NFL Rumors: Full-Time Referees Would Cure What Ails NFL

NFL officiating is putrid, and I don't think that's a secret at this point.

Every fanbase around the NFL has a legitimate gripe with the officials, because not surprisingly enough, every team has been screwed at one point or another this season by the officials.

That's something to be expected though, and that's something that can be said in every major sports league around the world.

Like it or not, officiating is a human job, which means there is room for human error.

The problem with the NFL is that the human error is becoming a little bit too obvious, and in a day and age that boasts some of the best instant replay technology ever, there is far less room for error.

People at home are smart enough to look at a call and know what is right or wrong, especially when they get a few looks at instant replay.

How is it that more times than not these referees are making calls that everybody else can acknowledge are wrong, especially after looking at the same exact replays?

That's the problem with NFL officials right now, and look no further than the latest game between the Packers and Giants for proof of that.

Greg Jennings clearly fumbled the ball on this play, but he was called down, even though everybody— including just about everybody on Twitter—clearly knew it was a fumble.

You know you have a problem when even the fanbase losing the ball can agree that it was a horrible call.

That's the point the NFL is at now, but according to CBSSports.com, league commissioner Roger Goodell is considering hiring full-time officials to combat this growing problem:

"

"Consistency is exactly what every club wants, and I think every fan wants. You want consistency in the way rules are applied," Goodell said. "We are contemplating this offseason taking some of those officials from the field who are now part time -- they have other jobs -- and making a certain number of them, let's say 10, full time."

"

Isn't it somewhat shocking to hear that the officials aren't currently full-time anyhow?

The NFL is undoubtedly the most popular sports league in the world, which would lead one to believe that they could pay their officials enough to have one job and specialize in getting it right.

Instead you have officials working other jobs and then coming into the NFL and botching calls that more dedicated fans can make from their couches.

It's somewhat embarrassing.

This is a move that should have been made years ago, but instead it's one that is being made now that the bottom as fallen out.

The NFL took quite a credibility hit with the lockout, but they all but made up for that considering how much people love professional football.

If this horrible officiating continues however, they stand to really make a lot of loyal fans mad.

If we can't trust that the games are being called to the best of the league's ability, how can we trust that the product in itself is fair?

Just as in any relationship, trust is key and without it you lose all credibility.

Right now the NFL is teetering on the edge of losing that credibility, so they better do everything they can to fix that before it's too late.