New SI: Charles Pierce on Wes Welker

For the purposes of the writer's workshop, yes. This belongs on the main board.

 

I thought the story was fairly creative in what appears a story where he got limited access to the Patriots and Welker doesn't appear to be much a quote machine.

It would have been more interesting, maybe, to flesh out some aspects of Welker's career in Boston. And, maybe, what other teams do to prepare for Welker.

The unanswered question is Welker's success a product of his drive or are his numbers artificial because of the systems he has played in.

It also begs the question, do the Patriots favor white players because it sure seems like they do. That wasn't explored either.

 

The cynic thinks that other than the awful lede, it seemed like a regular player feature that SI has twice a week.

The cynic thinks that Pierce is nothing special.

Convince me. Convince me. Convince me.

 

Deion Branch is white? Who knew?

 

Well, I don't think there's a writer on this earth who's above critique and review.

Truth is I love Pierce's writing. But like way too many guys who know a lot of people think they're great, he sometimes falls into a common trap: On occasion -- and the lede to this story is one of those occasions -- he is writing for himself rather than writing for the reader. I call it masturbating at the keyboard.

 

Depends on the reader, I guess.

 

Because Pierce had been in the news because of the feud with Simmons.

I did not feel like the original post was fawning. I did not like the lede very much, and tried to be clear but diplomatic about that.

I think it's fair to say that, with Pierce, I often feel that the writing is a lot of sizzle oftentimes and not a lot of steak.

 

One thing I'd like to add - I think a beer with Charlie Pierce would be a lot more fun than a beer with Bill Simmons.

I also think that if criticism was warranted - Charlie Pierce would say "fair enough" while Simmons would get all snitty.

 

Is there a short supply of band width that we need to start rationing threads?

As far as story seems like Pierce missed the boat in not getting some quotes from Leach who obviously played an important roll in Welker's development.

 

As a civilian on this board I can only say that having a beer with Charlie Pierce is very high on my list of recommended activities.

 

Totally agree with both points.