NFL warns teams about confronting officials
NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL has warned teams that it won't tolerate confrontational behavior toward replacement officials.
NFL.com said on Thursday night that senior league officials called owners, general managers and coaches from all 32 teams to tell them that respect for the game demands better on-field behavior.
NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson singled out Monday night's game for having examples of "unacceptable behavior."
He didn't specify which incidents in the Atlanta Falcons' victory over Denver crossed the line, but Broncos coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio both had heated arguments with officials.
Anderson said, "We're not going to tolerate it."
He said flags, fines and suspensions are possible for coaches or players who crossed the line.
The NFL locked out the regular officials in June and contract negotiations have broken down.
NFL.com said on Thursday night that senior league officials called owners, general managers and coaches from all 32 teams to tell them that respect for the game demands better on-field behavior.
NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson singled out Monday night's game for having examples of "unacceptable behavior."
He didn't specify which incidents in the Atlanta Falcons' victory over Denver crossed the line, but Broncos coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio both had heated arguments with officials.
Anderson said, "We're not going to tolerate it."
He said flags, fines and suspensions are possible for coaches or players who crossed the line.
The NFL locked out the regular officials in June and contract negotiations have broken down.
Roger, please pick these SCABS off the field.
Freedom of speech doesn't apply to the NFL?
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What country did I wake up in this morning?
 @bobalouie The First Amendment applies to the government -only-.  The NFL is a privately owned, operated, and funded corporation.  Do some research on laws before you toss them around.
He's singling out Monday nights game as an example of "unacceptable behavior", then W T F do they call the abysmally awful officiating???? The NFL sends a warning to teams and points out MNF, but makes no mention whatsoever about the Keystone Cops who are in charge of games????
GUESS WHAT NFL, THE FANS NO LONGER WANT TO TOLERATE AN INFERIOR PRODUCT.
 @ELITEMOTORS Really? How many empty seats will there be at the next game at the Clink? I think the fans tolerate anything they are fed.
The NFL needs to stop this BS and get back to the table with the regular refs, these so-called replacements are awful and not helping this so-called problem with "respect for the game" any more than confrontational coaches.
 @BluefireJaguar Hate to play devil's advocated, but the "so-called replacements" actually -are- replacements, even if they aren't up to par.  It's pretty factual they are replacing the regular referees.  And the "so-called problems" seems to be a problem that stims from another problem.  Sooo... it's a problem.
Fox actually was flagged in Monday's game, but that flag was picked up and not enforced. That's probably what Anderson was referring to - they won't be picking them up anymore. It'll be like a late hit - fifteen yards now, a letter from the NFL later in the week.
Steve Young gave the perfect analysis of this situation after Monday's game - the NFL doesn't care about the impact of replacement officials on the game because it doesn't affect revenues. But without the replacement officials, the NFL would be in a world of financial grief, making the replacement officials more important than the regular ones, hence the "hands off" warning. What's weird is that this admonishment by "the NFL" is just the owners telling their own coaches to dial it down, just without naming names.
I sure hope the entire season is not like this...what about the Superbowl if it comes to that? (shudders to think)
The thing is, they wouldn't be having confrontations with the replacement officials if the replacement officials were actually doing a decent job officiating. The NFL is right, the game does demand better on-field behavior - from the officials!
The NFL keeps shooting itself in the foot.