Add the NFL’s replacement refs to the list of many things McKayla Maroney is not impressed with.

Over the last week I’ve heard a few professional writers who shalt remain nameless complain that people are being too hard on the replacement refs and that they will get better. I’m surprised to hear this line of thinking because we have NO REASON to believe that that’s true. They didn’t get better the last time there were replacement refs and there’s a big difference from acclimating a new ref into a crew of experience and putting a whole crew of inexperienced people on the field at once. 

I said before that Bruce Smith was quoted as saying that the last time the NFL had replacement refs he could look at their faces and tell they were “praying” for the game to just be over. Now Victor Cruz is expressing a similar sentiment. He was interviewed by the NY Times and said he could tell the officials were flustered. 

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One error Cruz pointed to was a holding penalty called on Jayron Hosley during a punt return. Hosley was returning the punt for the Giants.

“That was probably the most mind-boggling one to me,” Cruz said Sunday as the Giants began their final week of camp. “I’m a little concerned because we want to make sure we’re getting the best referees we can. I actually overheard one of the refs saying he only refereed glorified high school games, which I don’t even know what that means.”

Since the preseason started, a number of players have complained about the league’s decision to hire replacement officials after locking out its usual officials. Some come from the college ranks. Others have experience officiating only arena football or high school games.