Replacement refs: The story the NFL wants to keep quiet

[Monkeydad]

Even if the deal is done before the game, there's going to be replcaments in all games for another week or maybe two. There's still a training/re-orientation process for the most experienced refs. New and updated rules, etc.

We'll also have to see if any of them not named Hochuli have stayed in shape.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

Even if the deal is done before the game, there's going to be replcaments in all games for another week or maybe two. There's still a training/re-orientation process for the most experienced refs. New and updated rules, etc.

We'll also have to see if any of them not named Hochuli have stayed in shape.

Speaking of Hochuli...

NFL, referees still not close to deal; Ed Hochuli has prepped refs for immediate return - Peter King - SI.com

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Speaking of Hochuli...

NFL, referees still not close to deal; Ed Hochuli has prepped refs for immediate return - Peter King - SI.com

Great news. I still think what the refs were asking from the league is a bit much- they make 6 figures if I'm not mistaken, they're part time employees, they get a per diem and have a pension that they don't pay into, and they want a 401K that they don't contribute to either....

Whatever, after Monday night they need to get back on the field.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Speaking of Hochuli...

NFL, referees still not close to deal; Ed Hochuli has prepped refs for immediate return - Peter King - SI.com

Dude is a true leader for their side. Good job, Captain Biceps.

The league likely would not demand they go through any preseason training, because the NFL is so anxious for the nightmare of the replacements to be over.

The NFL will have Hochuli to thank for the training sessions the NFL has not been able to run because he has run some of his own.

Every Tuesday night, the veteran official with the Popeye arms has been holding rules-related conference calls with all officials. Average attendance on the calls, I'm told, is between 90 and 110 per week. Hochuli, the officiating sources says, gives all officials a test each week, similar to one they might get from the NFL during a regular week of preparations, and then goes over the results on the phone with the officials.
"That's one of the reasons why the officials will be up to date and ready to go,'' the officiating source said. "Ed grabbed the bull by the horns and made sure that whenever this thing ended, the regular officials would be ready to go back to work immediately.''
As for terms of the new deal, it's likely the NFL will get some but not all of what it wanted with a taxi squad of developmental officials. One source said that was accomplished by guaranteeing the officials the same pool of money they would get even if some of them are replaced during the season for performance or health reasons.

[NC_Skins]

Locked-out NFL referees could return as early as this week -- sources - ESPN



edit: Crap. Saw Matty posted the PFT link about this earlier today. I was busy at work.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

Even if the deal is done before the game, there's going to be replcaments in all games for another week or maybe two. There's still a training/re-orientation process for the most experienced refs. New and updated rules, etc.

We'll also have to see if any of them not named Hochuli have stayed in shape.

sounds like ed had things under control

NFL referee Ed Hochuli told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington that he's ready to work a game this weekend. The officials expect to ratify the deal Saturday morning, Hochuli said.

"But all 121 guys and I are very glad we're back," Hochuli said. "We are ready. We missed preseason, and there's nothing we can do about missing on-field practice. But we've worked very, very hard over the last several months. We've taken 18 extensive rules test, watched hours and hours or video every week. We've worked very hard to be prepared. I think we're ready."

When asked how many curls he did when he heard the rumors that a deal might be getting done today, the famously muscular Hochuli said, "As soon as I heard the rumors, I got down on the floor and started doing pushups."

i love that guy and can't wait to watch some real football with some real refs this weekend.