Who is IVAN CARTER ?

I guess he's a new reporter for the star. Quite lengthy but thorough commentary on the game. I'm looking forward to future articles from him. IMHO, he's been the Star's missing piece for years.
[url="http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/chiefs.pat,sports/3774ce2c.a03,.html"]http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/chiefs.pat,sports/3774ce2c.a03,.html[/url]

[cbg5]

He usually writes about high school sports, but I don't know how long he's been around. I've lived in KC for a year and a half and he's been writing at least that long.

Oh, I see who he is and that his splash on the Chiefs scene didn't sit well w/ Rufus.
[url="http://www.kcchiefs.com/latest/mainnews.asp?storyID=1744&cat=1"]http://www.kcchiefs.com/latest/mainnews.asp?storyID=1744&cat=1[/url]

Pretty cheesey of Rufus to pick on the guy at this point, wouldn't you say? I like his coverage.

[AZChief]

I don't mind Rufus Dawes comments but the fact that they are on the Chiefs official web page seems like someone, errr, Carl, is really defensive about the Star's coverage. I think the organization should rise about it and not stoop to the level of the press.

AZ

Don't get me wrong, AZ. Until this, I've enjoyed the balance Rufus provides. I think his last article was bush-league towards a rookie reporter doing the best he knows.

[Chiefnj]

Rufus seems petty and bitter picking on Carter. All the guy did was make two innocuous observations that most football fans have picked up: 1) Elvis has had problems locking onto receivers which has led to costly interceptions and 2) when a defensive back is limping you throw at him.

Rufus should find something better to write about or not write at all. His latest column makes the organization seem very paranoid and defensive.

[DJay23]

I've noticed his articles on the Star Chiefs page since the second preseason game. I like his take. He makes blunt and sometimes simple observations about the game but gives enough detail without rambling to give almost a play by play of the game. He is also good at conveying the circumstances of situations in the game. What the crowd's attitude was, reactions of fellow members of the press and management. He seems to be speaking to us as one of us and not down to us from a pedestal like that other guy working for the Star.

[This message has been edited by DJay23 (edited 10-03-2000).]

[DaWolf]

I dunno. Some of it is OK by Carter but some of it is really amateurish. I mean they could pay anyone to sit there and write that stuff. He needs to observe a little harder too:

"The pass could've have easily been intercepted by Seattle linebacker George Koonce."

Highly unlikely since it was a laser beam that was low and in a place where Koonce would have had to make a super play to get both hands on it and pic it.


"After Woods stepped in front of Darrell Jackson and made the interception, several Chiefs players, including quarterback Elvis Grbac, came onto the field thinking Woods had been downed by Jackson.

After conferring for a few minutes, the referees originally ruled that Woods had not been down. The Chiefs were called for illegal participation, which would have given the ball back to the Seahawks. Then, after another meeting, the referees reversed themselves and ruled that Jackson had touched Woods."


Uhh, no. It would have been a post posession foul, so we would have kept the ball either way. Writing it in that way kind of makes the Chiefs players look like dumbasses who could have jeapordized the outcome of the game to someone who was reading it and hadn't watched the game. Oh well...

[Brock]

Rufus seems petty because only because he is petty.

Let's keep in mind, Dawolf that he is essentially a rookie sportsreporter. It will take some time for him to become a true pro. That's why he seems "amateurish". I like the change of pace he provides over JW, Pos, Flan, Teicher, & crew.

Brock, Rufus isn't always petty but this particular article was below the belt, IMHO.

[Gaz]

I like Carter’s stuff. Sure, it’s not deep, but it is nice to hear the perspective of someone who was at the game. As Djay23 pointed out, Carter writes like he’s talking to us. He is a refreshing counterpoint to Whitlock and Teicher.

“Not to go off on a rant here but ... It's Monday Night. The world's coolest stadium. Two decent teams. A great press box seat. There are far worse ways to make a living than this.”

Miller homage aside, I like this ‘tude. He has a cool job and appreciates it.

I don’t understand why Rufus chose to belittle him. Perhaps Rufus is taking his anti-Star crusade a bit too far. Chill out, Rufus.

xoxo~
gaz
covets Carter’s job.<BR>

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole agrees with much of what you all are saying. It's nice to see [i]someone[/i] is getting paid and published for making a lot of the same comments we make here almost daily. Bob Dole would love to have the job.

I found the article fairly decent, but, as Wolf pointed out, on the interception, it was post possession, and would not have mattered. I believe he should know the rules a little better, or just omit talking about about it. From what I have noticed, he has been doing high school sports, and may have finally got a break. But fingerpointing on a non issue, because of his own lack of knowledge, does not make him the next Red Barber, to this reader.

I sent a kudos email to Ivan containing a link to this topic. I'm not going to cut & paste his response because I'm not sure he would appreciate it but he appreciated the feedback from the responses here. He thought it might help in the future. It was nice to receive a prompt response from him.

One thing he did say is that the late Monday game makes it pretty difficult to meet his deadline. I got the feeling that he wasn't satisfied with this week's article and maybe he was explaining that was why it was a little sloppy. I'm looking forward to future coverage from this kid!