Replacement Refs to open Week 1

As the 2012 NFL season is just 6 days away, the league has announced that the replacement refs will be in full effect for week 1.  How do we think this will turn out, most likely a disaster, but you know what, these refs are human just like us and everyone makes mistakes.  As bad calls will most likely be called in every game, it will still be fair simply because every team will have replacement refs.  If some games had replacements and others didn’t it would not be fair, but since they all will be using the replacements, it will fair across the board.

As we saw this preseason, some of the refs get confused with players, teams, rules, and ball positioning.  We have seen 2 balls placed on the field in 2 different spots at the same time, a touch back when the ball landed on the 4 yard line and not the endzone, and also players being called for a penalty when they were no where near the scene of the crime, just to name a few.  Clearly the refs made some big mistakes which got coaches and players mad and also gave the crowd a good laugh.  Just like the preseason is practice for the players, it is also practice for the refs. 

With the starters on all teams getting all the playing time, the refs will have more pressure in week one then they have all season.  The last time replacement referees were used was week 1 during the 2001 season during the last strike. 

If you ask me, we will see bad calls, but also see some good ones.  With the pressure on this week, the refs will have big shoes to fill.  As everyone will be hating on the replacement refs, I will be looking on the brightside as should you.  That is, football fans can no longer yell and criticize the real referees after seeing the performance of the replacements,  it makes you respect and be thankful that the NFL has great referees and all they want to do is continue to do their job without getting a pay cut.  Let this strike end fast and hopefully in week 2 we can see the men who help make this game the way it is back on the field.  Week one will be interesting and lets just see how many of those refs will be seen on tv for their mistakes.

Early next week I will be posting my week 1 picks.

-Ray

@raymalaspina

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