Raider Hater Journalism 101
I find articles like this (see link) very annoying for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is difficult to respect a writer (Teddy Covers) who is too lazy to check the facts that are the basis of the story. I call writers like this “Raider Hater Journalists” or “Mickey-Mouse Scribes”. They show their disdain for the Raiders by making sloppy, bias, broad brush-stroke statements to make their points of view more dramatic.
In the above article I counted at least 4 clear cut factual errors and 4 very questionable statements.
Factually Incorrect:
(in reference to Art Shell) “But we’re talking about a guy that hasn’t been a coach in this league for more than a decade”- Art Shell continued to coach after leaving the Raiders in 1994. He was an offensive line coach for Kansas City from 1995-1996 and Atlanta from 1997-2000. This writer seems to think that Shell stopped coaching after 1994.
(in reference to Aaron Brooks) “Brooks wasn’t a winner at Virginia in college”- Brooks was the starting QB for Virginia in his junior year (1997) and his senior year (1998). Virginia was 7-4 in 1997 and 9-3 in 1998. 1998 was one of the best years in the history of Virginia football. The team was ranked #18 in the country and lost a close game to Georgia (35-33) in the Peach Bowl. If you are 16-7 as a starter, does that qualify as being a winner?
“(Brooks) was never a winner for the Saints”- Brooks had a winning season in 2000 and led the Saints to the playoffs and a playoff win. Brooks had a winning record in 2002 (9-7). Overall in Brooks 1st 5 seasons as a starter the Saints were 35-34. Granted, this isn’t a very impressive win total but to say he was never a winner for the Saints is hardly a fair and accurate statement.
“The Raiders haven’t had a winning season since Gruden left town”- The year after Gruden left town the Raiders were 11-5 under Head Coach Callahan and went to the Super Bowl. Oops. I guess you forgot this fact.
Questionable Statements:
“The OL was not improved this off-season”- The Raiders drafted Paul McQuistan (OG/OT), Kevin Boothe (OT), and Chris Morris (Center). The Raiders signed veterans Kelvin Garmon (OG) and Cameron Spikes (OG) as free agents. These 5 acquisitions provide depth to the offensive line. The Raiders hired Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle Art Shell as the Head Coach and Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle Jackie Slater as the Offensive Line Coach. Langston Walker returns to the team at 100% health and will be playing his natural position of RT. Robert Gallery has been moved to his natural position of LT. Barry Sims strengthens the interior line by moving to LG. With quality depth, better offensive line coaching, injured players returning to the line-up, and starters playing their natural positions, it is safe to say that the OL has improved this off-season.
“Just about every key player they have has some character issues”- This is the most outlandish, unfounded blanket statement in this article. The only player that comes to mind with any “character” issues is Randy Moss. However Randy Moss was a model citizen, the Raiders ultimate team player last year, and is very busy in the off-season with a number of charitable foundations. So, who are these so called key players with character issues? What are the character issues?
“The players know that the power here resides with the owner, not with the head coach”- Art Shell is a firm, stern leader. The Raider players know who is in charge. His name is Art Shell. (see link)
Here are some quotes from the players during mini-camp:
- Center Jake Grove: "He's done this. He knows what he's talking about. He's got that credibility. He's a presence out there on the field, and he's someone you're going to listen to and respect."
- Center Adam Treu has been an active Raider longer than any other, 10 years, and he sees a difference. "There's an emphasis on individual accountability," he said. "If something is done wrong on the field, we repeat and correct it."
- Guard Barry Sims: “It feels good, like we're on the right path," he said. "Everybody's doing the right thing. Everybody's held accountable for our actions and what we do. That's the only way you'll be successful is to be held accountable, and this coaching staff is different than the last couple. The last few years it seemed a little too loose, like we didn't really have the leadership we have now."
- Tackle Robert Gallery said: "I think the attitude is changing because he's demanding it. We'll see when we put the pads on, but I think it's moving in the right direction, that's for sure."
- Defensive Tackle Warren Sapp also likes what he sees. "It (the response) has been real good. The thing about it is, everybody is closing ranks and getting in line and following one leader in one direction.
“Denver, San Diego, and Kansas City all have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. That should leave Oakland as the prime contender for last place in this division”- This writer reasons that since the Raiders divisional rivals all are Super Bowl contenders that means the Raiders will come in last place. I would agree that Denver has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations considering that the team lost in the AFC Championship last year. However San Diego and Kansas City both didn't qualify for the playoffs last year and have some serious flaws to lump them into “legitimate Super Bowl” contenders. San Diego has an unproven, new starting QB in Philip Rivers. Kansas City has one of the worst defenses in the entire league (30th ranked pass defense last year).
I get it. The Mickey Mouse Scribes don't like the Raiders and don't think the team is very good. I can live with this viewpoint. However if you are going to express this viewpoint don't try to get tricky and disguise it with misguided and factually incorrect statements to back it up. That is very "M-I-C", "K-E-Y", "M-O-U-S-E".
posted by Calico Jack at 9:35 PM
18 Comments:
Someone had to say it, good write-up.
Great job- I saw this article and tried to find an e-mail to correct this clown. The other inaccurate statement was that Ken Whisenhunt turned down the Raiders. Totally incorrect! He, Martz, and others didn't receive a job offer, then wisely "removed" their names from consideration when the writing was on the wall, thus protecting their image.
You're right, this guys is amazingly lazy.
I don't even give these guys the time of day anymore. I have read this article so many times, its pathetic! Its like when an NFL writer can't think of something good to write about, they instantly pull out their "Oakland is going to suck this year" column!
Here is a writer/story you should enjoy. This guy agrees with you that KC and San Diego are not ready for prime time:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jeffri_chadiha/05/31/no.superbowl/
While I don't disagree with your opinion and appreciate you pointing out the facts I'm actually starting to enjoy these types of articles. What the Raiders have done so far this offseason is avoided the "splash" inducing headlines of past years that have gotten some of these idiot journalists to at least grab the bandwagon with one hand and talk about the possibilities of a return to greatness. Instead this year the Raiders have made some under the radar moves that I truly believe will begin the turnaround and put the pieces in place to bring pride back to the Silver & Black. If they would have drafted Leinart there would be amazingly some pundits that would state the Raiders are ready to turn it around even though there would be no way for Leinart to have an impact this year. But because they drafted Huff, who will help immediately but isn't a flashy pick, nobody comments on how he could be the missing link to turn our backfield from a liability to a strength. So let these so called journalists continue to pontificate on how bad the Raiders are and hopefully this will be the year that our in-season will shut them up.
The one thing he said that I hope he is wrong about but actually share his sentiments was regarding Tom Walsh. While I've bought into everything the team has done this year this is the one move I can't figure out. While I think the team can begin a turnaround this year just by being more disciplined and more clear as to each player's role, at some point play calling is going to make a difference and I have no faith that Walsh can run the offense in today's NFL. I hope I am wrong.
AMEN Brother!!!!
The wayI see it is we do not need anyone's respect, we will just have to take it.
I really enjoyed your article. I was thinking the same things on some of it, but you really went into depth- thanks for getting the story right. I do not understand how some of these guys have jobs.
I enjoyed your Ms. Amy Trask article as well. Keep up the nice work, or passion- if you would.
If you want to email this guy... Here's his Email
teddy@sportsmemo.com
Good Post, I read the article you are talking about and i thought it was a lot of crap.
Good Job setting the facts straight.
VaRaiderBoo
Once again Calico great article watching Brooks from high school to the pros the guy was always a winner. The writer must not know football to be so wrong in one article. The mistakes should of been over a series. Keep up the good work.
GREAT ARTICLE-
this is how you intelligently and logically show facts to back up your argument. there are many Raider haters out there, but they need to remember to not take a short cut to thinking while makeing psuedo statements of facts bashing a team that has some good things going for them right now.
Check out this "writer"
- and I use the word writer loosely, for the poor buffoon obviously forgot to sharpen his crayon before scribbling this "article" on a scrap of paper towel while his mom spoonfed 'em his morning bowl of Special K -
Teddy Covers' official title as listed at the top of his article:
"Senior Handicapped"
Perhaps we shouldn't bash "Teddy Bear" or "Teddy Hiding Under the Covers" or whatever his name is, for simply having the IQ of your average household semi-autistic chia pet?
After all, it's not very nice to mock the helmet-wearin' window lickers on the short yellow bus, like Teddy Bear Hiding Under the Covers, now is it?
Thanks to everyone for your feedback. Collectively the "Raider Truth Squad" remains in full force without losing their sense of humor.
Now that we've established what BOZO jounalism (not "gonzo jounralism" R.I.P. Hunter Thompson - you were the man!) looks like...
Here is what excellent journalism from an credible website looks like, just in case Mickey, Teddy, whatever actually wants to try to read something written above 2nd grade level.
Teddy, feel free to ask Calico to help ya with the big words - he got sum brainage.
good analysis
but you fail to name the wrtite-up or author who should find another job
why someone gets paid to do this is beyond me ...
Anon 10:05 - I edited my post to include the writer's name. Thanks.
Stickem - To think that Teddy Covers was promoted to Senior Handicapper...what is the world coming to?
Raider Mike: You hit the nail on the head and have plenty of Raider soul.
Oh, Senior Handicapper!
Gonna place my bet with Teddy, then Hide Under the Covers till my $ is all gone...I see.
You nailed the guy with BOTH hands on the hammer CJ!
The article I linked from Art Shell addresses all of the points Teddy "covers" in his article too - from Shell and Walsh being "out of football" to the character "problems" to the Raider QB "situation".
Methinks things look much improved over last season, and when the Raiders kick the cr@p out of the Doncos, Dischargers, and Condiment Chefs this season with a giant sticky boot, remember who said it was a good idea to lay your bets down now, and who was scared away from the table to hide under the bed with Ted!
Nice article. The haters need to stop hating the Raiders and worry about their own teams because the Raiders are on their way back to the top.
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TheOaklandRaiders.blogspot.com
Apparently Under the Covers got bombarded with Raider mail after his shenanigans - LMAO!!!
Nice one, CJ!
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