We’re getting closer to the regular season and the realization that replacement officials could be working real games is starting to set in around the league.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said that replacements didn’t know the rules about defenseless receivers, Titans coaches had their own complaints about the guys working their game against the Cardinals and even players watching the games on television are weighing in. Bears kicker Robbie Gould sent out a tweet while watching the Titans-Cardinals game on Thursday night that left little need to interpret how he really feels.
Watching the coaches get upset on @espn because the refs ate clueless @nfl when did you stop caring about the integrity of the game
— Robbie Gould (@RobbieGould09) August 24, 2012
Florio and others might believe that a concerted effort from players would be the best way to spark a new round of negotiations aimed at ending the lockout, something that would definitely include Gould’s commentary on the work by the folks in the striped shirts. The NFL isn’t publicly wavering from their stance, though. Despite evidence to the contrary, NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson said that the replacement officials are improving.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello will be on PFT Live Friday for a longer discussion on where things stand in regard to the officiating. If the reaction to Thursday night’s game is any indication, it won’t be the last one.