A strange incident happened last week when Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes got into an altercation with an official. Hughes accused the official of cursing at him, which provoked his response. The NFL launched an investigation, and fined Hughes a hefty $53,482. The league placed the official, Roy Ellison, on administrative leave. Apparently the investigation remains open, as Ellison will not officiate a game this Sunday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).
The situation is relatively unprecedented, and it will be fascinating to see what the league does. The NFL already has drawn the ire of the referees union by making the rare move of firing an official in-season earlier this year, so what they decide to do with Ellison could cause major headaches.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The odds that Mark Ingram is a member of the Saints beyond this season are not high, according to Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com. Katzenstein thinks there’s a roughly one in three chance that Ingram is back next year, and writes “it’s sensible business not to pay an aging running back when there’s a young stud already on the roster”, meaning Alvin Kamara. Katzenstein thinks Ingram’s four game suspension to start the year also hurt his relationship with the team, and the Saints will look for a cheaper option next year to split time with Kamara.
- The Colts will make major moves at wide receiver this offseason, predicts Stephen Holder of The Athletic. Holder points out the team has very little at receiver for 2019 behind T.Y. Hilton, and that the “unit is mostly a bare cupboard” for next year. Holder notes that the lack of playmakers behind Hilton was made very noticeable in their shutout loss to the Jaguars last year, and GM Chris Ballard will surely be working hard this offseason to acquire a number two option, either through free agency or the draft.
- In case you missed it, breakout Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd is open to signing an extension with Cincinnati.
Colts already improved this year with a lot of Money to spend next year,Sleeper for next year!
Getting a healthy Andrew Luck and finding a diamond in Darius Leonard on defense has helped a lot. Colts are a few playmakers away from being dangerous. A shutdown corner, disruptive DT and Wide Recievers(as stated above)from first look. Fill those spots and some noise can be made IMO.
I agree. With Luck healthy and a couple more weapons, they could be dangerous. He’s having a great year I thought he was done.
Why doesn’t the NFL suspend both the ref and player if the situation is still under review? One earns a game check, easily paying the fine, while other other loses money.
All that’s going to happen is the refs will now use the rule where they can flag players for jawing at one another. Every game, all players talk trash, now they’ll get flags for it. Rather than fix a problem, the NFL escalates it.
What he said is correct. Just not dealing with the problem but kicking the can down the road.
Ellison has umpired 235 games so you would think he has some experience dealing with coaches and players giving him some flack from the sidelines. The penalty yardage he has levied this season is the highest of his 15 yr career and is about 36% above the league average. He will likely be asked to explain that.
Why should he explain his penalty yardage? That has nothing do to w/ foul language.
As for his end of year evaluation, yes his yardage should be explained. Those are two different subjects.
Players and coaches rarely interact with game officials who allow the players to play. It’s when the officials try to dictate the game outcome with excessive penalties that things start to get heated.
There has been plenty of horrendous referring all season long. Missed calls and excessive flags against one team in certain games. The Charger Steeler and the Rams Chiefs game come to mind. Makes you think the NFL wants a team from LA winning at all cost
This really needs investing!!!!
There is significant video evidence of NFL and other professional sports games being rigged by officials AND players. Why fo they do it? Because it makes billions for mobsters and underground gambling rackets worldwide. Do some research.
The referee union cracked me up. Basically what they are saying is art referees can do and say anything they want and there should be no penalty. Not the first time I have heard a referee doing this to a player.
Part of an officials training is specifically geared to teaching how to deal with abuse from coaches and players. If someone on the sidelines yells “You stink! then your instructed to walk off a 15 yard penalty towards that teams end zone and reply “How do I smell from here?”