The NFL and CFL are Teaming Up For an Officiating Development Program.

The leagues said Friday that beginning this season, a group of NFL officials will work as part of CFL crews during preseason and regular-season games in June and July. Those officials, primarily side judges and field judges, then will start their NFL season at the league's annual officiating clinic in late July.

Meanwhile, several CFL officials will join the NFL's officiating program, attending NFL minicamps and training camps; officiating preseason games; studying position-specific film with veteran NFL officials; reviewing mechanics and analyzing rules differences between the NFL and other leagues, including the CFL and college football.

"Any time our newer officials can get more reps on the field, during practices or games, that will make them better officials," says NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino.