In the ropes: not that great

So, first off, thanks for checking out the website. I'm not a plugola whore, but I do appreciate the forum.


Last night was the final full-run before the boys return to CLT. Some observations from how things work:

• Media = Carnie Folk: The first few days of camp were great. Didn't meet a bad apple in the bunch, including Richardson and even Goodell. After about a week, some (nameless) in the press were--my perception--taking issue with this random dude showing up and stealing their "scoop", if you will. I was told, actually very nicely, to not discuss any "strategy" in camp reports. I can see that, and I respect it. I'm used to covering Clemson, USC, and HS Football. Last thing I'm there to do is reveal secrets that may give Arizona a .000001% edge on 9/11/11. Just didn't like the fact that someone else with the press was the one who ran, eagerly, to someone with the team to let them know about it. Felt like going Mike Gundy on his ass. Bottom line: my live updates from camp are all about giving those that can't be there the best possible visual of what they're missing. By pushing hard on this, I have no doubt that it made the other guys push harder to get their stuff out quickly and with accuracy. That's good for everyone, especially fans.
• Twitter is a dangerous tool: All of the beat writers, columnists, tv and radio personnel use it, and I joked last week that it's a race to see who can tweet anything first. Moreover, it's abundantly clear to me that most of them read this board, and the Huddle. The NFL put out a memo on several different changes to media regulations--biggest one was for TV/Video shoots. I haven't been issued anything that laid out guidelines for sideline reporting at camp. Other than that, the two Media Relations guys I dealt with for the past 3 weeks were top-notch. Charlie Dayton in particular, who has been doing this for years, was a huge help. It's just interesting that I could flush the press pass down the toilet, join the fans on the hill, and tweet anything I pleased from 10 extra feet back. But, when you get credentials, it's a different world. I actually had one nondescript gentleman in a Panthers t-shirt ask me if I was an advance scout for another team. I told him: "Yea, but it's Natti....no worries dude". He laughed, and that was the end of it.
• Rivera is gracious: I worked a Fox presser once, back in 2003 while working as a stringer for a local rag here in SC. He was riduculous with his answers, as most of you know by watching his pressers. The beat guys, including the one that's no longer working the beat, loathed his approach. Rivera is a talker. Not a gabber, though. He's clear, thorough and to the point. Doesn't mince words, and for a writer/broadcaster, he's a solid interview. I was impressed on my second night at camp when he approached me after his presser, introduced himself to Mr. Nobody here, and asked about my role. Told him that I wasn't a hack looking for artificial storylines, but rather a student of the game that simply will be looking for insight from him in 2011 and beyond relative to the nuance and schematics of the game. He LOVES this. In the press room after FanFest, I asked him about Chudzinski's design for his TE's, particularly in 11 and 12 personnel situations. Wide eyed, he went on for 3-4 minutes about the role of the TE in this offense, and even spoke in "personnel" terms. Fox, had that been asked, would have said something like: "Well there's no question in the National Football League you have to be diverse. We have 3--actually 4--capable TE's, and we plan to get each on the field at some point". From a football perspective, it's refreshing.

Overall, the team is very good with taking care of the credentialed media. I have no real issue with them. But, if you're a writer/broadcaster/photog that's coming into that world for the first time, put your big boy pants on, because it's just like being at the lunch table in 9th grade all over again.

 

Oh, and speaking of "rats", there's one here on TBR, as Mr. Gantt can attest to that. And that same rat will probably run this post straight up to Mint Street. Whatever. I'm not paid by the team, or any publication, to report my opinions. Go for it.

 

It's dukey.

 

what would anyone gain from that shit?
good thoughts. Can't apparently respond to DMs from my phone...does anyonehave a better twitter client?

 

Sometimes, it's less about "their gain" and more about "someone else's loss". Go for it, whoever it is. Won't interfere with my work.

I just use the primary Twitter Blackberry app.

 

Dude...love the blog, but I have one question. What's a 212 and what does it have to do with the Panthers?

 

Inside story. Too long and boring to even start here. It is what it is.

 

Foxy...that you?

 

Oh, you bet your ass I'll go for it.