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NFL coverage: sidelines vs. press box

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by mikebb13, Nov 28, 2006.

  1. mikebb13

    mikebb13 Member

    I covered my first NFL game Sunday, and I covered it on the sidelines since I had a photo credential. Here's my question: in terms of access, pro, cons or whatever, what does the covering the game from the press box offer that covering it from the sidelines does not, and vice versa?
     
  2. 85bears

    85bears Member

    For one thing, a writer would have a hard time from the field recognizing coverages and so forth or being able to see who pops open, what the defensive schemes are, etc. It just looks like a jumbled mess from field level - that's why so many offensive and defensive coordinators work from the booth, as well.
     
  3. moonlight

    moonlight Member

    There's better food in the press box.
     
  4. SnoopCoog

    SnoopCoog Member

    Why people want to cover football from the sidelines is beyond me. You can't see anything. And where is your workspace? Get up in press box with the real writers.
     
  5. slappy4428

    slappy4428 Active Member

    On the other hand, cheerleaders are right there in front of you...
     
  6. HoopsMcCann

    HoopsMcCann Active Member

    i know you didn't cover it at my local nfl hut -- they keep track of every person on the sideline and if you have a photographer credential you sure as hell better have a camera
     
  7. Chi City 81

    Chi City 81 Guest

    Might be a decent place if you're working on a sidebar. But for gamers, forget it.
     
  8. txsportsscribe

    txsportsscribe Active Member

    if you're on the sideline and not shooting, aren't you just getting in somebody's way who is trying to shoot?
     
  9. txsportsscribe

    txsportsscribe Active Member

    all i know is that i've had plenty of experiences where some dimwit comes and stands right in front of me just to watch when i've been trying to get a shot. and at 6-6 and 300-plus, it's not exactly like they didn't see me standing there with a camera to my eye.
     
  10. mikebb13

    mikebb13 Member

    Thanks for the comments guys. I had a photo credential since I was shooting, and decided to try my hand at writing a story on it too (since basic AP doesn't give us much stuff east of the Mississippi, and Nashville is our second-closest NFL market, barely behind St. Louis). It's nothing big, but I thought some pointers would be nice...
     
  11. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    My ex-girlfriend was/is a photographer and she covered several Cowboys games with me. They make the photogs wear a string of ribbon pinned to the back of their shoulders, I guess for quick ID purposes. But I digress.

    Yes, the press box is the far better place for doing a gamer because of all the stats, replays, etc. available. If you were, say, doing a T.O. sidebar, then sure, hit the sidelines.
     
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