When arbitration tarnishes the image of the NFL

After last Thursday night’s excellent game between the Bengals and Ravens, the NFL offers another potential gem this Thursday between the Commanders and the Eagles for first place in the East division. It remains to be seen whether, once again, the pleasure will be further tarnished by the mediocrity of the refereeing in critical situations.

• Also read: It’s time to take the Steelers seriously

Some would say that officiating in the NFL is not a new problem, but those who follow the games religiously will notice that officiating controversies have become commonplace.

Let us be clear, to err is human. It is simply futile to throw stones at the officials, who certainly do not get up in the morning looking for which team they are going to victimize.

The fact is that the NFL could do much better to supervise its referees and ensure greater stability. Mistakes are increasing this season.

On the air, the descriptors no longer even hesitate to decry the situation, as the legendary Al Michaels did last Thursday at the end of a thrilling duel, but marred by the refereeing.

Analyst and former quarterback Tom Brady, who cannot comment on arbitration since he is also a minority owner of the Raiders, recently criticized the questionable ejection of Lions defensive back Brian Branch against the Packers.

Too much turnover

A recent article from New York Times reports an abnormal turnover rate in the officiating department in the NFL.

This season, no less than 27 of the 120 referees have three years or less of experience. A third of officials have five years or less of experience.

After the 2021 season, 10 officials left and after the 2022 season, a dozen of them announced their departure.

According to some former officials who testified in the article, it takes a minimum of five years of experience to perform optimally in the NFL.

It is the same situation in terms of supervision of the officials department. At another time, Art McNally was the referee supervisor for 23 years. Jerry Seiman followed for 10 years, then Mike Pereira for 9 years.

Since 2010, there have been no less than five changes at the head of officials and no one has served more than five years.

For what? First there are the major TV networks which spend astronomical sums of money to seduce refereeing supervisors in order to attract them on the air to play the role of rules analyst. We see Pereira regularly speaking on FOX.

Dean Blandino, another former supervisor who made the jump to CBS, estimates that the salary of $215,000 to $315,000 for such an important position in an extremely wealthy league, whose commissioner Roger Goodell receives 60 million annually, does not is not competitive enough.

Failing technology

In addition to the enormous turnover rate, the blatant lack of experience of current referees and the absence of leadership above their heads in the long term, we must not lose sight of the fact that today’s officials could clearly be better supported by modern technology.

However, the NFL, even if it is rolling in gold, still seems 40 years behind on certain points in this regard.

A true video judge system that allows an official on the field to be promptly notified to review a decision, in all situations where the slightest question arises, should have been implemented a long time ago. We don’t talk about it once here or there, but on a constant and regular basis.

And what about the good old chains that date from a bygone era to measure a first test when everything could be measured to the nearest millimeter?

The league is sitting on its hands because the controversies that fuel the fire week after week in the media and on social networks are constantly talking about the NFL. You know the old adage: talk about it well or talk about it badly, but talk about it… To hell with image and credibility!

Yes, the NFL is on the lookout for every technology available to improve the situation. Yes, the NFL has all the money in the world to hire full-time officials, invest in their training and pay them so they have no desire to look elsewhere.

We know all that, but it is not because an organization is rich that it is not cheap.

MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT: Commanders 27 Eagles 34

THROUGH THE NFL…

Here comes Richardson again!

Sunday and Monday, after another loss for the Colts and a dismal performance from quarterback Joe Flacco, head coach Shane Steichen mentioned that the veteran was keeping his job. Strangely, two days later, he made a move by announcing that young Anthony Richardson was returning to his starting position for Sunday’s duel against the Jets, for the rest of the season. It’s a good thing to have the youngster play, but you have to know how to tune in…

Pacheco close to a comeback

Injured in the second game of the season, fiery ball carrier Isiah Pacheco is getting closer to a return to play with the Chiefs. Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula and returned to practice, but head coach Andy Reid said it was unlikely he would be in uniform Sunday against the Bills. The situation is the same for defensive end Charles Omenihu who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the conference final last January.

The best sellers are…

For the period from 1^is April 2023 to 1^is October 2024, Texans quarterback CJ Stroud was the best jersey seller in the NFL. Still amazing! The second-year player moved ahead of Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to second place, as well as a certain Patrick Mahomes, with the Chiefs, to third place. The top seller not at the quarterback position is Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson at fourth.