An apology to the board

Submitted by RollDamnTide on

I would like to make a sincere apology to the MGoBlog community. When I started my "A Few Interesting Recruiting Notes", my aim was just to update you guys on the comings and goings of recruits around the country. I'd also post what my friends were hearing about the Michigan recruits, because I thought you'd like to hear it. I had no idea, however, that it would turn into something as far reraching as it has become. These threads are being referenced on 247/Scout/ and even on the Bama and SEC boards. While I stand by EVERYTHING I've written, I'm bound to be wrong about something, because my friends can be wrong. I'm not very thick skinned truth be told, and I really don't want the backlash that will result from it. 

I do this for fun, and I want it to continue being fun for me. With that being said, I'm no longer going to be doing these recruiting updates. I love this board, and I enjoy being a member of the community, so I will remain and be happy to share my thoughts on all things Alabama. 

 

 

BlueReign

March 29th, 2012 at 12:02 PM ^

I really enjoyed the extra updates but i understand the insanity of internet backlash. Hopefully you change your mind at some point and feed out football recruiting adiction.

Witz57

March 29th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^

If I could give RDT one piece of unsolicited advice it would be to ignore all unsolicited advice.  I'd also mess up the subject verb agreement, and inadvertantly commit a minor NCAA infraction while doing it.

a2_electricboogaloo

March 29th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^

That awkward moment when you reply to something with a joke, and then realize that it's the exact joke being made by the person to whom you are replying.

But in all honesty RDT, we all appreciate what you do, and I personally love getting recruiting analysis from an outside perspective (one without maize tinted glasses).  However, your choice is your choice, and you are in no way obligued to post the updates here, especially with a legitimate reason like that one, but they will be missed.  Thanks for the info man.

But damn.  With Aquaman and gobluegr MIA, RDT no longer posting his recruiting nuggets, there go two of the board's best informants for recruiting.  Who will step up?  Who is the hero that the MGoBoard needs?

Ron Utah

March 29th, 2012 at 12:35 PM ^

RDT,

This is an internet message board.  Scout, 247, Rivals...they're wrong all the time.  Everyone reports on rumors and "what they hear from friends."  That's what this business is all about.  If people read this board expecting everything to be fact, they are: 1) Idiots 2) Disappointed

I appreciate every bit of information you've shared and I am begging you to post more.  Not just because I am Michigan Football addict, but because I appreciate getting the southern point of view.

Basically, if you stop posting, the terrorists win.

rpel84

March 29th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^

I agree with RDT.  The trolls on this site ruin it.  The neg bangs for honest questions or comments and so on are what drive people away.  It even drives away hardcore UM fans and perpetuate the notion that UM fans are full of themself. 

Get rid of the TROLLS

BoFan

March 29th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

 

Hi RDT,

It's truly amazing how much you are now quoted.  That's actually kind of cool.  

I was the first to complain about your posts getting picked up by the AP newswire...but it was only because you spread an incorrect rumor that reflected badly on our coaching staff and you also suggested we were full at DT which made absolutely no sense.

Nonetheless, this is a blog, you can say whatever you want, and I don't believe in censorship.  Ok, so Brian is the only censor.

I too like your posts and your sharing the rumors you collect from your Bama high school buddies (your stated source I believe).

If you make a couple changes to how you post you won't have to worry about being mis- or over-quoted.  So here are the top four recommendations for under-stating your posts and predictions.

Option 1)  State your sources or how bad they are.  If they are good then understate them.  These are all just one rumor told to another guy and told to another guy from what I can tell.   For example:  "Just a bunch of bull from my Bama buddies!"

Option 2)  Pretend your a credentialed reporter and verify your posts first.  For example your "we're are not recruiting anymore DT" conflicted with all the pay sites and cw.  Ty Isaac potentially committing over the next few weeks actually has a reasonable chance of happening (until he doesn't).  

Option 3)  Attach probabilities (really low ones) to your predictions.  Folks always believe predictions more when they have numbers next to them ... even when the numbers are BS.  For example: "Ty Isaac is committing this weekend with a 8.32% probability"   (Note: really accurate numbers are even more believable)

Option 4)  Start your posts with "Hi I'm RDT and I don't know s%#t!  No one will pick that up.  :-)

Of course we will all read past the understatements and still take them as gospel!

Space Coyote

March 29th, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^

But I don't want to look like I'm happy you aren't posting anymore.  This is like some kind of infinite loop.

I wish you would reconsider posting your recruiting updates, both the ones that are about Michigan and the ones that aren't.  I thought they were interesting.  As long as you weren't just blindly making things up (which it by no means sounds like you were), then I think it's fine as long as people take it with a little grain of salt.  It's the people that blindly throw crap at a wall and see what sticks that are the problem.

So hopefully you will see fit with all the outpouring of support to continue.  If not, it's understandable though.

Mr. Brownstone

March 29th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^

I will trade you some of my good ol' "up north, thick skin" for some of "y'alls down south recruitin news."  DEAL??????? 

Hokemaniac

March 29th, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^

About you roll your tide once a month like a good lady and stay on the bama boards. Sec fans can't take any criticism because they are too busy rooting for each other like a nice little Mormon family.

CorkyCole

March 29th, 2012 at 2:14 PM ^

APRIL FOOLS!  You're quite the trickster, RDT.

*three days off, but here's to hoping you just woke up from a drunken coma completely unaware of what day it is*

the Glove

March 29th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^

I've personally lost faith in humanity a long time ago, but some people believe since we are die hard fans to the same team that we all will like each other. The reality is that I hate a good portion of people I meet, so that being said it correlates that I hate a good portion of people that root for the same team as I do. The point I'm trying to make is to individual such as rolldamntide and ace who do a hell of job of getting information to the rest of us, do your best to not let some of the assholes who are on this board get to you. Your work is appreciated by the vast majority of us. Rolldamntide I hope posting recruiting updates becomes fun to you again soon and I look forward them in the future.

HarmonHowardWoodson

March 29th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

I also enjoyed reading the updates. Who cares if you are wrong once in a while. The 4-letter network became famous by throwing out as many rumors as possible because chances are one would be right...I vote that you keep going!

 

And yes, I realize that there isn't really a vote happening :)

Sarasota13

March 29th, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^

RDT Quote:

 

"so I will remain and be happy to share my thoughts on all things Alabama" .

 

Other than football,  what other things are in  Alabama?

ek43

March 29th, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^

why do all the douchebags on here treat "the board" like its some kind of sacred shit like its a place to talk about michigan sports why are  you appoligizng for that?

detrocks

March 29th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^

RDT, I hope that you'll reconsider.   I really enjoy your updates.  

As far as recruiting, no one is right all of the time and my measuring stick is:   (a) whether their information is more that I could pick up myself with just a little effort on the internet; and (b) whether that information is right more often than they're wrong.  Your updates fit those criteria.

Don't let the trolls get you down

Raback Omaba

March 29th, 2012 at 2:25 PM ^

Why and what r u apologizing for? Quit being such a polite southerner, your contributions to this board are great.



My advice to you:



Follow YOUR heart and mind

Daniel

March 29th, 2012 at 2:34 PM ^

I can see how you wouldn't want to negatively influence any recruits, either. Tremendous has hinted at the fact that he has to be a lot more careful with what he says now that he's more internet-famous.

Since you're ostensibly an Alabama fan first and foremost, it's completely understandable that you would prefer for your mgoblog rep (and even your internet rep overall) to be based on insightful commentary and general gentlemanliness, rather than your inside info.

It'll be sad to see your updates go, as I've read every one of them with childlike anticipation; but I get it.

ken725

March 29th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^

We should set up a super secret page where people can post recruiting updates that only we can see.  Sounds like a great plan to me.

TheGhostofYost

March 29th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^

I really don't get the obsession with RDT.  Hes a good poster, but a 130-post thread about an apology he issued?  Frankly, if he's just reciting "information" from his friends, he's probably right that he shouldn't start a thread about it.   Stop acting like Mattison just left for Ohio.

TheGhostofYost

March 29th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^

I really don't get the obsession with RDT.  Hes a good poster, but a 130-post thread about an apology he issued?  Frankly, if he's just reciting "information" from his friends, he's probably right that he shouldn't start a thread about it.   Stop acting like Mattison just left for Ohio.

LSAClassOf2000

March 29th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^

No need to apologize to this board, RDT. The updates were great and I am very sad to hear that we will be treated to them no more - the sort of information you were  relaying bolstered this board's reputation as one of the best collegiate  sports blog sites. 

I sincerely hope you hang around and keep in touch with the MGoCommunity. 

justingoblue

March 29th, 2012 at 8:20 PM ^

If Brady Hoke, Denard Robinson and Jordan Kovacs were my three best friends, they would probably give me some really juicy info. I have no idea what his fascination with "but his friends tell him that".

Who are Brian's sources? Who do reporters rely on for stories about Congress or whatever else? An awful lot of reporting is based on personal relationships, i.e. friends.

Griff88

March 29th, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^

Need to apologize or stop RDT. If people are taking your notes, and running with it as gospel... then they are foolish. As you can see by the overwhelming response, people want you to continue. You have built a good reputation here. 

This board is smart enough to sift through the mud, and filter out the likes of "Ace Williams". You and your sources, have proven to be more right then wrong. Don't let a few people, discourage you from continuing to provide insight... the majority here have your back. Besides RDT, you can't let these few, ruin a good thing for the rest us.