The Refs 2025

[gopkrs]

I think there must be too many teams in the NFL. Because the refereeing is just awful. They are evidently watered down. And I mean some very big and very obvious mistakes. Game costing errors. And some terrible no calls also. I suppose the NFL could fix the problem somewhat and I would never be one to want computers to take over everything. But the NFL could pay them more, I suppose, and force refs into more schooling. It is really ridiculous sometimes. And it seems worse this year. Not to mention, one idiot sees another idiot throw a flag and then the first idiot also has to throw a flag to backup the second idiot even though the first idiot didn't even really see the play. I hate that. imho

 

[OldSchool101]

I think there must be too many teams in the NFL. Because the refereeing is just awful. They are evidently watered down. And I mean some very big and very obvious mistakes. Game costing errors. And some terrible no calls also. I suppose the NFL could fix the problem somewhat and I would never be one to want computers to take over everything. But the NFL could pay them more, I suppose, and force refs into more schooling. It is really ridiculous sometimes. And it seems worse this year. Not to mention, one idiot sees another idiot throw a flag and then the first idiot also has to throw a flag to backup the second idiot even though the first idiot didn't even really see the play. I hate that. imho

What’s worse is when 3 flags come out all for different reasons. Then after 5 minutes of wasted replays and time they just say… offsetting
Let’s Do it all Over again!

 

[Magooch]

The league could really stand to benefit from some significant refereeing reforms but IMHO as it stands referees are represented by and protected by a (relatively speaking) very powerful union that has basically nixed any meaningful change attempts.
As it stands the NFL is the only major North American sports league without full-time officials. The league has tried to work some in full-time (and admittedly it did not seem to have much of an impact on ref performance in that time, but one could question if the sample size was meaningful or not), but otherwise the NFLRA has pretty consistently pushed back on anything like full-time refereeing, merit-based performance evaluations, any kind of repercussions for poor performances, they don't have to ever answer to press/media, push back against implementing more technology/tools, etc...

I'm sure there is more to it than that (and on both sides) but that's what immediately springs to mind

 

[gopkrs]

The league could really stand to benefit from some significant refereeing reforms but IMHO as it stands referees are represented by and protected by a (relatively speaking) very powerful union that has basically nixed any meaningful change attempts.
As it stands the NFL is the only major North American sports league without full-time officials. The league has tried to work some in full-time (and admittedly it did not seem to have much of an impact on ref performance in that time, but one could question if the sample size was meaningful or not), but otherwise the NFLRA has pretty consistently pushed back on anything like full-time refereeing, merit-based performance evaluations, any kind of repercussions for poor performances, they don't have to ever answer to press/media, push back against implementing more technology/tools, etc...

I'm sure there is more to it than that (and on both sides) but that's what immediately springs to mind

Good points. I think a couple refs got suspended from a Packer game. Maybe the NFL needs to do more of that while they look for a better solution. Right now it seems pretty bad. I'm not saying it's easy, especially with players being coached to get away with everything they can. But they really have to do a better job. Maybe get more instant feedback from the cameras. That seems to work pretty well in the limited instances where it is allowed. But it would also have to be allowed for no calls. A can of worms?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

There will always be human error.

I don't think refs intentionally make mistakes, nor do they not know how to do their job, and finally, they are usually well versed on the rules. Let's face it, they can't see everything, especially from field level.

"Referee error" is and has been an issue since the NFL began. Really the only way to minimize errors is technology or at worst, a ref in the press box, with quick access to instant replay. Personally, I'd like to see both happen.

We have already seen calls get corrected very quickly for plays that fall under the "quick review process". That is a step in the right direction. Plays should be reviewed the moment they are over. With the reviews being done during the play clock run down. Find an error? Signal down to head ref to stop play and make change. Don't find an error before the next snap? Play on.

The MLB is moving towards balls and strikes being called by a computer, about time the NFL catches up to 21st century tech too.

 

[El Guapo]

Honestly, you think that these refs don't know the rules? Do you really think that more training is going to fix that game-changing call or non-call? MLB is replacing the home plate ump with robots because balls & strikes are really hard to call accurately. NBA fans hate the refs. WNBA fans really hate the refs. Even hockey fans have their gripes.

It's the speed of the game and perspectives. We get six camera angles on our tvs and replays, while they see something (or don't see something) at freakish speed once, and may be on the wrong side of where the crucial infraction occurred.

Nothing will change significantly with full-time refs or more training. Fans need to just understand the reality of sports, the reality of human referees, and accept it as a part of the game. Some days we'll get the Fail Mary call against us and other days we'll get the Dez Bryant playoff catch called in our favor.

If you really want things to be 99% accurate, then fans need to call for unlimited replay reviews. We may have 4hr games but at least the calls will be right!

 

[El Guapo]

There will always be human error.

It looks like we posted essentially the same thought within one minute of each other. Nice

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It looks like we posted essentially the same thought within one minute of each other. Nice

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[gopkrs]

I didn't say they don't know the rules. I'm saying it is worse this year with bad calls. A lot more camera angles? Maybe. Are there a lot more angles this year? But some of the call/no call just seem to me worse this year. And I haven't really needed slow motion to see them. And I accept that you can see a hold, for instance, after the play and not call it after. Maybe refs should overrule each other more. Or make the call when the ref on the scene isn't calling something. Let the head ref have the final say. I have no problem with refs sometimes picking up a flag. Like I said, it just seems worse so far this year. If we disagree on that there's not much more to say.

 

[milani]

I think there must be too many teams in the NFL. Because the refereeing is just awful. They are evidently watered down. And I mean some very big and very obvious mistakes. Game costing errors. And some terrible no calls also. I suppose the NFL could fix the problem somewhat and I would never be one to want computers to take over everything. But the NFL could pay them more, I suppose, and force refs into more schooling. It is really ridiculous sometimes. And it seems worse this year. Not to mention, one idiot sees another idiot throw a flag and then the first idiot also has to throw a flag to backup the second idiot even though the first idiot didn't even really see the play. I hate that. imho

When you look at it the standout story of the NFL in 2025 is the yellow flags. Teams are foul crazy, refs are over officious, OR the rules need to be loosened quite a bit. When the total number of flags in an NFL game exceeds 10 it is not good for the game. But now we have contests that have over 20.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I think a couple refs got suspended from a Packer game.

There wererumors floating around that at least one official from the Browns game was suspended, but that wasn't true. Which I find shocking, considering that the blatant error of letting the Browns spot their own football actually decided the game.

But they did suspend the crew leader for the Cowboys game, for ignoring multiple illegal formation penalties on both teams - at least 2 of which resulted in both of the overtime field goals.

NFL Referees Missed A Big Penalty At End Of Cowboys vs. Packers

The Cowboys and the Packers tied, 40-40, on Sunday Night Football, but did the NFL referees miss a key penalty at the end of the game? Dallas and Green Bay played for 60 minutes - and then needed 10 minutes more. The Cowboys and the Packers were tied up, 37-37, at the end of regulation. Dak ...

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Firethorn1001]

I'm of the opinion that the NFL would be unwatchable if everything was called to the letter of the law. Unfortunately, because there is wiggle room some of these things will be called tighter probably by certain crews (ala umpires in MLB). Plus it doesn't help that the NFL creates new rules that are pointless that just add to the stack of junk to call (looking at you Mr. 'Taunting' call)

 

[El Guapo]

The NFL emphases different new rules at the start of most seasons. We are still in that zone.

Hopefully some of you remember when they emphasized the QB hits, such as the phantom Clay Matthews penalty in the tie game against the Vikings.

 

[gopkrs]

The NFL emphases different new rules at the start of most seasons. We are still in that zone.

Hopefully some of you remember when they emphasized the QB hits, such as the phantom Clay Matthews penalty in the tie game against the Vikings.

I only want to say that QB hits changes were not complicated and the players took awhile to adjust. I remember that some on the board here said that D linemen could not physically stop from landing with their whole weight on the QB. That was nonsense. And it was a good rule change.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm of the opinion that the NFL would be unwatchable if everything was called to the letter of the law. Unfortunately, because there is wiggle room some of these things will be called tighter probably by certain crews (ala umpires in MLB). Plus it doesn't help that the NFL creates new rules that are pointless that just add to the stack of junk to call (looking at you Mr. 'Taunting' call)

For me it isn't the "calling it to the letter of the law", but being able to correct bad/missed calls. Refs make mistakes and I blame most of those mistake on their inability to see everything from field level. These are such easy things to correct "from above". To be honest, I could see having just 2 refs on the field and the rest of them in the booth, with replay capability at their finger tips. They see a penalty from the booth, a buzzer goes off. They help spot the ball correctly after each play, this isn't rocket science, just a stubbornness to change in my opinion.

 

[gopkrs]

For me it isn't the "calling it to the letter of the law", but being able to correct bad/missed calls. Refs make mistakes and I blame most of those mistake on their inability to see everything from field level. These are such easy things to correct "from above". To be honest, I could see having just 2 refs on the field and the rest of them in the booth, with replay capability at their finger tips. They see a penalty from the booth, a buzzer goes off. They help spot the ball correctly after each play, this isn't rocket science, just a stubbornness to change in my opinion.

Glad I won't be around to see it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Glad I won't be around to see it.

Well I hope you are, because I don't think it is that far away.

MLB is on the verge of doing away with the ump calling balls and strikes. Next season they will be using an ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) Challenge system. Human umpires will continue to make calls but players can challenge a ball or strike decision to an electronic system. Each team will receive two challenges per game and retains a challenge if they are successful. I am predicting that this system is so effective and accurate, that it isn't long before the ump behind the plate will just have an ear piece and rely on hearing "Ball"/"Strike" from the system, he will then signal the very accurate call on the field.

 

[gopkrs]

Well I hope you are, because I don't think it is that far away.

MLB is on the verge of doing away with the ump calling balls and strikes. Next season they will be using an ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) Challenge system. Human umpires will continue to make calls but players can challenge a ball or strike decision to an electronic system. Each team will receive two challenges per game and retains a challenge if they are successful. I am predicting that this system is so effective and accurate, that it isn't long before the ump behind the plate will just have an ear piece and rely on hearing "Ball"/"Strike" from the system, he will signal it on the field.

I certainly hate when those smug umps behind the plate continue to call balls strikes. And some players like to say as long as they are consistent. Just total BS imo.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I certainly hate when those smug umps behind the plate continue to call balls strikes. And some players like to say as long as they are consistent. Just total BS imo.

Agree

I think as a fan, sitting at home and seeing that automated strike zone "box" displayed instantly on TV, and knowing just how far off the umps call was, is so maddening. Other than that, MLB really has a great system to "get it right". Plays can be challenged and I tell ya, 95% of the time, those challenged calls can be looked at so precisely, that replay rarely gets it wrong.

Fast forward to Football and even with replay, they get so many things wrong in every game. From spotting the ball incorrectly to personal fouls. Instant replay has helped, but they have a long way to go before fans won't debate for hours after the game on the "bad calls".

I am not looking for a perfectly called game in the NFL, because I think there are a lot more moving parts than in baseball. That said, there are a lot of things that could be easily fixed and they don't.

 

[OOMPA Tailgate]

the refs are 60-to 300 years old! The all need investigation (as a team is getting it now HAHA!). Does everyone remember the Dallas and maybe Minn pass interference call when the ref got a bottle tossed from the stands and hit him home on the noggin? Maybe early 70's. Maybe Drew Pearson and whomever?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

the refs are 60-to 300 years old! The all need investigation (as a team is getting it now HAHA!). Does everyone remember the Dallas and maybe Minn pass interference call when the ref got a bottle tossed from the stands and hit him home on the noggin? Maybe early 70's. Maybe Drew Pearson and whomever?

This is the same thing we see in our Country today and it is a HUGE problem, someone talking out of their **** and gaslighting.

The average age of NFL refs is 51 years old.

For the record, I know 50+ year old people that are much more capable physically and mentally than 20-50 year olds. Age has nothing to do with the "perceived problem."

If you want to investigate all of them, maybe you should start a campaign on FOX or write a letter to your president?

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[OOMPA Tailgate]

This is the same thing we see in our Country today and it is a HUGE problem, someone talking out of their **** and gaslighting.

The average age of NFL refs is 51 years old.

For the record, I know 50+ year old people that are much more capable physically and mentally than 20-50 year olds. Age has nothing to do with the "perceived problem."

If you want to investigate all of them, maybe you should start a campaign on FOX or write a letter to your president?

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[Firethorn1001]

For me it isn't the "calling it to the letter of the law", but being able to correct bad/missed calls.

I think you would agree that there are a number of penalties in the NFL, right or wrong, that operate in the 'gray area'. Holding and pass interference are probably 2 of the most glaring ones, but even things that are well defined such as delay of game come down to how fast does the referee look at the clock vs the ball moving so then it comes down to what is a bad/missed call really? How many times do you watch games and hear the phrase 'He got away with one'? On a singular play level you can look at something and go 'yep, that was a penalty because of XYZ rule', but 100 plays in a game? I'm not sure they want to clean it up a bunch because I think the games would be flag fests. Heck, the play clock is an easy thing as it would hit 0 and buzzer goes off and if ball isn't moving penalty. But they don't even have a desire to do that.

I think they are just struggling right now with the basics because of all the layered garbage and 'points of emphasis' that NFL seems to want. How the offensive line lines up seems to be one this year based on the Eagles push play among other things.

 

[OOMPA Tailgate]

Huh?

THE AVERAGE ANYTHING us like as Dumb popo temperature in any country or gasoline price

Fox News?...quit vaping

 

[OldSchool101]

To be honest, I could see having just 2 refs on the field and the rest of them in the booth, with replay capability at their finger tips. They help spot the ball correctly after each play, this isn't rocket science, just a stubbornness to change in my opinion.

Well you know what they say. A Referee can’t change his stripes!