DMN Blog: Why Roy Williams is contemplating not talking to the media is important

[WoodysGirl]

1:50 PM Tue, Jul 14, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor/Columnist E-mail News tips

I hope the pressure isn't getting to Roy Williams, but when he declares he might not talk to the media this season it makes you wonder.

Now, if he doesn't want to talk to the media because he doesn't want to be bothered answering questions, then he's really no different than Rocket Ismail, Charles Haley or Leon Lett.

Haley talked on game day; the others didn't talk at all.

Frankly, it was no big deal because all you want as a journalist is consistency. There's no law that says a guy has to talk if he doesn't want to, but it also means he has no right to question what you write since he doesn't want to answer your questions.

But if Williams doesn't want to talk because he doesn't like what he's reading. Or he thinks he's being criticized too harshly, then that's a warning sign that shouldn't be ignored.

Everybody can't play in Dallas for the Cowboys just like everybody can't play in New York for the Yankees.


A certain level of scrutiny accompanies every player who dons a Cowboys' uniform. Those who can't handle it have no chance to thrive. They'll drown in a sea of newspaper clippings and sports talk radio commentaries.

I have no idea if Williams falls into that category, but we're about to find out.

There's no doubt Williams is under tremendous pressure to perform after the Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $45 million deal, traded first-round, third-round and sixth-round picks for him and released T.O. to ensure he thrives.

He's coming off an awful season and there's no tangible statistical evidence to suggest he can produce the eye-pooping numbers T.O. did. That doesn't mean he can't, it means he hasn't done it before.

He has to prove it before he gets the benefit of the doubt. If that bothers him, too bad.

 

[dozin_theknick]

There's no law that says a guy has to talk if he doesn't want to, but it also means he has no right to question what you write since he doesn't want to answer your questions.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Just because he doesnt want to talk to you doesnt make it ok for you to write what ever you want. This looks like a prime example of today's sports writers thinking they are part of the big show.

I dont know if there are any journalists I really enjoy reading anymore.

 

[burmafrd]

JJT is still a tool. Love that line where he basically says that if you don't talk to us we can make up anything we want and you have nothing to say about it. Like that is any different then what they do already.

 

[Idgit]

1:50 PM Tue, Jul 14, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor/Columnist E-mail News tips

Frankly, it was no big deal because all you want as a journalist is consistency. There's no law that says a guy has to talk if he doesn't want to, but it also means he has no right to question what you write since he doesn't want to answer your questions.

Lol. Looks like everybody had the same reaction I did.
I also snorted at the bit of journalists-want-consistency fantasy.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

My problem with the media is not their criticism of a player or coach but the way some writers have decided to mock a player or a coach after they say something.

For example the mocking of Wade as "Mr. Fix-it". That obviously bothered Wade. Then you have Roy's comment about being "coachable". I forget the writer but one writer in his blog consistently thereafter referred to Roy as "the coachable Roy Williams".

In my opinion those type of comments are mean spirited and mocking and show a lack of basic respect for the person you are covering.

 

[Idgit]

My problem with the media is not their criticism of a player or coach but the way some writers have decided to mock a player or a coach after they say something.

You mean, like Calvin Watkins saying he could outcoach Wade Phillips during a press conference?

For example the mocking of Wade as "Mr. Fix-it". That obviously bothered Wade. Then you have Roy's comment about being "coachable". I forget the writer but one writer in his blog consistently thereafter referred to Roy as "the coachable Roy Williams".

That'd be the Comical Tim MacMahon.

In my opinion those type of comments are mean spirited and mocking and show a lack of basic respect for the person you are covering.

I agree completely. I know sports journalists are the joke of the journalism world, but the current Dallas group is really quite a joke. And that's not because of their slant, it's because of their attitude and knowledge of the game. They're really bad.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I am still waiting for a sports 'journalist' to admit that it is literally impossible for them as a group to give an objective take on what hes doing.

 

[Doomsday]

I dont see him sticking by that, he likes the attention too much to stay away from the media.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Sounds like a threat from JJT. Don't talk to the media, then the media will rip you to shreds and you can't say anything about it since you won't talk to the media. Sadly, even if you do talk to the media, they'll still say that they are perfectly within their rights to rip you despite using mistruths, faulty logic and having an obvious vendetta.




YAKUZA

 

[ScipioCowboy]

1:50 PM Tue, Jul 14, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor/Columnist E-mail News tips


Frankly, it was no big deal because all you want as a journalist is consistency. There's no law that says a guy has to talk if he doesn't want to, but it also means he has no right to question what you write since he doesn't want to answer your questions.

Generally, I like JJT. But this statement is absurd. It implies that a journalist has the freedom to disparage or demonize a player because he doesn't want to answer questions.

 

[zack]

Good. I hope he doesn't talk. Good for him.

 

[Rampage]

I definetly wouldn't talk to jjt. he's such a cocky ****** for a freaking sports writer.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

My problem with the media is not their criticism of a player or coach but the way some writers have decided to mock a player or a coach after they say something.

For example the mocking of Wade as "Mr. Fix-it". That obviously bothered Wade. Then you have Roy's comment about being "coachable". I forget the writer but one writer in his blog consistently thereafter referred to Roy as "the coachable Roy Williams".

In my opinion those type of comments are mean spirited and mocking and show a lack of basic respect for the person you are covering.

And what's great is that they'll then say 'it's not our job to root for the Cowboys!' You're right, it's not your job. But it's also not your job to have an obvious vendetta, be infactual, making childish insults and using logic from bizarro land either.

It's not Roy Williams' job to talk to the media. But it is the media's job to be professional, fair and to use some logic that they can back up. And if they don't abide by those things, then EVERYBODY has a right to question what has been written...even the Roy Williams' of the world.




YAKUZA

 

[Coakleys Dad]

He's coming off an awful season and there's no tangible statistical evidence to suggest he can produce the eye-pooping numbers T.O. did. That doesn't mean he can't, it means he hasn't done it before.

He said pooping. Pooping is cool.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Smart move by RW.

He knows he will suck this year and won't have to do a lot of 'splaining to the media.

 

[speedkilz88]

He's coming off an awful season and there's no tangible statistical evidence to suggest he can produce the eye-pooping numbers T.O. did. That doesn't mean he can't, it means he hasn't done it before.

TO's numbers weren't so eye pooping last year.

 

[Hoofbite]

Goodness

What a sad state we are in when writers fire off preemptive defenses for their future offenses.

JJT should have just come out and said it. We all know it. He's butt hurt about the prospect of writers getting the cold shoulder from Roy and he will not hesitate to bash the guy later on. Saying Roy is opening himself up for it is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Ridiculous and childish.

"Don't want to play my game? Well then, I'm just gonna piss all over you at every chance I get"

After being spoiled by a media ***** like TO, JJT is going into panic mode thinking about the possibility of not having an easy pay check waiting for him for some cookie cutter article that he and the rest of the writers in Dallas are baking up.

I can't believe any writer would say something like this. Openly acknowledging the fact that he is going to throw mud on Roy if Roy doesn't cooperate is just pathetic.

 

[Hoofbite]

TO's numbers weren't so eye pooping last year.

They were still alright. If Roy hits those numbers, I don't think many people will have a complaint.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

This article was quite illuminating and eye pooping.

 

[ZeroClub]

Frankly, it was no big deal because all you want as a journalist is consistency. There's no law that says a guy has to talk if he doesn't want to, but it also means he has no right to question what you write since he doesn't want to answer your questions.

Huh?

Just because you don't talk to a person doesn't mean that the person is allowed to say anything they want about you (or that you somehow lost your right to set the record straight).

JJT is smarter than this.