For the first time in the history of the NFL, the league will employ 24 full time game referees. So what does that mean?
Well, it means that 24 of the 124 refs the league uses will not have to hold down another job on the side. It’s important to note that most of these side jobs are lawyers who probably make six figures or more a year, so I’m not sure what the NFL is offering in pay that will entice a guy like Ed Hochuli into abandoning the Jones, Skelton & Hochuli Law Firm, at which he is a partner and worked at since 1983.
With the NFL going to some full time referees, the dream of being represented in court by Ed Hochuli is likely over. pic.twitter.com/BhhxlpUQ5N
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 9, 2017
Regardless, the NFL Referees Association agreed it was a good move and I’m sure if there are 24 guys or gals out there that don’t drive Porches to work every day, the full time NFL deal will sound pretty good.
“We believe this is a great development for NFL officiating overall and ultimately the quality of our game,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement. “We share a common goal, which is to make our game as great as it can possibly be, and look forward to working together on this new effort.”
@dpshow Ed Hochuli is an attorney? I'm surprised they let those guns in a court room.
— Dave (@Wadd52) August 10, 2017
Now, you’d think that the full time guys would be the lead refs, but that would make too much sense. Instead, the NFL will hire at least one full time official at each of the game’s seven officiating positions.
“NFL officials are always looking to improve, and we believe that additional time, particularly in the off-season, will be positive,” NFLRA executive director Scott Green said. “We’re looking forward to working together with the league on this effort.”
But do they really? Like I said, it’s hard to believe, short of massive salaries, that the cream of the referee crop will want to go full time. At least not until they retire on top of a huge Scrooge McDuckian Money Bin from their lawyer jobs or whatever money grubbing thing they do.
Consider Jeff Tripllette, considered by many to be the worst head NFL official of all time. He’ll probably end up being one of the full time refs because his current real world job is as CEO of ArbiterSports.com, a website that claims it helps assign officials to sports teams. He used to be COO of FNC, Inc., a monster mortgage company, but decided he wanted to commit to being a shitty ref and help other shitty refs get jobs. Go ahead and sign him up, NFL.
You can leave Jeff Triplette out. https://t.co/3Dk7GrZu16
— Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf) August 9, 2017
A guy like Gene Steratore is one of the best refs in the business. He’s so good, in fact, that he not only officiates NFL games, but has worked as an NCAA basketball official since 1995. You’d think there’s a chance he might want to go full time, but there’s a problem with that; he runs his own business with his brother Tony, an NFL back judge, called Steratore Sanitary Supplies. That’s right, it’s a family business. One you pass on to your kids and grandkids. Is he going to give that up?
Tell me they are starting with Gene Steratore since he is a full time official anyway…even if is two sports.
— Carmen DeSantis1 🌹🎙 (@DeSantis1984) August 9, 2017
But a waste of a striped shirt like Jerome Boger? He’ll roll over to full time, sure. As far as I can tell his real world job is as an insurance underwriter for Allstate.
Jerome Boger in mid-season form. pic.twitter.com/NjTtEnFYJV
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) August 4, 2017
The biggest problem with NFL officiating isn’t the lack of full time refs, but the incompetence of the referees they already have. And, if anything, this will just make the guys like Triplette and Boger more entrenched. The NFL needs to punish officials for poor calls, especially when they define a game. Not just apologize after the fact. And, if anything, they should be firing about 24 officials instead of hiring 24 on full time. Start with Triplette and Boger.
Devonta Freeman sets new market for running backs
Anytime a young, star player signs a new deal it seems the market is reset. Le’Veon Bell had the chance to do that this off-season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and decided to play out the year on the franchise tag instead. Devonta Freeman and the Atlanta Falcons decided against that.
Instead, Freeman and the Falcons agreed to a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension with a $15 million signing bonus and $22 million guaranteed. Freeman’s average salary of $8.25 million a season is second only behind Bell’s franchise tag $12 million at the running back position.
A young boy from the bottom. You put that work in & stay humble, you'll be rewarded. All glory to GOD🙏🏾 Now we just gotta go get the trophy!
— Devonta Freeman (@devontafreeman) August 9, 2017
Freeman was headed into the final year of his rookie contract after the Falcons drafted him in the fourth round out of Florida State in 2014. Freeman has hit the 1,000 yard mark for two consecutive seasons and scored 11 rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Last year, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 227 carries, gaining 1,079 yards while splitting considerable carries with Tevin Coleman. Freeman caught 54 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns.
“We are very pleased that we were able to get this extension done,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “Devonta embodies everything we are looking for in a Falcon, and we are proud that he’ll be able to spend his career here in Atlanta.”
Other NFL News
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will lose cornerback Jude Adeji-Barimah for a while after he might have fractured is pateller in his right knee. He and the team are looking for a second opinion, but if it’s confirmed, he’ll miss about four months. Last season Adeji-Barimah started one game and played in 10. He recorded 22 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defended. The Bucs will also hold cornerback Brent Grimes out of their preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a leg injury.
The San Francisco 49ers cut offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah Wednesday night. In a corresponding roster move, the 49ers signed linebacker Sean Porter. Zuttah was acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in a draft day trade.
The Dallas Cowboys have extended punter Chris Jones’ contract through the 2021 season in a deal worth $8.7 million with $4.5 million guaranteed. Jones was a former All-South Atlantic Conference performer at NCAA Division II Carson-Newman and has started for Dallas since 2013. He currently holds the team record for punts downed inside the opponent’s 20 yard line at 39.9 percent.
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