McCarthy's criticism of Jason Wilde 'unprofessional'

[retailguy]

or your accountant fudging numbers.

AAAAAHHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOOO! You need a new analogy. This doesn't happen. Tell me that this doesn't happen!

[Harlan Huckleby]

Nutz, a reporter often can't get people to go on record. It wouldn't be possible for journalists to stop using unnamed sourced, they are under pressure to break stories. You as a reader have to trust the judgement of the writer if you are familiar with their work, or just accept that the information is unverified and could be wrong.

Shamler, your whole premise was that people often read stories too quickly to catch subtlety, or otherwise are unable to understand the credibility issue with unnamed sources. Now it seems you are backing off this position when I called it elitist. Or more accurately, you just aren't saying. Well, if people ARE smart emough to keep unnamed source stories in perspective, then you have no case!

You are trapped like a rat. You can scurry about the basement, but the bright flashlight will follow you.

[Harlan Huckleby]

IIf Wilde had gotten the story right first, M3 would have had nothing to get upset about.

Ziggy, I suspect that Wilde did get the story right. And nobody has an ounce of evidence that is was wrong.

This was a story impossible to verify. EVERYONE involved was going to deny it, whether it was true or not. The reader has to judge for themselves the credibiliy of the story, based on Wilde's track record and the overall situation.

If you don't believe it - fine.

[Harlan Huckleby]

"Packer fans on the internet always side with The Team against players & journalists."

So, what's your point, that we love our team and will defend it?

yes, that was my point.

[MJZiggy]

Harlan, next time you're in the DMV, take a good look around. Over the past 20 years or so, they have had to dummy down the news coverage because people's eyes glazed over when the tried to report something intelligent. Between that and the speed of the dissemination of information these days, again I say, they are more interested in being first than right. And by the way, if John Jones and Bob Harlan have journalism degrees, then I bet they gave a standing ovation to M3's standing up for journalistic integrity.

http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/2005/04/getting-smart-about-dumbed-down-news.html

[Harlan Huckleby]

Harlan, next time you're in the DMV, take a good look around. Over the past 20 years or so, they have had to dummy down

Last time I was in the DMV, I was the dummy, I apparently left my cell phone there. Anyway, the guy at the U.S Cellular store told me the last outgoing call, which I dialed at his store. I got a sex chat line, and laughed my ass off. At least the phone found a good home and purpose before its batteries ran out.

[Patler]

I suspect that Wilde did get the story right. And nobody has an ounce of evidence that is was wrong.

For that matter, no one has one ounce of evidence that it was correct.

You have argued that MM's reaction is evidence of Wilde hitting a sore spot, or something to that effect. I believe is exactly the opposite. If there was any truth to Wilde's story, by taking Wilde to task MM would open himself to looking like a fool. It would be within Wilde's ability to verify his story, thus leaving MM with egg on his face.

It is much more likely that there is NO truth to Wilde's story, MM knows it and saw a golden opportunity to make a point with the press. The new guy in town had the chance to exert some authority, and took it. If there is any truth to the story, by openly criticizing, maybe even embarassing Wilde, MM would be giving Wilde controling power to make MM look like an idiot. I doubt (hope?) MM is not that foolish.

Give it up Harlan, your analysis in this one is weak.

[Harlan Huckleby]

ok, Shammy. "Uncle."

[Patler]

ok, Shammy. "Uncle."

He said "Uncle"! He said "Uncle"! I WIN !!!!!
(Have I now become the bully on the playground???)

[pbmax]

If a source from the team tells you something sensational about a player, the responsible journalist checks with the plyers agent to find out how much truth there might be to the story first.

I can't believe I left Harlan in here all alone for a weekend to deal with 93 posts on accuracy in journalism.

Ziggy, it is entirely possible that Wilde did check with the agent and the agent would only confirm on background, meaning you couldn't use him as a source. Just because there is only one listed person in the piece, doesn't mean that there is no other corroboration.

And if Harris isn't thinking about sending a message, why did he respond to Wilde's question this way: "When reached on his cell phone Friday night and asked why he wasn't attending the minicamp, Harris said, "Just family matters." Asked whether his absence had anything to do with his contract situation, Harris refused to comment." Wouldn't he have just said no?

And the agent is backpedaling in place in JS a day later, and while you can read his comments as no we aren't pulling a McKenzie and no we aren't holding out (and holdout is a red herring, you can't hold out from a voluntary workout), he certainly seems to confirm that they are asking for more money.

"On Thursday Bechta said the Harris camp might lobby for more money at the end of the 2006 season. But Bechta said the five-year, $18.635 million contract extension Harris signed in September 2004 was still too new." Not more money today, but tomorrow.

"In the interim, Bechta said Harris would never consider holding out as former Green Bay cornerback Mike McKenzie did." Red herring, he can't holdout from the voluntary second minicamp. He technically didn't even need an approved excuse.

"When asked if he was happy with his deal, Harris said: "Hell no! But I won't do what Mike McKenzie did. That's not me. That's not my style." More money, less fake injuries.

"Instead, Bechta said his plan of attack might be to try reworking Harris' deal near the end of the 2006 season. Typically at that time of the year, teams have room under the salary cap and if contracts are structured properly, they can both reward the player and offer teams future cap relief." Sounds like Harris is getting in line.

Sounds to me like he wants his deal redone. He isn't going to holdout. Clearly the redo is something he is thinking about right now.

So Wilde had the contract issue dead on. As for the motivation of Harris' absence, I can't read his mind to know if family or money came first, but neither can McCarthy. Only Harris (and the Shadow) knows for sure.

[MJZiggy]

Just one question there...If Harris is thinking about asking for more money at the end of 06 and even then won't pull a Walker or McKenzie, why hold back now? Even if you can't hold out from a voluntary camp, why bother not showing up if you're not even going to ask for the money 'til after the season?

[KYPack]

I listen to Wilde on Homers show going all the way back to when Homer was on 1130 and working for WISN. (Now he's on 1510 WAUK).

What I find most amusing about this whole thing is the pretense that Wilde is so insulted or hurt that he was called out and even disrespected with some possible curse words?

Give me a break.

Wilde is a guy who, on a weekly basis, refers to Brett Favre as 'Lord Favre' and constantly berates Favre over normal schedule confinements and other misc things. He is an arrogant guy himself and nobody should be running to wipe his tears IF McCarthy really did take him to task. I say good for McCarthy for setting Wilde straight on the fact that he's just a reporter and not some integral part of the team. In addition to his newspaper column, Wilde is on the air every day, twice a day. He needs news. He needs stories. That's all this was about. Wilde comes off as a pompous jerk at times so much so that I have to turn the dial. Think about that statement because it means something. The guy is so arrogant at times and disrespectful that I feel the need to turn the dial rather then hear news on the team that I love most in pro-sports.

Again, don't rush to wipe this guys tears. In life you give some and you take some. Wilde got a little to big for his bridges and McCarthy came along and reminded him of his place. It will all pass and maybe Wilde will be better as a reporter because of it.

Gureski,

Thanks for the local background on the radio guy.

This is helpful for the "outa-towners" who don't know much about the local radio sports weasels.

[RashanGary]

I watched Wilde and some other guy disect the Packers on TV. It was either before or after each game. Anyway, they do this competition and whoever has a better debate wins. I always end up thinking he lost and 50% of the time they'll say he won. He pretty much sucks IMHO.

[MadtownPacker]

Hmm. And mad, I wasn't calling you out specifically. There just seems to be a frenzy against reporters. Like every other profession, some are good, some not so good.

WHAT?????
How dare you not capitialize my name!

Total diss, now we have to fight!

[b bulldog]

I like Wilde and I must say he is the one reporter with enough stones to call a player out when he is having a bad season, even if it was Brett. Not trying to start this again but he was the only local reporter to do so and he deserves credit for doing so.