How and when the situation with the NFL officials be resolved?

Writers from around Tribune Co. discuss when the NFL’s lockout of its officials will end ... or if it ever will. Check back throughout the day for their responses and feel free to join the conversation with a comment of your own.

Mike Pompei, Chicago Tribune

The standoff between the NFL and officials won’t last long. The NFL knows it is walking on a tightrope without a net by employing replacement officials.

The subs did fine in the first week, but it’s only a matter of time before a blown call leads to a major controversy and an ugly black eye.

That isn’t to say the league will buckle, however. It is much more likely that the NFL will make a small concession and the officials will come running back, appreciating the gesture.

The officials probably never dreamed it would get this far. They know now the NFL holds all the cards, and that they are going to have to take what they can if they want to get back into stadiums this fall.

Don’t expect the officials to win this showdown.

[Updated at 10:59 a.m.:

Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun

The labor dispute between the NFL and the regular, proven, competent officials is dragging out longer than anticipated.

Both sides are dug in, entrenched in their respective financial positions with no deal imminent. By most accounts, it wouldn’t take that much money per team to bridge the gap.

Stubbornness and pride are blocking this one from being resolved.

Meanwhile, the replacement officials are struggling, albeit some crews much more than others. And the game suffers. Although not the total disaster most had predicted, the quality is still not as good.

It’s worth keeping in mind that many of the regular officials have lucrative full-time jobs. Many are lawyers and accountants and such, making them less inclined to cave.

Ultimately, I see an NFL-friendly compromise being worked out prior to the midway point of the season.]

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