If Smith/the players are really that concerned for safety, they would find a way to avoid unsafe playing conditions- not leave safety issues for Goodell to handle by himself. If Goodell were in Smith’s position right now, I have no doubt that he would strike- and everyone would hate him for it, but he would be doing it for the welfare of his union members (which I’m pretty sure is a union head’s job)

Also, with how important it is to have informed, aware officials to make calls and actions that really ARE there for player safety, such as blowing a play dead, it is very important to indeed have the best on field you can get. Since the players will not look out for their safety given they could lose their job, and coaches who want the best players on the field they can get, it really is rather ridiculous we still have this lockout.
Don’t get me wrong, I have screamed at the television more times than I can remember about bad calls from “good” refs, but I don’t think I have ever seen the level of confusion I have seen in the replacements thus far. As a fan, I don’t want to see bad calls AND injuries related to officiating. Whatever the chances might be.

If you remember right, the slide rule was modified for quarterbacks back in ’05 or ’06, and when that play took place with VT, the old rule was in effect for a ball carrier, meaning he wasn’t down until he was touched by an opponent. Same way a ball carrier (who is NOT a QB) is today…he runs or catches a ball and dives, falls, or slides without being touched….he gets the credit for the yardage and can get back up and run if still in the field of play. Back in the day, before QB’s were completely pussified, that was the right call.

I watched maybe 15 minutes of the Eagles/Pats game last night and saw some blocks in the back on a few plays that were missed, and I don’t know how. At some point, this will become an embarrassment for the league and they’ll have to buckle. It may take a big time injury to a big time player on an illegal hit that will go uncalled….but it’s coming. You can see the guys (and gal) getting better each week, but there’s an obvious drop-off.

I do think think it probably will go into the season but the minute the replacement officials cost a team a real game that team’s owner will be screaming at Goodell and it will be over.

Like an above poster mentioned Austin Collie has another concussion and wants to keep playing. If he’s joining a lawsuit in 15 years claiming the league endangered him then he looks like a fool.

That’s not the officials fault that’s certainly not the league’s fault it’s Austin Collie and his union’s fault.

meaning more $$$ for them down the road…

If both sides were truly concerned about the players and not their wallets, these would never become issues.

Plus, none of them could wear a medium shirt when he should be wearing a XL like Ed Hoculi and keep it from ripping. Dude is JACKED.

Ironically, it’s not the NFLPA that ever cared about the safety of players. The changes that have come about and the punishments meted out are being mandated by the NFL. It’s clearly a case of ownership saving the players from themselves.

Has there been a higher rate of injuries in the first two pre-season games than there was last year?

As you suggest, the replacement refs are already getting better. Didn’t Mike Pereira get his start as a replacement?

Perhaps the answer is, the replacements aren’t really all that bad and the Regulars should get to the bargaining table sooner rather than later.

There’s nothing the players can do, as not only can I not see the suggested lawsuit having a remote chance of being successful, but if the NFLPA comes across as suit happy it could harm their other pending litigations against the NFL .