NFL Insiders embarrass their mothers, Volume I: John Clayton
I know many of you are tired of these threads. I agree with you that the most important thing is that Harbaugh is in Ann Arbor as the future coach. But I am not at "don't care what NFL guys say" level, not yet. It matters that they're making asses of themselves, and it bears further comment and ridicule. This is prime material for a Brian/Seth/Ace/BISB takedown, and I hope they have a proper article planned during the offseason (I realize Brian has been lighting them on fire throughout the search, but a dedicated, consolidated piece would be read-worthy).
John Clayton just said on Sportscenter that Jim Harbaugh is at Michigan because he "played his hand last week", insinuating he played it too early. Recognizing that NFL teams couldn't talk to him due to tampering, but the now infamous "you can do these things through back channels". So apparently tampering is not a thing, it's fine and normal if done through back channels. The Jets said no, and the Dolphins said no. And then "he didn't really get a chance to talk to the Raiders", took the Michigan job because it was the only option he had, and will "work on that", then go back to the NFL.
Obvious logical flaw: the Jets and Dolphins were able to engage in backchannel tampering, but the Raiders did not? What about the Bears or Falcons? Did they obey the tampering rules like the Raiders, or did they also not want a coach with the fifth best NFL winning percentage of all time, like the Jets and Dolphins? Because the suck level of these teams would suggest otherwise.
Contradiction with guy in cubicle next to him: "Though Jim Harbaugh is expected to land at Michigan, NFL teams such as the Bears, Jets, Raiders continue making overtures to change his mind." - Adam Schefter. ESPN is reporting both of these things simultaneously, as if they are both correct.
This is careless and thoughtless reporting, and it defies common sense. That, or they are for some reason telling a story to "cover" the NFL for losing one of its top coaches. In that case they are just flat out lying.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:46 AM ^
dude, who cares?
Harbaugh is home. Nothing else matters.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:50 AM ^
As well as many others too.
Don't like it? Don't read it.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^
I like you, you petty little man.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:32 AM ^
hahahahahahaha
December 30th, 2014 at 9:01 AM ^
I cared last week and even yesterday, but at this point it's time to move on and forget about these NFL clowns.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
Agreed. The NFL guys were clueless about the possibility of Harbaugh to Michigan a month ago, and they're still clueless about it now. They're now desperate to maintain their credibility. But who cares? We got our guy, and that's what's important.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
It matters because we don't want recruits thinking he we bolt back to the NFL next year, as I'm sure Meyer et al will be telling them.
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December 30th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
So no team likes him and he has no opportunities now, but he can come back anytime in the future and any team would welcome him with open arms. That's essentially the 'insider' thought. Makes perfect sense to me
December 30th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
And take the high road. Happy Harbaugh Day!
December 30th, 2014 at 8:49 AM ^
what the NFL uniformed guys have to say
December 30th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
It doesn't matter. Reporters get info from all kinds of inside sources and in return those sources will get the reporters to put stuff out there to fit their agenda.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
Life is much more enjoyable. If you try and cure or rationalize the irrational, then all you will be is miserable.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:22 AM ^
I disagree with this on many levels, which may be obvious by the content of my post. But rooting out the irrational, calling attention to it, and working to correct it has always been a source of great pleasure to me. Quite the opposite of misery.
The old "grant me the serenity..."? Sure, if I'm sliding into the incinerator like Woody and his pals near the end of Toy Story 3, I'd like to serenely accept my fate. But this is not that situation. It's not OK to be so careless that your reporting is completely worthless, nor is it OK to flat out lie. Calling this out on message boards is my small attempt to bring down the Matrix. (I've been watching movies during break)
December 30th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
I know everyone thinks we should ignore these, but it's really important to hold Clayton, Schefter, and other NFL nuts accountable for what they say
December 30th, 2014 at 8:54 AM ^
How do we do that? Hack their eharmony.com accounts?
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December 30th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^
I get that they were wrong, but I think it's pretty unlikely that they're maliciously trying to make UM look bad. I don't think this passes the bar of important work. Reminds me of when reporters get all pissy with each other about who got something first.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
I don't really mind when people try to cover their tracks after making lousy initial conclusions and reports. I understand how they'd be more interested in saving their reputations than the truth. It's about saving face.
But when these people happen to be journalists with the power of the national mass media behind them, I say hang 'em high, hang 'em by their own petards. Be loud, unforgiving and relentess in holding them accountable.
Not holding pundits accountable (and a short collective memory) is the reason we have nothing but hacks for the political beat.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
Sorry for hijacking the thread, but did anyone catch John Falk on air with Sam a few minutes ago getting choked up about Jim coming home? So great.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:54 AM ^
Let it go.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:54 AM ^
I wouldnt mind it if it was all in 1 thread and you guys compiled all the affronts by these NFL guys but we get the drift - NFL guys suck, have been wrong, and are finding ways to cover their behinds with inaccurate stories. Sitting here each 2 hrs and itemizing each reporter makes us look really petty and in a way very insecure. Like... not only did we win the prize but we need everyone to acknowledge we got the prize so look at us and aplogize for your actions. I think most of us are fine with having the prize and knowing in a general sense the NFL guys all failed tremendously. Everything else is just details.
Positive energy dude.
Anyhow, Happy Harbaugh Day.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
No
Fucking
Shit
We are starting to sound like Sparty after a close loss. The amount of butthurt here over stupid reporters is amazing.
War is over folks-we won. Let the losers bitch and make excuses, it's time for us to celebrate, not complain.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
All of this negativity is going to take years off your life folks.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^
Adam Schefter is a tool period! IMHO
December 30th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
We'll quickly run out of space if we give a volume to every applicable instance.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:01 AM ^
It seems to me like the ESPN guys have gotten fat and complacent. Of all the reporters who covered this story, the ESPN guys were clearly the worst at their jobs, to a man. ESPN/the NFL are more like the WWF than real journalism/sports nowadays. Bill Simmons learned what happens when you don't tow the party line.
I wouldn't mind a day where all ESPN reports are banned on here, a la Bleacher Report. In fact, I'd be in favor of banning ESPN and reinstating Bleacher Report.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
More cynically: the WWL's two biggest investments in the past five years have been in the SEC and the NFL. Harbaugh-to-Michigan weakens (albeit minimally) both.
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December 30th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^
Michigan insiders were right. They were wrong. Everything now on their end is CYA. Let them run around and make excuses. I'll be here basking in the warmth of Harbaugh.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
Schefty and the Cryptkeeper have made giant asses of themselves. The sad thing is though, the general public get their news from ESPN and not the real legit insiders that we know and love. Unfortunately people will think these asshats are right and broke the hiring first. Makes me want to puke, frankly.
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December 30th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
I enjoy reading the negative spin from NFL types and Spartoons. It ranges from this would never happen because Michigan is no longer an elite program to Harbaugh is screwing his alama matter out of $8m a year and will be gone in 3 back to the NFL.
Give Jim 2-3 years and we'll be back on top worried only about OSU as it should be and Meyer/OSU - Harbaugh/UM will be the biggest rivalry in sports.
But to say this isn't the biggest hire for the best job open this year is just silly.
Answer me this naysayers: when was the last time a Michigan coach quit for another college job or the NFL? When you figure that out let me know because I am not smart enough to find the answer, if there is one other than never.
Izzo says he'll take his coach. We'll take ours. And the next 20 years.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
Bill Frieder is the only name coming to mind. Unless you're talking football only, because then I've got nothing.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^
I meant football only but that's right about Frieder. Can't say he was missed very long.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^
Before Frieder, Johnny Orr.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^
shuts these people up with a rousing introduction at noon. Part of Harbaugh's success can be attributed to his passion. He's not coming home because that's the best he could do, he's coming home because there was nothing he wanted more.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:11 AM ^
p.s. where is Bagheera? The one who guaranteed Oakland would get Harbaugh. ;)
December 30th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
Probably here. I haven't kept track-how many named characters were there in "The Jungle Book?"
Look for a new one-you'll find him.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
why do you care guys?
Let the losers bitch and make excuses, it's time for us to celebrate, not complain.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^
What does that have to do with a dude with multiple names?
December 30th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
You both complain in this thread that this thread is complaining about NFL reporters getting it wrong. Yet both of you in this thread are concerned about a poster who got it wrong. Ironic.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^
I for one am shocked by his absence of late.
/s
December 30th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
I am so happy.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^
I DO wonder whether these guys actually believe their own nonsense, or if they know it's NFL-spin. Or both.
I would like to think that Clayton (who is usually a good journalist IMO) wouldn't be that stupid AND wouldn't be a puppet for the NFL, but that would mean that ESPN is strong-arming their reporters into throwing out idiotic analysis. That idea makes me equally nervous.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
Sounded like a puppet last night. Didn't even look like he believed what he was saying.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^
Who cares? I care. These clowns are still shitting all over our party--hell, as late as yesterday NBC Sports was saying the Bears were making a late run. Whaaaaaaat? Were they standing on the tarmac at Metro with a contract and a few tubs of Garretts?
BTB, when is Volume 6: Colin Cowhered going to post?
December 30th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^
If those guys are even affecting your party a little bit, you need to change your perspective. We have Harbaugh. That's all that matters.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^
It's possible to be ecstatic about the Harbaugh hire and still upset at this nonsense. In another thread I mentioned being near tears at his homecoming, and we're celebrating Harbaugh Day in the household. It's not stealing any joy.
But foolish nonsense can be pointed and laughed at, even amongst the dancing and singing.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^
the diddlies out of them after realizing their sons wrote that scat.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:19 AM ^
Forget about the hurt feelings (if there are any), I think keeping a historical record of ESPN bias/poor reporting as a public service.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:22 AM ^
The NFL is dead to me, and so is espn. There are other avenues to get news without an agenda attached. Screw 'em both. We got Harbaugh, we win.