Referee And Their Teams

[Peej7245]

I'm not saying anyone has made this accusation to be sure.

However, I'm sure the league would hope that certain teams continue playing because they play in a way that is more "marketable", but I cannot subscribe to the "zebras" ever being told who has to win, etc.

After all, these refs are successful in their chosen careers outside of football, and how can we expect them to throw away their reputations for integrity on what is still a part-time career?

What I have noticed about PIT-BAL in particular is that both teams play hard-nosed, AFC North football, and neither team ever gives up at all! This leads to the kinds of plays that used to occur many years ago, but have diminished in the new Arena version of the NFL.

Makes for some borderline and certainly controversial calls.

[OriginalColtsFan]

OCF, I'm sure the league would like to see certain teams because they play in a way that is more "marketable" but I cannot subscribe to the "zebras" ever being told who has to win, etc.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. But I honestly think that in this day and age, it's naive to discount the possibility of game altering directives in the 21st century NFL.

[Peej7245]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. But I honestly think that in this day and age, it's naive to discount the possibility of game altering directives in the 21st century NFL.

Here, I almost agree with you.

Imagine you work in the league office...you issue a directive that the referees have to pay special attention to WRs coming over the middle and getting blasted!

You, OCF, know football. If I gave you that directive, you could easily guess how many teams in the league that ruling would impact? Say teams with a powerful middle linebacker rather than one with LBs who most often rush the passer or play in coverage? Teams heading to the playoffs?

What I am saying is that the directive does not have to specifically target a team or player, but the end result is the same...these guys in the league are lawyers for goodness sake!

[OriginalColtsFan]

Here, I almost agree with you.

Imagine you work in the league office...you issue a directive that the referees have to pay special attention to WRs coming over the middle and getting blasted!

You, OCF, know football. If I gave you that directive, you could easily guess how many teams in the league that ruling would impact? Say teams with a powerful middle linebacker rather than one with LBs who most often rush the passer or play in coverage? Teams heading to the playoffs?

What I am saying is that the directive does not have to specifically target a team or player, but the end result is the same...these guys in the league are lawyers for goodness sake!

As with anything else, the more power one person or group attains, the more arrogant and the more corrupt the person or system becomes. And when you control or heavily influence key media elements, allowing you to divert attention or criticism of what you're really doing, it gives more cover and protection and deniability. (At least until some chit hits the fan, like it did with Belichick and his cheating and then destroying all the evidence afterwards, when the real behind the scenes truth leaks out.) Trying to understand or analyze something from a logical, rational, "normal" perspective does not work when dealing with nefarious corruption. Just my 2 cents.

[Peej7245]

As with anything else, the more power one person or group attains, the more arrogant and the more corrupt the person or system becomes. And when you control key media elements, allow you to divert attention or criticism of what you're really doing, it gives more cover and protection and deniability. (At least until some chit hits the fan, like it did with Belichick and his cheating and then destroying all the evidence afterwards, when the real behind the scenes truth leaks through.) Trying to understand or analyze something from a logical, rational, "normal" perspective does not work when dealing with nefarious corruption. Just my 2 cents.

Can't see "corrupt" but "arrogant" I see that clearly - possibly paranoid. After all, they are trying to protect a nearly 10 Billion business.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Can't see "corrupt" but "arrogant" I see that clearly - possibly paranoid. After all, they are trying to protect a nearly 10 Billion business.

LOL. Well...if you can't see "corrupt" after watching Goddell these past years, then we really have little to discuss about this topic.

[Peej7245]

LOL. Well...if you can't see "corrupt" after watching Goddell these past years, then we really have little to discuss about this topic.

Corrupt is a judgement call that neither you nor I are qualified to make definitively. "Arrogant" is an observation - and it works for me.

Goodell is a freaking lawyer for goodness sake! He is trying to protect the game's revenue (notice I did not say "the game"), doing it in a ham-fisted manner and knowing that the owners won't override him....

How much more clear can this be seen as arrogance?

[DkBlue]

LOL. Well...if you can't see "corrupt" after watching Goddell these past years, then we really have little to discuss about this topic.

Serious question. If you look at the business model of the NFL it is highly successful. Do you really think they would take a chance of killing the Golden Goose by messing with it?

If they did mess with it as some alledge, it woud be impossible to keep that a secret for long. That would require as many people in a conspiracy
to have a reason to keep silent.

[DkBlue]

Here, I almost agree with you.

Imagine you work in the league office...you issue a directive that the referees have to pay special attention to WRs coming over the middle and getting blasted!

You, OCF, know football. If I gave you that directive, you could easily guess how many teams in the league that ruling would impact? Say teams with a powerful middle linebacker rather than one with LBs who most often rush the passer or play in coverage? Teams heading to the playoffs?

What I am saying is that the directive does not have to specifically target a team or player, but the end result is the same...these guys in the league are lawyers for goodness sake!

The new rules have impacted the Steeler's defense a little more than some others and the players have really complained. The NFL even sent three executives to Pittsburgh to sit down with Polamalu and Harrison.

After they left Polamalu said they were making football a pansy game.

Yet the Steelers are often accused here of being favored by the League.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Corrupt is a judgement call that neither you nor I are qualified to make definitively.

Speak for yourself.

[TonyD79]

Serious question. If you look at the business model of the NFL it is highly successful. Do you really think they would take a chance of killing the Golden Goose by messing with it?

Not at all. Not!

1. Replacement refs

2. Inconsistent rulings on injuries, concussions.

3. Draconian TV blackout rules.

4. Dragging more and more games to London

5. Diluting the product by making everyone play on Thursdays

6. Inconsistent rule enforcement and rules so complex no one understands them

7. Refusal to show any evidence against the New Orleans Saints. How did that look for the league?

These are just off the top of my head.

Nah, they don't do anything that would hurt their product. They do it all the time.

As for refs from Washington, PA (which is basically Pittsburgh...to equate the distance to Baltimore versus Washington, DC is pretty much a red herring as those are individual markets whereas Washington, PA is the Pittsburgh market) doing any games that help or hinder the Steelers is plain stupid because of the PERCEPTION.

That in itself is damaging to the product even if he actually rules away from the Steelers. Added that he runs a local business amongst Steeler fans makes it doubly stupid for the sheer PERCEPTION.

This is a league that enforces how players wear their socks for the image and yet they don't see the perceived conflict of interest? As they don't, it makes you wonder if their actually might be one.

[TonyD79]

The new rules have impacted the Steeler's defense a little more than some others and the players have really complained. The NFL even sent three executives to Pittsburgh to sit down with Polamalu and Harrison.

After they left Polamalu said they were making football a pansy game.

Yet the Steelers are often accused here of being favored by the League.

Your point is useless. Wanting the Steelers to win and wanting to avoid huge lawsuits are not mutually exclusive. Just because Polamalu and Harrison are too stupid to get with the program doesn't mean the NFL doesn't want the Steelers to do well.

How about this..if Ben plays this week, will the NFL come down on the Steelers injury reporting? I doubt it. They portrayed him as being near death's door and two weeks later he may play? Sounds pretty sneaky to me.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Serious question. If you look at the business model of the NFL it is highly successful. Do you really think they would take a chance of killing the Golden Goose by messing with it?

When you are "protected", you tend to do things that would not be done under normal circumstances. The NFL is above a lot of the anti-trust laws that govern other businesses. They don't even have to show their books and how much they make. They feel above the law, and to a certain extent, they are. So to answer your question, sure I think they'd take a chance. They basically do what they want and dare anyone to challenge or question them. That's the 21st century NFL.

[DkBlue]

Your point is useless. Wanting the Steelers to win and wanting to avoid huge lawsuits are not mutually exclusive. Just because Polamalu and Harrison are too stupid to get with the program doesn't mean the NFL doesn't want the Steelers to do well.

How about this..if Ben plays this week, will the NFL come down on the Steelers injury reporting? I doubt it. They portrayed him as being near death's door and two weeks later he may play? Sounds pretty sneaky to me.

That's just silly. The injuries were repoted like any other. Obviously his rib has stabilized if there is a chance of him playing.


Stick to the facts.

[DkBlue]

When you are "protected", you tend to do things that would not be done under normal circumstances. The NFL is above a lot of the anti-trust laws that govern other businesses. They don't even have to show their books and how much they make. They feel above the law, and to a certain extent, they are. So to answer your question, sure I think they'd take a chance. They basically do what they want and dare anyone to challenge or question them. That's the 21st century NFL.

'

Trying to see the gain in manipulating game sin any way. The product sells beyond all expectation. Makes no sense to think there is a hidden agenda.

[OriginalColtsFan]

'

Trying to see the gain in manipulating game sin any way. The product sells beyond all expectation. Makes no sense to think there is a hidden agenda.

Uhm...okay.

[DkBlue]

Not at all. Not!

1. Replacement refs

2. Inconsistent rulings on injuries, concussions.

3. Draconian TV blackout rules.

4. Dragging more and more games to London

5. Diluting the product by making everyone play on Thursdays

6. Inconsistent rule enforcement and rules so complex no one understands them

7. Refusal to show any evidence against the New Orleans Saints. How did that look for the league?

These are just off the top of my head.

Nah, they don't do anything that would hurt their product. They do it all the time.

As for refs from Washington, PA (which is basically Pittsburgh...to equate the distance to Baltimore versus Washington, DC is pretty much a red herring as those are individual markets whereas Washington, PA is the Pittsburgh market) doing any games that help or hinder the Steelers is plain stupid because of the PERCEPTION.

That in itself is damaging to the product even if he actually rules away from the Steelers. Added that he runs a local business amongst Steeler fans makes it doubly stupid for the sheer PERCEPTION.

This is a league that enforces how players wear their socks for the image and yet they don't see the perceived conflict of interest? As they don't, it makes you wonder if their actually might be one.

Normal people don't have that perception. It is a silly argument.

[burghboy]

You're talking the difference between a major metropolis with a HUGE mixture and mixed fanbase, not a hand full of yinz and Iron City. They don't compare.

Do yourself a favor and look up the population of Baltimore county and Allegheny county. It amazes me how people can say things without any factual basis at all. If you want to hate.then at least hate on facts not stereotypical bigotry.

[cprenegade]

Do yourself a favor and look up the population of Baltimore county and Allegheny county. It amazes me how people can say things without any factual basis at all. If you want to hate.then at least hate on facts not stereotypical bigotry.

Having grown up in Baltimore City and moved to Baltimore county, I can say that Baltimore fans do have a bit of a persecution complex. It's not only sports. Baltimore is always in the shadows of Washington, DC, New York, and to some degree Philadelphia. Look at weather events. There are always reports out of Washington and New York during east coast blizzards, Baltimore is just assumed to be wrapped up in them. The rivalry with Pittsburgh stems from the Browns moving here and being in the same division, but goes deeper than that. Pittsburgh was never much more than an afterthought in Baltimore before 1970. But the Pirates beat the Orioles in the 1971 world series, and then broke Oriole fans hearts by coming from a 3-1 deficit in 1979 during the Orioles magical season. The Steelers were never any rival to the Colts until the mid 70's. The Colts with Bert Jones came from a last place finish to win their division and went to Pittsburgh and played the Steelers tough, but eventually lost. The next year they got a somewhat beatup Steelers team at home, only to get blown out from the word go. The Ravens have never beaten the Steelers in three tries during the playoffs. You mention Alleghaney county. All of the Maryland counties from Washington west are more Pittsburgh fans than Baltimore fans. I found that out when I went into an Oakland, Md sports bar only to find pictures of Terry Bradshaw, Jack Lambert, Mario Lemioux, and Willie Stargell plastered on the wall. I asked the bartender if this was a "Pittsburgh" bar and he looked at me funny. He explained that Pittsburgh is much closer than Baltimore and has more in common with the mountain terrain of western Maryland. It remains that way to this day. Baltimore will always have to fight the stigma of being an east coast city that is stuck between Washington DC, and New York.

[cprenegade]

Now, back to the topic at hand. I think it is ridiculous to think that any referee would show favoritism to any team based on where he is from. These refs are graded on every single game they participate in. They make damn good money for what is essentially a part time job. Nobody would risk losing that payday just to insure that a team from his area gets favorable treatment. It wouldn't just be in games that "his team" is involved in, but games that could determine possible playoff fates as well. Any favoritism would be quickly picked up by league officials and that referee would lose a very good income. I can't see that any of these people would risk that. If so, they probably shouldn't be referees but instead should be put in mental institutions to determine what is wrong upstairs.