McCarthy's criticism of Jason Wilde 'unprofessional'

[MJZiggy]

Who reported that Driver was unhappy with his contract? (I'm not trying to make a point by asking, I just don't remember)

[gureski]

When the papers first reported that an unnamed source said that the Packers were close to signing Charles Woodson, I didn't see a flurry of complaints about shoddy journalism.

Single, unnamed source stories are common. Usually they prove correct and you forget about them.

People cried "foul!" over Jason Wilde's use of an unnamed source because the story itself was unpleasant to hear, it went against the Packers.

The problem isn't that Wilde reported something. It's that he's continuing to assert that his story is true despite the individuals involved in the story going on-record as stating the story was false. That's the problem here. Wilde is continuing to assert that he is correct without any proof other then an un-named source. He reported what he heard and he needs to leave it at that for now. At some point he will be proven right or wrong and that's the next time he should address the story. Wilde isn't willing to put the story away right now. He seems obsessed with being 'right' instead of reporting the news. It's a rumor that has been denied by the parties involved. Until someone is on record as saying Wilde is correct OR when Harris starts holding out....that's when Wilde can write more. For now, he should shut up about it. He's got nothing but a rumor that's been denied.

[gureski]

Who reported that Driver was unhappy with his contract? (I'm not trying to make a point by asking, I just don't remember)

Wilde is one of the guys who reported that Driver was unhappy and was demanding a new deal. Wilde continues, on radio, to report it as if it were fact that Driver walked in and demanded a new deal. Driver denied it. Thompson denied it occurred that way yet Wilde wont relent. He continues to speak as if it all happened behind the scenes and that Driver DID demand a new deal.

It's the same as the Harris thing. Wilde continues to portray the situation as what he says it is despite people involved in the situations denying his reports. Again, nothing wrong with the initial report. It's the part where he continues to report his rumors as fact that gets him in the end.

[RashanGary]

Chris Havel's opinion on the story. According to HH, only Reporters and Harlan himelf are capable of objectivity. I figured we could get a reporters humble and objective opinion.




TonyGerlach, Phoenix, AZ: Hi Chris. How unhappy is Al Harris with his current contract status? Do you think he is under-paid? Is there any chance that he will hold out, ala Mike McKenzie?

ch: I am sure that Al Harris would like to be given a new, more lucrative deal. The problem is he signed that deal just two years ago. Harris' situation, in my humble opinion, was grossly overstated in order to make headlines. The story I am refering to - which ran in another state paper - quoted an unnamed source. The Press-Gazette's philosophy in regard to unnamed sources is only if it is required to break a major story where a source can't be revealed, but the news is true and accurate, and the readers need to read it here first. We don't use unnamed sources merely to write a speculative story regarding a player's unhappy contract, or to rip a punter, let's say, because the unnamed source is a scout for an (wink, wink) NFC East team. Or some other baloney. It's too easy to go that route, which is why we don't, and won't. When you read something - a breaking news story - that is written by Pete Dougherty or Rob Demovsky, rest assured there's a whole lot of truth behind it. Sure, it may cost us a sensational headline "Harris Unhappy With Contract" from time to time, but in the long run what does a sensational headline serve? In short, no, I don't believe Harris is going to be the next Mike McKenzie. I'm sure a lot of us in our professions are unhappy with our current pay, or would like a more lucrative deal, but we don't whine about it in the press under an "unnamed source" tag. Harris, if he plays well, will get paid. He knows it, too. And I think his disatisfaction was overstated and irresponsible.

[Scott Campbell]

Here's a question...If Coach Mac and Wilde go to war, who wins? I say M3 easily.

No, I don't think so. It's very very hard to win a war with the press. They print the stories each day. MM has a press conference once in a while.
It would be counter productive to fight with the press. Denny Green alienated every single reporter in the Twin Cities and they absolutely drilled him every time he made the smallest mistake. And things went downhill from there LOL....

Rick Majerus did the same thing in SLC, even though he was a darling of the national media.

[Scott Campbell]

Maybe Havel is in the "cult" too.

[Rastak]

Maybe Havel is in the "cult" too.

Florio certainly accused him of it....LOL....

[pbmax]

The problem isn't that Wilde reported something. It's that he's continuing to assert that his story is true despite the individuals involved in the story going on-record as stating the story was false. That's the problem here. Wilde is continuing to assert that he is correct without any proof other then an un-named source.

Gureski, you do not know if Wilde had no other sources on the piece, you only know what was in the paper. Other confirmation could have come on background.

As for the denials, Harris' agent was not quoted but paraphrased by ROB REISCHEL saying it wasn't his contract that kept him away. If he confirmed it positively without squirming, where is the quote?

All of the agents other quotes were we aren't Mike McKenzie OR we want more money later this year. That's confirmation of half the story right there.

Harris' resposne to the contract question was "no comment".

As for coach, "Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Harris was attending to a personal matter and was not aware of a contract issue with Harris being the reason he didn't show for camp, which is voluntary and ends today.

"No. Not that I'm aware of," McCarthy said. "I have not spoken to Al Harris or anything about his contract; it's a personal matter that he's committed to this weekend."

McCarthy added that he did expect Harris to attend the Packers' minicamp in June, otherwise known as organized team activities, which span from May 31 to June 21. They also are voluntary."

Half of his denial has proven inaccurate.

I'd say Wilde is on the side of fact so far, and the denials don't look strong or believable.

I am not vouching for his personal behavior on the radio with Homer, but so far he has looked prescient compared to McCarthy.

And that gives him the priviedge of repeating what has proven to be correct.

[gureski]

"Gureski, you do not know if Wilde had no other sources on the piece, you only know what was in the paper. Other confirmation could have come on background.

As for the denials, Harris' agent was not quoted but paraphrased by ROB REISCHEL saying it wasn't his contract that kept him away. If he confirmed it positively without squirming, where is the quote? "

end quote

Just last night, as I was driving home, I heard Wilde say that Al Harris would not confirm the reports that he is unhappy with his deal and may hold out. Wilde's exact words were that 'I don't think Al is ready to go on record yet'. That clearly means that the source himself is NOT on record as saying this is true.

Wilde is the one who said 'source' and not sources in his story.

I'm just relaying what I'm hearing Wilde say. He's running with a story and he's got nothing to back it up.

[woodbuck27]

So what will McCarthy say when the first question at the next press conference is: "Coach, do you have any information on why Al Harris won't be attending OTAs?".

M3 will say the same thing that TT would say.

That the OTA's are voluntary and for one reason or other, known to only Al Harris (and his agent) that Al Harris has not chosen to attend the 'voluntary' OTA's. That he (M3) and the Coaching Straff are very pleased overall with the atendance, and that for those absent 'of course' , that they are getting totally prepared to attend and achieve team goals in TC.

By not having certain more seasoned Vet's at the OTA's the Coaching staff can more fully concentrate on grooming the new prospects and seeing how they adjust to the PRO/Packer game.

M3 should and will most likely take the PR approach. You can't very well fight with the Press and also your players and finish up smiling.

All that garbage would place a strain on me personally as I would certainly hope that these key / new players who are expected to lead / produce would be more like the ways and determinations of the Mark Tauscher's, Aaron Kampman's and (new guy - also) Marquand Manuel.

I would say that given the results of last year, that overall I am disappointed that the likes of Al Harris, Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett and cedrtainly as he's on Offence ,Rod Gardner are absent, for any reason, other than it being serious matter related to health or family. No yawning by the poolside or I'm on vacation excuses would wash with me.

I would want to see all three of these fellas at the OTA's soon, or I send out a REAL message despite the fact that they are 'just voluntary'. It sucks to me to see OUR designated #1 and #2 CB's absent from the OTA's and I don't give a hoot about how talented Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett may feel they are, in their own minds.They both have a new DEFENCE to learn by practising in, not via any play book.

Wonderlik scores anyone, on these great minds?

[woodbuck27]

By the way. After reading through this thread I would have to say that I would rate it as one of the very BEST debate threads I have ever gleened on any Forum.

Congratulations for not in the end, setting out contracts on one another as I could feel the heat all the way up here in Montreal, Canada.

I have my feelings on this matter concerning Jason Wilde and 'his reporting style' and M3's responce, relegated to the latest Packer rumor and Al Harris and more money or not, and will only advise, that this will all just wash away on the Al Harris side.

The M3 and Jason Wilde thing? I'm not so sure. Personally I don't trust Jason Wilde's reporting as exactly straight up either, based on my observations and analysis of his work in the past.

Also as a Packer fan I admit bias.

I find against M3 for staging the showdown as he did, as to do so behind closed doors may have been better; but to reiterate what I wrote before. Maybe this has been brewing. Maybe Jason Wilde has the hard head here. Overall I find for M3 and let's cut him a break, as he'll face alot more heat than this as a Packer Rookie HC.

I have the idea that this Jason Wilde / M3 thing, has been brewing for some time now.

I also believe, that of course Al Harris wants more money, but he won't (based on who he is) and can't afford to miss TC, and he will be there. Will he 'in fact' get more money soon or later?

That's up to TT.

[RashanGary]

Woodbuck,

Did you go to literacy class? It's like you disappeared and then came back with a whole new writing style that is comprehendable.

I don't even believe this is Woodbuck. It can't be.

Hey, I'm not one to talk. I never cared much for grammar or spelling and I'm pretty much average at best in that area. After I read some of your old writings, I used to sit and scratch my head thinking; What the fuck did he just say.....You seem to be just a normal poster now. Maybe it's becuase your splitting every thought into it's own separate pararaph and using comma's and other common forms of punctuation.

Not rippin ya...ol'woodbuck....Proper writing is much about organization and effort. I think there are other more important qualities so don't take offense. I'm borderline retarded in certain situations so I don't think being weak in one area means much....

[HarveyWallbangers]

I agree that woody's writing style seems better now than before.

[woodbuck27]

Woodbuck,

" Did you go to literacy class? It's like you disappeared and then came back with a whole new writing style that is comprehendable.

I don't even believe this is Woodbuck. It can't be. " Nick Collins


Well, what can I say but - it is me ' the same eben actual woodbuck27 '.

I have a solid education and actually received Special recommendation for papers I wrote while in University. I have worked most of my life in highly technical jobs including Supervision and been an Educator as well.

I am guilty of having different styles of writing . I can write formally but often write as I would speak to another, and use a more informal style that is understandable where I come from,LOL, the Maritime Provinces in Canada.

If I turned on 'the localisms' you'd be really scratching your head Nick.

I'm really just a darn Maritmer Nick and I like to think, a really decent and down to earth straight up person. I seldom shoot off on any matter without at least using whatever grey matter I still possess.

[woodbuck27]

I agree that woody's writing style seems better now than before.

Harvey:

Writing style can have alot to do with emotions/frustrations moods etc.

I can't stand people who express bigoted ideas and ignorance based in a lack of experience. Being a Canadian and especially hailing from the very laid back and friendly confines of 'the Maritimes' where respect gets you everything. It has sometimes been really challenging dealing with some, lets say, who are 'mannerly challenged' on forums.

Debate is normal, but to express oneself with callousnous and insult, and to include personal attacks on people we don't really know, is plain stupid.

We all grow and learn better from one another 'in respect of one another'. So we write better also, I expect.

I don't use language but TRUST this. I can handle myself very well otherwise, when necessary.