through are monthly fitness and knowledge tests so that’s not an argument. Refs are basically getting paid to learn and getting paid to move up in their careers.

Yes it takes a long time to work your way up to even Division 1 and even longer for NFL, but a doctor will spend 300k and 8+ years in school and then work for years under fellowship before finally (hopefully) getting certified by the board of medicine and they still won’t be making $189k a year working 50hr weeks.

The main issue here is greed and it is apparent on both sides of this situation. The refs greed for more money is just as much at fault as the NFL’s greed to not have to pay as much money to their employees.

By: JayMac

JayMac — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:55:33 +0000

Tyrob, I couldn’t disagree with you or the author more. Let’s not forget that the refs are not on strike. They were locked out by the owners with a year left on their deal just like the players were last year. So who is shaking down whom?
I think it’s unfair to call what these officials do a part-time job. They all have worked hard to reach the pinnacle of their profession and it is demeaning to call what they do part-time employment. As you can tell from the games so far it probably takes years to have a firm understanding of the NFL rulebook. As a matter of fact the league does not allow more than one 1st year official on a crew. Yet they are playing games now with whole crews made up of guys that have been let go by the Lingerie Football League.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 01:56:11 +0000

Totally agree with tyrob513. I read an article on another website that said the NFL offered the refs $189k a year. I don’t know about any of you, but I don’t make $189k in a couple years, and I work 50ish hours a week. How dare these officials demand compensation for something that doesn’t keep them away from their families, has low risk for injury, and is something you can do for a long time! Even more aggravating is that the issue seems to be over the PENSION fund for the refs. If you make $189k for a part time job, WTF do you need a pension plan for? SAVE SOME GODDAMN MONEY.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 01:43:11 +0000

I’d like to see Goodell move from a pension to a 401k.