Serious question about Dallas media

[FLcowboy]

My impression was that Jerry always was seen as and treated as a bumpkin by the local press, and it was made worse because many of them hated the way he dealt with Landry's firing. Then the team had success under Jimmy, and Jimmy was seen as the genius counterpart to Jerry's goofus during the Super Bowl runs. When Jimmy left and Barry came in, the bumpkin storyline came to the forefront with a vengeance. Rightly or wrongly, accurately or inaccurately, that storyline has been fed by the local press ever since.

Jerry sure doesn't help the matter by lobbing them softballs sometimes, and there's the 17 years of disappointment to fuel it as well. But the local press has a way of funneling almost everything into the Incompetence storyline now, and they don't seem to care much whether their reporting is accurate or not. Goose's "they can't draft them" embarrassment is just another example...an inaccurate, thoughtless and stupid non-story that got fed through the Incompetence filter.

Jerry has managed to rile the press his entire ownership. He got a pass with the SBs, but bringing Switzer in was unforgivable.

 

[Idgit]

The local coverage of the Cowboys ought to be mostly Eatman. Instead it's mostly Watkins. That's the primary difference in my opinion.

How the team performs should have nothing to do with it. Bloggers like Sturm and Vela, for example, cover the teams struggles--and are often very negative--without resorting to a poisoned pen.

I don't know why it happens in Dallas, and I think the owner invites it and actually likes it, but you'd have to be blind not to see it.

 

[CosmicCowboy]

it got worse in the 90's and kept sinking to its present level.

Does not help that most of the so called sportswriters are not worth a bucket of warm spit.

LOL....BOOM!

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I was born and raised in NY. But, when I was in junior high my dad started to take me to the local newspaper stand and I would pick up the DMN usually coming into Thursday for the games during the season.

Back then Jimmy was considered a joke of a hire by the DMN. And every time they lost a game during the Super Bowl years it was treated like a catastrophe.

Growing up in NY we would see a lot of writers in the sporting press that acted like this. But, that's because there are writers everywhere in NY. With that, you get a lot of writers who were reasonable, entertaining, informative and talented.

I just had never seen anything like it in the DMN back in those days where the main paper covering a team was entirely looking for bad press, even when the team was winning Super Bowls.

I remember at a young age hearing a quote from Calvin Hill that to the effect said 'if you score 2 TD's in a quarter, Cowboys fans will complain you didn't score 3. If you score 3 TD's in a quarter, they'll complain you didn't score 4. If you score 4 TD's in a quarter, they'll complain it wasn't into the fans section of the end zone.'

The difference I see now is that many of the local media still act the same except there are more that clearly do not like the Cowboys and do not like them having any success and are giddy when they fail.

I started to really see this in 2007 when the team was going 13-3 and the main sentiment was 'they'll screw this up!' or 'well, they'll make the Super Bowl and get killed by the Pats.' But, the real key is that they seemed defiant towards any success Dallas had that year. And they were giddy at the thought of the team going to the Super Bowl and getting beat by the '07 Patriots.

Believe it or not, this stuff doesn't bother me. I just refuse to read their work because it's not informative, entertaining or interesting.

However, I do have a problem with them trying to start controversy. And we've seen plenty of it over the years from Mac Engel's 'get your ring ready' report to Calvin Watkins airplane delay report to the entire Terrell Owens accidental drug overdose, etc.

I will say that I've never seen a team that promotes such hatred like the Cowboys do. And I'm a born and bred Yankees fan.

The Cowboys are the only team that can consistently take generally good, smart and logical writers and turn them into dopey fanboys. For instance, I think Mike Tanier is quite good. But, when he's writing about the Cowboys his articles take a turn for the worse simply because they are completely illogical, not well thought out and filled with errors. Why? He's an Eagles fan.

You don't quite see that from the Yankees. At least not nearly as consistently. There's a great hatred for the Yankees. But, it usually comes with some sort of respect as to how the organization handles things because the fact is that even the most ardent Yankees hater would love to have his team have the largest payroll in the game and filled with that much history, prestige and tradition. It's more of a 'we hate them, but you have to give the devil its due.'

Not with the Cowboys. There's an outright refusal from so many writers to give them an ounce of fairness.







YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Jerry has managed to rile the press his entire ownership. He got a pass with the SBs, but bringing Switzer in was unforgivable.

He didn't get a pass in the Super Bowls. They railed against him and Jimmy every time they lost a game. The 2-games Emmitt missed due to a contract dispute BOTH Jimmy and Jerry got killed for it.

The press wanted Landry fired. Then he gets let go by Jerry and they treated that as unforgivable. I remember Jimmy being referred to as 'some high school coach' by the DMN when he was hired.

I had one local writer tell me this personally a few years ago. The worst kept secret is that Jerry always gives time to his critics and doesn't give time to his supporters. That's a big reason why the local writers go after him. To that respect, Jerry does deserve the blame for enabling it to happen.








YR

 

[Doomsday101]

Has it always been this way ? I can kind of understand why the national media like ESPN would want to do negative stories on the Cowboys because it makes for good copy. Just seems to me like the local Dallas media will go out of its way to create out of thin air if they have to any negative story they can about the Cowboys regardless of the negative effect it can have on the team.

Its like they LOVE nothing better than to gin some story up and stir the pot until they create a controversy.

As a Cowboys fan that has pretty much been a lifelong resident of Wisconsin this is very strange to me,...just not use to it. Here in Wisconsin its the exact opposite. For the most part everything reported on the Packers up here is all lollypops and rainbows. I swear,....these guys could just about pull ANYTHING and the media would do theyre best to cover it up completely or put a positive spin on it somehow.

But back to my question......Has it ALWAYS been that way down there? Or did it change at some point and time. If so...WHEN?

Controversy sales and god knows many Cowboys fans buy into it. Or as BP would say you got sucked :laugh2:

 

[Doomsday101]

He didn't get a pass in the Super Bowls. They railed against him and Jimmy every time they lost a game. The 2-games Emmitt missed due to a contract dispute BOTH Jimmy and Jerry got killed for it.

The press wanted Landry fired. Then he gets let go by Jerry and they treated that as unforgivable. I remember Jimmy being referred to as 'some high school coach' by the DMN when he was hired.

I had one local writer tell me this personally a few years ago. The worst kept secret is that Jerry always gives time to his critics and doesn't give time to his supporters. That's a big reason why the local writers go after him. To that respect, Jerry does deserve the blame for enabling it to happen.








YR

You’re not kidding, on the Landry deal the media was hollering how the game passed Landry by and how he needed to go and then when it happens you would think Jerry was the most evil man in the world. I get to the point I don't even pay attention to these hacks, they love to drum up BS for their own recognition and about as unprofessional in their jobs as you can get.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Has it always been this way ? I can kind of understand why the national media like ESPN would want to do negative stories on the Cowboys because it makes for good copy. Just seems to me like the local Dallas media will go out of its way to create out of thin air if they have to any negative story they can about the Cowboys regardless of the negative effect it can have on the team.

Its like they LOVE nothing better than to gin some story up and stir the pot until they create a controversy.

As a Cowboys fan that has pretty much been a lifelong resident of Wisconsin this is very strange to me,...just not use to it. Here in Wisconsin its the exact opposite. For the most part everything reported on the Packers up here is all lollypops and rainbows. I swear,....these guys could just about pull ANYTHING and the media would do theyre best to cover it up completely or put a positive spin on it somehow.

But back to my question......Has it ALWAYS been that way down there? Or did it change at some point and time. If so...WHEN?

No. Every sports mediot has an agenda these days. It all started when Skip Bayless came to Dallas and made a career out of trashing the local sports celebrities.


Gone are the days of Blackie Sherrod, Frank Luksa, Sam Blair, Gary Meyers, David Casstevens, and many more. These guys could not only write but their reporting was informative and ethical, not judgmental nor opinionated. Today's sports journalists just plain suck!

 

[burmafrd]

No. Every sports mediot has an agenda these days. It all started when Skip Bayless came to Dallas and made a career out of trashing the local sports celebrities.


Gone are the days of Blackie Sherrod, Frank Luksa, Sam Blair, Gary Meyers, David Casstevens, and many more. These guys could not only write but their reporting was informative and ethical, not judgmental nor opinionated. Today's sports journalists just plain suck!

I am trying to think of more than a couple that if they were lying on the ground on fire I would stop to piss on.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I am trying to think of more than a couple that if they were lying on the ground on fire I would stop to piss on.

I actually think Clarence Hill of the Star Telegram might be the best pure sports reporter at either of the local DFW papers. He just reports.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I actually think Clarence Hill of the Star Telegram might be the best pure sports reporter at either of the local DFW papers. He just reports.

I think that goes to Todd Archer. He still executes fundamental principles taught in journalism schools. Things like seeking both sides of a story, vigorously vetting your anonymous sources and writing about the stories that truly matter instead of getting caught up in sensationalism stories.

I think the DMN sucks because it's not very informative or interesting. But the FWST clearly wants to go after Dallas in every negative fashion since they are second fiddle to the DMN. That agenda of theirs is clear as day.






YR

 

[Flinger]

To answer the OP, no. It did not used to be this way. I lived in Dallas my first 36 years. Been in the Philly area for over 20 now.

Personally, I think it is Jerry Jones. Before the Jones era, there was a respect and honor directed toward the Cowboys and their front office. They had earned it. Over 20 years of winning. They got the benefit of the doubt. The organization was classy, humble and elite. Like the Patriots are today.

Then came Jerry. He booted out the old in a brash way. He is the opposite of humility. He is brash and egotisical. Works well when you are winning. The media gave him a pass the first 5 years because they were winning.

But, then, came the 'anyone of 500 coaches could lead this team' and the devolution of a great organization at the hands of a man whose ego and credit is more important to him than his accomplishments. The local media is simply hounding an arrogant, formerly great organization because they like to put an egotistical man in his place. It has become a gotcha and 'I told ya so' mentality.

 

[Doomsday101]

To answer the OP, no. It did not used to be this way. I lived in Dallas my first 36 years. Been in the Philly area for over 20 now.

Personally, I think it is Jerry Jones. Before the Jones era, there was a respect and honor directed toward the Cowboys and their front office. They had earned it. Over 20 years of winning. They got the benefit of the doubt. The organization was classy, humble and elite. Like the Patriots are today.

Then came Jerry. He booted out the old in a brash way. He is the opposite of humility. He is brash and egotisical. Works well when you are winning. The media gave him a pass the first 5 years because they were winning.

But, then, came the 'anyone of 500 coaches could lead this team' and the devolution of a great organization at the hands of a man whose ego and credit is more important to him than his accomplishments. The local media is simply hounding an arrogant, formerly great organization because they like to put an egotistical man in his place. It has become a gotcha and 'I told ya so' mentality.

Free pass? they dogged him from day 1. Firing Landry, hiring a college coach, the Walker trade (when it 1st happened media was all over the fact the Cowboys traded the best player on the team) When Dallas won they did not give credit to Jerry. Yes Jerry made a foolish comment on the 500 coaches and did so in large part because of how Jimmy disrespected him in front of others at the owners meeting in Florida. Jimmy had as much to do with the fall out as Jerry did.

 

[Miller]

Dallas media has alway been a huge springboard for getting into the national media.

Shockingly, few sports sections have earned more national awards than the Dallas Morning News' "Sports Day".

Part of earning their stripes to get into the national media's good graces is to show they are not homers. These knuckleheads go out of their way to be jerks at times and they get little respect from their peers unless they do so.

It's a shame really, and helps explain how a negative message about certain players can escalate over time. Very few in the team's market are willing to defend the players or owner for fear that they will lose their natioanl credentials.

I think part of the above bolded is purely the amount of sports covered. If you go to any town and open a paper that still exists their sports section consists of a few articles and box scores...3-4 pages. The DMN covers everything in detail. So I enjoy that. I actually like the sports opinions in the Star-Telegram better...though being free online helps vs DMN.

As far as slamming the players and owner....it was hard to do when you were winning in 26 of 31 years...unless you nitpicked or were Skip Bayless and liked to stir it up. Now they have nothing to cheer about for close to 17 years and there is ALOT more ammo.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think that goes to Todd Archer. He still executes fundamental principles taught in journalism schools. Things like seeking both sides of a story, vigorously vetting your anonymous sources and writing about the stories that truly matter instead of getting caught up in sensationalism stories.

I think the DMN sucks because it's not very informative or interesting. But the FWST clearly wants to go after Dallas in every negative fashion since they are second fiddle to the DMN. That agenda of theirs is clear as day.
YR

Archer is a close second: He's solid but not great.

 

[Flinger]

Free pass? they dogged him from day 1. Firing Landry, hiring a college coach, the Walker trade (when it 1st happened media was all over the fact the Cowboys traded the best player on the team) When Dallas won they did not give credit to Jerry. Yes Jerry made a foolish comment on the 500 coaches and did so in large part because of how Jimmy disrespected him in front of others at the owners meeting in Florida. Jimmy had as much to do with the fall out as Jerry did.

Not like it's been the past 10 years...

The firing of Landry, Walker trade, etc. is expected to raise the ire of the media. But, it was somewhat quieted for the 5 years they were winning. Some kind of justification. But, when they started losing - no mercy.

 

[Flinger]

Jimmy had as much to do with the fall out as Jerry did.

But, Jerry is the owner / GM. He is the one the bought the team and is accountable for all changes that were and are made by the Cowboys. Jimmy left. Jerry stayed. Jerry receives the brunt of the ire of the media.

He brings it on, himself.

 

[Miller]

But, Jerry is the owner / GM. He is the one the bought the team and is accountable for all changes that were and are made by the Cowboys. Jimmy left. Jerry stayed. Jerry receives the brunt of the ire of the media.

He brings it on, himself.

That and Jerry was intent to have cameras on him and get credit when Jimmy was making moves. That's when the trouble started. The owner in that case...especially when its been successful..needs to step back and let the man do what he needs to do....read the story on the draft when they were making trades and Jerry got upset.

Anyways, as I said just above...I see a reason for the media to be tough. They were spoiled for decades and now it is a wasteland comparatively.

 

[visionary]

Dallas media has alway been a huge springboard for getting into the national media.

Shockingly, few sports sections have earned more national awards than the Dallas Morning News' "Sports Day".

Part of earning their stripes to get into the national media's good graces is to show they are not homers. These knuckleheads go out of their way to be jerks at times and they get little respect from their peers unless they do so.

It's a shame really, and helps explain how a negative message about certain players can escalate over time. Very few in the team's market are willing to defend the players or owner for fear that they will lose their natioanl credentials.

DFW I think of you as an intelligent poster but you can't be serious

Who in their right mind would defend JJ and cowboys organization after the horrific job they have done in the last 17 years?

If you defend the steelers or the pats at least you have a good chance of being right, with this FO of the cowboys you have no shot

Even then, until RJ took over, cowboys were regularly touted as SB contenders

If you look at our 3 key positions : GM, director of player personnel, and HC, not one of them is properly qualified for their position and are in their position based on nepotism. You couple that with a meddling owner who won't hold his GM properly accountable, and you have the makings of a disaster at the front office level

So, lets stop blaming the same media who were singing the praises if this same organization when they were a consistent winner

Blame the people actually responsible

 

[visionary]

Free pass? they dogged him from day 1. Firing Landry, hiring a college coach, the Walker trade (when it 1st happened media was all over the fact the Cowboys traded the best player on the team) When Dallas won they did not give credit to Jerry. Yes Jerry made a foolish comment on the 500 coaches and did so in large part because of how Jimmy disrespected him in front of others at the owners meeting in Florida. Jimmy had as much to do with the fall out as Jerry did.

If you think about it objectively, Jerry basically fired one if the greatest coaches in football history and gave the keys to his college buddy

It was a roll of the dice and in many respects an idiotic decision

He lucked out that his college buddy did a superb job

If jimmy had turned to be a nobody, that would among the top 10 all time blunders in NFL history

Jerry was making the same sort of shoot from the hip gut decision he has made seceral times since then
just got lucky that time, not so much with RJ