NFL coverage: sidelines vs. press box

[mikebb13]

I covered my first NFL game Sunday, and I covered it on the sidelines since I had a photo credential. Here's my question: in terms of access, pro, cons or whatever, what does the covering the game from the press box offer that covering it from the sidelines does not, and vice versa?

 

[85bears]

For one thing, a writer would have a hard time from the field recognizing coverages and so forth or being able to see who pops open, what the defensive schemes are, etc. It just looks like a jumbled mess from field level - that's why so many offensive and defensive coordinators work from the booth, as well.

 

[moonlight]

There's better food in the press box.

 

[SnoopCoog]

Why people want to cover football from the sidelines is beyond me. You can't see anything. And where is your workspace? Get up in press box with the real writers.

 

[slappy4428]

On the other hand, cheerleaders are right there in front of you...

 

[HoopsMcCann]

i know you didn't cover it at my local nfl hut -- they keep track of every person on the sideline and if you have a photographer credential you sure as heck better have a camera

 

[Chi City 81]

You can't send a story from the sidelines (although there is the media room where the photogs send from.)

Being on the sidelines is fun ... but you can't work well from there. At least IMO.

Might be a decent place if you're working on a sidebar. But for gamers, forget it.

 

[txsportsscribe]

if you're on the sideline and not shooting, aren't you just getting in somebody's way who is trying to shoot?

 

[txsportsscribe]

all i know is that i've had plenty of experiences where some dimwit comes and stands right in front of me just to watch when i've been trying to get a shot. and at 6-6 and 300-plus, it's not exactly like they didn't see me standing there with a camera to my eye.

 

[mikebb13]

Thanks for the comments guys. I had a photo credential since I was shooting, and decided to try my hand at writing a story on it too (since basic AP doesn't give us much stuff east of the Mississippi, and Nashville is our second-closest NFL market, barely behind St. Louis). It's nothing big, but I thought some pointers would be nice...

 

[Football_Bat]

My ex-girlfriend was/is a photographer and she covered several Cowboys games with me. They make the photogs wear a string of ribbon pinned to the back of their shoulders, I guess for quick ID purposes. But I digress.

Yes, the press box is the far better place for doing a gamer because of all the stats, replays, etc. available. If you were, say, doing a T.O. sidebar, then sure, hit the sidelines.