The Hochuli-90X Workout Program

Welcome to the Route 30 Detour! US Route 30 intersects at I-95 in Philadelphia and goes from coast to coast, including passing through Pittsburgh and the home of Drexel University SMT student and blog contributor, Bryan Fyalkowski (@fyalkowski)...




Ed Hochuli's biceps and interesting background have made him into a vertically-striped icon on and off the field in recent years. But with the recent replacement referee fiasco, he has undoubtedly become the face of NFL referees everywhere.

For Hochuli, his popularity in the eye of the public is at an all-time high and this is the time for him to capitalize. Per the inspiration for this post by my good pal JT, I am going to help out the NFL's most famous referee with the business idea of the century: Hochuli-90X**

Pump it big dog.

Of course you can read Hochuli's ACTUAL workout routine right here, but that is boring and (considering it is from 2006) outdated. From my experience with Insanity and the basic knowledge of NFL referee hand signals, I have created the following exercises for Hochuli-90X:

The move: Arm flexibility and stretching

What it means on the field: Completion

What you think is a "completion" signal is actually a key warmup in the Hochuli-90X workout. We want to gain muscle and girth on the arms, but not sacrifice flexibility. It is extremely important that all athletes adequately stretch their arms and obliques before any Hochuli-90X activity.

The move: Self arm wrestling

What it means on the field: Holding

We all know that any Hochuli-90X athlete does not lose to anyone in a feat of strength, except to himself. This arm wrestling exercise allows you to put your muscle mass up against the only other person as strong as you are. This way, the muscle is constantly being tested by someone in the Hochuli-90X program and not other weaklings with inadequate biceps.

The move: Lat size check and evaluation

What it means on the field: Timeout

This is a daily self-esteem builder and progress check. Every day after doing Hochuli-90X, your lats grow approximately 1" in size. You are able to track your progress and make sure you are headed in the right direction by checking the size of your lats every day and make sure you are up to Hochuli-90X standards.

The move: Wingspan lengthening

What it means on the field: Unsportsmanlike conduct

A little known fact about extreme bodybuilding, is once muscles get big enough, you can actually stretch them out to other parts of your body. In this instance, the biceps got so huge from Hochuli-90X, by doing this move, the muscle stretched out to the forearms and allowed the wingspan to increase to approximately 10' by the end of the program.

The move: The "TD"

 

 What it means on the field: Touchdown

The final Hochuli-90X move is The "TD," which is a mentally stimulating exercise. After completing all other parts of the daily workout, you must go out to your front lawn and hold this pose for three hours (preferably in the pouring rain) to build character and mental strength.

That wraps up the five basic moves of Hochuli-90X, so take on the program if you dare!

**Ed Hochuli is the only known graduate of the Hochuli-90X workout, and for good reason. This workout program is not for mere mortals, so you must consult Hochuli himself before beginning. There is no set timetable for this program, Hochuli will tell you when you have completed the workout. While the "90X" in "P90X" means 90 days of extreme exercise, the "90X" in "Hochuli-90X" just reminds you that Hochuli is 90 times better than you will ever be.

Enjoy your trip back to I-95 and I'll see you next week!

Time for the Replacements to Go

Not one, not two.... but three. This is the third time I am writing on the NFL referee situation. My first article written in late July questioned whether or not the normal referees would start the season. I warned that not paying the referees would compromise the integrity of the league and I believed from the known information it was time for the NFL to pay. My second article written about a month ago included analysis of the first games in the preseason officiated by the replacements. It was clear that the officials were not ready for the NFL and that the integrity of the league was being compromised. I thought after the preseason was over that the NFL would see that action was necessary immediately, I was wrong.

We have now completed week 2 of the NFL regular season and we have already seen much criticism of the replacements.

After losing to the Eagles, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said, "The NFL and everybody always talks about the integrity of the game. I think this is kind of along those lines."

Redskins linebacker, London Fletcher, said, "I just think that they're just so inconsistent that it definitely has an effect on the games."

Back in the preseason Packers safety, Charles Woodson, said, "They haven't been very good. That's the honest opinion. Before preseason started, I think you're optimistic. But it's almost like a young guy coming into the NFL. The game goes to fast for them."

Not to mention this guy who had to be removed from officiating the Saints game.... because he is a Saints fan. 

These are a select few comments made regarding the referees. Much more criticism has been let out throughout the league. The referees have played a significant role in the season thus far, but for the wrong reasons. Simply put the referees are not capable of handling the NFL right now. The cost for the league of paying the referees more money, or giving in to some of their demands may be very little compared to the issues that could be coming there way.

The lack of experience by the referees causes two main issues for the league. The first issue is player safety. Not fully understanding the rules of the game will become an issue for the current replacement referees. Many rules, especially recent ones, are designed to make sure players are safe as possible while playing the game. If these rules are being violated without penalty, players could get hurt more frequently and which will be bad news for the NFL. The second issue for the NFL is the integrity of the game. Constant questioning of officiating by players, coaches and fans is bad for the image of the league. The leagues credibility will be constantly questioned if change is not made soon.

Meeting of the minds right here...

Final Thought
It is difficult to come up with a final thought this week. The NFL needs to quiet the critics and give in to the demands of the NFL referees. Enough is enough.

 @dmrosen7

The Debate - NFL Replacement Referees

Should the NFL give in to the demands of the referees to avoid needing to use replacement referees in the regular season?

Kevin Rossi
We saw in week one of the NFL preseason that this whole replacement referee deal cannot continue into the regular season.  It would just make a mockery of the NFL, and being that the NFL is quite sensitive to public perception, it will change.  A deal must be reached as soon as possible.  We all know that deadlines spur action, but in this case there is no time to wait until the deadline.  The longer the NFL waits to come to an agreement with their referees, the more leverage the referees gain.  That’s how bad these replacement referees are.  These guys out there on NFL fields on television and all right now are the next best thing to what the NFL has now, and that’s a scary thought.  The replacements are so bad that they are proving the worth of the real referees minute by minute, call by call.  A deal must be reached.  The NFL must protect the integrity of the game and the integrity of their business.

Seth Breeden
I’m not so sure to “give in” to the demands of the referees is the right thing to do. Yes, the replacements have proven to be awful. And yes, as Kevin opined, the replacements are so terrible that they are proving the worth of the full-time referees. The league should not be the only party to have a vested interest in protecting the integrity and quality of the game. The players and the referees should also have a desire to preserve, and improve, the game.

The impasse needs to end. For one side to completely give in, that would be the wrong solution. Each side needs to give in on some aspects, stay strong on others, and compromise on some. That’s the only way a new deal is going to be worth it. This way, each side can be mutually happy with the deal and we won’t be right back at this same point in a few seasons.

Personally, all the lockout stuff and now the referee replacements has all made the game a little annoying. I just want football. I don’t wait another season or offseason of following lockouts, impasses, and contract negotiations. The two sides need to come to a new deal quick and they both need to stop holding up the whole process. Let’s get back to football!

Drew Rosen
In most negotiation situations, I believe it is imperative for both sides to give in on some issues. Not in this negotiation though. The NFL is being completely unreasonable when it comes to the referee situation. I wrote two articles detailing what the referees are looking for, and in my opinion the request are reasonable. A few request were a slight increase in money, the ability to work another job while officiating, and for the NFL not to add three more officiating crews. The longer it takes to get a deal done, the worse news it is for the NFL. To be frank, the replacement officials have been terrible. A true disgrace to the game. If the NFL does not give in, they risk compromising the integrity of the sport.

It's Time NFL...

A couple weeks ago I wrote an article on the NFL referee situation. I have decided to write about it again because it has bothered me so much. NFL executives said recently that they expected the 2012 regular season to start with replacement referees.

I previously wrote about the economic situation that separates the NFL referees from signing a new deal. It is now being reported that not only is there an economic gap preventing a new deal, other factors also are holding the NFL and the NFL Referees Association apart. The other factors holding the sides apart revolve around amount of work. Currently most of the referees use the NFL as a part time job. The NFL wants their referees to be full time employees. It is difficult to blame the NFL referees for wanting another job because they only work one day a week, and the pay is not great. Another point of contention is the NFL wanting to add three more officiating crews. The NFL wants to give the officials more rest and help to bring young referees into the game that may be there for a while. On this issue, I understand the NFL's point of view. Officials are aging and it is important to bring in new referees to keep the game consistent.

The replacement referees to this point (its only been a week) have caused much anger and worry for NFL players. Victor Cruz spoke out against the replacement referees after the Giants preseason game versus Jacksonville. Cruz said that the officials were flustered and he pointed to a situation with teammate, Jayron Hosley. Hosley was a punt returner and was called for holding. Anyone who watched the NFL realizes that it does not make sense that a punt returner could be called for holding. Cruz said, "That was probably the most mind-boggling one to me." He went on to say he is, "A little concerned because we want to make sure we're getting the best referees we can. I actually overheard one of the refs saying he only refereed glorified high school games, which I don't even know what that means."

Not only are players concerned because the referees have been frankly bad, but they are also concerned for their safety. The Chicago Bear player representative, Adam Podlesh spoke on the replacement referee situation. He said, "It's definitely a bit of a concern, I feel, for the players, especially since everybody says the preseason is at one speed and once you get up to regular season the speed picks up and it goes to the next level." If the NFL referees can't keep up with the speed of the game, injuries are more likely to happen. The NFL has taken huge steps in the last few years to ensure player saftey. Most of the rule changes involve being able to quickly pick up on head contact. If referees can't see these plays, I worry that NFL players safety may in fact be in jeopardy.

Final Thought

This situation is outrageous. The NFL needs to take care of the officiating situation now. NFL regular season games will be compromised based on terrible officiating. Hopefully the NFL and the NFL Referees Association agree to something soon. When an agreement does happen, Victor Cruz and many others will be happy. Cruz said, "That will probably be the first time I'll be happy to see a ref I saw from last year. I'm going to shake his hand and say, 'Thank you for coming back.'"

Pay the Refs!

Every Sunday in football season whether fans are watching their TV's or are at the game live, they love to yell. Most of the yelling is geared toward...... the referees. I am not exempt from this large group of people, when I see what I think is a bad call against my team I get furious. Referees endure much scrutiny from fans when they perform poorly, yet are never recognized for the good work they do. The pressures of being an NFL referee is intense.

Since June 3rd the NFL referees have been locked out. There has been much speculation on whether or not they will negotiate a contract in time for the season. Many have said that it is likely that NFL refs are going to miss some preseason games at a minimum. This will mean replacement refs. If this scenario plays out, it will not take long for fans to become outraged. The skill level of the current refs is often overlooked because of a few bad calls. Replacement refs will be nowhere near the quality as current referees. One potential positive that can come from the replacement referee situation in the NFL is a new presence on the field that has not been seen, a woman. According to an ESPN article, the NFL has confirmed that a woman referee will be apart of the replacement referees used.

The NFL referees have not received a pay increase since 2006. Yes 2006. This is outrageous when thinking about the pay increases that players have received every single year. It is understandable that players make the sport money, not the referees. The referees do provide a service to the league that I am afraid is being overlooked, integrity. When fans tune in on Sundays it is imperative for them to have faith in whats taking place on the field. If fans do not trust the game, they will not devote as much time and energy as they currently do. A season filled with replacement referees will be bad news for the NFL.

For the National Football League to put its league integrity on the line, the referees must be asking for a big pay raise. Right? WRONG.

Depending upon experience and other factors, current referees in the NFL make only between $25,000 and $90,000 per season. They are currently asking for an 8% increase in pay. To be put in perspective, an 8% increase in pay would cost each team about $100,000. That type of money means nothing to NFL franchises. Currently the NFL is offering about a 2.5% increase, that is just degrading.

The former Vice President of NFL officiating, Mike Pereira, said about the replacement referees, "There are officials with high school experience only. There are officials who were dropped from their college conference. Three officials from the Pac-12 Conference that were not rehired this season for performance reasons are now going to work NFL games."


Final Thought
Stop risking the integrity of the NFL and pay the referees.


 @dmrosen7