"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

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by scho63

The hit to the helmet on a defenseless player (Demetrius Harris) when HE was the one who lowered his head.

There was also a helmet to helmet hit on Goff when he was getting sacked that could have been called. And, I'm sure KC never held Donald, not once.

[Chief_N_Bama]

Originally Posted by New World Order

What calls were awful that went against them?

Thank you! I keep seeing the “both ways” argument but nobody can give an example of it being equally bad for both sides. The only call I remember going the Chiefs “way” was the targeting call that, IMO, really didn’t help the Chiefs at all.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's totally a narrative that is pushed hard, "can't complain about the refs" "losers bitch about officiating"

It's one of the reasons the NFL can get away with this.

It’s a fact. Do you notice the same people defending this shit are the ones that defend it every. single. time.

It’s pseudo alpha sports fan BULLSHIT

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

There was also a helmet to helmet hit on Goff when he was getting sacked that could have been called. And, I'm sure KC never held Donald, not once.

And the taunting not called against Peters? And the personal foul not called against Suh?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by staylor26

You’re a butt****ing moron if you can’t see that.


Bunch of stupid ****ing fans that think they’re somehow better or more intelligent because they don’t ever complain about biased officiating.

Do you have access to a stress ball? Maybe pick one up soon. They work. I have one on my desk.

I don't think the officiating caused the Chiefs to lose last night. They had some shit calls go against them, but I don't think it's "Biased".

[scho63]

Originally Posted by staylor26

So 1 compared to about 8. Got it.

I didn't say it was fair or not lopsided, the guy asked for one and I gave an example.

[Chief_N_Bama]

Originally Posted by staylor26

So 1 compared to about 8. Got it.

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

There was also a helmet to helmet hit on Goff when he was getting sacked that could have been called. And, I'm sure KC never held Donald, not once.

So, 1.5 calls versus 8, now?

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by O.city

Do you have access to a stress ball? Maybe pick one up soon. They work. I have one on my desk.

I don't think the officiating caused the Chiefs to lose last night. They had some shit calls go against them, but I don't think it's "Biased".

Because you’re a ****ing idiot that thinks turning a blind eye and refusing to look at it critically somehow makes you smarter or better. All of the evidence has been provided. You’re choosing to ignore it.

Congrats.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by The Pest

And the taunting not called against Peters? And the personal foul not called against Suh?

And he took off his helmet while in the middle of the field in front of a ref and no call. That's a 15 yarder

[ghak99]

Originally Posted by O.city

That pic is before the game. They always yuck it up with the coaches. They did the same thing with Andy.

There were awful calls for sure. Both ways.

Find me an equivalent pic of Captain blind man bordering on worshiping physical contact prior to his "all star" appearance.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Because you’re a ****ing idiot that thinks turning a blind eye and refusing to look at it critically somehow makes you smarter or better. All of the evidence has been provided. You’re choosing to ignore it.

Congrats.

So the Chiefs lost last night because of the officials?

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by The Pest

And the taunting not called against Peters? And the personal foul not called against Suh?

Nobody is saying the officiating was good. It sucked. They should have kept a regular group on it and not some piece-meal assemblage of refs who think the game is about them.

Way too much small market inferiority complex going on.

So, is it Brees' last stand or LA market conspiracy? Which one are you guys betting the mortgage on since it is fixed?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Mecca

And for the argument the refs just suck, you'd have to be an idiot to believe they suck but somehow their sucktitude always favors the same teams.

It doesn't. You're biased.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

So the Chiefs lost last night because of the officials?

We had 2 chances to win/tie and we blew it. That’s it.

Even if the league was trying to help LA, we still had those chances and ****ed up.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by O.city

So the Chiefs lost last night because of the officials?

No they lost for multiple reasons, and officiating was one. The fact that the officiating was one is unacceptable, especially considering everything that surrounded it (big market, home team, fire/shooting “rallying around the community” storyline, All-Star crew). Me and Detoxing called this in the GDT before the game. You expect me to believe something so obvious happening is a coincidence?

If they simply call that BLATANT false start on 3rd & goal that’s probably enough alone to be the difference. Yea we could’ve won the game anyways, but we shouldn’t have to. It should be so clearly lopsided. I’m sorry, you can give them a pass repeatedly, but I won’t.