Gene Steratore will head the officiating crew for Thursday's game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, as the regular officials will take the field for the first time this season following the end of the lockout.
The NFL and the referees' union agreed to an eight-year contract late Wednesday night, ending the league's nightmare of replacement officials. The new agreement was likely spurred by Monday night's controversial finish, when the Seahawks were given a 14-12 victory over the Packers after replacement officials awarded Seattle receiver Golden Tate a touchdown on the final play of the game despite Green Bay's M.D. Jennings appearing to first intercept the desperation pass.
Steratore, beginning his 10th NFL season, will head the crew that includes umpire Bill Schuster, head linesman Wayne Mackie, line judge Jeff Seeman, field judge Bob Waggoner, side judge Jimmy DeBell and back judge Greg Steed.
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