your inviolable rules of writing

Maybe it's because I have covered high school sports most of my career, but I read the "quote from the other side" comment as being focused there.

It's not hard to get the other coach, and they can add insight.

Oddly, the story off today's game starts with the other coach, who went into the lovcal team's post-game huddle after his team won, 42-10, and said, "Fellas, stick together and you're gonna win some games."

 

On deadline for a gamer? Sometimes it's incredibly easy, sometimes it's impossible. It really depends on the circumstances. If I don't get it, I don't really feel bad about it.

 

Seriously, NR? You are either really damn lazy or really sarcastic. If you truly believe any of what you said, you should not be working as a journalist. Not letting it stress you out is all well and good, but doing your job the best you can is what matters. BillyT nails it.

 

Agreed. Ideally, yeah, get "both sides." But be realistic. For example, last night I had a high school football game in which both teams were throwing all night. I filed some material at halftime, but it was still a long game, and, when I got back to the office, I still had to get pages out. To me, making deadline is more important than talking to an out-of-town coach.

 

HanSen: I agree. Half the games I cover are Saturday afternoons.

I also work for a weekly, so deadlines are not an issue.

I guess what I am thinking is "Don't be the guy who never even tries to get the other coach."

 

Agreed, Rick.

See my other note.

 

And can we please stop saying "xxx yards of total offense"? "xxx total yards" will suffice. Thanks.

 

Those are different things. Kick and punt return yards aren't offense.

 

Clarification: "The defense held Florida to xxx total yards," then.

 

You could also say "Podunk had xxx yards from scrimmage."

 

1. Sorry, you lost that battle a long time ago. That horse is way out of the barn. Don't feel bad. I lost my war on spelling "glamour" without the "u" a long time ago.

2. I'll back you on this one, though I don't share your passion about it.

3. Absolutely. I am so with you on both just and basically. Basically basically says nothing.

4. You are correct. It's not like he completed passes to eight receivers but two of them were the same.

5. It's a putt for birdie, right? Then it's a birdie putt whether it goes in or not.

 

Just use total yards. Why "from scrimmage"? Still using unnecessary words. I don't think the reader is going to think that if you say Missouri had 481 total yards that you are including return yards. Total yards is passing and rushing yards. Check the box score. Anything else and you would say "all-purpose yards."