Cowboys and Fans Ready to Welcome Back Real Refs

Cowboys prepare for Bears with one less concern

Dallas Cowboys players at Valley Ranch are happy to know the real NFL refs are back. 

Back-up tight end James Hanna was as diplomatic as you can get on the NFL referees.

"The replacement guys did as good a job as they can and they were put in a tough spot so I don't blame them for anything," says Hanna.  "But it will be nice to (have the real ones back). You try to focus on the game regardless but it should be easier to focus on playing."

Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree wasn't aware the referees had returned to work until we told him.

"It's a breath of fresh air, nice to have the guys back. I think it'll be the first time I'll be happy to see a referee," Ogletree joked.

Some players said while this is good news, the return of the refs should have little impact on them directly.  The real refs aren't going to help them make a tackle or get a first down and they too will make mistakes.

"To be honest with you, I focus on the game. I can't do too much about what the referees call because I can't do anything about what they got going on anyway," said fullback Lawrence Vickers. "I'm excited they're going to be back out there.  I'm going to talk a little smack to them and hopefully they don't throw flags on me."

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Football fan Kim Walker who was picking up tickets for Monday night's game at Cowboys Stadium is happy there will be no replacement refs calling the Cowboys game against  Chicago.

"Oh, I'm so glad," said Walker.  "It's going to make the game a lot less frustrating... we are happy to have them back... I would cheer for them."

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