44-year-old writer is treated like a real player on the team

[ramgrad08]

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/12/44-year-old-writer-is-treated-like-a-real-player-o/?news

[Angola!]

I thought it was a pretty interesting story, personally.

I've always wanted to do one of these things, but I'm sure I would get heat stroke and die.

[expendable]

No way I would go through that, and I'm 10 years younger than him.

[slappy4428]

I remember when a now-retired Detroit News writer did that 20 years ago with the made up name of "Louie Rigatoni."
They worked the guy so hard, his hair dye was running out from under his helmet....

To paraphrase Huey Lewis, sometimes cool is cool, and sometimes Spad is Spad....

[ramgrad08]

John's a great reporter and a good guy too. Doesn't suprise me.

[Ace]

I liked the lede.

[PeteyPirate]

I thought about trying this when I was covering Fayetteville State and John was covering WSSU, but I was afraid I'd make the team.

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

CI did this (sans Murphy) a few years ago with a high school team.

I think these are some of the most interesting stories. Having never had a chance to play football with a knee injury before I started high school, this is the type of stuff that gets the reader inside camp.

[Ace]

I'd like to see Poindexter do a story about being a playa with the high school kids.

[Mizzougrad96]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I hate when writers do this shit...

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

Of course you do.

[Mizzougrad96]

We're not the story. Someday people will wrap their brains around that.

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

God forbid we try something different, that shows a different angle.

I read that and could see myself in his shoes. Struggling like he did at times, draggin' ass at times, thinking of a witty remark against myself in that team meeting.

It's like a good movie. The best movies are the ones you feel like you're a part of it.

[Mizzougrad96]

God forbid we try something different, that shows a different angle.

I read that and could see myself in his shoes. Struggling like he did at times, draggin' ass at times, thinking of a witty remark against myself in that team meeting.

It's like a good movie. The best movies are the ones you feel like you're a part of it.

This isn't different. It's a complete cliche.

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

God forbid we try something different, that shows a different angle.

I read that and could see myself in his shoes. Struggling like he did at times, draggin' ass at times, thinking of a witty remark against myself in that team meeting.

It's like a good movie. The best movies are the ones you feel like you're a part of it.

This isn't different. It's a complete cliche.

Maybe it hasn't been done in that circulation area for 20 years.

When CI did it a few years back, it likely had never been done at that shop. So while it might be cliche in the industry, it's not to the readers.

[Bullwinkle]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I hate when writers do this shit...

How do you think the relationship changes between a beat reporter and the team he covers after this type of "participatory journalism" takes place? Seems like it'd be a lot more cozy.

[zebracoy]

We're not the story. Someday people will wrap their brains around that.

True. But doing something like this does give an insight as to what it takes to succeed at a seemingly-simple routine.

Would you rather he asked a player to describe his day - something that's probably as nondescript to us as waking up, turning on the computer, grabbing the morning coffee, logging tape, etc.?

[SEC Guy]

The writer wants attention. The team wants coverage.

I'm with Mizzou, this is a bad cliche.

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

We're not the story. Someday people will wrap their brains around that.

True. But doing something like this does give an insight as to what it takes to succeed at a seemingly-simple routine.

Would you rather he asked a player to describe his day - something that's probably as nondescript to us as waking up, turning on the computer, grabbing the morning coffee, logging tape, etc.?

I agree we're not the story, but this isn't like Mariotti writing about Mike Nadel writing about Erin Andrews.

[SF_Express]

We're not the story. Someday people will wrap their brains around that.

See, Mizzou, this is one of those, "There are rules until it's time to break them" deals.

There are, or should be, very few absolutes in this business.

I've had editors who refused to let a writer put "I" in a story or column. Ever. Period.

They were wrong.

This one was pretty interesting, he acknowledges it's nothing new in pretty high up, and I had no problem with it.

[Angola!]

The writer wants attention. The team wants coverage.

I'm with Mizzou, this is a bad cliche.

Also not a surprise.

I think readers like reading these types of things periodically, if for no other reason than they wonder what it would be like for them to try and do what the athletes do.

[Mizzougrad96]

I love all-access stories. This isn't that. This is a "Hey, look at me" story.

Team treats him nice. He writes a story about what wonderful human beings they are.

They get good coverage. He gets some attention.

[Bullwinkle]

It didn't matter to the players that I was born the night the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show, I was one of them.

I know he wrote this line in the spirit of taking on the role as player. But today, he's back to being a member of the media. And again, I just can't see him being able to cover the beat the same way.

[Mizzougrad96]

It didn't matter to the players that I was born the night the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show, I was one of them.

I know he wrote this line in the spirit of taking on the role as player. But today, he's back to being a member of the media. And again, I just can't see him being able to cover the beat the same way.

Completely agree. One more reason why this never should have been allowed, either by the SE or the coach.

[Bullwinkle]

And if this were the Ohio State football beat, and not Winston-Salem, I think the reaction would be a lot more negative.