Your thoughts on this one?

And then post it directly on here because we're the only ones who would be interested in reading it, while the readers would be far more interested in reading the behind the scenes stories written by one of the writers that wore the clothes.

 

This is precisely the reason I would not have even considered wearing said gear. I'll bet that writer regretted it right about then.

 

I think there's a difference, JD.

And I think fans -- at least a majority of them -- are smart enough to understand the difference when it's explained to them. Yes, seeing the TV guy in team gear doing the pregame show will cause them to believe that said TV guy is a big ol' fan. But I honestly don't believe that a fan reading the story from a beat guy who explains in detail how he got on the sidelines, why he was wearing what he was wearing and why he chose to do it will come to the same conclusion.

Maybe I'm an optimist. But I just really want to believe that people are smart enough to recognize the difference.

(By the way, I'd like to point out that this thread is approaching four pages now and it hasn't taken a nasty turn in which particular reporters are called out and belittled. Just a good discussion so far, and I sincerely hope it stays that way.)

 

While I am in the JD corner more than the dog428 camp, I echo dog428's last graf there. I too feared this to devolve into a pissing match.

rb

 

eerie, isn't it?

 

I can agree with dog about his last sentiment.

 

When they make them small enough to fit his body but large enough around the collar to fit over his inflated head...

 

I think JD's spot on. ;D

 

ONLY in the interest of continuing the well-meaning discussion, I offer this blog post by one of the "honorary coaches" in attendance.

http://timgayle.blogspot.com/

 

The impression I get is Saban is trying to "mold" everyone around the program. I am not suggesting that the beat writers are falling in place; rather, that he's trying to make them that way...
And I can only imagine what the reporter dresses like when coaching gear is an improvement... T-shirt, cargo shorts and sandals?

 

No offense to him or the others, but that sounded like a lot of rationalization. Saban wanted it, so you do what he says? Sorry but I am not in agreement with that explanation. It sounds like he's succeeding in that molding slappy talks about.

 

I did find this quote from Saban condescending. Maybe he didn't deliver it as such, but in print -- and I've seen it a couple of places -- it comes across that way...

As Saban concluded his postgame press conference, he noted "the media did such a good job I didn't even know they were out there." Thanks. I tried to stay out of the way.