With the exception of Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, all NFL teams have completed 25 per cent of their regular season schedule. The quarter mark is usually the time to assess the 32 teams, however, too many things appear distorted, and so it is difficult to get an accurate analysis. 

 

The first three weeks was marred with incompetence at the hands of replacement referees which had a direct impact on the results, not just the one Green Bay-Seattle game. Many of the first 48 games featured blown calls, incorrect interpretations of rules and misplaced spotting of the football.

 

Surprisingly, the cascade of gaffes were minimal in week one, considerably worse in week two and a nightmare in week three. In other words, the officials got worse with more experience, which is just the opposite of what one would expect.

 

Here are a couple of statistics which I believe the poor officiating played a factor in:

·        Favored teams with the replacement officials only won 54 per cent of the games (26-22). On a normal year, the odds on favorite wins two-thirds of the time. In 2011 for example, favored teams ended up winning 66 per cent of the time (170-86).

·        Home teams normally win between 55 and 60 per cent of the games. Last year,home teams finished 145-111 or about 57 per cent. This year with the fake refs on the field, the home side won just over 64 per cent going 31-17.

 

Never have home teams completed a season winning more games than favored teams. Yes, three weeks was a small sample, but there appears to be a direct correlation to the unpredictability of the awful officiating to home teams and underdogs winning considerably more than usual.

 

I want to make emphasize that substandard refereeing or not, winless teams like Cleveland and New Orleans have major deficiencies and are worthy of their 0-4 record. Teams like Houston and Atlanta deserve their perfect 4-0 mark, but there have been too many intangibles to properly rate elite teams like New England and Green Bay, who are just 2-2.

(For the record, it was back normal in week four with the regular refs as favored teams compiled an 11-4 record while home teams were 8-7)

 

On another note, was it necessary for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to try to pull the wool over the eyes of the public when he suggested that the Packers-Seahawks debacle was not a major factor in completing an eight-year deal with the referees association? Without that signature moment, which arguably finished with the worst blown call at the end of a game in NFL regular season history, the real refs may still be on the sidelines. The bargaining chip turned to the officials after that unforgiveable blunder. The owners felt so much pressure to get a deal done that the league increased its offer of two extra pension years before the GB-Seat game to a whopping five after that game.

 

I realize honesty and sports often do not go hand in hand, but for Goodell to suggest that the one key game did not have a major influence in the negotiations is ludicrous. Does he really think anyone buys that suggestion? The audacity and gall of some of these sports figure heads is mindboggling.

 

 

The stench of the replacement officials will remain for the entire season because of the damage done to the standings. There should be an asterisk over the records of the Seahawks and the Packers, knowing Seattle should have one less win and Green Bay one more victory.

 

There has just been one week with the regular officials back in the fold. Let’s hold off making generalizations about where the teams stand at least until mid-season. Maybe by then, the trends will
be back to normal.

 

 

** 

A September to remember for the P.G. Cougars? The Cougars needed a good start and came within 10 seconds of going 4-0, but earning seven out of a possible eight points is noteworthy. Sure, Everett and Seattle are not WHL Western Conference powers, however the Cougars, who have half of their 24-player roster, aged 17 or under, needed a confidence boost.

Last season, the Cougars were the lowest scoring team in the league. Yes it is a small sampling but after four games, they have 18 goals while allowing 11. Newcomber Colin Jacobs is among the scoring leaders with nine points. He has found chemistry with line mate Alex Forsberg (five points) and the power-play has averaged a goal a game.

In net, rookie Brett Zarowny already has a shutout and Devon Fordyce almost had another in the 2-1 overtime loss to Seattle.

This month, the Cougars have 11 games, including three against Kelowna (two this weekend at CN Centre) and three vs. Spokane. They also face Kootenay, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat on the road plus Calgary and Brandon at home.

Having the cushion of the 3-0-1 start will come in handy for the much more difficult schedule ahead.

 

 

 

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb’s wife gave birth to their third child, an 8-pound, 11-ounce boy. To no one’s surprise, replacement officials initially ruled it a girl.

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

 

 

 

Heard Tony Romo threw a tantrum after Monday night’s game. The tantrum was picked off by the Bears and returned for a touchdown.

 

The Ryder Cup was played at Medinah Country Club, a suburb of Chicago. Which means the least surprised fans were Cubs fans. They know nothing good happens in town in September.  

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

 

 

The Greek soccer club, Voukefalas, has signed a sponsorship deal with a brothel. Local pundits predict that they’ll lead the league in hat tricks. 

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

A semi trailer flipped on a German expressway spewing 25 tonnes of beer down the highway.
Unexpectedly, the clean-up was quickly taken care of by two hockey teams equipped with straws.

 

 

Metta World Peace is slated to portray a vampire in a TV pilot for Real Vampire Housewives.
This prompted Pacer fans to say "See? Told you he sucks." 

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com      

 

 

The Bikini Basketball League is about to begin its inauguaral season. I hear they’re going to have old school rules. Yes, a jump ball after every basket. 

 

 

The Bikini Basketball League, with 7 teams, is set to tip off its first season in November. The good news is that admission will be next to nothing.