ESPN creates fake QB controversey
On the front page of espn.com right now is the following chantel jennings article:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10402014/brady-hoke-open…
The headline on the front page is "Hoke: Michigan QB job up for grabs this spring."
Unfortunately, that's not at all what Hoke said. This is a media manufactured qb controversey and it's bad for the team. The actual question and answer was as follows:
Question: To be clear, when Devin is healthy, obviously he will be at some point, Shane is going to get a chance, Devin is going to have a chance or is Devin going to go in as your starter?
Brady Hoke: “I think that is an unknown. Again, we were 7-6 and we’ve got a lot of young guys. We’ve got a lot of competition. Now does Devin have the most experience – yes. There is no question.”
Hoke in no way stated that the qb job is "up for grabs." The above was typical Hokespeech. All he is saying is that there is going to be competition. He always says that there's going to be competition.
[Ed-S: Deleted a few of the knucklehead responses from the Habilines around here.]
February 4th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
Yes, but that's not the case here. This is the first sentence of Jennings's story:
The starting quarterback spot will be up for grabs when Michigan's spring practice begins Feb. 25, coach Brady Hoke told multiple media outlets Monday.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
The qb job is always up for grabs. WHat is the problem here?
February 4th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
That is 100% true. I once emailed a writer at SI about one of their articles online because of the title and he got back to me saying "I don't write the headlines, much to my chagrin. Editors always go with something attention grabbing"
February 4th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
I thought he was saying what he's always said, "There will be competition." No big deal. Devin is gonna be our starter. He just wants and needs the younger guys to fight for something and improve rather than think "oh well Devin's gonna start I'll just sit here derp derp derp."
February 4th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
Old news.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^
She's nowhere near as bad as Rothstein was when WN still existed. There wasn't a single article he wrote where I read something I didn't already know beforehand. His mailbags were the most awful things ever, he'd answer every question with a completely vague, noncommittal "answer" that wasn't an answer at all.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
Rothstein is really bad. The guy seemed to piggyback Rittenberg and Bennett, which is hilarious because they know absolutely nothing as well. ESPN's reporters, besides TVH and a few select others, are absolutely terrible.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
Is she really? This is the first time I've seen something from her that seemed like a poor job to me.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^
Then you've never watched her interview anyone.
February 4th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
yes, her articles are pathetic.. I think a few wks ago she had one about special teams and didn't even mention Will Hagerup being eligible again and coming off his suspension. Someone mentioned it to her on twitter and she said he wouldn't contribute at all this year..
Really? She doesn't know shit about the team, at least not any more than everyone on this blog knows on a daily basis..
Im pretty sure a majority of the people here could write better off-season articles about the football team than her.
February 4th, 2014 at 5:37 PM ^
She was also there (and I think sports editor) when the Daily was turning out those really outstanding long form pieces like the one about all the kids from Pahokee. She's usually pretty good, though IIRC, her beat was basketball and I tend to think her coverage of that is better.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
LOL, there is absolutely no controversy. The only way Shane plays this year is if Devin gets injured again.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
So, what your saying is that Chantel worded a question terribly, and Hoke responded with a typical, noncommital coachspeak phrase that sidestepped the non-existing question altogether. Ok, I think I got it.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^
it wasn't even her question. it doesn't even appear that she was at the meeting. she said her quotes were reported by mlive.
February 4th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
I got a ScoreCenter notification for this.
Coach Brady Hoke said Monday, QB job up for grabs in 2014, senior Devin Gardner not guaranteed to start
February 4th, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
I was roasting her but I don't see the alleged quote.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
sam webb transcribed it:
February 4th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
this is bad for the team?
February 4th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
And the MSM wonders why the MSM is a failing industry.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
Question: With Jeremy Gallon graduating, who do you think is stepping up into that #1 receiver role?
Answer: Well, we've got a lot of talented guys, it'll be a tough competition. I think whoever it is is really going to have to work for it. I think right now, there is no one guy.
Headline: UM QB Gardner moves back to WR?
(NOTE: Both the Q and A would need to be translated into nearly unintelligible ramblings, though.)
February 4th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
She might not get invited to the next one
February 4th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
Internet sports journalist is bad at sports journalism. Shocking.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
Here's the more responsible way that Angelique, who was actually there, reports this:
Devin Gardner has the most experience of those will be competing for the quarterback job at Michigan, but no one should assume the starting job will be his this fall.
Of course, there’s a strong chance it will be since Gardner started last season and the final five games of 2012. But while he continues to recover from a left foot injury – turf toe with a break involved – and will be limited when spring practice begins later in the month, Shane Morris and Russell Bellomy will continue to get practice reps and be factors in the competition.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
The title is "Garnder won't be handed No. 1", which, is the correct interpretation of Hoke's Hoke-esque answer.
In the same way that "Morgan won't be handed No. 1 MLB" and "Clark won't be handed No. 1 WDE" and "Countess won't be handed No. 1 CB".
That's what Spring ball is all about... giving the No. 2, 3, and 4 guys the opening to make a move if they deserve it and the No. 1 guys slip up (Only to re-hash the battle in August)
February 4th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
I looked around for advice, though.
Good luck #team135. A new coordinator is a huge transition! Advice from a vet- Go to work! New OC means new depth chart- go win your spot!
— Ryan Van Bergen (@VanBergen53) January 9, 2014
February 4th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
along with the mediocre 2012 is generating a new attitude for not only the staff but the players. In a short, the pressure is on.
Therefore, nothing will be taken for granted and the message is going out to all involved in the program.
2014 will be a make or break year and Hoke knows it.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
About who would be the starting QB next season, Hoke said, "I think that is an unknown, we were 7-6 and we've got a lot of young guys. We've got a lot of competition."
Per Nick Baumgardner.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
that's exactly the quote above.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
no. and it isn't close.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
Unfortunately, they left out part of Hoke's statement and went for the clicks.
"Now does Devin have the most experience – yes. There is no question.”
There is an entire book there. They read the cover, tossed it aside and created their own version of the story.
I think it is safe to assume that most of us want open competition for every spot, all the time. That is hardly a story, and it certainly isn't anything new. The story can't stand, let's create a headline worthy of the tabloids.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^
Competition is good for players. Players know this. Players who think they shouldn't have to earn their spot on the depth chart probably aren't going to achieve their maximum potential.
Bottom line, this is how you want your depth chart to work.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^
You're telling me that ESPN generates fake controversies? Color me shocked.
February 4th, 2014 at 9:37 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^
is clearly trolling for clicks. Her article is meaningless garbage.
February 4th, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
The "c" and the "l" are spaced quite close together on my screen. Totally changes the meaning of your statement...
February 4th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
some folks are being unnecessarily harsh on Chantel. She works for the Worldwide leader now and I have a feeling their content is not necessarily chose of their own free will. Similar to the amount of NFL discussion that is contractually driven, I think that reporters' content is heavily influenced.
THAT said...I think the story here is that Hoke realized that a 7-6 season means that "we need to do a lot of things differently" and if it means that the QB starting role is up for grabs, then so be it. Its rather predictable.
Edit: Not to mention that she DID graduate from Michigan. With a degree in English. just sayin.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
Who ever gives Michigan the best chance to win should start. Age and starting experience shouldn't matter.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:40 PM ^
When healthy, that is, pretty much without question, Gardner.
February 4th, 2014 at 4:23 PM ^
We still have spring ball and fall camp to get through before a starter is named. I'm not saying it shouldn't be Gardner but competition benefits everybody.
edit:
Gardner is 10-7 as a starter, not exactly anything to be proud of IMO but not all his fault either. Some big wins UTL2 and some big numbers IU2013, but some big losses too.
Morris is 0-1 as a starter. 24/38 196yds for a 5.2 avg is average at best.
Bellomy played poorly in his only significant playing time against Nebraska. WRs had some drops though.
Speight will be a true freshman.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
Devin Gardner but I believe we will have a controversey because Shane fits the system better and showed he's perhaps rady in the bowl game. The Best QB plays. TEAM, TEAM, TEAM
February 4th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
Devin Gardner but I believe we will have a controversey because Shane fits the system better and showed he's perhaps rady in the bowl game. The Best QB plays. TEAM, TEAM, TEAM
February 4th, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^
February 4th, 2014 at 4:39 PM ^
took me a while to find an image that was funny
or maybe this one
February 4th, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
It took me a while to figure out what the person was asking. I would have loved to see someone ask Carr that question.
February 4th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
This post is stupid. There's always competition for positions, nobody is given a starting spot, that has been said many times. Also Idon't know why so many people are bashing Chantel she has some really good articles and she does good work reporting on Michigan for ESPN. Seems like some pretty low character attacks going on here...
February 4th, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^
Why is the media so insistent on this? Even in the BWW Bowl, they went in seemingly with their talking points on how Morris looked ready and recited them when he clearly didn't. Hell, they were drooling over his stats when all those slightly forward tosses counted as "passes."