Birds: Jason Babin Rips Replacement Officials and Andy Reid Doesn't Want Reporters "Instant Messaging" Important Information
Jason Babin complained about replacement officials… four days later: [takingit2thehouse.com]
“I guess the refs we have now, they’re going to call everything to the letter.” Babin said. “You know, where as professional refs, they understand that there are nuances to the game, that keep it playing, flowing and moving and keep the legitimacy to the game. They know what not to call and what to call. You can’t ask a guy who coaches six man football in Texas to know the difference. It’s not fair to him, and it’s not fair to us, but unfortunately we have no control over it.”
Well, to be fair, Jason, the replacement officials don’t coach six-man football in Texas… they work middle school games in Oklahoma. Huge difference.
Some of the calls in Sunday’s Eagles game were ticky-tack, but the officials were hardly atrocious. Non-issue for now.
Here’s something that undoubtedly has beat reporters’ briefies in a bunch: Andy Reid has decided to restrict access to practice. The Eagles were one of the few teams in the league that still allowed reporters access to practices (on Thursday and Fridays– not during Saturday walkthroughs), but Reid said he made the decision to maintain a competitive advantage. Also, instant messaging: [CSN Philly]
“It’s changed over time, between Twitter and just the whole instant messaging, everything is right now,” Reid added. “I just want to make sure I’m staying up with that. It’s not about you (reporters), it’s about how we are in the NFL right now.”
Not that it really matters– here’s what the Eagles are going to do this weekend: PASS. Boom, and I did that without the whole instant messaging.