Mort and Favre

[Kato]

I posted this on one of the Favre threads on the sports and news board and no one bit. It's probably more of a journalism topic anyway. Here goes:

I watched Chris Mortenson's reports on the Favre situation Friday on ESPN and read his reports on ESPN.com. The dateline on the online story was Hattiesburg, Miss., where Favre lives, and his TV report mentioned how good he thought Favre looked as he practiced with the high school kids. Yet, there was not one quote from Favre. Nothing Mort reported was attributed to Favre himself; everything from Favre was attributed to the agent. There was no mention of speaking with Favre, no mention of what he actually said, no mention of Favre NOT talking.

So what was Mort doing? Doesn't he have to say whether or not he talked to Favre? Doesn't it seem odd that he was there and watched him play and didn't speak with him or didn't even attempt to speak to him? If Favre wasn't talking, isn't it important to say that?

One more thing, after watching Terrell Owens lifting weights in his drive way last year (or was it two years ago?), isn't it strange that there hasn't been a camera crew hanging around southern Mississippi or around that high school practice field, trying to get a statement or a peek?

 

[The Big Ragu]

I don't know if he made it over to Hattiesburg. But I am fairly certain Mort was at the Manning Passing Academy on Friday. It ran from Thursday and ends today, and they are doing it about 50 miles from New Orleans at Nicholls State. I assume he actually went to Hattiesburg, if that was the dateline, and I really don't have an answer for you, but I know almost for sure that Mort was following the story from the Manning camp for at least part of Friday.

 

[MMatt60]

Mort, on radio the other day, described Favre wearing a sleeveless shirt on the practice field and joking that his "guns" looked pretty good. I certainly got the impression Mort was on the scene. Maybe Favre would only acknowledge Mort but not talk to him. I could envision that.

 

[Andy _ Kent]

There was no mention of speaking with Favre, no mention of what he actually said, no mention of Favre NOT talking.

So what was Mort doing? Doesn't he have to say whether or not he talked to Favre? Doesn't it seem odd that he was there and watched him play and didn't speak with him or didn't even attempt to speak to him? If Favre wasn't talking, isn't it important to say that?

Uh, Kato, you might want to go back and read Mort's story again:

Favre did not wish to speak publicly about his situation when approached while working out Friday morning at a local high school in Hattiesburg. He appeared to be in excellent physical condition and threw the ball with ease, even throwing it 50 yards "on a rope" with high school receivers. He has been throwing and running with the team for more than a month.

Favre was relaxed and in a positive frame of mind, joking and telling stories about himself, former teammates and coaches. He planned to continue working out next week.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Based on the responses and the info in the story, I am now wondering if I was confusing Thursday with Friday. I can't keep the days straight.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Mort is reporting whatever Bus Cook tells him to.

 

[zebracoy]

Mort is reporting whatever Bus Cook tells him to.

Agreed.

This whole saga is unnecessary sensationalistic.

BREAKING NEWS: Brett Favre ate dinner with his family Sunday night...

 

[shockey]

i've always greatly admired favre, the most down-to-earth superstar i've ever met. also greatly admire mort and SportsJournalists.com whipping boy peter king.

all that said, everyone's guilty of being way up favre/cook's butt on this one. a lot of penis-measuring goin' on with this one.

 

[BYH]

Mort is reporting whatever Bus Cook tells him to.

Agreed.

This whole saga is unnecessary sensationalistic.

BREAKING NEWS: Brett Favre ate dinner with his family Sunday night...

Chris Mortensen reports Favre passed on the ice cream, which may be another indication he's serious about reporting to training camp in shape.

 

[Batman]

Mort is reporting whatever Bus Cook tells him to.

Agreed.

This whole saga is unnecessary sensationalistic.

BREAKING NEWS: Brett Favre ate dinner with his family Sunday night...

Chris Mortensen reports Favre passed on the ice cream, which may be another indication he's serious about reporting to training camp in shape.

Mortensen also reports that Favre's daughter, Breleigh, intercepted the mashed potatoes intended for his wife Deanna during the second course. Favre, who had tried to fling the potatoes a spoonful at a time to Deanna, said, "I was just trying to make a play. I am Brett ****in' Favre, man."

 

[Kato]

There was no mention of speaking with Favre, no mention of what he actually said, no mention of Favre NOT talking.

So what was Mort doing? Doesn't he have to say whether or not he talked to Favre? Doesn't it seem odd that he was there and watched him play and didn't speak with him or didn't even attempt to speak to him? If Favre wasn't talking, isn't it important to say that?

Uh, Kato, you might want to go back and read Mort's story again:

Favre did not wish to speak publicly about his situation when approached while working out Friday morning at a local high school in Hattiesburg. He appeared to be in excellent physical condition and threw the ball with ease, even throwing it 50 yards "on a rope" with high school receivers. He has been throwing and running with the team for more than a month.

Favre was relaxed and in a positive frame of mind, joking and telling stories about himself, former teammates and coaches. He planned to continue working out next week.

I may have missed that. If so, my bad. Maybe it was added later. I don't recall reading that orginally, and when I saw Mort's TV report Friday night, he made no mention of talking to or trying to talk to Favre.

Still, it does seem crazy that, with everything being reported from other camps -- Cook, the Packers -- that someone couldn't get something out of Favre -- even an on-the-record, even on-camera no comment -- if they're right there with him.

 

[cranberry]

Doesn't "Favre did not wish to speak publicly about his situation" suffice as a no comment? A quote from Favre saying, "No comment" wouldn't have furthered the story. Hopefully, Mort spoke with him privately and gained some insight for his reporting.

 

[hondo]

So how come Greta von Susteren got the exclusive one-on-one with Favre, to be aired tonight? Mort must be crushed.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

So how come Greta von Susteren got the exclusive one-on-one with Favre, to be aired tonight? Mort must be crushed.

This was brought up on the other thread.

Here were Favre's choices:

Al Jones: Zero credibility.

Mort and PK: Even though they're in Favre's camp, they might have to ask a few questions like, "Why the **** can't you ever make up your mind?"

Wisconsin media: Favre hates them.

Greta: Doesn't know enough about football to ask the hard questions and is a die-hard admitted Favre fan.

 

[albert77]

So how come Greta von Susteren got the exclusive one-on-one with Favre, to be aired tonight? Mort must be crushed.

Al Jones: Zero credibility.

What?! You mean Brett's ole fishin' buddy has no credibility? Perish the thought.

 

[Batman]

It was mentioned in the AP story that Greta is from Wisconsin and a Packers shareholder. Did that give her an in? Is it a conflict of interest?
Also, I hate when "regular" news folks tackle sports stories like this. Not because I'm jealous, but because they usually come off sounding like nincompoops with their questions.

 

[leo1]

It was mentioned in the AP story that Greta is from Wisconsin and a Packers shareholder. Did that give her an in? Is it a conflict of interest?
Also, I hate when "regular" news folks tackle sports stories like this. Not because I'm jealous, but because they usually come off sounding like nincompoops with their questions.

isn't almost everyone who lives in wisconsin a "packers shareholder?"

 

[User 6659]

Sadly, no. I can't afford it on my monster sports writer salary.