Mac Engel emailed me back about 'ring finger' saga

[dcfanatic]

Since some of you have seen me and a few others discussing the Wade 'get the ring finger ready' comments in another thread I emailed Mac Engel so see what reaction he was getting from some readers.

I am starting a new thread on this because I am sure most of you were tired of seeing me and CL go back and forth so you won't be visiting the other thread anymore. By the way CL I hope we were doing that in a respectful manner because you're a great poster.

Ok, here's my email to him..

Hey Mac,

People want to know more about the 'Get the ring finger ready' comment.

Some say you are a poor journalist because you used it out of context. They say someone else was yelling over and over again to Wade that same comment and that Wade made the comment back to the crowd to appease the guy and hush him up.

What says you about the situation?

And here's his response back to me..

DCFanatic -

I've received one or two e-mails about this. I was at the back of the stadium club, leaning against the window that overlooks the field. The only thing I could hear was hoots and hollers, and Wade behind a mic at a podium.

I wouldn't be surprised if Wade was goaded into saying it, but I would have been unable to hear anybody else unless they were close to me, or they had a microphone in front of their mouth.

I had zero intention of blowing something out of proportion. I thought it was a funny, throwaway line. But since absolutely nothing else is going on these days in the world of sport something like this is going to get a lot of attention.

It reminded me of the student council kid running for office who screams, "And no homework for everybody!"
But it doesn't change the fact that Wade said it, even if he was playfully goaded into it. If he didn't want to say, he didn't have to. Besides, his entire team believes it, too.

That's what happened. And, yes, tell whomever I'm a poor journalist but for different reasons.

All the best.

Mac Engel
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
------------------------------------

Now my comments on this whole thing.

I think this is a great example of why Wade has to be careful of what he says if in fact he is going to be sensitive about it later on. I make that statement based on the fact that Wade was a little miffed at the media calling him 'Mr. Fix It' last season.

In the end it seems Mac didn't hear the 'heckler/fan/coach' who was yelling to Wade over and over again 'Get the ring finger ready'.

So if he can't hear the guy saying it and then Wade says it into a mic what is he supposed to write?

Lastly, I don't think this whole thing was a big deal in the first place, but I think it's interesting stuff regarding the media and how they work.

 

[Boysboy]

So do you believe everything Mac Engel tells you?

Why not email Skip Bayless with these questions from now on?

 

[dcfanatic]

So do you believe everything Mac Engel tells you?

Why not email Skip Bayless with these questions from now on?

Why is he going to lie to me? It's not like he went back on his feelings that Wade shouldn't have said it no matter what happened.

You make no sense bro. Besides the fact that you want to hate the media which is just an agenda that's driven because you're a homer.

 

[dargonking999]

Because skip doens't answer his emails. he just keeps ranting

 

[Boysboy]

Why is he going to lie to me? It's not like he went back on his feelings that Wade shouldn't have said it no matter what happened.

You make no sense bro. Besides the fact that you want to hate the media which is just an agenda that's driven because you're a homer.

There's posters here who attended the clinic and are saying otherwise.

So are you saying they're the liars and homers, and not Mac Engel?

 

[theogt]

His story doesn't really jive with the other reports, which made it sound as if the guy was yelling it by himself (obnoxiously) while Wade was speaking.

The guy's a turd, has egg on his face, and is just trying to weasel out of it.

 

[Alexander]

There's posters here who attended the clinic and are saying otherwise.

So are you saying they're the liars and homers, and not Mac Engel?

This is Engel's comment back:

I wouldn't be surprised if Wade was goaded into saying it, but I would have been unable to hear anybody else unless they were close to me, or they had a microphone in front of their mouth.

Unless you have a serious reading comprehension issue, that is not a "denial" nor a "lie".

But he obviously is another member of the evil media out to get us. I wouldn't be surprised if he has 666 carved on his scalp.

 

[theogt]

This is Engel's comment back:

I wouldn't be surprised if Wade was goaded into saying it, but I would have been unable to hear anybody else unless they were close to me, or they had a microphone in front of their mouth.

Unless you have a serious reading comprehension issue, that is not a "denial" nor a "lie".

But he obviously is another member of the evil media out to get us. I wouldn't be surprised if he has 666 carved on his scalp.

Please. Where on earth was he standing that he couldn't hear a guy yelling at the top of his lungs over and over again?

 

[cowboyjoe]

i believe after mac said what he said and Michael Irvin said what he said, then the text wasnt taken out of text, Wade did say it no matter what and he has to be careful at what he says.

Besides, I hope wade is serious about this subject and he really gets on the team when he has to, especially in December and January. To me, if Jimmy Johnson says you can put it in 3 inch letters We Will Win! Then, so can Wade, he should have a guage on this team. Now, at the same time, Wade has to challenge himself especially in late November, December and January to finish just like that players.

If that means tha Wade has to spend late Fridays with coaches going over film study, looking for specific plays to use, overlooking the players to see that the offensive linemen are doing their job of staying in shape doing their cardivucular work, then that needs to be done.

Like John Madden saiid, the teams takes on the personality of the Head Coach, then when the big time comes for big games, the head coach has to step up to the plate, be accountable, take some pressure off of the team when need be, but at same time, puts work on them when its needed.

Wade has also to look within himself, see that he leaves no stone unturned, gauge and study why did he lose those 4 playoff games he lost as head coach, and be accountable, just like the players. Fix what is needed to be fixed, just like in the game in new york against the giants at halftime, the giants scored, almost scored at the end of that game too. Then,in the playoffs, the Giants scored again right before halftime, so wade has to look and see what was called on defense, and why the giants scored. Thats just an example. but when your willing to look within yourself and be corrected, so that it doesnt happen again, then your a good head coach.

So, to me, when what was said about the ring finger, Wade was trying to show some footspah, and its time he does. Wade Phillips needs to say to himself, the coaches, that this is my team and we are going to win, and I will see that it gets done. No more excuses, just like I told the team, the motto is FINISH, I NEED TO FINISH TOO.

 

[DragonCowboy]

I was also in the back of the room (we were in the back of the line and couldn't get good seats), and I heard this guy clearly. He was near the front, to the left of Wade, and he yelled it at least 3-4 times.

Being part of the iPod generation with failing hearing abilities, I'm surprised I'd be able to hear something so clearly that a reporter couldn't hear.

His comments make no difference. Last year let our entire team know that you can't just cruise to the Super Bowl. They know they have a lot of work ahead of them, and Wade said as much.

 

[dcfanatic]

Please. Where on earth was he standing that he couldn't hear a guy yelling at the top of his lungs over and over again?

Now he was yelling for the entire world to hear? Classic Theo, LOL.

So now the one or two posters on here are more reliable sources than Mac Engel. LOL.

As for the posters, I belive you guys whole heartedly and I also believe Mac Engel.

I wasn't there so I will never know what took place. Unlike others I just don't think the media is driven by the devil.

 

[VietCowboy]

it is called selective hearing.

 

[Alexander]

Please. Where on earth was he standing that he couldn't hear a guy yelling at the top of his lungs over and over again?

Were you there?

You have the account of a person who was supposedly sitting right next to this obnoxious person and another who described where he physically was, in the back of the room.

But even with that level of detail, he's lying. Correct? He's sitting there, musing over dcfanatic's inquiry wondering how he can cover his butt? :laugh2:

I have to tell you, this paranoia and hysteria about the media has met new heights. It is like a bunch of pathetic chickens that cackle and squawk "mediots!" every time they either disagree or don't like something that is reported. It is also amusing that anyone who has a negative opinion or something that just doesn't sit well suddenly is painted as someone who is lying or has an "agenda" (the most overused and worn out word on this forum).

And honestly, what if he did embellish his story? So what? Apparently the bitterness comes from the fact that some imbeciles lack the capacity to think for themselves, expect the media to be fair and biased and think "facts" are the name of the game.

 

[theogt]

Now he was yelling for the entire world to hear? Classic Theo, LOL.

Have a hard time reading tonight?

 

[DragonCowboy]

I thought it was a funny, throwaway line. But since absolutely nothing else is going on these days in the world of sport something like this is going to get a lot of attention.

And are you telling me this doesn't just scream sensationalist journalism.

 

[dcfanatic]

I was also in the back of the room (we were in the back of the line and couldn't get good seats), and I heard this guy clearly. He was near the front, to the left of Wade, and he yelled it at least 3-4 times.

Being part of the iPod generation with failing hearing abilities, I'm surprised I'd be able to hear something so clearly that a reporter couldn't hear.

His comments make no difference. Last year let our entire team know that you can't just cruise to the Super Bowl. They know they have a lot of work ahead of them, and Wade said as much.

So Engel is lying? You know where he was when the guy yelled it all 3-4 times and you know for a fact he heard it?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

 

[dcfanatic]

Have a hard time reading tonight?

I guess so because I missed reading the part where I saw a link to the video of this event which would be the evidence I need to say Mac Engel is lying.

:bang2:

 

[bbgun]

Only the Zone could take a throwaway line in a meaningless column and turn it into a mini-Watergate.

 

[Boysboy]

Were you there?

You have the account of a person who was supposedly sitting right next to this obnoxious person and another who described where he physically was, in the back of the room.

But even with that level of detail, he's lying. Correct? He's sitting there, musing over dcfanatic's inquiry wondering how he can cover his butt? :laugh2:

I have to tell you, this paranoia and hysteria about the media has met new heights. It is like a bunch of pathetic chickens that cackle and squawk "mediots!" every time they either disagree or don't like something that is reported. It is also amusing that anyone who has a negative opinion or something that just doesn't sit well suddenly is painted as someone who is lying or has an "agenda" (the most overused and worn out word on this forum).

And honestly, what if he did embellish his story? So what? Apparently the bitterness comes from the fact that some imbeciles lack the capacity to think for themselves, expect the media to be fair and biased and think "facts" are the name of the game.

I'll tell you this-I'll take our negative-slanted media over Philly's homeristic-cheerleading one any day. Really-I find it laughable how the Philly fans think they have a Super Bowl team with 30 Pro Bowlers every year, largely b/c they are lead to believe that over and over and over again. At least with our media, they'll get us thinking and mauling over the entire picture before we get ahead of ourselves too much.