Last week, the NFL reportedly warned all coaches about bullying the replacement officials, following 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh’s antics in a Week One win over the Packers.
This week, the league is issuing the warning again.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the NFL has informed all teams this week that last weekend’s behavior won’t be acceptable this weekend.
“We contacted them to remind them that everyone has a responsibility to respect the game,” NFL Executive Vice President Ray Anderson told Schefter. “We expect it to be adhered to this weekend and forevermore.”
So why weren’t Fox and Del Rio fined? Until something tangible is done, these “I’m gonna turn this car around right now, Mister” warnings won’t be taken seriously.
That said, look for the Week Two officiating memo (which may appear . . . then disappear . . . then reappear on NFL.com) to urge the replacement officials to force teams to go with replacement coaches, if the head coaches act up.
As our friends at The Dan Patrick Show learned earlier this week, no NFL coach ever has been ejected from a game. If the NFL wants to get the coaches’ attention, actions will speak louder than warnings.