Green's way is a hard way.

[Redheart]

I believe the same rules -- and even more restrictive -- apply to other teams. I know last year the Cardinals were considered a paradise to cover by comparison. I was told that by several media types - local and national.

Even last year there were restrictions on what you could report. You could never ask questions or talk about what you actually saw on the practice field. Now they're making sure you don't tell -- because you don't see.

Maybe some of it is the tiny bits - such as a coach calling a receiver 'questionable' for the weekend, but a reporter saying he looks great on Tuesday. Perhaps there's a concern of a 'spy' getting in -- who knows?

Bottom line: this is just bringing the Cards in line with the rest of the league; not some new thing only Coach Green does.

OK! Brighteyes for Cardinal Insider!

 

[Clif]

I believe the same rules -- and even more restrictive -- apply to other teams. I know last year the Cardinals were considered a paradise to cover by comparison. I was told that by several media types - local and national.

Even last year there were restrictions on what you could report. You could never ask questions or talk about what you actually saw on the practice field. Now they're making sure you don't tell -- because you don't see.

Maybe some of it is the tiny bits - such as a coach calling a receiver 'questionable' for the weekend, but a reporter saying he looks great on Tuesday. Perhaps there's a concern of a 'spy' getting in -- who knows?

Bottom line: this is just bringing the Cards in line with the rest of the league; not some new thing only Coach Green does.

thank you

nothing to see here.. move along

 

[RedRob]

Nice article Skkorp.

In regards to the "directing venom at local media" statement:

I've made a few derogatory remarks recently regarding the media, but it wasn't spurred on by their bashing the team. No, my ill will stems from their inability to provide any new insight on the team or organization. Last week someone posted an article by Scott Bordow that I felt actually provided readers with "new information" about Michael Bidwill. Why can't we have more articles that look at things with a different slant? How much talent must you possess to suggest the team go 0-16 therefore ensuring the #1 pick?

I guess what I'm saying is that if as a reporter you feel the team sucks then point out a few things other teams have done in the past to turn things around. And, why not include actual examples, or offer suggestions. Maybe there's only so much a person can write about an organization that struggled so much without constantly coming off as negative.

I just happen to believe that a reporter can be impartial and insightful without always being negative. But, I guess that would be hard though; hard enough to deserve getting paid to do it...

 

[Russ Smith]

Bottom line: this is just bringing the Cards in line with the rest of the league; not some new thing only Coach Green does.

Disagree, there are bay area reporters who are at practice routinely for the 49ers and Raiders. AS you say they all know the rules, don't discuss secret plays, etc.

But neither team has a total closed campus so to speak and Al Davis wrote the book on paranoia.

I'm sure there ARE teams who do this, but it's not like we were the only team not doing it. Mac's tightness with the media wasn't his problem his tightness with players and coaches who couldn't do their jobs was the problem.

 

[SECTION 11]

I'm surprised NFL teams let any press in at all.

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

Agreed, but based on everything I have read, Green did not operate in this manner during the winning years in Minnesota. He did the roster moves, the cuts, things of that nature. But the paranoia deal wasn't part of the program, he only started that when things got worse.

Hopefully he will loosen up as things get better here.

I'm with ya Russ.

Always have been and probably always will be.

It would be neat if you and I and others of the Lunatic Fringe could get together at the first game in the new stadium.

Hopefully by then everyone will be saying that we have something that most are saying now we don't.

A frikkin chance.

 

[joeshmo]

I'm surprised NFL teams let any press in at all.

I agree. There should be no press allowed at regular season Practices. The complete Denver oline hasnt talked to the media for years. They prefer to keep things in house and beleive that the media is only a distraction, a small one but none the less a distraction. If Denny wants to completly shut everyone out fine with me.

I really dont see a big deal. Are we really getting any less or more info compared to years past. I think it is preceived as a big deal to AZ media and AZ natives because the last regimes have been so wide open that even the slightest change looks huge.

 

[KingofCards]

I can see the benefit in regards to hiding players that aren't as injured as reports have made out(Fitz).

 

[Russ Smith]

I agree. There should be no press allowed at regular season Practices. The complete Denver oline hasnt talked to the media for years. They prefer to keep things in house and beleive that the media is only a distraction, a small one but none the less a distraction. If Denny wants to completly shut everyone out fine with me.

I really dont see a big deal. Are we really getting any less or more info compared to years past. I think it is preceived as a big deal to AZ media and AZ natives because the last regimes have been so wide open that even the slightest change looks huge.

That's not because they fear the media, it's because they said the only time they ever saw their name in print was when they messed up.

After awhile it became a "bonding" thing.

There are different approached, you have a guy like Matt Millen who goes on air and tells Mike Ditka he has a "devout coward" on his team (ironically he was talking about Scotty Anderson he's even admitted that), and then you have guys like Green who want to control all media access.

I just continue to find it ironic that a guy who got paid the last 2 years by a network that relies on media access, thinks it's such a bad thing?

FYI I don't think this move is going to harm the team either, I just think it's another mind game control thing that has no bearing on wins or losses and people keep making comments like Skorps about it helping us win, which baffle me.

 

[azdad1978]

Good article.

 

[RedViper]

Denny shutting out the media makes me think of Coach Mac. How he seemed to know every reporter's name and tried so freakin hard to accomodate them and be everyone's friend. I don't think he was sucking up. I think it was just his nature to be a really friendly decent guy. A fat lot of good it did him though. There's just no way to save a guy who can't bring home the W's. The reverse is true also. Green lasted all those years in Minnesota because he primarily won, despite making the press hate him and cutting them off. I think I prefer the slightly mean spirited coach. Its a mean spirited business. And it hurts too much to see a guy like Mac or Coach Bugel go down in flames. Better have them be like Buddy Ryan where it feels good to say "don't let the door hit you in the arse." And if Green protects himself from that eventuality with a boatload of wins, that will be best of all. I'd love to get off the new coach-every four years carousel.

 

[ajcardfan]

Skkorp, if the local media Cuts back on the coverage of the Cards and give the ink to the baseball playoffs and then go on to the Suns thru the fall season the attendance at Sun Devil will be nil. Will the Bidwill's stand for it?
The team has it tough enough and if you take away the free ink??????

I know wins will make a big difference but beng realistic this team would have a tough go in the CFL.

The attendance has gone about as low as it will go. From what I saw, it's going to be up slightly over last season as far as season tickets go. The people that go now love NFL football and the Cards for better or worse. After some fans dumped their tickets because the Cards wouldn't pay Plummer 10 million a year to stay here, all that's left now are the diehards of the diehards. Or, masochists.

Nobody is going to see this team because of what reporters say, not without real wins to back it up.

 

[joeshmo]

That's not because they fear the media, it's because they said the only time they ever saw their name in print was when they messed up.

After awhile it became a "bonding" thing.

Never said they feared it. They are cutting out distractions and like it or not the press is a distraction.

 

[ajcardfan]

Russ,

I think your take is wrong. I think Green is trying to get his team to play it's best, that's all. The "We get no respect, us-against-the-world" mentality has worked.

Besides, the players SHOULD be pissed at the media, and glad they are not around as much. After all, in the local media, just in the past week, they've been told to play for the #1 pick. The big season opening analysis section of the major paper in town had one article of analysis and two consisting of nothing but putdowns. Jurecki has insulted many of the players on the roster by his constant bitching about who's gone. Today, not one local media member predicted the Cards to score more than 10 points or cover the spread this week. Green has probably been making sure the guys read all of that stuff. They should be a very, very angry team right now.

If that is the players mindset, then I think this sort of move will help them win. Yes, it will.

 

[slanidrac16]

Nice article Skorpp!

Probably your best ever. The trouble I have with reporters is it seems many times they appear to be reading something that was printed at the conclusion last year.
There is enough positive things to be writing about ( at least at this point of the season) without even trying. MANY things have changed. Everything from practices to the waiver wire and everything in between.
It's true, there is a real chance that we won't win very many more games than last year. However, it is ludicrous to call this teamAND organization, the "same ole Cards".

 

[spanky1]

Russ,

I think your take is wrong. I think Green is trying to get his team to play it's best, that's all. The "We get no respect, us-against-the-world" mentality has worked.

Besides, the players SHOULD be pissed at the media, and glad they are not around as much. After all, in the local media, just in the past week, they've been told to play for the #1 pick. The big season opening analysis section of the major paper in town had one article of analysis and two consisting of nothing but putdowns. Jurecki has insulted many of the players on the roster by his constant bitching about who's gone. Today, not one local media member predicted the Cards to score more than 10 points or cover the spread this week. Green has probably been making sure the guys read all of that stuff. They should be a very, very angry team right now.

If that is the players mindset, then I think this sort of move will help them win. Yes, it will.

Yes I agree......they will be an angry bunch......now the important thing for Green is to channel this in the right manner......and I believe this plays right into his strengths as a coach.

 

[WildBB]

I've posted these sentiments before too.

Green wants the attention on himself.

He's got it. Now win baby.

 

[Russ Smith]

I can see the benefit in regards to hiding players that aren't as injured as reports have made out(Fitz).

OK but remember the NFL is cracking down on this very thing this year due to Shanahan hiding injuries last year. They are making it clear teams can no longer hide injuries or lie about injuries. Sandbagging coming off the preseason is something that should be easy to get away with. When you're in week 8 and you're still doing it, someone will complain and the team will get fined.

And of course, all Green has to do is tell reporters, do not report on this, if you do, no more access. He has that leverage.

 

[Redheart]

...
And of course, all Green has to do is tell reporters, do not report on this, if you do, no more access. He has that leverage.

Russ, Green is handling it his way. Have you ever had to deal with the press? Your are full of suggestions on this, but I don't see what the problem is. I get plenty of information on this team...sometimes more than I WANT to hear...as I really don't need to hear the everyday laundry or whining of the dis-enchanted.

 

[az jam]

Green is acting no different now then he did at Minnesota. He is not media friendly. He just doesn't buddy up to them nor trust them. I've said this before: he treats his players like family and keeps issues within the team. He will never criticize a player in the press. He wants his players to have total devotion and concentration to the TEAM. Its not an ego thing just the way it is. There is no so called press "insider" with Denny. I never had a problem with this when I lived in Minneapolis as the team was exciting to watch. They were always competing and making the playoffs. Finally the players liked playing for Denny. I didn't always agree with all the moves he did but that like most of you; I'm a Monday morning QB and know more than the head coach!

 

[JeffGollin]

I agree with the others, Skkorp - Nice thoughtful article. Naturally, there are some points where we disagree.

There are really two separate issues here (1) How Dennis Green treats the media and (2) How we feel about job local media is doing.

Whether or not Dennis' methods are "fair" or effective are open to debate. Normally I get suspicious when someone's management method's seem mysterious and somewhat secretive. But in this instance, we haven't seen much success of late and Coach Green has been consistently successful in the past. So if his approach to coaching, talent evaluation, personnel moves and media-treatment is a bit "different", I'd be inclined to cut him some slack for now. (But I'm sure "we'll all be watching.")

It may not be productive to bash the media, but I think it's fair game for fans to question (a) lack of coverage, (b) thoroughness of coverage, (c) objectivity of coverage and (d) fairness of coverage. Sitting upon my perch in NJ (7 miles south of lower Manhattan across the bay as the crow flies), get the benefit of lots of media diversity in the Metro NY/Northern NJ audience territory and have a basis of comparison for which to judge the local media in the Valley. Compared to the coverage the Giants, Jets and Eagles (in good times and in bad) get in Greater NY, the coverage in AZ isn't as much and isn't as thorough (although no one ever said the NY sports media was all that objective or fair). Note - this isn't to say that the AZ media coverage is alway objective or fair either.

I think it's fair game for "we the customers" to criticize media when we don't think it's doing its job (and not just in the area of sports either - I think so because I feel that a fair, balanced, concerned, fair and diverse media is important to our survival as a Democracy).

 

[Rats]

Disagree, there are bay area reporters who are at practice routinely for the 49ers and Raiders. AS you say they all know the rules, don't discuss secret plays, etc.

But neither team has a total closed campus so to speak and Al Davis wrote the book on paranoia.

I'm sure there ARE teams who do this, but it's not like we were the only team not doing it. Mac's tightness with the media wasn't his problem his tightness with players and coaches who couldn't do their jobs was the problem.

Coach Green has limited access to the team. It is called tightening the ship. To much negativity after endless losing seasons is one reason. You have to control some information and there was to much getting out to non traditional media outlets like this board to make him comfortable. Players makeing there case on internet messageboards is detrimental to the team as a whole. Players aknowledeing sites like this can be seen as detrimental to the unity of a team. Jim Omo has not been around much to give his "two cents" to official site releases because he has been censured by the staff or front office. This was very noticable during Camp. Running a tight ship requires that all the sailors know there job and perform there job. This does not require comment on there job or those that tell them how to do there job. Mike Jurecki knows his days are numbered here as the supposed Insider. He has never been a Cards fan just a reporter. He was the Insider on the outside under Tobin, then Mac brought him Inside. Now he is outside again with a coach that wasn't his choice to turn things around here. So he is going to be negative with his approach thus being detrimental to this team. If they win he will say they didn't have to win that way. Or that it was the only way they could win with that personel...it all started at Camp and Coach Green limiting all the media there and until we win things from the media and those that didn't want Coach Green will be negative. Winning will cure it all.

 

[Russ Smith]

I guess I'm getting sidetracked here and with personal events of the last week that's entirely likely.

I just think given DG's track record in Minnesota, when he does something like this, I tend to think he's hiding something.

But then I'm skeptical that way. 2 days ago I'm watching a tv show locally about a bike race this weekend in San Francisco, the organizers were asked about rampant drug rumors because Lance Armstrong is racing and drugs always come up with him. the guy says Lance is the most tested athlete in history, he's clean, then talks about a fancy new detection system they will be using at this race to catch cheats, and how several world renowned riders have pulled out since they announced that. Guess who pulled out yesterday with a "knee injury", Lance Armstrong. Much to my surprise the guy accusing foreign riders of dropping out to avoid the new test, seems to be quite silent about lance dropping out even though they've been promoting the race as see Lance in person for weeks now. The skeptic in me finds it oddly coincidental that just days after the new test is made public, Lance's tendinitis flares up and he drops out. That's just my nature I guess, a skeptic.

I want the team to win, I'm just not yet sure how this media blockade has anything to do with that.

 

[Clif]

...
I want the team to win, I'm just not yet sure how this media blockade has anything to do with that.

But that is just the thing Russ. No one here ( at least not me ) is saying that the media access has much to do with winning directly. Now if DG feels that in order to win he needs to keep a tight ship and a family mentality and this helps him do so, then I am all for it.

If he feels this is a way to get the players to confide in him and their teammates without fear of public scrutiny, then I say it is a good thing.

More than once he has created an "us against the world" mentality and I think this only helps to further that.

If this means wins, whether directly or indirectly, then I say go for it.

He obviously thinks this will in some way bring his team closer together.

 

[Bobcat]

Can someone explain to me how the media access affects wins and losses?

Were Somers and company telling the opponents the signals(I thought they already knew them anyways)?

This is the part of DG I don't like, just coach the team don't pretend you're running the CIA or something.

Most sports fans in the Phoenix metro area are mostly "lemmings." Not so much on this board, but fans in general. They believe mostly everything that these sports writer say and this has hurt the fan attendance. I remember growing up in NYC when the Met's really sucked; but the fans still supported the team. It was great to be a Mets fan. Hell the Yankees only won. They didn;t have the personality of the Mets players coaches and staff. The NYC media adopted that team. In 1969 the mets won it all. Maybe just maybe if these so called sports media here in Phoenix would start talking about the good things the Cards are trying to accomplish rather than pointing out ever problem or procived problem they may or may not have.


Allan