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Referees locked out
Published
12 years agoon
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AdminBy Brandon Niles Explorebigsky.com Sports Columnist
While the ongoing battle between the NFL and its referee officials is a well known of issue in sports, it’s gained only nominal buzz outside the football world – lost, perhaps, among last season’s league strikes and the possible looming NHL lockout.
The NFL Referees Association began their lockout in June of this year. Since then, talks have broken down, and the league office has used replacement officials since the beginning of the preseason. The last time this occurred was 11 years ago, when an agreement was made after the first week of the season. So far, no such deal seems to be on the horizon.
Many NFL fans have been clamoring for the league and its rule-keepers to strike a deal quickly, because the replacement officials have already been criticized for making vital mistakes early in the season.
Undoubtedly, the league office will soon begin feeling the heat from owners, fans and the press. After the first week of the regular season, water cooler discussions all over the country were centered on various mistakes made during opening day.
Regardless of whether one takes the side of the officials or the league, an argument can be made that the league’s recent commitment to safety might be at jeopardy as result of the replacement officials. While this statement may seem to favor the referee’s side of the debate, I can’t help but think players are less safe with replacement officials on the field.
On opening day there were multiple occasions when defensive players made bone-crushing hits, leading with their helmets, but the referees threw very few penalty flags. Some of these players may later earn penalties from the league office, after the NFL reviews the games; however, each illegal hit that goes by without a penalty encourages players to return to the hard-hitting ways of old. This seems to run contrary to the league’s admirable change in emphasis on player safety.
Ultimately, I think this will get worked out, and I’m not one argue about the performance of referees. They have difficult, stressful their jobs, and I don’t envy them at all.
But I am concerned that yet another lockout in a league that saw a bitter end to the 2011 players’ lockout could cause a further rift between the players and the commissioner. The players already have an “us versus them” mentality, and I find it hard to believe that the league office wants a similar situation with the referees.
In the meantime, give the replacement refs a break from all the criticism. They’re doing the best they can at a terribly difficult job, and without them, we’d have no football at all.
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
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