Lazy Reporters vs Converted Quarterbacks

[flakjacket]

Referring to John Hollis's article in the AJC regarding "Dbo's regrets":

Its far too easy for sports reporters to be lazy. I have been reading newspapers everyday since I was seven years old. I am in my fifties now. I am convinced that reporters, oftentimes, in their efforts to meet deadlines, fill “on-air” time or fill “column space” will throw gasoline on small or smoldering fires---stories----- that otherwise are not worth noting.

It’s not very surprising that Dbo has not gotten very much playing time so far this year. Quarterback may be the oft changed position in college football. Sometimes it seems that everybody on a team was a former high school quarterback with a rifle arm and it just didn’t “work out” at the collegiate level. I am convinced that, barring multiple injuries or a real lack of talent at the new position, it generally takes spring football and summer camp to emerge at another position. (e.g. Dawan Landry). Even Tony Hollings needed spring ball and summer camp to emerge as a legitimate contender at RB. Unless we have significant injuries, I really don’t expect a huge contribution from Dbo this season. He just hasn’t fully learned the position of WR. Just yet, anyway…and there are two guys ahead of him on the depth chart. Of course, all of this may a portent of things to come and Dbo will ultimately opt out (Jermaine Crenshaw, Andy Hall)

To John Hollis: Stop being a lazy reporter. If you want some good story ideas, email me. I’ll give you a few.

To Dbo: You can likely be a great possession type receiver, on this level and maybe even on Sundays after college. Learn the position, shut up and play.

 

[gtmg]

Chan talked him into staying. He should have encouraged him to opt out then. That was the right thing to do and it still bothers me that a long talk with the coach was the determining factor in staying at Tech.

 

[kirbee]

Look at this for what it is: Shamelessly creating a controversial story to sell more papers. Bilbo would be better served not talking to Hollis again as it is clear Hollis is only using him. Who do you think cares more for Dbo and his future, Hollis or Gailey? Its not even close.

 

[BLACK WATCH]

Originally posted by gtmg:
Chan talked him into staying. He should have encouraged him to opt out then. That was the right thing to do and it still bothers me that a long talk with the coach was the determining factor in staying at Tech.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">The right thing to do???

Do you want a Head Coach that just gives a player a starting position or just plays a player a certain amt. of time without that player earning it??? Come on!!! YOU SIR do not like Chan...Would you please stop Streeetching on every story in order to prove your point?? Bilbo will play when he earns it PERIOD!!!! No favorites here on this team...A player plays when he is ready and has earned it...He is a Sophmore and he will have to beat out several upperclassmen at WR...His time will come...

 

[chilidogking]

Originally posted by gtmg:
Chan talked him into staying. He should have encouraged him to opt out then. That was the right thing to do and it still bothers me that a long talk with the coach was the determining factor in staying at Tech.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">It really all depends on what Chan said.
If he promised him PT, then I have a problem. However, I would wager to guess that no such promise was made, in which case he knew that he would have to earn his time on the field.

Either way, it is pure SPECULATION from all of us as to what was actually said.

In the end, I want to see the best players on the field. If it's Bilbo - great. If not, that's fine by me as well.

 

[ShadyJacket]

by reading bilbo's comments, apparently he believed that he was going to play immediately.

other wise he woudnt be so shocked that he isnt playing right away.

 

[bellyseries]

Originally posted by ShadyJacket:
by reading bilbo's comments, apparently he believed that he was going to play immediately.

other wise he woudnt be so shocked that he isnt playing right away.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">That would be "Bilbo's reported comments,' Shady.

 

[FAN OF BOBBY DODD]

Originally posted by ShadyJacket:
by reading bilbo's comments, apparently he believed that he was going to play immediately.

other wise he woudnt be so shocked that he isnt playing right away.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I am a beliaver in the fact that coach Gailey is a man of character and would not have misslead Bilbo. It is probably a case of Gailey telling him that he believed he could contribute right away if he worked hard and he being a great athlete and not ever having to put forth a lot of extra effort to succeed is not yet ready. (after all who thinks any coach would not play a player who was ready to contribute especially when he is so needed)

 

[ShadyJacket]

BellySeries, I dont think the reporter would manufacture quotes. he may have spun the story, but i dont think he creates quotes and label them to someone. if he did make up quotes, then we will find out soon enough and he would be fired.

 

[bellyseries]

Originally posted by ShadyJacket:
BellySeries, I dont think the reporter would manufacture quotes. he may have spun the story, but i dont think he creates quotes and label them to someone. if he did make up quotes, then we will find out soon enough and he would be fired.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">All sorts of things can happen short of manufacturing quotes. Context, editing, unintentional misquoting, the "but..." clause that might have followed and didn't get reported.

I agree that we have to live and die with the press, that's why I don't see the point of people cancelling subscriptions and so on; but it does seem wise to hold a bit of reserve on the accuracy of daily journalism.

 

[GTPilot]

I just think it is the risk you take with beat reporters. Typically they are assigned to the job and have no affiliation with the team. In addition, there are some that want to maintain "objective" views and actually end up going too far the negative way to prove it. Finally, they are put on the beat to write articles that will sell papers and create a buzz. The days of just reporting the news went away when the big money game of advertising came into play more heavily. Hollis just got the AJC more hits on their website and probably sold a few more papers simply by writing this article. That is the name of the game for the press and it shouldn't shock anybody.

Also, I don't doubt that Bilbo actually feels the way it was reported. He went from the big man on campus all spring and summer to getting supplanted by a freshman and sitting on the bench. It is tough to take and he apparently hasn't gotten all the way back yet. Learning the WR position isn't nearly as hard as some might make it (especially since he was a former QB) but I think he hasn't gotten his head back in the game yet and that is why he is still on the bench. I think it would do wonders to get him some touches and give him the feeling that he is contributing. It is tough for Gailey to do that since his attitude hasn't been the best but I think sometimes you have to approach situations differently depending on the circumstances. Either run a couple of plays for him during the week and game or accept the fact that he may not recover from the demotion.

Hopefully everything will work itself out in the end and Bilbo can help us continue towards a great season.

 

[ncjacket]

Personally I think he just wasn't ready for BYU. He got a few plays against Auburn but didn't get any touches, then FSU was not a good time IMO to give him his first real shot. Our more experience receivers were having trouble getting separation in that game and you want your best on the field as much as possible against a team that good. Also, in the first half we had a good rythym going so why mess with the rotation? In the second half we didn't get many plays on offense so why would you go deeper in the rotation?

I think he'll get his shot, maybe as early as this week. Clemson isn't the team FSU is so we can take more chances getting guys in the game. Also, if we can start maintaining ball control we should have more shots. I think it will work out IF DeBo is doing the work it takes.