Whitlock goes on Fox Sports Radio and champions the cause

[Mr. Flopnuts]

We busted Big Sexy's balls because we WANTED to believe. We had finally gotten a new regime, and it was an incredibly sexy name and title at the time. I think Jason understands we were desperate then. He's a pro. He did his job then, and took the heat. Instead of coming back and saying "See?", he's going to bat for us with the National media. I don't understand why people are still bashing him for anything at this point.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

We busted Big Sexy's balls because we WANTED to believe. We had finally gotten a new regime, and it was an incredibly sexy name and title at the time. I think Jason understands we were desperate then. He's a pro. He did his job then, and took the heat. Instead of coming back and saying "See?", he's going to bat for us with the National media. I don't understand why people are still bashing him for anything at this point.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

We busted Big Sexy's balls because we WANTED to believe. We had finally gotten a new regime, and it was an incredibly sexy name and title at the time. I think Jason understands we were desperate then. He's a pro. He did his job then, and took the heat. Instead of coming back and saying "See?", he's going to bat for us with the National media. I don't understand why people are still bashing him for anything at this point.

This!

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

We busted Big Sexy's balls because we WANTED to believe. We had finally gotten a new regime, and it was an incredibly sexy name and title at the time. I think Jason understands we were desperate then. He's a pro. He did his job then, and took the heat.

Let's not rewrite history. Jason was absolutely right about Pioli. But he let the situation get personal, became entirely focused on pushing his agenda, and abandoned his credibility in the process. It was embarrassing and he deserved a great deal of the criticism he took.

It's great he stuck up for fans on the Winston thing, but it doesn't change how he handled himself before.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by BigRock

Let's not rewrite history. Jason was absolutely right about Pioli. But he let the situation get personal, became entirely focused on pushing his agenda, and abandoned his credibility in the process. It was embarrassing and he deserved a great deal of the criticism he took.

It's great he stuck up for fans on the Winston thing, but it doesn't change how he handled himself before.

Interesting point, Mr. BigRock (not to pretend that us Midwesterners have a brain or anything remotely similar since we're about to play the geniuses of the gridiron on Sunday), but you make a good point.

Whitlock writes/wrote/writ an opinion column. That, of course, is very different than straight news. But, as such, he always tended to focus on more controversial subjects and almost always personalized them.

In other words, I think the idea that he "made is personal" sort of comes with the territory when your job is to write opinion.

FAX

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by FAX

In other words, I think the idea that he "made is personal" sort of comes with the territory when your job is to write opinion.

By "made it personal", I mean it became his singular focus. Particularly after his Brian Waters "I want a trade" story didn't turn public opinion against Pioli/Haley like he wanted it to. From that point on, everything was about pushing his agenda.

It didn't matter how flimsy the criticism was. It didn't matter if he had to reverse positions and argue against something that he'd previously argued for. He wanted to drive it forward at any cost.

It was sad to watch. Sadder still because he would have been proven right in the end without having to resort to that.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

We busted Big Sexy's balls because we WANTED to believe. We had finally gotten a new regime, and it was an incredibly sexy name and title at the time. I think Jason understands we were desperate then. He's a pro. He did his job then, and took the heat. Instead of coming back and saying "See?", he's going to bat for us with the National media. I don't understand why people are still bashing him for anything at this point.

This is exactly where I sit with this. He was right, and everyone eventually figured it out. Some a lot quicker than others. I was one of the last to jump ship, because I wanted to believe in Pioli. But I was wrong. I was Dead wrong.