NFL preparing to hire new officials

View image | gettyimages.com Commentary by Mark Schultz We are coming up on a critical few weeks in the NFL as vice president for officiating, Dean Blandino, will be hiring new officials, assigning positions, and beginning the orientation process for the new pro zebras. While 2014 saw a near-record number of retirements

BJ Kirk Dornan’s late retirement leaves vacancy, 14th this year

#158811399 / gettyimages.com Football Zebras has learned from multiple sources that back judge Kurt Dornan has retired. He is now the 14th official to have left the NFL since last February's Super Bowl. Dornan was listed on the final roster by the NFL back in June, attended the clinics in Dallas

Week 11 referee assignments

This week, Walt Coleman, Scott Green and Alberto Riveron are off. Mike Carey is also off, but the rest of his crew is working with Bill Vinovich. We have confirmed that there are two injury substitutions to report this week: Head linesman George Hayward (on Bill Leavy's crew) left the game last Sunday