"All-star" officiating crew for Rams-Chiefs game

[Eleazar]

NFL ups intensity with all-star officials for Rams-Chiefs game

Kevin Seifert
ESPN.com NFL Nation



The NFL took the unusual step this week of assigning an "all-star" officiating crew to the most highly anticipated game of the season, adding to the playofflike frenzy for Monday night's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams.

Referee Clete Blakeman will work the game with only two members of his regular crew, umpire Ramon George and down judge Dana McKenzie. The other five officials -- including Jim Lapetina, who will handle replay -- were plucked from four other crews.

The approach is similar to how the NFL assigns officials to playoff games, a process that is based on performance and seniority rather than crew. But it is rarely, if ever, employed before the postseason. Officials typically work on the same eight-person crews throughout the regular season to maximize continuity and familiarity among members.

Individual crew members are occasionally juggled for health or scheduling reasons. But a series of actions this season have indicated the league is moving away from the consistent crew concept, in favor of a more aggressive administration of officiating. Earlier this season, the league bounced down judge Hugo Cruz among four crews before ultimately making him its first-ever official to be fired for performance during the season.

NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed Sunday that "there is a rotation amongst the crews throughout the season." Signora did not provide details on the decision to overhaul Blakeman's crew for Monday night's game.

An officiating source said Sunday that the five officials added to Monday night's crew are all highly respected and have performed well this season.

The Chiefs-Rams game, originally scheduled to be played in Mexico City before it was relocated to Los Angeles, is a rare matchup. Since 1970, there have been only four other games pitting teams with one or fewer losses this late in the season. And according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the latest matchup ever between two teams averaging at least 33 points per game.

The following is the full crew for Monday night's game, as listed on the official flip card published by the NFL, with the officials' permanent referee in parentheses:


Referee: Clete Blakeman

Umpire: Ramon George (Blakeman)

Down judge: Dana McKenzie (Blakeman)

Line judge: Rusty Baynes (John Hussey)

Field judge: Dale Shaw (Jerome Boger)

Side judge: Brad Freeman (Clay Martin)

Back judge: Tony Steratore (Boger)

Replay: Jim Lapetina (Brad Allen)



http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...ff-rams-chiefs

[crayzkirk]

Part of the problem is that the Chiefs aren't well disciplined; they are known to commit a lot of penalties so the refs, which were terrible, are going to be looking for an excuse to call them.

The Chiefs had multiple chances to win the game and didn't. The Chiefs have a QB that has started all of 12 games in the NFL and has a record of 10-2 in those games.

Time to let it go, it's over and done. The Chiefs have had a history of losing big games and until they are able to stop committing penalties and take advantage of the opportunities, nothing will change.

Does it make everyone happy to think that the Chiefs are just the redheaded stepchild of the NFL?

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Chiefs have committed 10+ penalties in half of their games this season.

First thing my 88 year old aunt harps on our Monday morning game chats.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by crayzkirk

Part of the problem is that the Chiefs aren't well disciplined; they are known to commit a lot of penalties so the refs, which were terrible, are going to be looking for an excuse to call them.

The Chiefs had multiple chances to win the game and didn't. The Chiefs have a QB that has started all of 12 games in the NFL and has a record of 10-2 in those games.

Time to let it go, it's over and done. The Chiefs have had a history of losing big games and until they are able to stop committing penalties and take advantage of the opportunities, nothing will change.

Does it make everyone happy to think that the Chiefs are just the redheaded stepchild of the NFL?

Is that a form of bias? Is that professional?

And I'm not sure the Chiefs are any more or less disciplined that other teams, I'd argue that their "holding of the tongue" with the officials is very tempered.

Seriously, when Ford or Houston have a defenders arm wrapped around their neck, why no flag? And when there isn't a flag, why aren't they going full-on Tom Brady on the head official?

[dlphg9]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Is that a form of bias? Is that professional?

And I'm not sure the Chiefs are any more or less disciplined that other teams, I'd argue that their "holding of the tongue" with the officials is very tempered.

Seriously, when Ford or Houston have a defenders arm wrapped around their neck, why no flag? And when there isn't a flag, why aren't they going full-on Tom Brady on the head official?

Yeah Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers look very professional and disciplined as they chew the officials asses lol. They never get penalities called against them.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

They were swayed by the NFL and the "LA Agenda", don't get it twisted.

The league manipulates calls to favor a specific outcome.

The refs didn't get 'swept up by the RamzFanz mass hysteria'

They did what the voice in those earpieces told them to do.

Don't forget that.

If the league had a true LA agenda, why are the Chargers 30th in penalties?

Hell if it's just the LA Rams agenda, why is this the first year out of the 3 years they've been in LA they've been higher than 16th in penalties?

A lot of these agendas make no sense when you really look at the numbers. Like the supposed Steelers agenda when they're 31st in the league in penalties.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by -King-

If the league had a true LA agenda, why are the Chargers 30th in penalties?

Hell if it's just the LA Rams agenda, why is this the first year out of the 3 years they've been in LA they've been higher than 16th in penalties?

A lot of these agendas make no sense when you really look at the numbers. Like the supposed Steelers agenda when they're 31st in the league in penalties.
Posted via Mobile Device

Missing a false start on a 3rd and goal that results in a TD..is different than a false start called on 2nd down at the 45 yard line.

The timing and implications of each individual call/non call is more important than quantity.

There were no holding calls in the 2nd half in the Steelers playoff game...until the Chiefs tied it late. Very timely officiating...it's the way it will always be for the Chiefs. This season is no exception.

NFL corporate has made it evident that KC will not get a fairly officiated game in a high stakes atmosphere. I will not be watching KC in the play-offs this year...from Triplette to the Steelers game to the "all-star" crew and the zero penalty NE game.. I wont give the NFL the joy of watching them screw over a small market team for a 3rd straight year. It's coming...and it'll add to long list of new and creative ways to **** the Chiefs. I thought Mahomes would change things...it hasnt. They are just scoring more points...

They threw 9 ****ing flags against zero in the 1st quarter...

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by -King-

If the league had a true LA agenda, why are the Chargers 30th in penalties?

Hell if it's just the LA Rams agenda, why is this the first year out of the 3 years they've been in LA they've been higher than 16th in penalties?

A lot of these agendas make no sense when you really look at the numbers. Like the supposed Steelers agenda when they're 31st in the league in penalties.
Posted via Mobile Device

It's a coping mechanism.

[BlackOp]

The writing is on the wall....Monday night wasn't an accident...if anything, it was predictive programming.

I cant watch refs winking that the opposing QB after they blow a crucial play...and send Reid to near stroke level just to get a proper call.

I had optimism to start the year...it's looking like the same old shit though.

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

It's a coping mechanism.

It's not...

We just had the NFL sell the public that they were putting a hand-picked crew together to deliver an error-free game.

It turned in the biggest botched contest of the season...and, of course, KC was the negative recipient of it. Just like when Triplette invents a play to kill a sack fumble that has never been called...then retires after the game. Costs KC 3 points...and they lose by 3 points. Or the refs call zero penalties on NE even though there is glaring evidence that there were some at crucial moments.

I realized after the resident Patriot-douche chimed in on the officiating thread...that they have a completely different NFL experience. They went to a SB after the tuck rule was called in their favor and haven't looked back. The NFL always rules in their favor.....just last year the refs let them back in the Jags game. They dont go into a big game expecting to get ****ed by the refs..because it never happens to them.

Chiefs fans are left playing the what if game after it happens over and over and over...and are doing it again right now.

I'm only watching KC in 2018 because Mahomes is setting records...but in the end, nothing has changed. KC is still getting hosed in big games and losing by 3 points...

[-King-]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

It's not...

We just had the NFL sell the public that they were putting a hand-picked crew together to deliver an error-free game.

It turned in the biggest botched contest of the season...and, of course, KC was the negative recipient of it. Just like when Triplette invents a play to kill a sack fumble that has never been called...then retires after the game. Costs KC 3 points...and they lose by 3 points. Or the refs call zero penalties on NE even though there is glaring evidence that there were some at crucial moments.

I realized after the resident Patriot-douche chimed in on the officiating thread...that they have a completely different NFL experience. They went to a SB after the tuck rule was called in their favor and haven't looked back. The NFL always rules in their favor.....just last year the refs let them back in the Jags game. They dont go into a big game expecting to get ****ed by the refs..because it never happens to them.

Chiefs fans are left playing the what if game after it happens over and over and over...and are doing it again right now.

I'm only watching KC in 2018 because Mahomes is setting records...but in the end, nothing has changed. KC is still getting hosed in big games and losing by 3 points...

Tell us again how the league rigged the 2017 playoffs to have Brady face Rodgers in the Superbowl.

That was such a great story. And can you tell us who the league is rigging to be in the Superbowl this year?
Posted via Mobile Device

[-King-]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Missing a false start on a 3rd and goal that results in a TD..is different than a false start called on 2nd down at the 45 yard line.

The timing and implications of each individual call/non call is more important than quantity.

There were no holding calls in the 2nd half in the Steelers playoff game...until the Chiefs tied it late. Very timely officiating...it's the way it will always be for the Chiefs. This season is no exception.

NFL corporate has made it evident that KC will not get a fairly officiated game in a high stakes atmosphere. I will not be watching KC in the play-offs this year...from Triplette to the Steelers game to the "all-star" crew and the zero penalty NE game.. I wont give the NFL the joy of watching them screw over a small market team for a 3rd straight year. It's coming...and it'll add to long list of new and creative ways to **** the Chiefs. I thought Mahomes would change things...it hasnt. They are just scoring more points...

They threw 9 ****ing flags against zero in the 1st quarter...

Lol so the refs way of rigging the game was to call 9-0 penalties on the chiefs in the first quarter and then 8 penalties on the Rams to 4 penalties on the chiefs the rest of the game? Shouldn't that be the other way around if they were truly trying to make sure the Rams won the game? Especially after we caught back up/took the lead.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by -King-

Lol so the refs way of rigging the game was to call 9-0 penalties on the chiefs in the first quarter and then 8 penalties on the Rams to 4 penalties on the chiefs the rest of the game? Shouldn't that be the other way around if they were truly trying to make sure the Rams won the game? Especially after we caught back up/took the lead.
Posted via Mobile Device

Keep the faith...NFL is "banking" on it.

As for me...I've seen this movie before and frankly, the NFL product kind of sucks now anyways. I sure some were "enthralled" by the TD fest...but I found it rather monotonous. This isn't the game I enjoyed for 40+ years...it's dumbed-down and feels fake. I dont care how many mouthpieces try to sell me on the "new" NFL...it's lame.

I've been waiting for KC to land the miracle QB for that entire time... and now realize it wasn't the issue. Chiefs haven't had the crushing losses due to anything other than a deliberate agenda...and I've often wondered if it was payback for Dawson burning the mafia to the FBI. Whatever it is..I'm too old to follow this anymore. The NFL became more of an avenue to expose fraud than enjoying the game....the beginning of the Rams game was it for me. They arent even trying to hide it anymore...and Mahomes isn't going to solve it.

Dont hold your breath when the play-offs roll around....if two record setting collapses in 5 years wasn't enough proof along with the Steelers holding call and Triplette making shit up ..maybe this year will end the debate.

I dont want to watch a game where I have to hope the officials "let" the team I root for win because the QB sells Pepsi....that's ****ing stupid and Orwellian (actually Huxley but that topic isn't for this forum).

Dont blame me...blame corporate greed. Maybe the NFL will ultimately achieve it's end game and Darnold pans out. They can have NY/LA SBs for 10 consecutive years...

[-King-]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Keep the faith...NFL is "banking" on it.

As for me...I've seen this movie before and frankly, the NFL product kind of sucks now anyways. I sure some were "enthralled" by the TD fest...but I found it rather monotonous. This isn't the game I enjoyed for 40+ years...it's dumbed-down and feels fake. I dont care how many mouthpieces try to sell me on the "new" NFL...it's lame.

I've been waiting for KC to land the miracle QB for that entire time... and now realize it wasn't the issue. Chiefs haven't had the crushing losses due to anything other than a deliberate agenda...and I've often wondered if it was payback for Dawson burning the mafia to the FBI. Whatever it is..I'm too old to follow this anymore. The NFL became more of an avenue to expose fraud than enjoying the game....the beginning of the Rams game was it for me. They arent even trying to hide it anymore...and Mahomes isn't going to solve it.

Dont hold your breath when the play-offs roll around....if two record setting collapses in 5 years wasn't enough proof along with the Steelers holding call and Triplette making shit up ..maybe this year will end the debate.

I dont want to watch a game where I have to hope the officials "let" the team I root for win because the QB sells Pepsi....that's ****ing stupid and Orwellian (actually Huxley but that topic isn't for this forum).

Dont blame me...blame corporate greed. Maybe the NFL will ultimately achieve it's end game and Darnold pans out. They can have NY/LA SBs for 10 consecutive years...

Cool. I expect you not to comment on any games the rest of the season? Talk about a win/win.
Posted via Mobile Device

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Care to back that up with something that shows me where he made a stink in private or in public?

Clark Hunt is a polished and well educated man. He has proven that time and time again. He has shown proper leadership repeatedly by empowering the people he has hired and letting them do their jobs and then making his wishes known behind closed doors .

If he made the stink in public, it would have negative results both with the NFL and his employees.

I don't believe any of this is on Clark, but may have something to do with the "Kansas City Shuffle" discussed in the book that Nzoner mentioned and profits. I think Randallflagg did a good job of pointing out the marketing that went on Monday night.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Keep the faith...NFL is "banking" on it.

As for me...I've seen this movie before and frankly, the NFL product kind of sucks now anyways. I sure some were "enthralled" by the TD fest...but I found it rather monotonous. This isn't the game I enjoyed for 40+ years...it's dumbed-down and feels fake. I dont care how many mouthpieces try to sell me on the "new" NFL...it's lame.

I've been waiting for KC to land the miracle QB for that entire time... and now realize it wasn't the issue. Chiefs haven't had the crushing losses due to anything other than a deliberate agenda...and I've often wondered if it was payback for Dawson burning the mafia to the FBI. Whatever it is..I'm too old to follow this anymore. The NFL became more of an avenue to expose fraud than enjoying the game....the beginning of the Rams game was it for me. They arent even trying to hide it anymore...and Mahomes isn't going to solve it.

Dont hold your breath when the play-offs roll around....if two record setting collapses in 5 years wasn't enough proof along with the Steelers holding call and Triplette making shit up ..maybe this year will end the debate.

I dont want to watch a game where I have to hope the officials "let" the team I root for win because the QB sells Pepsi....that's ****ing stupid and Orwellian (actually Huxley but that topic isn't for this forum).

Dont blame me...blame corporate greed. Maybe the NFL will ultimately achieve it's end game and Darnold pans out. They can have NY/LA SBs for 10 consecutive years...

I can totally relate to everything you are saying. Time and again I have said that is it, then they hook me in again with new hope. Well, the forward progress call finally did it. First time I have not purchased a commemorative piece of gear, hat or sweatshirt for "winning the division."

Now i just watch it for what it is, entertainment. Knowing the outcome, since we have seen this show repeatedly has allowed me to enjoy the entertainment and it will set you free. It is just a game played for our entertainment and their huge profits.