#DFG: Canceling the Noise

[CR67dream]

That's not even close to what Van Everyman said. I mean, not even remoteley close. Blind hatred? Really? Some of us aren't ready to take the NFL at face value. Maybe even you, based on your last couple of comments. So stop namecalling and blustering and put forward your point. Is it really all that difficult?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

That's not even close to what Van Everyman said. I mean, not even remoteley close. Blind hatred? Really? Some of us aren't ready to take the NFL at face value. Maybe even you, based on your last couple of comments. So stop namecalling and blustering and put forward your point. Is it really all that difficult?

Holy shit. That was, quite literally, the words he used in his post.

Is this fucking real life right now?

I understand some wanting to whittle down the amount of hyperbole and blind hatred for the League office in this forum but the NFL has a long way to go before they should start getting credit for anything they do to manage gamesmanship.

 

[CR67dream]

Holy shit. That was, quite literally, the words he used in his post.

Is this fucking real life right now?

"I understand some wanting to whittle down the amount of hyperbole and blind hatred for the League office in this forum but the NFL has a long way to go before they should start getting credit for anything they do to manage gamesmanship. "
 
That's what VE said, in response to you. Verbatim. God forbid any of us should doubt the league going forward. Come on, man. They "deserve blind hatred" is a figment of your imagination.
 

•  

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

"I understand some wanting to whittle down the amount of hyperbole and blind hatred for the League office in this forum but the NFL has a long way to go before they should start getting credit for anything they do to manage gamesmanship. "
 
That's what VE said, in response to you. Verbatim. God forbid any of us should doubt the league going forward. Come on, man.

•  

All those times I said, "you're making a strawman argument, I agree that you can't trust the league"?

A ruse.

You really can trust the league. You got me. That was my arguement the whole time, apparently.

 

[CR67dream]

My biggest problem with how you approach things is that if anyone disagrees with you, even in a very small way, you attack the person instead of the argument. I said this earlier, but it bears repeating. Instead of calling VE a dummy, you could have and should have asked him to clarify. Instead of screaming "Boohoo", you could have and should have tried to understand a point of view that didn't line up with yours. 

 

[Van Everyman]

What are you arguing? That I harbor some indiscriminate hatred for the League? I honestly have lost what you are trying to say, KFP.

What I said was that I get, as a mod, that you would want to reduce the amount of rage toward the NFL offices right now but that they didn't deserve much credit given how badly they've botched all of this.

I would also add that the three statements the NFL released seemed a bit wobbly – the first was full denial—"we're pretty sure it was the weather"—the second said, "Yes, well, teams do have some responsibility for the comms but we're not sure if that was a factor here," and the third was, "...after careful consideration, the League has determined the Patriots had NOTHING to do with this."

"Handling this very well" would mean that the League had squashed this out of the box. They didn't. That they may have ended up in the right place and it didn't take nine months and a lawsuit may constitute progress for the NFL. But based on the evidence I'm not sure they did anything to deserve praise here and would rather wait to see a few more examples of them telling other teams to knock it off before giving them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[djbayko]

Wow, this thread sucks right now, and that's saying a lot. From where I sit, everyone has a valid point, and the attacks are unnecessary.

1) The NFL actually handled this complaint well. (The early statement might have been a little uncertain, which necessitated 2 more statements...but it seems like they sincerely tried).
2) We wouldn't even be talking about this issue past last Friday afternoon (if at all) if they handn't completely blown past complaints out of proportion.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Wow, this thread sucks right now, and that's saying a lot. From where I sit, everyone has a valid point, and the attacks are unnecessary.
1) The NFL actually handled this complaint well. (The early statement might have been a little uncertain, which necessitated 2 more statements...but it seems like they sincerely tried).
2) We wouldn't even be talking about this issue past last Friday afternoon (if at all) if they handn't completely blown past complaints out of proportion.

The league handled this non scandal as they should have.

The league is run by incompetent nincompoops.

These are not mutually exclusive. Group hug/circle jerk everyone!

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Tuesday morning and still no mention of the problems with headsets across the league on ESPN. Hmm

 

[Norm loves Vera]

And the anonymous sources strike again:
 
"Multiple sources at ESPN have told Sports Illustrated that a number of ESPN’s NFL and OTL staffers have received threatening phone calls, emails and tweets — well beyond the usual sports media criticism or angry social media blasts — over the network’s reporting of the Patriots and allegations of cheating. Some tweets have included threats of physical violence. (One ESPNer described the Twitter attacks as “vile.”) Another source said ESPN security has been involved. Emails have alluded to meeting up with ESPN staffers when they are working in Boston. Family members of ESPN staffers have also dealt directly with threats. When asked about the severity of the threats and whether ESPN security is involved, an ESPN spokesperson said, “We are going to decline comment.”
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/13/media-circus-roger-goodell-deflategate-tv-coverage-nfl-week-1?page=2
 
the blurb is about halfway down.

 

[Jimbodandy]

The league handled this non scandal as they should have.

The league is run by incompetent nincompoops.

These are not mutually exclusive. Group hug/circle jerk everyone!

 
I'm in for the former, but sitting out the latter.

 

[txexile]

And the anonymous sources strike again:
 
"Multiple sources at ESPN have told Sports Illustrated that a number of ESPN’s NFL and OTL staffers have received threatening phone calls, emails and tweets — well beyond the usual sports media criticism or angry social media blasts — over the network’s reporting of the Patriots and allegations of cheating. Some tweets have included threats of physical violence. (One ESPNer described the Twitter attacks as “vile.”) Another source said ESPN security has been involved. Emails have alluded to meeting up with ESPN staffers when they are working in Boston. Family members of ESPN staffers have also dealt directly with threats. When asked about the severity of the threats and whether ESPN security is involved, an ESPN spokesperson said, “We are going to decline comment.”
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/13/media-circus-roger-goodell-deflategate-tv-coverage-nfl-week-1?page=2
 
the blurb is about halfway down.

Wow. "Multiple" sources at ESPN (which, last time I checked, competes with SI) have gone to SI to complain about over the top reactions of fans to articles published by ESPN.

That almost sounds orchestrated to me.

Personal attacks are of course unacceptable. But ESPN must consider the extent to which its calculated and self-interested and partial coverage of the entire fiasco has contributed to its problem. When a powerful news medium leaves uncorrected for months damning and untrue statements, when it fails to report exculpatory developments, and when it leaves no formal path open for conversations with disaffected readers and viewers (perhaps through an ombudsman with portfolio to let his or her reporting chips fall where they may), well then you've written a recipe for encouraging unacceptable reactions to your "reporting."

Try being honest about the flaws in the lies you publish, ESPN, and people won't feel as if you're not listening to them.

 

[Average Reds]

Wow, this thread sucks right now, and that's saying a lot. From where I sit, everyone has a valid point, and the attacks are unnecessary.

1) The NFL actually handled this complaint well. (The early statement might have been a little uncertain, which necessitated 2 more statements...but it seems like they sincerely tried).
2) We wouldn't even be talking about this issue past last Friday afternoon (if at all) if they handn't completely blown past complaints out of proportion.

 
Your observations are correct, but miss the point as to why this thread now sucks.
 
KFP did a lot of great work as a mod to make this forum a better place. He believes, with some justification, that this topic long ago reached the point of diminishing returns as a forum thread and (if I can speculate a bit) my guess is that he's worried that if we allow this mega-thread to lower the overall standards, the suck will prove to be contagious and spread to the whole of BBTL and his previous work will have been for naught.  It's not an unreasonable fear.
 
Perhaps in an effort to persuade us all to move beyond DFG now that the season is starting, he has tried to close this thread (and perhaps others) but was overruled.  Seemingly in response, he's now acting as unreasonably as those he decries, even to the point of getting in an inexplicable fight with a fellow mod.
 
The sad reality is that no individual can impose normalcy on BBTL this year.  No matter how hard they try to put on a reasonable face, the NFL has created a monster that won't soon disappear.  And we're going to need a place to vent about it. 

 

[LuckyBen]

And the anonymous sources strike again:
 
Some tweets have included threats of physical violence. (One ESPNer described the Twitter attacks as “vile.”)

Ok Soxhop, take it back a step.

 

[Erik Hanson's Hook]

That 18% is plunging fast.

 

[djbayko]

 
Your observations are correct, but miss the point as to why this thread now sucks.
 
KFP did a lot of great work as a mod to make this forum a better place. He believes, with some justification, that this topic long ago reached the point of diminishing returns as a forum thread and (if I can speculate a bit) my guess is that he's worried that if we allow this mega-thread to lower the overall standards, the suck will prove to be contagious and spread to the whole of BBTL and his previous work will have been for naught.  It's not an unreasonable fear.
 
Perhaps in an effort to persuade us all to move beyond DFG now that the season is starting, he has tried to close this thread (and perhaps others) but was overruled.  Seemingly in response, he's now acting as unreasonably as those he decries, even to the point of getting in an inexplicable fight with a fellow mod.
 
The sad reality is that no individual can impose normalcy on BBTL this year.  No matter how hard they try to put on a reasonable face, the NFL has created a monster that won't soon disappear.  And we're going to need a place to vent about it. 

I didn't miss the point. His motives for being an ass are made clear by his recent posting history in this thread. It needs to be understood that this is an unprecedented event. Dragging the discussion down further isn't the way to go.

 

[shoosh77]

Given the slim margin for that game, this might have cost the Patriots a 5th SB.
 
Interesting, never heard that before. Too bad it's buried in this article.

 
In the Colts place?  Investigate Irsay....

 

[simplyeric]

I'm wondering how this upcoming week will go. 
 
Thing about Rex is, he'll never take the blame for a loss, but I don't think he'll try to accuse the Patriots of anything.  Just doesn't seem the type.  He'll blame someone...I just don't think he'll go all "Cheatriots" on us.
So for those of you/us who are taking the Embrace the Hate road, this upcoming week could be a let down, if we win.
 
And of course, if the Bills win, he'll take all the credit...

 

[nighthob]

Can we get back to what's important? Discussing the boobs that run the NFL. Those posts about ESPNers whining about people being mean to them belong in the "ESPN Bringing Spygate" thread. And the bickering belongs in PM.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I didn't miss the point. His motives for being an ass are made clear by his recent posting history in this thread. It needs to be understood that this is an unprecedented event. Dragging the discussion down further isn't the way to go.

 
This thread has repelled some of the best posters on this forum and on SoSH. That is not an accident.
 
This forum and other parts of the board - the media forum in particular - are littered with thread derailments and really lame jokes focusing on deflategate. We jumped the shark a long fucking time ago. If people want a place to dump their trash, this thread has been the place. I lost that battle a while ago, and I accept that.
 
What I don't support, however, is turning every discussion into "Yeah, but fuck the NFL, Roger Goodell, and deflategate!" I made a casual - albeit oddly controversial for some reason - point that the NFL did a decent enough job handling the headset issue. The response is "Good for them, but you can't trust the NFL!"
 
Yeah. No shit. Do we have to preface every single statement we make in this forum now with, "The NFL hasn't earned our trust yet, but..."?
 
We all are on the same page at this point. The NFL is untrustworthy. The NFL doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. The NFL fucked over the Patriots. We are in nearly universal agreement about that in this forum.  But we don't need that same point made every 5 or 6 posts in BbtL for the rest of the season. 
 
Collinsworth mentioned deflategate in the pregame? "Thanks a lot, NFL!"
 
NBC mentions the Patriots/headset malfunction? "The NFL is out to get us again!"
 
Tomlin throws bombs at the Patriots? "You brought this upon yourself, NFL!"
 
The NFL squashes all cheating issues with multiple public statements within a 24 hour period? "If you didn't fuck up earlier, you wouldn't have had to make the statement, NFL!"
 
It's killing the intelligent conversation, it's bleeding into multiple parts of the forum and the website, and it makes a lot of people look bad. This thread has become more of a Patriots sewing circle then a place to have even a semi-intelligent football conversation. That's really fucking frustrating. 

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

 
This thread has repelled some of the best posters on this forum and on SoSH. That is not an accident.
 
This forum and other parts of the board - the media forum in particular - are littered with thread derailments and really lame jokes focusing on deflategate. We jumped the shark a long fucking time ago. If people want a place to dump their trash, this thread has been the place. I lost that battle a while ago, and I accept that.
 
What I don't support, however, is turning every discussion into "Yeah, but fuck the NFL, Roger Goodell, and deflategate!" I made a casual - albeit oddly controversial for some reason - point that the NFL did a decent enough job handling the headset issue. The response is "Good for them, but you can't trust the NFL!"
 
Yeah. No shit. Do we have to preface every single statement we make in this forum now with, "The NFL hasn't earned our trust yet, but..."?
 
We all are on the same page at this point. The NFL is untrustworthy. The NFL doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. The NFL fucked over the Patriots. We are in nearly universal agreement about that in this forum.  But we don't need that same point made every 5 or 6 posts in BbtL for the rest of the season. 
 
Collinsworth mentioned deflategate in the pregame? "Thanks a lot, NFL!"
 
NBC mentions the Patriots/headset malfunction? "The NFL is out to get us again!"
 
Tomlin throws bombs at the Patriots? "You brought this upon yourself, NFL!"
 
The NFL squashes all cheating issues with multiple public statements within a 24 hour period? "If you didn't fuck up earlier, you wouldn't have had to make the statement, NFL!"
 
It's killing the intelligent conversation, it's bleeding into multiple parts of the forum and the website, and it makes a lot of people look bad. This thread has become more of a Patriots sewing circle then a place to have even a semi-intelligent football conversation. That's really fucking frustrating. 

 
So delete the shit you don't want to see and move on. Responding in kind just created another two pages of contentless posts.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I have been saying for years that this forum should have a dedicated thread where members can not expect to have to contribute "intelligent discussion," because football is highly emotional and the Patriots evoke more emotion on both sides than any other team in sports. There is also far more down time between games, so there is naturally more pent up energy and less chance to get it out in game threads.

With that said, I think this thread has been perfect. Provided nobody is doing anything out of line on a personal level or just completely shitting the thread, I don't see what moderation it needs. Getting personal over small issues here doesn't help the thread and certainly doesn't help your image as a moderator. You may come back and say my image sucks or you don't care about your image as a moderator, but you should if you want people to take you seriously. I understand it has to be frustrating, but maybe step away for a bit before letting it out.

I have to go now, but suffice it to say that this forum has come a long way since the times of Yammer et al. You guys should be proud of ushering in that change. However, I still submit that the expectations of some are just unrealistic. Most people don't want this forum to be 100%, or even 80%, "intelligent discussion," and if most people don't want that, it's not what it's going to be. People don't just come here to learn, they come to feel and emote. In my opinion, there is room for both, the question is balance. No two people are the same, so it isn't easy, but I maintain that the best route is to offer both, in clearly defined threads, and allow each user to follow his or her own path.

Just my 3 cents.

 

[RetractableRoof]

 
This thread has repelled some of the best posters on this forum and on SoSH. That is not an accident.
 
This forum and other parts of the board - the media forum in particular - are littered with thread derailments and really lame jokes focusing on deflategate. We jumped the shark a long fucking time ago. If people want a place to dump their trash, this thread has been the place. I lost that battle a while ago, and I accept that.
 
What I don't support, however, is turning every discussion into "Yeah, but fuck the NFL, Roger Goodell, and deflategate!" I made a casual - albeit oddly controversial for some reason - point that the NFL did a decent enough job handling the headset issue. The response is "Good for them, but you can't trust the NFL!"
 
Yeah. No shit. Do we have to preface every single statement we make in this forum now with, "The NFL hasn't earned our trust yet, but..."?
 
We all are on the same page at this point. The NFL is untrustworthy. The NFL doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. The NFL fucked over the Patriots. We are in nearly universal agreement about that in this forum.  But we don't need that same point made every 5 or 6 posts in BbtL for the rest of the season. 
 
Collinsworth mentioned deflategate in the pregame? "Thanks a lot, NFL!"
 
NBC mentions the Patriots/headset malfunction? "The NFL is out to get us again!"
 
Tomlin throws bombs at the Patriots? "You brought this upon yourself, NFL!"
 
The NFL squashes all cheating issues with multiple public statements within a 24 hour period? "If you didn't fuck up earlier, you wouldn't have had to make the statement, NFL!"
 
It's killing the intelligent conversation, it's bleeding into multiple parts of the forum and the website, and it makes a lot of people look bad. This thread has become more of a Patriots sewing circle then a place to have even a semi-intelligent football conversation. That's really fucking frustrating. 

Some unsolicited moderator advice?  You have a habit of jumping into threads heavy handed and telling people what they should be thinking/writing about.  About what YOU think is thread worthy.  You may have a vision for the forum and that is great.  Then tell everyone that doesn't fit your vision to leave.  But short of that, it doesn't make sense to dirty yourself to venture into a 'silly' or 'foolish' or beaten horse thread and tell people you think they are being silly or foolish.  And the best posters on SoSH should be smart enough to not walk in the gutter if they don't want sewage on their wingtips.  Want another example?  Going into the 'Binky' thread and telling people they are stupid for posting about player X or Y.
 
And before you blast me... don't take this personally it's just my observation and I'm honestly trying to help (though probably without enough tact).  Because frankly it is this type of moderation that stops me and others from posting in here.  If I never post in here again, it's not any great loss believe me.  But the irony is that I have learned a lot from your non-moderator posts.  

 

[E5 Yaz]

Personal attacks are of course unacceptable. But ESPN must consider the extent to which its calculated and self-interested and partial coverage of the entire fiasco has contributed to its problem. When a powerful news medium leaves uncorrected for months damning and untrue statements, when it fails to report exculpatory developments, and when it leaves no formal path open for conversations with disaffected readers and viewers (perhaps through an ombudsman with portfolio to let his or her reporting chips fall where they may), well then you've written a recipe for encouraging unacceptable reactions to your "reporting."

Try being honest about the flaws in the lies you publish, ESPN, and people won't feel as if you're not listening to them.

 
Everything after the first sentence, no matter how well-reasoned, is immaterial. Anyone dumb enough to make personal attacks on media/entertainment personnel for how they presented a "story" deserves to be called out for it.
 
Has ESPN screwed the pooch on this? Absolutely. ... But those firing those alleged "attacks" aren't justified in doing so.

 

[Leather]

 
Everything after the first sentence, no matter how well-reasoned, is immaterial. Anyone dumb enough to make personal attacks on media/entertainment personnel for how they presented a "story" deserves to be called out for it.
 
Has ESPN screwed the pooch on this? Absolutely. ... But those firing those alleged "attacks" aren't justified in doing so.

 
Absolutely.
 
That being said: I can't help but wonder what ESPN hopes to achieve by publicizing this.    That is:  is publicly announcing the disturbing and "vile" comments that you are receiving the best way to counter them?    I would think that this would only serve to provoke, because ESPN is only confirming that the idiots making the comments achieved their desired goal.

 

[Dogman]

 
Absolutely.
 
That being said: I can't help but wonder what ESPN hopes to achieve by publicizing this.    That is:  is publicly announcing the disturbing and "vile" comments that you are receiving the best way to counter them?    I would think that this would only serve to provoke, because ESPN is only confirming that the idiots making the comments achieved their desired goal.

 
Your tag line should be Sarah Jessica Bradshaw.

 

[rodderick]

 
Absolutely.
 
That being said: I can't help but wonder what ESPN hopes to achieve by publicizing this.    That is:  is publicly announcing the disturbing and "vile" comments that you are receiving the best way to counter them?    I would think that this would only serve to provoke, because ESPN is only confirming that the idiots making the comments achieved their desired goal.

 
Why should they keep silent while employees are receiving death threats for their opinions on a sports team? I mean, that's some indefensible shit, and they better expose it if it's happening. What's the alternative, just take it and shut up? I think it's a good idea to make everyone aware of how terrible people are, at the very least it can work to make the Pats' own fanbase denounce that kind of behavior.

 

[LuckyBen]

 
Why should they keep silent while employees are receiving death threats for their opinions on a sports team? I mean, that's some indefensible shit, and they better expose it if it's happening. What's the alternative, just take it and shut up? I think it's a good idea to make everyone aware of how terrible people are, at the very least it can work to make the Pats' own fanbase denounce that kind of behavior.

I'm not clicking on the link, but did it specifically refer to death threats. From the quoted section, it referred to physical violence only. Although still bad, that's a far cry from threatening to kill someone. It wouldn't surprise me if someone anonymously threatened to kick someone's ass. I'm sure a lot of it is people being mean to Mort on Twitter.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

I'm not clicking on the link, but did it specifically refer to death threats. From the quoted section, it referred to physical violence only. Although still bad, that's a far cry from threatening to kill someone. It wouldn't surprise me if someone anonymously threatened to kick someone's ass. I'm sure a lot of it is people being mean to Mort on Twitter.

 
What if it was just rape and not murder? Cool then? Or maybe just kick someone's teeth in? I mean that's just dental work right?
 
It's all complete bullshit and inexcusable. 

 

[Leather]

 
Why should they keep silent while employees are receiving death threats for their opinions on a sports team? I mean, that's some indefensible shit, and they better expose it if it's happening. What's the alternative, just take it and shut up? I think it's a good idea to make everyone aware of how terrible people are, at the very least it can work to make the Pats' own fanbase denounce that kind of behavior.

Report it to the authorities and not give publicity to the idiots?

Why do you think people who interrupt game play aren't given screen time?

 

[LuckyBen]

 
What if it was just rape and not murder? Cool then? Or maybe just kick someone's teeth in? I mean that's just dental work right?
 
It's all complete bullshit and inexcusable. 

You don't even know what the fuck was said! But yes, let's believe everything that ESPN says through media and always believe the worst.

 

[MainerInExile]

Why should they keep silent while employees are receiving death threats for their opinions on a sports team? I mean, that's some indefensible shit, and they better expose it if it's happening. What's the alternative, just take it and shut up? I think it's a good idea to make everyone aware of how terrible people are, at the very least it can work to make the Pats' own fanbase denounce that kind of behavior.

 
I think it's the same logic as not publicizing bank robberies and suicides.  You won't stop the behavior, you'll just make more of it.  I think he's right - publicizing it just shows the people doing it that it's working.
 
edit: typo

 

[E5 Yaz]

I'm not clicking on the link, but did it specifically refer to death threats. From the quoted section, it referred to physical violence only. Although still bad, that's a far cry from threatening to kill someone. It wouldn't surprise me if someone anonymously threatened to kick someone's ass. I'm sure a lot of it is people being mean to Mort on Twitter.

 
No, it's really not.
 
The chances that anyone making these kind of threats actually following through on them is minimal; therefore, the level of violence within the threat doesn't matter.
 
Threatening physical violence (of any kind) iin this situation s worse than being just another ITG. It speaks to a level of stupidity best reserved for V&N. 

 

[rodderick]

Report it to the authorities and not give publicity to the idiots?

Why do you think people who interrupt game play aren't given screen time?

 
The idiots aren't being given publicity, no one knows who made the death threats, they aren't getting any satisfaction in that regard. I think there's value in alerting people that animosity towards sports reporters has escalated to a serious point. At least it starts a conversation in condemning that kind of behavior and making sure people understand that that kind of shit isn't acceptable just because it's made online. The response to this from a lot of Pats fans around the internet has been "ESPN is lying", or "they started it", or "ESPN is just playing the victim". That's bullshit, and the more people know about it and get to call it out as bullshit the better. 

 

[soxhop411]

“@ProFootballTalk: Informal talks between NFL, NFLPA on disciplinary changes have started http://t.co/TEpaSfhzIh

 

[Devizier]

I cannot believe that people are (earnestly) defending the idea that it's okay to send anonymous threats to people.
 
I'll say that this thread has been mostly good, at times excellent -- a lot of compelling reading, some science and law -- but maybe it *is* time to put it to bed. 

 

[PayrodsFirstClutchHit]

I cannot believe that people are (earnestly) defending the idea that it's okay to send anonymous threats to people.
 
I'll say that this thread has been mostly good, at times excellent -- a lot of compelling reading, some science and law -- but maybe it *is* time to put it to bed. 

 
People are not defending the idea of threats.  Some are questioning if ESPN can be trusted to report this story accurately without exaggeration.  Are they claiming "Go die in a fire, asshole!" is making a threat on someone's life?  Who knows?  

 

[txexile]

I cannot believe that people are (earnestly) defending the idea that it's okay to send anonymous threats to people.
 
I'll say that this thread has been mostly good, at times excellent -- a lot of compelling reading, some science and law -- but maybe it *is* time to put it to bed. 

 
No one is defending the idea (that I've seen) that it's ok to send anonymous threats to people.
 
What I said was 1) personal attacks are unacceptable, 2) why would ESPN go, anonymously, to SI to bring publicity to a problem, when ESPN itself owns all of the available sports media space in the galaxy, and 3) accountability for ones' editorial choices has to come into play at some point, and ESPN is well past that point. Its specific editorial practices on this story are part of the problem and they should deal with that as well. 
 
I worked for 35 years in the news business, and took phone calls containing real death threats, so do not paint me into the corner of rationalizing or intellectualizing the threat of a physical attack.

 

[Myt1]

 
No, it's really not.
 
The chances that anyone making these kind of threats actually following through on them is minimal; therefore, the level of violence within the threat doesn't matter.
 
Threatening physical violence (of any kind) iin this situation s worse than being just another ITG. It speaks to a level of stupidity best reserved for V&N. 

Lots of threats of violence in V&N?

 

[nighthob]

I cannot believe that people are (earnestly) defending the idea that it's okay to send anonymous threats to people.
 
I'll say that this thread has been mostly good, at times excellent -- a lot of compelling reading, some science and law -- but maybe it *is* time to put it to bed. 

 
Weren't they complaining about social media abuse? 

 

[LuckyBen]

 
No, it's really not.
 
The chances that anyone making these kind of threats actually following through on them is minimal; therefore, the level of violence within the threat doesn't matter.
 
Threatening physical violence (of any kind) iin this situation s worse than being just another ITG. It speaks to a level of stupidity best reserved for V&N. 

Obviously all anonymous threats are cowardly and wrong. My point was, was it ever stated that there were death threats. I've seen three posts stating it as fact and I fail to see it anywhere in the article. It's no wonder false reporting spreads like wild fires.

 

[phenweigh]

“@ProFootballTalk: Informal talks between NFL, NFLPA on disciplinary changes have started http://t.co/TEpaSfhzIh

 
Hey, something substantive!  Have the owners finally reached the point where they decided their behavior, and their representatives, has to change?

 

[djbayko]

@ProFootballTalk: Informal talks between NFL, NFLPA on disciplinary changes have started http://t.co/TEpaSfhzIh

I'd love to know who's leading the negotiations from the NFL side. It can't be Goodell, can it? I'd think it would have to be one of the owners.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Lots of threats of violence in V&N?

 
No ... just the proper level of stupidity

 

[E5 Yaz]

Obviously all anonymous threats are cowardly and wrong. My point was, was it ever stated that there were death threats. 

 
No, your point was that generic physical violence was different than a death threat. 
 
It isn't

 

[LuckyBen]

 
No, your point was that generic physical violence was different than a death threat. 
 
It isn't

Good to know that saying you want to push someone and kill someone is the same. Thank you for showing me the light!

 

[E5 Yaz]

Good to know that saying you want to push someone and kill someone is the same. Thank you for showing me the light!

 
You never read my initial response. Here it is, again:
 
The chances that anyone making these kind of threats actually following through on them is minimal; therefore, the level of violence within the threat doesn't matter.
 
Threatening physical violence (of any kind) iin this situation s worse than being just another ITG. It speaks to a level of stupidity best reserved for V&N. 

 

[DJnVa]

No link but per EEI Big Ben on Pittsburgh radio saying that they've always thought that Pats knew their plays.

And that headset issues only happened when they had ball. Which contradicts what BB said.

 

[Bleedred]

No link but per EEI Big Ben on Pittsburgh radio saying that they've always thought that Pats knew their plays.

And that headset issues only happened when they had ball. Which contradicts what BB said.

Here it is:
 
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/15/roethlisberger-elaborates-on-concerns-about-headsets-patriots/

 

[gammoseditor]

No link but per EEI Big Ben on Pittsburgh radio saying that they've always thought that Pats knew their plays.

And that headset issues only happened when they had ball. Which contradicts what BB said.

How does it contradict what BB said? I don't think Bill made any comments about the Steelers headsets. He spoke to his own issues. I don't see why we should assume they would be identical.