yes plz
Should MGoblog attend summer practice?
I've already posted on this subject on the mgoboard, so I apologize in advance for the redundancy since I’ve already posted on this subject on the mgoboard.
Anyhoo, The Wolverine folks over on rivals.com are claiming to have access to every other upcoming summer practice. Of the hundred or so changes in regime we’ve all been anticipating as positive, the increased media access (to assistant coaches, practices, etc.) is among those I’ve looked forward to the most. Eff the sketchy "whispers". Bring on a 48 hour news cycle of legitimate observations and analysis.
Oh how the time between 8/4 and 8/30 would fly if we could get practice reports every other day. Since Brian was able to muscle his way into the Big 10 meetings, I was curious if he had any designs on summer practice as well. Turns out, there may be an invitation.
Question is, should he take it? IMO this is a no-brainer. Of course he should. But what if they put some conditions on this access, such as... I don’t even know what.
Who here thinks it’s still a good idea? What sort of restrictions can you envision that they would request which you could live with?
If UM said Brian could attend every other practice so long as for the duration he a) stopped posting content using any of the 7 dirty words, and b) refrained from personally posting or linking to any R-rated material, then I would say "Yes" he should go.
Looking even further down the line, they issued MGoblog credentials for the big 10 meetings. They’re considering some level of access for summer practice. Lets say hypothetically, there’s a chance Brian could become our own embedded beat reporter with the team. We would take that and live with whatever stylistic consequences arose (UFR goes nowhere of course)? Or is it not worth the risk?
Maybe, just maybe, with the increase in media access across the board, the MSM will rise to the challenge and take the opportunity to provide much more substantive reporting on the on-field product. If this were to happen, Mgoblog could keep the role we’ve all come to know and love. I just don’t have a lot of faith.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:59 PM | 
If UofM were to try and
If UofM were to try and
If UofM were to try and impose the restrictions that you have suggested then I would urge Brian to say no. My reasoning is that one of the reasons I obsessively check this site is because of the humor, and that any restrictions on the language that Brian doesn't impose on himself could affect some of the laughs. However, it would be a hard invitation to decline and regardless I'll be checking the site 20 times a day.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:06 PM |
tough call
tough call
I'm also checking the site way too often, which is why the potential invitation to observe practice/attend pressers, etc., is so intriguing to me. The blogger v. MSM deliniation and debate from mgoblog's perspective has been fascinating, and now comes the chance to participate in MSM type activities.
With it comes the opportunity to examine why I am obsessed with the site as my #1 stop for UM football. The answer is the humor and candor, followed very closely by the analysis and information. Yet, in the end, I would be willing to potentially sacrifice an unknown quantity of that humor and candor for a quantum leap ahead in information and analysis. I guess Brian must be pondering if he himself, and other readers, feel the same way.
Or maybe I am just way too over thinking this fucking thing and should get back to work.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:53 PM |
if they tried to get brian
if they tried to get brian
to limit the scope of what he could say in any way, he shouldn't do it. and he won't.
...the Canadians make up for it with their emotion and classic ice-dancing skill.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:43 PM |
It is a matter of perspective and motives
It is a matter of perspective and motives
My wife can say bad things about me (which I might not like) but I know it is because she loves me and cares deeply about what I do. I assume Brian would approach increased access in the same way. Candid and truthful but always with a love of the program and concern for its reputation and future. This can require calling a spade a spade. If a SID cannot tolerate that, it is not worth the increased access. The loss of an occasional dirty word or link would probably be a reasonable sacrifice.
The difference with MSM types is that they either have to write fluff or lose access or they are a Drew Sharp/AA News type who would rather write garbage and disparage the program just to sell papers. Unlike my wife, or Brian, they do not care deeply about the topic/person/program under discussion.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:58 PM |
there’s a chance Brian could
there’s a chance Brian could
there’s a chance Brian could become our own embedded beat reporter with the team
...this is not going to happen, or at least it's not going to be me. As I mentioned in Chicago, I would hate being a beatwriter. I just want the opportunity to ask a few questions, get the same level of practice access the premium guys do, and show my face enough that when it comes time to write HTTV 2009 or 2010 that we can get interviews.
I'm very sensitive to the idea that access might change the blog in undesirable ways; we'll give it a try (maybe) and see if there's a point.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:12 PM |
Heck yes...
Heck yes...
Brian should visit if possible so he can speak to the way Coach Rod might or might not handle his practices. He's get the information first hand and then have a knowledge of the new practice regiment. It couldn't hurt in the big picture.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 PM |
go
go
write what you want, if they don't like it and take away access it's really no loss. And you're better off having the experience.
http://ttifi.blogspot.com/ for interesting vids
http://ttifiblog.tumblr.com/ for interesting pics
July 29th, 2008 at 8:26 PM |
1) Brian should get the access,
1) Brian should get the access,
2) Brian should be himself and change nothing about MgoBlog,
3) Brian will inevitably get thrown out, because of 2),
4) Brian is back to where he was, no worse off, with a brief but good experience.
5) What the hell.
M'Dog
July 29th, 2008 at 8:45 PM |
Practice is a no brainer
Practice is a no brainer
Its a must go. Brian covers Michigan football. Going to practice, if granted access, is a no brainer. Just for the experience. Sounds like he has long term in mind regarding setting up future HTTV editions.
I know the blogsphere plays up the no access as a badge of courage, but they do that because thats just it: they have no access. This would change that and make this blog more credible (even if it already is, imo) than the msm who tout their access, but dont do anything with it. Most sit on their laurels and opine without even getting the real story.
Brian has future HTTV in mind, but I hope he has cultivating a source list for the immediate needs of the blog in mind as well. Get to know the players, get some of their digits, same with coaches or anyone else who is part of the program. journalists say dont become friends with sources, but I've always thought that was bunk. Get to know these people and future stories will be that much more insightful.
In some ways, you already are a beat reporter. Its just the more creative parameters of the blogosphere can and will redefine those terms. You're already providing more content than every UM beat reporter out there in the traditional media, so its time to get this access and cultivate a much greater source network. You have the content, they have the sources. They cant catch up as far as content goes, but in time you can equal and surpass them as far as sources go. Going to practice takes a big step towards that.
Brian does not need my advice. He proved he has some chops last week (oh, and way to finally get that TE question in!! nice work). But, he should have no hesitation about going to practice(s) if invited.
The real dilemma for him will be what if he sees something real cool in practice.....like Carlos Brown and Hemingway dominate in a wildcat formation, or, egads, injuries.....does he report them or does his inner fan chime in and shield the stuff from possible enemy readers.
That, and can he smuggle me into practice with him!
Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS
MSU/IU at the JCB
July 30th, 2008 at 10:10 AM |
Duh.
Duh.
YES!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:21 PM |
only his soul to lose
only his soul to lose
UM may impose gag orders on what Brian sees at practice. These are reasonable and perfectly acceptable. He will gain from having seen practice (both personally and professionally) even if he cannot share the specifics. Clearly, if UM overtly attempts to regulate what he writes not pertaining to the practices then access becomes less desirable. Brian mentioned access, once granted, can be taken away. This is true but since he doesn't have it now he whatever transient access he gets will represent a net gain. The unstated concern about losing his edge and becoming a captive insider is one only he can reconcile.
Give it to Wheatley!
