Bill Belichick did what a lot of coaches, players and fans would like to do lately and that is to grab one of the replacement referees to find out, “what the heck was that?”

Belichick grabbed the official as he exited the field, and the league is reviewing the matter.

“When the game was over, I went out, and I was really looking for an explanation from the officials as to whether or not the play was under review,” Belichick said. “I did try to get the official’s attention as he was coming off the field to ask that, but I really wasn’t able to do that.”

“I have never meant any disrespect or in any way tried to abuse or be disrespectful to the officials and the job that they do,” Belichick said. “I’m trying to get an explanation for obviously an important call, play, in that game. That’s the number one thing between coaches and officials. It’s always at the forefront. It’s just communication of what’s going on, of what’s happening.”

Belichick has been fined $50,000, but not suspended.

There have been several incidents lately. Denver Broncos coach, John Fox and his defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio have been fined for their behavior against the referees during a Sept. 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Fox will have to shell out $30,000 and Del Rio will lay out $25,000 to the NFL.

Washington Redskins offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan,  chased the officials down the tunnel, after the Redskins loss to the Bengals. No one knows what he said, but it’s pretty clear it wasn’t an invitation to dinner. However, a source said that Shanahan said something like, ‘You have No [bleeping bleeps], you’re a [bleeping bleep],’ using more specific language than that.

The NFL has warned owners, general managers and coaches about on-the-field behavior toward the replacement referees it has hired while the labor dispute with regular refs continues. “We contacted them to remind them that everyone has a responsibility to respect the game,” NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson told ESPN. “We expect it to be adhered to this weekend and forevermore.”

This labor dispute needs to end soon. It is making a mockery of a game that many take very seriously. Anyone who makes money from the games should be concerned that the lack of knowledge of the replacement refs could infringe on some of their income. The stadiums, the concessioners, the players, the owners and others could start seeing a little less in their pockets when fans start getting tired of the Three Stooges out on the field and find other entertainment on a Sunday afternoon.

And just as I am spouting off about the dispute ending, it may soon do just that. According to several reports from many sources, the two sides are ready to sign off on the details of a multi-year collective bargaining agreement that will bring the real officials back from their lockout and quite possibly on the field for Thursday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.

As it turned out, the NFL’s nightmare scenario — a team losing a game it should have won — was all it took for the league and the NFL Referees’ Association to get back to the bargaining table and wrap up a new deal. Negotiations picked up momentum after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers, 14-12, on Monday Night Football on a touchdown catch by Seattle receiver Golden Tate that was highly questionable.

It would seem to me that there were enough bad calls before this game, but whatever it takes to end this dispute, I am all for it.

By Nancy Morris