Reaction in the Eagles locker room was almost identical from player to player when the question about replacement referees came up. There would be a telling smile followed by an involuntary groan, both indicating a nerve was struck. Michael Vick literally let out an, “Ahhh!” before conjuring up a politically correct response.

Jason Avant went through the same process, waited a beat, and chose to let his real feelings seep through the crack.

“This league is all about — our commissioner is all about — player safety,” said Avant. “And with the deal not being done, there’s a definite compromise, kind of an oxymoron so to speak, when it comes to player safety with the refs not being there. A lot of guys are kind of concerned about it. That’s a big deal for us as far as player safety.”