NFL Insiders embarrass their mothers, Volume I: John Clayton

Submitted by Bodogblog on

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. 

bacon

December 30th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^

To be honest, I don't think the NFL group think guys can fathom the idea that someone would choose something other than the NFL. It's so perfect and exciting in their minds that they really can't see the flaws a coach like Harbaugh might see, so they make up reasons as to why this could happen. Not that there's anythin to indicate Harbaugh feels this way, but you could easily see a person deciding they don't want to coach in a league where they're controlled by billion dollar owners and multi-million dollar players. A league that pretty much condones domestic violence and criminal activity, so long as you take care of business on Sunday. A league where everything is filled with drama and a story about the backup QB in Cleveland can overshadow the great performances on the field by players who are actually worth talking about. Not that these were his reasons, but one could see these or many other reasons as worthy ones for not wanting to coach in the NFL.

BluePants

December 30th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^

I am enjoying making this into a movie trailer:

"In a league where billionaires condone domestic violence; in a league where millionaire players act like 10 year olds; in a league where Cleveland actually merits discussion...there was Harbaugh."

I'm pretty pissed about how poorly the ESPNFL has covered this, especially because it does impact the perceptions of recruits on how committed JH is for the medium-long term. However, I'm pretty sure most self-respecting recruits would listen to a coach of his caliber if he called & his maniacal commitment to success would show pretty clearly.

Since none of us are the ESPN ombudsman, here's what you do: vote with your (metaphorical) feet. Depriving these people of clicks is the ultimate punishment.

Blau

December 30th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^

It's clear that by now ESPN, NFL.com, and national sports outlets were not only late to the game with their insider info but most of the time it was clearly wrong or spun to look like they were right at some point.

It's nothing new and I'm sure we'll hear it again.

Although I'm quite saddened by Adam Schefter's reporting this time around. I know he can't be a huge homer during the reporting process and he has usually been very professional but at times it seemed like he was completely oblivious to factual evidence Harbaugh was on his way. I can even recall during an ESPN tv segment where the host had to remind Schefter he was an Michigan alum and it might serve the program well to get a coach like Harbaugh. No emotion.

htownwolverine

December 30th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^

This never back down and never admit your wrong mentality from the NFL is product of their idiot commish. This moronic bullheaded approach has not served the NFL well in recent years.

JMEISTER

December 30th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^

I saw the same Clayto report and thought the same thing. While I , of course don't know for sure, I'd be very surprised if Jim ever goes back to the NFL.
When Chris Balas reports that Jim coming to Michigan was never about the money, it made my day! I don't think Jim needs to go back to the NFL. JUST SAYIN'!

michigandune

December 30th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^

These guys need to expand beyond the NFL. They have been stuck there too long.  Tells you something about them when they cannot admit they were wrong. 

Mike Golic did, he said, "I was totally wrong on this and did not see it coming"  At least he had the nuts to admit it.  Even Colin Cowherd apologized to the Michigan fans yesterday. Although he owed the Michigan fanbase an apology. 

Time to move on.  Go Blue

LSBlue

December 30th, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^

This type of coverage will go on and on with ESPN. As UM fans, we all better get used to hearing about NFL openings this time of year as long as JH stays. ESPN knows how to create stories behind stories to drive dialogue and generate buzz. They even know how to get idiots to pay for that INfo.

LSBlue

December 30th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^

This type of coverage will go on and on with ESPN. As UM fans, we all better get used to hearing about NFL openings this time of year as long as JH stays. ESPN knows how to create stories behind stories to drive dialogue and generate buzz. They even know how to get idiots to pay for that INfo.

BlueMan80

December 30th, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^

In today's Chicago Tribune, the Bears front office stated that they never reached out to Harbaugh, so anyone saying the Bears were serious about getting him or wanting to be in the hunt for him are full of dung.  I mean, come'on, we are talking about the Bears.

Come On Down

December 30th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

I have never seen so many people so pissed off after getting what they want. Come on guys, we got our guy! Who cares what the NFL people say? A bunch of people complaining on a message board isn't going to change anybody's behavior. They were wrong, let's just move on.

MGlobules

December 30th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^

into the little holes where they spend most of their time, and be forgotten. The narrative has been that Michigan was down, and the easy tendency has been to kick the dog rather than examine it. The dog has set off in a new direction and a lot of people are going to be left behind.

Michigan has received a tremendous boost this week--by hiring a guy who cares about academics and who eschewed bigger money to go back to his school the whole community has really gained. Michigan is a powerful entity--in its combination of story and academic as well as sporting glory, Alabama can obviously in no way compare, and who does that leave? ND, maybe--but it's a smaller and in the end less prestigious place. None of the Ivies approaches this combination. We can be pretty happy with how nice a light all this has shown on UM. 

StephenRKass

December 30th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^

I somewhat agree with your post. However, I think there are several other schools that do in fact have the ability to compare academically and athletically:

  • Texas
  • Stanford
  • UCLA
  • Washington
  • Ohio State
  • Notre Dame

I realize that you can never do a perfect comparison. For instance, Ohio State is not rated as highly as Michigan academically. But all of the above schools are at least in the ballpark, in terms of having had success athletically and academically.

triangle_M

December 30th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^

http://www.theonion.com/articles/espn-gives-onair-personalities-list-of…

BRISTOL, CT—Following the network’s three-week suspension of analyst Bill Simmons over comments regarding NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, ESPN reportedly sent all on-air personalities a comprehensive list Wednesday of the six pre-approved opinions they may express during broadcasts. “Effective immediately, all on-air talent will be restricted to voicing only the half-dozen sports-related viewpoints officially authorized and endorsed by ESPN,” read the internal company memo, advising all employees to adhere strictly to the new protocol or risk punishment and possible termination. “The network-sanctioned opinions are as follows: 1. The NFL has become a passing league; 2. LeBron James is a great basketball player; 3. The sport of soccer is growing in the United States; 4. Peyton Manning is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer; 5. Rory McIlroy is the new face of golf; 6. The MLB playoffs are incredibly exciting. Thank you for your cooperation.” At press time, ESPN had reportedly revised the list to three opinions after receiving feedback from the NFL front office.