We are all grateful for their service to the NFL. As part of our effort to support the replacement officials, we will employ procedures similar to those in effect in the postseason.

Even Cheek, the NFL field judge, said the replacement refs are in a difficult position — though noted the end-of-game call in Seattle, at least in his in eyes, should have been easy to get right.

In Cincinnati, coach Marvin Lewis urged the Bengals in a team meeting to not fixate on the replacement-ref issue. ``I told our guys to shut up,'' Lewis said. ``It's none of your business.

According to the union, not one replacement who worked the 2001 lockout became an NFL field official. The current batch of replacement refs is being drawn from the Division II and III ranks and even ...

The Ravens have hired longtime NFL referee/umpire Tony Michalek to work with the team and help out with rules interpretations ...

Week 3 of the NFL produced more suspect calls during several games, and it also produced a meeting between the league and the locked out officials' union. Two people familiar with ...