Are NFL sources purposely giving ESPN wrong info?

[BYH]

Feel free to a.) have a mod shift this to the J board and/or b.) dismiss the followings as the ramblings of a conspiracy theorist.

But ESPN swung and missed twice this weekend re: whether or not an injured player would suit up. Tonight, it was Sal Paoalonaofdsauaouwreoasdoa-10 saying Laurence Maroney would play for the Patriots. Less than an hour later, he reported that Maroney was inactive and that Sammy Morris would start.

Yesterday, John Clayton reported the Giants' Derrick Ward would be inactive. But he played that night for the Giants.

And of course there was the whole Michael Vick thing, where ESPN's NFL reporters did not exactly cover itself in glory.

So my question: Is this just a run of bad luck by ESPN? Or are NFL sources giving ESPN wrong info on purpose with the intent of steering readers/viewers to the NFL Network and NFL.com? Is this part of the NFL's for worldwide dominance--to control the message to the point where the official version is the only one?

Thoughts?

 

[GB-Hack]

I think the players playing/sitting it may just be good old misinformation.

I doubt it's any serious conspiracy to direct people to the NFL's official outlets.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

Funny you brought this up, I just got done kicking my dog because of Sal Paoalonaofdsauaouwreoasdoa-10 telling me Maroney would play. Then, two minutes before kickoff and three minutes after the lineups were locked, Michele Tafoya tells me Morris is starting.

I would have won my game.

Yeah, yeah, no one cares about my fantasy team.

But I just wanted to say **** you Sal Paoalonaofdsauaouwreoasdoa-10

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I don't know about the NFL, but Bellicheat is notorious for not disclosing injuries.

No surprise.

 

[playthrough]

Is it a function of having to have *something* to say before a game? If two teams come into a game all but in perfect health (i know, that never happens), what's SalPal and Co. going to report on during these ridiculously long pregame shows? The weather?

 

[outofplace]

Funny you brought this up, I just got done kicking my dog because of Sal Paoalonaofdsauaouwreoasdoa-10 telling me Maroney would play. Then, two minutes before kickoff and three minutes after the lineups were locked, Michele Tafoya tells me Morris is starting.

I would have won my game.

Yeah, yeah, no one cares about my fantasy team.

But I just wanted to say **** you Sal Paoalonaofdsauaouwreoasdoa-10

I thought you Brownie fans loved dogs. Or is it only dawgz?

 

[BYH]

Is it a function of having to have *something* to say before a game? If two teams come into a game all but in perfect health (i know, that never happens), what's SalPal and Co. going to report on during these ridiculously long pregame shows? The weather?

It'd be one thing if it was reported out of nowhere that these players were injured. But their questionable status was known all week (even if Belichick probably didn't say a word about it).

It's probably just a coincidence. But given the ruthlessness of the NFL, I'm not completely sure.

 

[Barsuk]

It's a fun theory, if nothing else.

 

[slappy4428]

Yeah, interesting theory, but dont think they could get away with it...once, twice maybe. After that... nope...

 

[spnited]

Maybe it's just the self-proclaimed Wordwide Leader needing to have "inside" information so badlty that guys are reporting "facts" based on a single source who might not know what they're talking about.

So whle Maroney was a game-time decision, SalPal can't report that because it's not a stroy. And "somebody" told him Maroney was going to play, so that's what he runs with.

In other words, no NFL conspiracy, just more ESPN bull ****.

 

[sports scrub]

Don't forget Mort's bogus info on Eli Manning ...

 

[boots]

Loose lips sinks ships. Teams don't want to give out information and wouldn't if not for league mandates. But that information can be variations of the truth. Many times it is.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

With Mort and Lenny P. I think it's often a case of them throwing so much **** against the wall, that some of it sticks and some of it is absurd. I've been told from friends at ESPN that the WWL essentially encourages this because it keeps people interested...

When John Clayton is wrong, I take notice, because he's the one who is almost never wrong... I've lost track how many times the other have given out bad info...

 

[MileHigh]

And yet we and the public consume ANYTHING they still say as gospel.

 

[poindexter]

Love it that it ****ed up some fantasy nerds' night.

 

[WS]

Love it that it ****ed up some fantasy nerds' night.

I had Maroney and Kenny Watson on standby. Thankfully I got the yahoo sports report, and not SalPal and played the right guy.

Doesn't matter, because my team got its ass kicked anyway. but this fantasy nerd didn't lose because of SalPal

 

[hondo]

Maybe the WWL guys just suck.

 

[Blitz]

Loose lips sinks ships. Teams don't want to give out information and wouldn't if not for league mandates. But that information can be variations of the truth. Many times it is.

Exactly.
As competitive as pro sports is, with the prizes being as big (and fiscally pleasing) as they are, what team wouldn't strive to keep injury info and player lineups secret, or even divulge murky info regarding such topics?
And Lord knows, there's not a coach with any pro league team that gives a damn about some average Joe's "weekly fantasy line-up".
As a consumer who enjoys seeing competitive games and competitive seasons unfold, I'd encourage all teams to keep as much secret as possible.
And besides, if some reporter is able to break a story that someone's starting or someone's sitting, ahead of time, that's a good scoop for them. A feather in their cap. A notch in their belt.

 

[Del_B_Vista]

As competitive as pro sports is, with the prizes being as big (and fiscally pleasing) as they are, what team wouldn't strive to keep injury info and player lineups secret, or even divulge murky info regarding such topics?
And Lord knows, there's not a coach with any pro league team that gives a damn about some average Joe's "weekly fantasy line-up".

Yes, but the rules in place to report injuries in the NFL are for average Joe. They are for folks with "The" for middle names. Bobby The Bookie. Michael The Mobster.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Love it that it ****ed up some fantasy nerds' night.

I had Maroney and Kenny Watson on standby. Thankfully I got the yahoo sports report, and not SalPal and played the right guy.

Doesn't matter, because my team got its ass kicked anyway. but this fantasy nerd didn't lose because of SalPal

You are able to alter your lineup on Monday night?