Cruising the beat on the last day of summer (sigh…):

If you think it is tough to watch the replacement refs, imagine what it is like for Fox Sports’ Mike Pereira. The former NFL official vented in an interview with Dan Patrick.

“Utter chaos,” said Pereira.  “I saw a lack of control with the replacement officials.  You have players and coaches that have lost respect for these officials and they know they’re getting away with more.  You saw more rough and tumble stuff going on after a play is over.  As this thing goes on, the coaches trust the officials less.  When I watched Monday night’s game, I was sad because it’s not the NFL I know.” 

If Pereira was still head of NFL officiating, he doesn’t know that there would be much more he’d be able to do within his power than what current head of officiating Carl Johnson is already doing. 

“I’d tell Commissioner Goodell that the mistakes we’re seeing are only the tip of the iceberg.  There are many more mistakes that are coming up in critical points in the game and are not all timing or rule issues.” 

Pereira believes both sides, the NFLRA and NFL need to compromise.  “We need to somehow light a fire under both sides to get back to the table, lock the door and don’t leave until you have a deal,” he said.

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Michael Phelps has faced many challenges in his career. But being interviewed by David Feherty truly will be unique.

From the Golf Channel:

Michael Phelps, the most-decorated Olympian in history, will join golf’s funnyman, David Feherty, for a special Ryder Cup-themed Feherty Live from Chicago, airing Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. 

From Phelps:

“While I have started my transition from the pool to the golf course, I haven’t completely escaped the water. I’m excited to meet the funniest man in golf, but knowing David, I have a sneaky suspicion that my conversation with him won’t be anything like the years of poolside interviews I have done.”

And here’s why. Feherty on swimming:

“Michael Phelps may be the only golfer for whom water is not a hazard. And I always wondered why swimmers don’t grow their fingernails really long, like Howard Hughes. Might save them a hundredth on the touch. I’m full of good ideas like this one, but no one takes me seriously.”

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Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times did an interview with Joe Buck. The No. 1 man for Fox talks about working with Troy Aikman and Tim McCarver.

Do you talk a lot with Tim McCarver and Troy Aikman during the week?

Well, Troy and I will text each other lot. I can’t text with Tim. Tim doesn’t text. I’m better off sending smoke signals and sending up a pterodactyl. But we’ve been doing games together for 17 years now, so we fall right back into it even if we haven’t seen each other or talked in a few weeks. The chemistry is great with both. For example, I’ll throw out a reference like Foo Fighters. Tim has no idea who the Foo Fighters are. Neither does Troy, probably. I need to say Kenny Chesney to get his attention. But both are such pros and we’re so comfortable around one another that we are able to work together well.

How similar are Tim and Troy to work with?

Extremely similar. Their work ethic is amazing, and it’s what made them great players in their sports. I can tell you that I know now why Troy won three Super Bowls, and it’s not just because of his accuracy and arm strength. I see what he does to prepare for a game and you know why he’s a success. And Tim is at a point that he could just walk in a minute before the broadcast and wing it, but he doesn’t do it that way. He continues to work hard. He still loves the game.