Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not happy with the NFL’s replacement officials after today’s 24-23 loss to the Eagles.
Flacco seemed to be particularly upset about an offensive pass interference penalty that nullified an apparent 25-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones, and he told reporters after the game that he’s fed up with the officials who are working while the regular refs are locked out.
According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Flacco said after the game that the replacement refs are “affecting the integrity of the game.”
Flacco said he hates complaining because he doesn’t want to “sound like a baby,” but he felt it needed to be said. Ravens coach John Harbaugh added that he thought it was a “chaotic game.”
Harbaugh is right: There were several times during the game when the officials were far too slow to get things straightened out, and as a result the game lasted well over three and a half hours.
The question now is whether the NFL plans to do anything about it: If players and coaches continue complaining and insisting that the integrity of the game is being affected -- and if the paying customers voice their agreement -- then the NFL may have no choice but to listen, and to take steps toward ending the lockout.