clark-judge

IF the NFL is "fixing" or "swaying" games for certain spread outcomes, it is probably a good idea that they fine anybody that criticizes the officials, because criticism could lead someone to investigating exactly how the "sway' or "fix" was performed. 

It is better for the powers that be to just get a quiet complaint from the coach which they can just file away (in the trash), THAT is the "professional" manner.

Well put Fred.  Freedom of Speech means exactly that, Freedom from unjust punishment for speaking your mind.  We arent talking about someone yelling fire in a crowded theatre.  We are talking about someone venting.  Since when does venting constitute the types of fines being levyed against these players and coaches.  With the way some players (PACMAN) act these days, the league should realize that there are bigger fish to fry.  If they spent half as much effort on making them behave as they do on making sure they stay quiet I think the league would have a much different image.  The problem is not the coaches and players ciritisizing officials.  The problem is the perception that their comments are what is giving the league a bad name.  My opinion is that maybe the economic times are hitting the NFL as well and they are looking for any reason they can make a little extra revenue off of the players and coaches.  As much as I disagree with the way Joey Porter brought up the whole Matt Jones thing he was dead on.  The league needs to reevaluate its priorities and what constitutes a fineable offense.  Cocaine possesion, assault, steroids = fineable / Whining = who really cares?

Actually officials can be fined but it is pretty rare...

Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers essentially received the apology that he was looking for Friday when the National Football League fined the official who placed the linebacker in a neck hold from behind Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Umpire Jim Quirk was fined one game check, or $8,150, for what the league described as "inappropriate physical contact with players."

Quirk received his discipline Friday at the NFL office in New York during a meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Quirk, who works as a consultant, is in his 20th season as an NFL official.

This is about the only instance I can find of an official being fined. And, it wasn't for a blown call. Officials are graded after each game and their performance is used when deciding who gets to call the playoff games - in other words who gets more checks for calling more games. Example; I'll guarantee Ed Hoculi will not be calling any playoff games this year.

For those who are interested and not convinced that they are correct despite evidence to the contrary, check out:

http://www.aclu-nj.org/issues/frees

peechexpression/righttofreespeechon

private.htm

It discusses a decision in New Jersey where a group of people were prevented from distributing flyers in a condominium development with material that the owners of the development were not pleased with.  The group was barred from distributing the material but a judge's decision found that this was an impingement on their rights.  In no way or form was Congress involved in restricting this group.

The Constitution, and especially the Bill of Rights, is not, and has not, been interpretted literally through the history of our nation.  There are many shades of grey, and this is why we have such a burdened judicial system.  If you continue to think I'm wrong, that's fine.  You're entitled to your opinion.  For the rest, check out what's out there.

As for this thread, going into work and running your mouth about your boss isn't the same as what players and coaches are doing.  They've said nothing about Roger or the NFL.  A better correlation would be if you went into work and told people that Dave in sales (sorry to all the Daves out there)  blew the merger, and you would have done things differently.  Don't get me wrong, I feel for officials.  Their mistakes are on display for view by the nation, and they're human so there will be mistakes.  But they chose the job knowing this.  They get paid for this.  They need to have a skin thick enough to endure some public acknowledgement that, yep, they screwed the pooch, and a bunch of people know it.  If a coach rants and personally insults an official, then by all means fine him.  But a calm statement that you disagree with a call shouldn't draw a penalty from the NFL.

If anyone would like to continue a discussion, please message me privately.  There are too many interesting sports issues for me to keep blathering publicly about this.  Bring on baseball hot stove!

So, I guess you can bitch and moan about your boss and the way he runs his company loudly to everyone that will listen, with absolutely no repercussions?

Didn't think so.