ESPN doesn't do Homework

tj123456 · Post by **tj123456** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:40 pm

I you go to the football section of ESPN, you will see the running back rankings... What I found was unbelievable. They actually said that Clinton Portis was a bad blocker. Check out this quote...

9. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins

Superpower -- Portis is simply impressive in terms of production. He is near the top of the league every year and is a tough player who will fight through bumps and bruises. He attacks the line of scrimmage and can make the first defender miss in the hole. He does not have elite size but knows how to finish his runs.

Kryptonite -- He puts the ball on the ground too often and at times does so in critical situations. He can be aloof when he needs to take care of the ball, dropping easy passes to kill drives and MISSING BLOCKS IN PASS PROTECTION. He has great physical tools but at times seems to check out mentally.

Heres the link:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/ ... %3d3422768

God I hate ESPN....

El Mexican · Post by **El Mexican** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:49 pm

Hey, it´s almost summer. You can´t blame them for letting a bunch of temps take over senior reporters so the latter can go down to Cancun and sip some piña coladas.

Seriously, some one over there needs to do some fact-checking.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:48 pm

Does anyone care what ESPN thinks?

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:02 pm

I'd wager cash they used JLC as a source for that

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:05 pm

Fios wrote:I'd wager cash they used JLC as a source for that

I'll loan you some for that bet.

On second thought, I'll just give you some for that bet.

gbUSC · Post by **gbUSC** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:15 pm

One interesting thing - I work with a guy who used to do content for ESPN and part of what they do on pieces like that is intentionally include weird information or stupid rankings just to get people talking. It stimulates user-generated content for their message boards, social networking features, etc. Anything like their lists, rankings, etc. that aren't straight news pieces should be read with a grain of salt. Yet another way the line is blurred between ESPN reporting and entertainment.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:20 pm

gbUSC wrote:One interesting thing - I work with a guy who used to do content for ESPN and part of what they do on pieces like that is intentionally include weird information or stupid rankings just to get people talking. It stimulates user-generated content for their message boards, social networking features, etc. Anything like their lists, rankings, etc. that aren't straight news pieces should be read with a grain of salt. Yet another way the line is blurred between ESPN reporting and entertainment.

What line? The only thing ESPN does is blog, either on the air or on the website. Reporting means multiple, independent sources. When was the last time anything by ESPN had two independent sources? And, no, the AP and the UPI wire don't count as two independent sources.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:33 pm

Fios wrote:I'd wager cash they used JLC as a source for that

Yep... and that's what irritates me. I know I've said this a million times, but since he's the so-called "Insider" for the Post, every other news outlet regurgitates what he prints. Sad.

If anyone knows, would Snyder have any control over who the Insider can be? I'm thinking that since JLC works for the Post, probably not. But why then does Snyder, knowing JLC prints endless inaccuracies, allow him to continue doing so, by letting him on the grounds? Or at the very least, why doesn't Snyder or Vinny call his bluff on some of this stuff. Maybe they think it's trivial, but I'd love to see JLC get his bluff called publicly. I don't know, I just can't stand him.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:43 pm

SkinsFreak wrote:
Fios wrote:I'd wager cash they used JLC as a source for that

Yep... and that's what irritates me. I know I've said this a million times, but since he's the so-called "Insider" for the Post, every other news outlet regurgitates what he prints. Sad.

If anyone knows, would Snyder have any control over who the Insider can be? I'm thinking that since JLC works for the Post, probably not. But why then does Snyder, knowing JLC prints endless inaccuracies, allow him to continue doing so, by letting him on the grounds? Or at the very least, why doesn't Snyder or Vinny call his bluff on some of this stuff. Maybe they think it's trivial, but I'd love to see JLC get his bluff called publicly. I don't know, I just can't stand him.

Snyder has no control. It's called freedom of the press. JLC never has to step foot anywhere near Redskins Park or FedEx Field. He can say anything he wants and attribute it to "unidentified sources close to the situation", which is what he usually does.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:00 pm

GSPODS wrote:
SkinsFreak wrote:
Fios wrote:I'd wager cash they used JLC as a source for that

Yep... and that's what irritates me. I know I've said this a million times, but since he's the so-called "Insider" for the Post, every other news outlet regurgitates what he prints. Sad.

If anyone knows, would Snyder have any control over who the Insider can be? I'm thinking that since JLC works for the Post, probably not. But why then does Snyder, knowing JLC prints endless inaccuracies, allow him to continue doing so, by letting him on the grounds? Or at the very least, why doesn't Snyder or Vinny call his bluff on some of this stuff. Maybe they think it's trivial, but I'd love to see JLC get his bluff called publicly. I don't know, I just can't stand him.

Snyder has no control. It's called freedom of the press. JLC never has to step foot anywhere near Redskins Park or FedEx Field. He can say anything he wants and attribute it to "unidentified sources close to the situation", which is what he usually does.

To be fair, the coverage of the Redskins turned sour when Danny started kicking people out of the press box and restricting coverage, so this is a mess of his own making. None the less, a reporter's job is to rise above that and report the facts to the best of his ability. It is JLC's consistent failure to do that which I find distasteful. And the Redskins Insider is a Post designation, the franchise has no control over that. It's up to us, as fans, to know that Insider oftentimes = baseless speculation and rumor mongering. Hey, it works for ESPN ... :roll:

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:07 pm

Fios wrote:And the Redskins Insider is a Post designation, the franchise has no control over that. It's up to us, as fans, to know that Insider oftentimes = baseless speculation and rumor mongering. Hey, it works for ESPN ...

Alright, that makes sense. I do believe many fans recognize the majority of JLC's "reporting" is baseless and rumor mongering, so I guess what irritates me is that the major sports outlets don't. I just get so frustrated when I talk to friends or family from other cities or on the west coast and they mention some negative tidbit they heard about the Skins that you know originated in one of JLC's reckless blogs.

But really, how could anyone not know Portis is one of the best blocking backs in the entire league. His blocks makes highlights by themselves.

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:42 pm

It was my understanding that Dan Snyder started kicking the hournalists out after they published some very anti-redskins articles. The Post has been anti-redskins long before Dan Snyder acquired the team. IMO, the press got what they deserved.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:06 pm

I'm no longer surprised when "journalists" show total disregard for facts. This is by no means limited to sports.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:43 am

What else is new?

ESPN always drops the ball when it comes to the Skins.