Stirring the Pot...or Good Reporting?

[Fritz]

This morning's JSO article, which followed up on Rouse's release, contained the following lines:

"And safety Aaron Rouse finally was released by the team Wednesday. But several of his teammates had long ago figured out Rouse hadn't proved himself capable of a roster spot. As a third-round pick, however, it seemed that he was given extra time to develop.

There also are players still on the team that some players believe have not earned their spots."

There is no mention of sources, or sources inside the locker room. I'm curious how the writer knows this and in what context it was said.

It's an interesting question as to whether Rouse was given too much rope. Obviously the writer of the article thought so, or thought that some inside the organization felt this way. And Rouse seemed to suck rather hard.

On the other hand, he showed some flashes his rookie year, and safeties sometimes do take a few years to develop (Sharper is the usual example). However, the article makes it appear that somebody - coaches? players? Both? knew a while ago Rouse was not cutting it, but that Thompson would not cut him.

Not sure what to make of all this. Was Anthony Smith a better choice, and Rouse kept instead because he was a "Thompson pick"? Or is this some of that grumbling that occurs when a team lays a big egg? Or is the JSO making m ore out of this than is really there in order to stir the pot and create a buzz?

[pbmax]

I think, unless there is specific doubt about a young established starter, this would be normal veteran sentiment about callow rookies and other young players who do not recognize the challenge that faces them.

[KYPack]

There is a quirky little quote in Bedard's article.

He says Mac said in his presser,

"We're going to line up and play just the way we did every day, nothing's going to change, we're not changing any plays, any practice schedules, any linemen . . .  OK? So we're going down to St. Louis to win a game and we're going to play our type of football. That's our approach."


Yeah, he did say some of that. but he also said more.

After "lineman", MM said 'any safeties" when he addressed the media. I noted this in the thread on it. Bedard ommited the reference to safeties after cutting last week's starter bc it sounded a little wierd.

This article was gift-wrapped and handed to the press bc the coaches and mgt wanted the message spread to the team. Get going or you are gonna be gone. MM knows the lads have to step it up quick or the season could well be lost.

I like the sense of urgency, but hope the message gets thru. We will see.

[Fritz]

So do you agree with PB that this would be just the usual grousing by vets about rookies who do not earn their keep and do not understand what they are expected to do?

If that's the case, what is the purpose of mentioning it the article?

While you may be correct that MM used this as an opportunity to send a message to players, the JSO seems to be using it in part as an opportunity to suggest that there is discord in the locker room because Thompson, at least, is giving undeserving players roster spots.

[denverYooper]

So do you agree with PB that this would be just the usual grousing by vets about rookies who do not earn their keep and do not understand what they are expected to do?

If that's the case, what is the purpose of mentioning it the article?

While you may be correct that MM used this as an opportunity to send a message to players, the JSO seems to be using it in part as an opportunity to suggest that there is discord in the locker room because Thompson, at least, is giving undeserving players roster spots.

I got the same impression Fritz.

[AtlPackFan]

So do you agree with PB that this would be just the usual grousing by vets about rookies who do not earn their keep and do not understand what they are expected to do?

If that's the case, what is the purpose of mentioning it the article?

While you may be correct that MM used this as an opportunity to send a message to players, the JSO seems to be using it in part as an opportunity to suggest that there is discord in the locker room because Thompson, at least, is giving undeserving players roster spots.

I got the same impression Fritz.

Do you all think he is referring to spots on the team or starting spots? I have seen discussion here and elsewhere about whether or not Hawk has earned his spot and whether or not Spitz/Sitton should be starting over Wells/Spitz. Of course with Clifton's injury, the later is a moot point for a couple of weeks but I wonder if the "vets" were referring to roster spots or starting spots?

[Fritz]

This is a good question, Atl. Could it also refer to players on injured reserve?

Is there anything more to this story than the usual grumblings one might find in any organization of any size in any business?

It's so difficult to tell if this season really is, so far, playing out like most of last year's, or if the paper is simply stirring the pot.

[bobblehead]

In reading between the lines I take this to mean everyone knows chillar and Bishop should be starting over Hawk and Barnett

[pbmax]

Bedard had a nasty tiff with Jason Taylor in Miami. I wonder if his sources are mostly players he gets close to and then airs their dirty laundry? Wilde does something similar (he is tight with Al Harris and Mark Tauscher for instance), but he is Bill Belicheck compared to some of the stuff Bedard speculates on.

The closest Wilde came to causing real trouble was Al Harris and the OTAs in McCarthy's first year. Poor Harlan had a whole thread to himself of people telling him he was wrong that weekend.

I give Bedard credit though, he called Favre's shoulder injuries. Of course, he did manage to whiff on the prognosis at first.

[hoosier]

I think we should take Bedard's lead and begin wild speculations on who might be skating by without having earned his stripes. Who are the three or four players in the GB lockerroom that everyone else despises and gossips about behind their backs?

Jermichael Finley comes to mind. He's extremely athletic and looked great in preseason but, when the real games start, he suddenly disappears. Never mind that he was frequently seen disappearing in the vicinity of Allen Barbre against CHI, which was kind of a mini Bermuda Triangle. But what was his excuse against CIN? Don't forget that Finley, like Rouse, was a 3rd round draft pick. Not good enough for the first day but too talented to cut right away.

Allen Barbre also comes to mind, for obvious reasons.

Brohm would come to mind too if he hadn't been cut. But maybe there are guys on the practice squad who create lockerroom resentment by virtue of being there and not out in the street.

[sharpe1027]

I think we should take Bedard's lead and begin wild speculations on who might be skating by without having earned his stripes. Who are the three or four players in the GB lockerroom that everyone else despises and gossips about behind their backs?

Jermichael Finley comes to mind. He's extremely athletic and looked great in preseason but, when the real games start, he suddenly disappears. Never mind that he was frequently seen disappearing in the vicinity of Allen Barbre against CHI, which was kind of a mini Bermuda Triangle. But what was his excuse against CIN? Don't forget that Finley, like Rouse, was a 3rd round draft pick. Not good enough for the first day but too talented to cut right away.

Finley was second only to DD in the Cinci game. He had 4 catches for 56 yards, despite our offense being virtually non-existent all day. Between him and driver they had well over half the total passing yards.

Last year he was a rookie and only started getting any significant time at the end of the year. I am not sure why/how he "disappears" since he never "appeared" and has been consitently getting more and more invovled.

[Partial]

In reading between the lines I take this to mean everyone knows chillar and Bishop should be starting over Hawk and Barnett

Everyone on WSSP, including former Packers Gary Ellerson and LeRoy Butler are 100% in this corner. Too much politics!!

[hoosier]

I think we should take Bedard's lead and begin wild speculations on who might be skating by without having earned his stripes. Who are the three or four players in the GB lockerroom that everyone else despises and gossips about behind their backs?

Jermichael Finley comes to mind. He's extremely athletic and looked great in preseason but, when the real games start, he suddenly disappears. Never mind that he was frequently seen disappearing in the vicinity of Allen Barbre against CHI, which was kind of a mini Bermuda Triangle. But what was his excuse against CIN? Don't forget that Finley, like Rouse, was a 3rd round draft pick. Not good enough for the first day but too talented to cut right away.

Finley was second only to DD in the Cinci game. He had 4 catches for 56 yards, despite our offense being virtually non-existent all day. Between him and driver they had well over half the total passing yards.

Last year he was a rookie and only started getting any significant time at the end of the year. I am not sure why/how he "disappears" since he never "appeared" and has been consitently getting more and more invovled.

Well it's about time. Why did he have to keep us waiting for more than a year before starting to put up such stellar numbers? Last year he wasn't just a rookie, he was a know-it-all rookie who couldn't walk the walk when his time came.

I'm just kidding, of course. For the most part anyway. Just trying to have a little fun with the shi* that Bedard seems to be stirring up. Let's see if we can turn it back into chicken salad.

[pbmax]

In reading between the lines I take this to mean everyone knows chillar and Bishop should be starting over Hawk and Barnett

Everyone on WSSP, including former Packers Gary Ellerson and LeRoy Butler are 100% in this corner. Too much politics!!

Yes, because if message board posters and former players agree, then the only explanation is politics.

[rbaloha1]

In reading between the lines I take this to mean everyone knows chillar and Bishop should be starting over Hawk and Barnett

Amen