I need to vent

[Sam Hall]

QB Pryor a no-show at media day

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Freshman Terrelle Pryor is the starting quarterback for Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yet he isn't talking, at least for now.

The Buckeyes did not bring Pryor to the Fiesta Bowl media day on Friday, snubbing bowl officials who had hoped that Ohio State and Texas would make their starters available ahead of Monday night's game.

Ohio State Jim Tressel said it would be better for Pryor to attend meetings instead of the 30-minute session with reporters on Friday at the Fiesta's resort headquarters.

"My feeling is he probably had something that would be more impactful on our cause and that was to spend time in the meeting room," Tressel said. "We were asked to bring 30 players and we sent in a list of players. We did get one call, 'Did you happen to miss any?"'

Pryor's absence was notable in the ballroom set aside for media day. Frustrated Fiesta Bowl officials had to tell reporters that the Buckeyes' starting quarterback wasn't present -- and that there was nothing they could do about it.

Fiesta Bowl president and CEO John Junker said he'd like the Bowl Championship Series to provide clearer rules for media access to players.

"Any policy is workable only if there are consequences in place, which is currently not the case," Junker said. "The present arrangement puts the team in question and the bowl in question in a difficult circumstance."

Tressel shrugged off the stir caused by Pryor's absence.

Asked if Ohio State fans would like to hear from their starting quarterback before the game, Tressel replied, "Well, I think we owe a lot to our fans. Unfortunately, you can't do everything you'd like to do.

"I would like all of our kids and coaches to be able to sign every autograph that every fan would like and, you know, all those kinds of things. But you can only do so many things. You have to make decisions. Some of them are well thought of, some of them aren't."

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy had no trouble attending media day for the Longhorns, who were snubbed in their efforts to reach the BCS title game.

"We're here," McCoy said. "We want to play the best game we have played all year. We've prepared so far and now it is kind of polishing up, getting ready. We'll see what happens."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

My thoughts as a sports writer

1. The Buckeyes have been preparing for weeks to play Texas. What more do they need to do? Either they are prepared by now or they aren't. Don't tell me Pryor couldn't have been there for the 30 minutes.

2. Pryor is a key player and he needs to be there. Again, he's been preparing for weeks. What more do the the coaches need to say to him?

3. I understand why some people don't like sports writers - they think the job isn't worth it. However, they don't realize the implications if newspapers, radio, TV and Internet outlets stopped covering sports. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Every profession has bad eggs. The players and coaches who complain about the media wouldn't be as popular without it. They need the attention.

[blaise]

I never understood why people feel the need to hear athletes/coaches/GM's interviewed and then dissect everything they say. They're playing a football game, they're not splitting the atom or solving the crisis in the Middle East. They never say anything anyway. "We know Texas is a tough team and they got a lot of good athletes over there."
If I didn't hear another interview with an active player or coach I wouldn't give a flying rip. When was the last time you heard a player interviewed and thought, "That was great!"
Besides, Pryor's not a pro. Why should a 19 year old college kid have to sit in front of a bunch of sports writers that are hoping he'll say something stupid?

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by blaise

I never understood why people feel the need to hear athletes/coaches/GM's interviewed and then dissect everything they say. They're playing a football game, they're not splitting the atom or solving the crisis in the Middle East. They never say anything anyway. "We know Texas is a tough team and they got a lot of good athletes over there."
If I didn't hear another interview with an active player or coach I wouldn't give a flying rip. When was the last time you heard a player interviewed and thought, "That was great!"
Besides, Pryor's not a pro. Why should a 19 year old college kid have to sit in front of a bunch of sports writers that are hoping he'll say something stupid?

You sound like another hater who doesn't appreciate the profession.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

3. I understand why some people don't like sports writers - they think the job isn't worth it. However, they don't realize the implications if newspapers, radio, TV and Internet outlets stopped covering sports. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Every profession has bad eggs. The players and coaches who complain about the media wouldn't be as popular without it. They need the attention.

I think players may see sports writers as the enemy, because, more and more, sports writers exploit players in order to further themselves (sell papers, so to speak). From what I've read, teams used to have reporters that basically travelled with the team. They didn't have the competition writers do today. Most things about the team that others reported came from that reporter. That reporter wouldn't say anything too bad due to the fear of being outted by the team. A lot has changed.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

You sound like another hater who doesn't appreciate the profession.

He don't hate the player he's hate'n tha' game...

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by luv

I think players may see sports writers as the enemy, because, more and more, sports writers exploit players in order to further themselves (sell papers, so to speak). From what I've read, teams used to have reporters that basically travelled with the team. They didn't have the competition writers do today. Most things about the team that others reported came from that reporter. That reporter wouldn't say anything too bad due to the fear of being outted by the team. A lot has changed.

1. There still are beat writers everywhere covering teams on a daily basis and asking tough questions.

2. People like Terrell Owens and Jim Tressell need the media because it gives them attention. Same with politicians.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

1. There still are beat writers everywhere covering teams on a daily basis.

2. People like Terrell Owens and Jim Tressell need the media because it gives them attention. Same with politicians.

Some players like to exploit themselves in order to gain attention, yes. The media is more than happy to oblige. It's gotten to where it's more about ratings than it is players. I'm just saying that there are some players who might not like the media for the same reason other players thrive from it.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

You sound like another hater who doesn't appreciate the profession.

And you sound like another jackass that uses the word "hater" as an intellectually lazy way of categorizing someone that doesn't agree with you.

I'm not criticising the profession just the athlete interviews. Case in point the brilliantly inciteful quote by Colt McCoy in the above article. What would we do without that?
Don't cry just because I think interviews are mostly useless and boring, it's not a personal shot at you.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by luv

Some players like to exploit themselves in order to gain attention, yes. The media is more than happy to oblige. It's gotten to where it's more about ratings than it is players. I'm just saying that there are some players who might not like the media for the same reason other players thrive from it.

They may say they don't like the media, but they don't mind it. They wouldn't make as much money if the media stopped covering their sports.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

They may say they don't like the media, but they don't mind it. They wouldn't make as much money if the media stopped covering their sports.

Most probably like it but I'm sure there's some that don't. Particularly some college kids that aren't used to public speaking.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

They may say they don't like the media, but they don't mind it. They wouldn't make as much money if the media stopped covering their sports.

Like blaise, I'm not saying it's a bad profession. I just think there's a difference in covering a sport and exploiting its players.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by blaise

And you sound like another jackass that uses the word "hater" as an intellectually lazy way of categorizing someone that doesn't agree with you.

I'm not criticising the profession just the athlete interviews. Case in point the brilliantly inciteful quote by Colt McCoy in the above article. What would we do without that?
Don't cry just because I think interviews are mostly useless and boring, it's not a personal shot at you.

Sports writers are just as frustrated about bad interviewees. People like Bill Belichick drive me crazy. It only makes him look bad, though he doesn't care. It's not like they're asking for his entire game plan. Some people just don't talk.

Then there are people like Herm Edwards, who talk themselves into trouble.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by blaise

Most probably like it but I'm sure there's some that don't. Particularly some college kids that aren't used to public speaking.

Terrell Pryor is said to be great during interviews. He's used to it since he was a well-known recruit.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Sports writers are just as frustrated about bad interviewees. People like Bill Belichick drive me crazy. It only makes him look bad, though he doesn't care. It's not like they're asking for his entire game plan. Some people just don't talk.

Then there are people like Herm Edwards, who talk themselves into trouble.

Actions speak louder than words. Herm definitely doesn't need to open his mouth to show his incompetence.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Terrell Pryor is said to be great during interviews. He's used to it since he was a well-known recruit.

So what though? If he wants to say no let him say no.
By your own statement most of them like it, so if there's a guy that doesn't he'll be more the exception than the rule. And you or I don't know what's going on in Pryor's head or what's going on in his life so I don't see the need to be so judgemental about him not getting in front of a room full of people. If he's been good before then why not give him the benefit of the doubt?

There's two issues I guess. Whether they should be compelled to do it and the value of the interviews themselves. Personally I don't see much value. For instance, when I hear an athlete getting interviewed on radio I generally turn the channel. I just don't generally find it compelling.
As far as whether they should be obligated, I can see it with the pros but I would give college kids a pass. I remember what I was like when I was 18-19 years old and I wouldn't have been confident to speak to reporters. I understand these guys are more used to it, but that doesn't mean they're comfortable or that they like it.