This is going to be a fun NFL season.

Holy shit, these replacement refs are awful. The NFL better get the referee lockout taken care of ASAP. The first video with the touchback that didn't come close to happening is appalling.

http://deadspin.com/5933558/how-bad-were-replacement-refs-last-night-lets-examine-the-video-evidence

It's another season for me to watch the Bears get bent over. >\

that's awesome.

I wonder if he also owns one of these.

I swear to god, I don't know what it is, we can never beat the fucking Packers. I think we beat them once every 4 years. It's so fucking frustrating. I think even the year we went to the Super Bowl we didn't beat them the two times we played them.

GARBAGE!!!!!

Think of how I feel! However lousy the Bears are, they still blew us out last week!

haven't been paying attention to football, but i just found out that the 49ers beat the packers in week 1
that's really all that matters.

WHOO PACKERS!

Maybe the Colts will help the Packers out by beating the Vikings (they won't).

Benfolio wrote:

WHOO PACKERS!

that's such a cheesy gag.

Colts win. Pats lose. It's a good day.

SF beat the Lions, but that wasn't a foregone conclusion.

hoping for the best because SF hasn't been any good in years, but I'm prepared for dissapoint.

NFL: It was clearly a catch, we don't know what everyone's talking about.



God, that was such a shitshow. The real refs need all the fucking money. All of it. Stop being pricks, NFL.

I already knew that one of the replacement refs was formerly a ref in the Lingerie Football League, but this official LFL statement released tonight is amazing. http://deadspin.com/5946112/the-lingerie-football-league-announces-that-it-fired-a-couple-crews-which-apparently-are-now-officiating-in-the-nfl-because-of-incompetence

Because of the LFL's perception it is that much more critical for us to hire officiating crews that are competent, not only for the credibility of our game but to keep our athletes safer. Due to several [instances of] on-field incompetent officiating we chose to part ways with with [sic] a couple crews which apparently are now officiating in the NFL. We have a lot of respect for our officials but we felt the officiating was not in line with our expectations.

We have not made public comment to date because we felt it was not our place to do so. However in light of tonight's event, we felt it was only fair that NFL fans knew the truth as to who are officiating these games.

BOOM roasted.

Turbojett wrote:

I watched the game between Green Bay and Seattle. Ok if I may?

At first the ball definitely looks to have been intercepted for a touch back in the end zone by Green Bay's, Jennings. However as he and Seattle's Tate both fell to the ground both then had a grasp of the ball. In the melee that followed it was too hard to tell if one or the other had more control of the football. The NFL rules are that if a defender and the offensive players both have seemingly simultaneous grasp of the ball in the end zone the offensive player will be credited with a reception.

Now for the officials it was just not clear enough to determine if Jennings had more control of the ball or not over Tate as they fell to the ground. They had to rule on what they saw. Yes,one official, ruled touch back the other a touch down.

I figured at first Seattle got away with a steal as I did not know how the NFL rules in such a situation. But as its was said a simultaneous grasp of the ball will yield the reception to the offensive player in the end zone.

So all in all with such a high impact finish and scrum and such I think Seattle got a legit win even if it did look murky at first.

Jennings caught it with both hands and pulled it to his chest. Tate only ever had one hand touching the ball. It wasn't a case of simultaneous possession, it was pretty clear it was an interception by Jennings. They gotta get rid of these idiot refs. That was the most ridiculous call I've ever seen. Not to mention Tate shoved one of the Packer defenders right before "catching" it, which was missed by the refs. Green Bay won that game.

Turbojett wrote:SF beat the Lions, but that wasn't a foregone conclusion.

hoping for the best because SF hasn't been any good in years, but I'm prepared for dissapoint.

Now that Alex Smith can't wear his Giants cap during the post game interviews, things are not looking up.

Also, how about those Giants.

Sorry about both the LA teams dude - I thought the Angels would walk away with at least a WC spot. I'm glad the Dodgers got bent over for the last half of the season though. Fuck them.

They’re in over their heads. Some of them, they were saying last night, are used to ref’ing high school games back in Texas. That’s a big jump, as all the other good refs are ref’ing in college ball where they already were. IMO, they’re not to blame… the NFL is to blame for not coming to some sort of agreement with the original refs. They’re doing their best in a shit situation. Obviously there have been some blown calls but what the fuck do you expect?

Everyone is using them as a scapegoat. Sure, they blow some calls… some bigger than others. But, had Green Bay actually showed up to play in the first half of the game, they’d have been up by eight plus points and it wouldn’t have mattered. To put the blame on one guy for one play in a game that lasts 60 minutes is weak. Maybe GB should look at their offensive line, who let their QB get sacked EIGHT TIMES in the first half!

It’s like Dana White tells fighters: Don’t let the judges decide. Go out there and end it on your own!

Hey NFL, you made the bed now it's time to lie in it. That being said, the 'original' refs are probably laughing all the way to the bank. The NFL needs Ed Hercules back. I miss that guy... (no homo)

HA! Apparently, SI.com agrees with me:

"Don't blame the replacement refs for what happened last night. Blame the man who worries more about socks, sleeves and touchdown celebrations than the refereeing in his league, Roger Goodell. Sadly, we shouldn't be surprised Goodell would compromise the integrity of the NFL for money. This is the same league that makes fans who buy season tickets pay FULL price for exhibition games. And Goodell is the same man who went around lying about fans wanting a 18-game regular season. Fans, of course, don't want to pay full price for exhibition games, so Goodell thought chopping two games off the exhibition season and adding them to the regular season would be the solution to the owners still getting all of their cash. (Greedy) Of course, while touting the benefits of an 18-game schedule, Goodell would also try to convince people that he cares about player safety. (Phony) And now we have the referee debacle. The league that prints money has now compromised the integrity of the games over $3 million. And while anyone with a set of functioning eyes (and even people without a set of functioning eyes) can see the replacement refs have no business calling games, Goodell responds by threatening players and coaches who dare knock the replacement refs. (Bully) Well, after last night, the entire league is now completely out of control. Congrats, Roger"

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/extramustard/hotclicks/09/25/nfl-replacement-refs-give-seahawks-win-over-packers/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_bf1_a3

Well said.

is it just me, or is every guy at the head of every major sports sanctioning body incompetent?
Roger Goodell
Bud Selig
David Stern
The France family

need I go on?

I'm sick of major league sports. The players don't give a shit, the owners don't give a shit, the company doesn't give a shit. All they see are $$$$, because we are all stupid enough to keep paying for it. For the players, it's the end of the line. Everything that they worked for through high school and college to get to this point doesn't mean shit. All they want is that 7 figure paycheck and they could give a shit less if they put on a good show or not.

Even though the top leagues of racing are ridiculous, I will say that the drivers and the teams still seem pretty passionate about what they are doing and aren't just in it for a million dollar paycheck. All the ridiculous shit you see and stupid shit gets decided are the from the company.

Oh and......

SBF wrote:I'm sick of major league sports. The players don't give a shit, the owners don't give a shit, the company doesn't give a shit. All they see are $$$$, because we are all stupid enough to keep paying for it. For the players, it's the end of the line. Everything that they worked for through high school and college to get to this point doesn't mean shit. All they want is that 7 figure paycheck and they could give a shit less if they put on a good show or not.

Even though the top leagues of racing are ridiculous, I will say that the drivers and the teams still seem pretty passionate about what they are doing and aren't just in it for a million dollar paycheck. All the ridiculous shit you see and stupid shit gets decided are the from the company.

well, i would think so in the case of FIA or ALMS or other things, but Nascar is a damned circus.

thewalrus wrote:Sorry about both the LA teams dude - I thought the Angels would walk away with at least a WC spot. I'm glad the Dodgers got bent over for the last half of the season though. Fuck them.

we're still in the running, dude.
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_25_seamlb_anamlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=ana

SBF wrote:I'm sick of major league sports. The players don't give a shit, the owners don't give a shit, the company doesn't give a shit. All they see are $$$$, because we are all stupid enough to keep paying for it. For the players, it's the end of the line. Everything that they worked for through high school and college to get to this point doesn't mean shit. All they want is that 7 figure paycheck and they could give a shit less if they put on a good show or not.

Even though the top leagues of racing are ridiculous, I will say that the drivers and the teams still seem pretty passionate about what they are doing and aren't just in it for a million dollar paycheck. All the ridiculous shit you see and stupid shit gets decided are the from the company.

I think the players want something done and most of them are just as passionate as top-level racers. You can't tell me dudes like Ray Lewis or Peyton Manning or Larry Fitzgerald aren't passionate about the game. They're getting screwed out of wins and stats (which not only lead to bragging rights, but better pay when it comes to new contracts). Brawls, excessive hits, and cheap shots are more frequent and worse than they were in years past, so they're at further risk for injury. Unfortunately, after ratifying the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, their hands are tied unless they can prove legally that their working conditions are significantly more hazardous than they were, but that would be hard to prove even as shitty as things are. The NFLPA convened Tuesday to see what they could do to try and force the issue, but their options are limited.

Like Talon posted, the difference in labor negotiations with the refs is a bit over $3 million in pay and pensions. Not a lot to most players, but a bunch of money to part-time refs who have to work other jobs and have been given a contract offer that is far less than what they were getting before. In a league that makes about $10 Billion a year and consistently fucks over cities for hundreds of millions in payments and tax breaks for new stadiums, this is pocket change. Many owners piss tens of millions away every year in stupid deals for certain overvalued shitty players, but the NFL just can't seem to scrape together a few bucks out of the couch to pay the refs. They're taking a calculated risk that they can put terrible scab refs out there and save a few dollars, fuck over the referee's union, and people will still watch and buy trinkets while networks and advertisers continue to shovel money at them. The sad thing is that they may be right.

thewalrus wrote:

Turbojett wrote:SF beat the Lions, but that wasn't a foregone conclusion.

hoping for the best because SF hasn't been any good in years, but I'm prepared for dissapoint.

Now that Alex Smith can't wear his Giants cap during the post game interviews, things are not looking up.

Oddly enough, the rule only extended to the cap. He could walk out with a garish polo shirt that had Giants logos stitched all over it, and it would have been fine. I'd have totally done that next time if were him.

Turbojett wrote:is it just me, or is every guy at the head of every major sports sanctioning body incompetent?
Roger Goodell
Bud Selig
David Stern
The France family

need I go on?

Don't forget about Gary Bettman.

Turbojett wrote:is it just me, or is every guy at the head of every major sports sanctioning body incompetent?
Roger Goodell
Bud Selig
David Stern
The France family

need I go on?

I don't mind Bud Selig, honestly. The 2 WC spots was a good move. And baseball as a whole seems healthier than it has in a while. So I think he's done a competent job. Can't imagine it's an easy one either.

SBF wrote:I'm sick of major league sports. The players don't give a shit, the owners don't give a shit, the company doesn't give a shit. All they see are $$$$, because we are all stupid enough to keep paying for it. For the players, it's the end of the line. Everything that they worked for through high school and college to get to this point doesn't mean shit. All they want is that 7 figure paycheck and they could give a shit less if they put on a good show or not.

Even though the top leagues of racing are ridiculous, I will say that the drivers and the teams still seem pretty passionate about what they are doing and aren't just in it for a million dollar paycheck. All the ridiculous shit you see and stupid shit gets decided are the from the company.

I don't know man. I just take it for what it is - entertainment. For all the hassels and headaches and BS... it's still fun to watch professional sports. It's still fun to complain about a bad call, or get excited when your team makes it pretty far.

I also wouldn't say that athletes lack passion or don't give a shit. Sure, some of them do. But a lot don't. In baseball - I look at someone like Barry Zito. Dude has been stinking it up with SF for a while. At least since he signed his mega deal. Not really sure what his deal was. But he could have mailed it in, taking his 9 figure pay check and never looked back. Instead, he gave an awesome effort this season and was more than a competent pitcher for the Giants. Hell, with Tim struggling he arguably saved their season. Gritty effort. Took determination, passion, a love of the game, and respect for the team and it's fans in my opinion.

Also, say what you want to about him and his personality - but Kobe Bryant always comes out giving 110%. Hell, the dude plays basketball through injuries that would probably sideline me from my desk job. That's giving a shit.

Obviously, some dudes don't give a shit about the sport they play once they sign big with a team. But I'd argue that most professional athletes still care about playing well and achieving something other than monetary success.

Turbojett wrote:

thewalrus wrote:Sorry about both the LA teams dude - I thought the Angels would walk away with at least a WC spot. I'm glad the Dodgers got bent over for the last half of the season though. Fuck them.

we're still in the running, dude.
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_25_seamlb_anamlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=ana

Angles, yeah. They might make it - especially if Oakland gets killed by Texas this series. I like the Angels though, so I hope they do it. They're my Southern California team. Dodgers though are dead in the water.

Haha, Kobe Bryant... Duncan Keith lols at Koybe Bryant

Talon wrote:Haha, Kobe Bryant... Duncan Keith lols at Koybe Bryant

You don't need your teeth to play hockey - you do need your fingers to play basketball, and Kobe played how long with a broken index finger?

In any case, point is made I think - the best sports stars are definitely in it for something other than money.

It's a matter of dealing with the pain and losing seven teeth would be more painful than a broken finger.

Bobby Baun scores SC goal with a broken ankle.

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2009/04/stanley-cup-legends-bobby-bauns-broken.html

Talon wrote:It's a matter of dealing with the pain and losing seven teeth would be more painful than a broken finger.

Bobby Baun scores SC goal with a broken ankle.

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2009/04/stanley-cup-legends-bobby-bauns-broken.html

I'm not sure I believe that - at least not if you're putting a lot of pressure on the broken finger by passing and shooting with it.

The lockout is over...praise Jesus!

Just saw that. Apparently, it came down to the refs getting a pension and a 4% raise. Wow... seriously, Goodell? What an asshole.

In the end, the NFL was battling over $3.3 million per year in pension payouts. That was a meager $103,125 per team per year for a $9 billion-plus industry.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--nfl-gives-into-public-pressure-and-does-right-thing-by-bringing-back-regular-officials.html