[Lou Waters, Cnn Anchor:] For the first time in its history, the National Football League is preparing to use replacement officials in its games. After more than a year of talks, the NFL decided to lock out its game officials, who are demanding a significant pay raise. Replacements, mostly from the NFL, Europe and the Arena league are being brought in. To give us some perspective on all this, we are joined by Chuck Smith, a nine-year NFL veteran who played defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers. First time in history it's hard to know where the road map is here, but how would the NFL players feel about it? How important is it to them and would they honor the picket lines?
[Chuck Smith, Former Nfl Plater:] I think right now it's important with the NFL players, I think what is going on with the players, the players have just had a hard camp, it's been a long summer. Right now the players aren't too concerned about referee's lockout. But one thing they will be concern about, the first time that sways a game, the NFL players will be concerned.
[Waters:] So, this is we are going into preseason games now and what kind of a test will that be?
[Smith:] It is a definite test. The referees will me under scrutiny. Every little thing they do will me under scrutiny, so they have to be on point. There is going to be a fine line between making a call and not making a call. Everyone is going to watch them. Also, these referees have to look at next time, trying to get the job that the guys who are going to go on strike are trying to get. So there could be some tension there. So when they try to come back, you know, you are taking the livelihood off man's plate. Anything can happen then.
[Waters:] You bet. Here, in our live chat, a question for Chuck Smith: "What kind of training do the officials go through. How much does that training cost?" What is behind the pros?
[Smith:] The NFL referees are the most highly-trained referees in the world. They have to make split decision calls at any second. The NFL referees, they are in shape, they work out, they jog, they train just like players, but they also are professionals and they have jobs. So looking at it, they come out to the camp, they sit in the sun, they sweat, they go out there and work on their skill all summer long.
[Waters:] These replacement guys don't do that?
[Smith:] I won't say these replacement guys don't do that, but these guys aren't the number one guys for the National Football League, you know, you are going with the best and now you are going to a second tier referee, so there are going to be a few changes.
[Waters:] OK, 400 percent increase, that is what the referees are asking for. It seems like an awful lot of money.
[Smith:] Well, I think it sounds like an awful lot of money, but the NFL is a billion dollar industry. It is big business. The National Football League needs to step up, pay the referees. These guys go out and do a great job week in and week out. They need to step up. They should be compensated. Everyone else in the league is making lots of money, the owners are getting money, the players are getting money, everyone's getting money. I think the National Football League referees are the best in sports right now. I think they deserve everything they get.
[Waters:] We have more live chat? We do. We have one here, "With replacement referees can we expect the same level of competence?" I think you pretty much answered that question, but you want to give it another shot, say it a different way?
[Smith:] If you ask some of the players, they will say they are all incompetent, but when you look at these new referees, how can you sit here and say that these refs will be any better than the other refs. These are the second-tier refs. They are guys these are wannabes. These are scabs, let's keep it real, these are the guys who want to be NFL refs. They are college guys, they are arena guys. They won't be as good. For referees there is a fine line between making that call. And these guys are going to have to make that call and stand on it. There could be repercussions for being a bad scab later. So, looking at it like that, these guys have a great opportunity, but there is nothing like the NFL referees.
[Waters:] Do you expect this to be settled quickly?
[Smith:] I expect it to be settled quickly. The NFL is a great product. Everyone knows what they are going to put on the field. No one wants to see second rate. The players have busted their butts all summer, who wants to see second-rate refs? Come on, NFL, get us the refs. We want some football, let's get it.
[Waters:] I can do that job.
[Smith:] No, you can't so that job. Are you are in shape.
[Waters:] Well, I could be in shape. Give me the call, I'll get to work. Chuck Smith, thanks.
[Smith:] Thank you.