SmashMouth

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians says the players may need fewer preseason games, but the officials need more.

Arians said that if the NFL reduces the preseason to two games, he worries that the officials won’t be ready to go when the regular season starts.

“We keep talking about these players going to two preseason games. I don’t know how we’re going to officiate with only two preseason games. Those guys need more work than we do. They need at least four, maybe six,” Arians said.

Arians is blunt, but he has a point: NFL rules change each offseason, and with major changes like allowing replay review for pass interference, the officials need time to adjust. The NFL is likely to reduce the length of the preseason at some point, and it needs to have a plan in place for getting the officials up to speed while they work fewer preseason games.

PFT

jeanpierre

Coincidentally, the Bucs need six preseason games for Arians to round them into shape for Week 1...

Crusader

He has a point. Or the NFL would have to have more game-like practises in camp where the refs could go and get their practise in.


Considering how important the refs have become to the game you want them up to speed once the season starts.

CheramieIII

The refs should have to attend some kind of mandatory training or re-training when they make a suck call or no-call and get fined!

saintsfan1976

I’m 2018 the NFL topped $16 Billion in revenue.

$8 Billion was split among franchises ($265MM per)

The NFL just cancelled its full time officiating program.

REMEMBER THIS

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...iating-program

Cruize

Call the blatant stuff. Keep folks from getting killed. How hard is that?

dizzle88

How do they need time to warm up, they are governed by a set of rules that they must look for every play.

If I go on annual leave at work, I dont get a couple warm up weeks when I get back.

jeanpierre

TheOak

There is more to it than just revenue.
~ 20% Retained Full Time Status (they had to sign a contract putting the NFL above their other occupations).

~ Assuming the Ref's start training with the players July-Jan is only 7 months. Full time six figure salaries for people working 7 months a year???? You guys ***** about CEO's being over paid lol. (remember, these guys are professionals in other lines of work) Hochuli is a lawyer, what do you think you would have to compensate him to be full time?


.... Know what, none of that matters. The games rule book has become as convoluted as US Tax code, it changes every year, and the league wants certain games officiated differently than others to maintain a perceived value of product. No amount of training is going to make the Refs noticeably better. Quality requires consistency.

Rugby Saint II

I am a rugby referee and we train year round. Whether it's class room work, field work or simply talking rugby with the other referees at tournaments. Maybe the refs should have to live together during the season and have to watch film together at night.