Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams frustrated by replacement referees’ lack of call – NFL News
Defensive end Mario Williams Mario Williams did not have a stellar of a debut for Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 09, 2012, as apart from his lacklustre performance, he blamed replacement referees for making blunders and affecting the course of the game.
Williams, who has joined Bills this offseason on a whopping six-year, $100 million contract, failed to play a significant role in the game as Bills lost to New York Jets 48-28.
Williams was very vocal in his criticism of the refs during a postgame talk with The Buffalo News. He said:
"You tell somebody from the very beginning of the game. And it happens. One time, that's on me. But when it's multiple times and I tell you and you honestly act like you don't even hear me throughout the whole game, I think that's a real big problem.”
Williams was particularly angry about one play in which Jets tackle Austin Howard put his hand on Williams’ face and the referee did not made a penalty call.
During the game, Williams played at his default left defensive end position. He was able to score just one tackle and looked a bit helpless against Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez had a great game, scoring three touchdowns and covering 266 yards.
Williams went on and said:
"There's definitely, with the situation that we're in with the refs like that, and then you don't listen or you don't call it one time out of 20 that were out there. That's really disheartening from that point."
The National Football League (NFL) is currently putting replacement referees in the league games of the 2012 season because of failure to reach a consensus for a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association.
The replacement referees include high school and college level officials. Williams was also immensely critical of Howard and accused him of using dirty tactics. On the other, Jets head coach Rex Ryan appreciated Howard for good day on the field.
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