Sportazine

The NFL preseason is over halfway over and the lockout of the NFL Referees Association does not appear to be coming to a close. There are of course philosophical and political issues at play as there is in any dispute between workers and business owners. ESPN However, the real reason fans should be concerned about the lockout is because the temporary officials will affect the results of games. Most of the temporary officials have experience in either arena, Canadian, or non division I college football. The members of the NFL Referees Association are trained officials with experience with NFL games and rules. The problem is worsened by the fact that the referees most qualified to fill in (Division I coaches) will not because the NFLRA would never let them join after the lockout ends. The ongoing lockout should be a continual disappointment to every NFL fan. Hopefully a compromise will be reached in the next few days so that the proper officials will be ready for the games that actually matter in the season.