OT: SportsGuy vs. Big O

[BradyManny]

I don't disagree with you that Simmons does a lot of the things he rips into Ordway about, but he has been critical of Ordway for other aspects of his show. I think both guys get paid to be critical of people in sports and the media. So ripping on each other is fair game. I think both have done their share of hitting below the belt though (at least sorting through both sides of the story).

That's fair, but I think Simmons took it too far and came off looking defensive & childish. Big O would've had him on his show, still, b/c he is an adult and understands what they do is for entertainment. Big O is far more cognizant of what each of them are (using the word "shtick" showed a level of self-awareness I highly doubt Simmons has).

 

[Rob0729]

No. Given that I actually heard the Ordway commentary on the air, I already know that it did not happen in the manner you described.

I heard it too. I admit I didn't hear the whole thing, but he did rip on Simmons for articles going back to 2004 or 2006.

If I am wrong or heard it wrong, why don't you enlighten us.

Both Ordway and Simmons have had a petty feud going on for years.

 

[Rob0729]

That's fair, but I think Simmons took it too far and came off looking defensive & childish. Big O would've had him on his show, still, b/c he is an adult and understands what they do is for entertainment. Big O is far more cognizant of what each of them are (using the word "shtick" showed a level of self-awareness I highly doubt Simmons has).

According to Simmons, Ordway blew him off. Simmons' impression was that Ordway was going to blackball him from the Boston airwaves. We don't know what happened behind the scenes. So we will never know what really happened.

I doubt what Simmons said of the incident is 100% accurate, but neither is Ordway's. It is probably somewhere in the middle. Granted we don't know where in the middle the truth really lies. Most he said, she said arguments are like this.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Last week on the Big Show they were trashing Simmons for all his columns over the years where he was critical of WEEI and specifically the Big Show. He was supposed to go on the Big Show for an olive branch thing and they canceled on him the last minute. Apparently, Simmons felt they were screwing with him since he is an ESPN guy and can only go on local radio on WEEI. Simmons did find a loophole in that ESPN allows him to go on any radio station if he is promoting his book and not ESPN.

Yea I read that part on the Herald. Wasn't sure if there was a long-standing thing that went backa few years.

Simmons took a wrong turn here. He should have not even made mention of his displeasure with EEI. He doesn't have the cache to get away with this. If someone like Belichick or Barak Obama said something, maybe Big O would have turned yellow...

 

[Deus Irae]

I heard it too. I admit I didn't hear the whole thing, but he did rip on Simmons for articles going back to 2004 or 2006.

If I am wrong or heard it wrong, why don't you enlighten us.

Both Ordway and Simmons have had a petty feud going on for years.

I suggest you go into the archives and listen to it for yourself. Suffice it to say that your characterization is incomplete, at best.

 

[BradyManny]

According to Simmons, Ordway blew him off. Simmons' impression was that Ordway was going to blackball him from the Boston airwaves. We don't know what happened behind the scenes. So we will never know what really happened.

I doubt what Simmons said of the incident is 100% accurate, but neither is Ordway's. It is probably somewhere in the middle. Granted we don't know where in the middle the truth really lies. Most he said, she said arguments are like this.

Well to be honest, I just trust Ordway's account of it much more then. Again, Big O is by no stretch my favorite host or personality, and some of what Simmons says about their show is true - but he takes himself much less seriously than Simmons, so it's a lot easier to take his word for it than the Sports Guy, whose ego has far outgrown his actual worth.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

Umm...who really cares? All these radio and sports writers have such big egos its amazing they can co-exist with each other. Apart from Reis and Gammons who else in the sports world that covers Boston teams is really down to earth, earns the respect of all the fellow writers and in touch with the every day fan? Grant it, it works both ways. You have idiotic fans that cannot be rationale or ever wrong but the point is these writers and DJ's have elevated themselves to a 'self perceived cult' status because of the sheer number of followers.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Umm...who really cares? All these radio and sports writers have such big egos its amazing they can co-exist with each other. Apart from Reis and Gammons who else in the sports world that covers Boston teams is really down to earth, earns the respect of all the fellow writers and in touch with the every day fan? Grant it, it works both ways. You have idiotic fans that cannot be rationale or ever wrong but the point is these writers and DJ's have elevated themselves to a 'self perceived cult' status because of the sheer number of followers.

Got news for you. Peter Gammons has not been in touch with the average fan since 1991.

 

[Rob0729]

Well to be honest, I just trust Ordway's account of it much more then. Again, Big O is by no stretch my favorite host or personality, and some of what Simmons says about their show is true - but he takes himself much less seriously than Simmons, so it's a lot easier to take his word for it than the Sports Guy, whose ego has far outgrown his actual worth.

In fairness I looked up online, and it looks like ESPN itself didn't want Simmons on until things cool down. At least that is the official story now (atleast that was Ordway's account and is being reported as official in the local media like the Herald). I will accept that explaination. Although Simmons seems that it was Ordway who had something to do with it. At least he intimated it on 98.5.

 

[RobertWeathers]

In fairness I looked up online, and it looks like ESPN itself didn't want Simmons on until things cool down. At least that is the official story now (atleast that was Ordway's account and is being reported as official in the local media like the Herald). I will accept that explaination. Although Simmons seems that it was Ordway who had something to do with it. At least he intimated it on 98.5.

If you recall, Simmons and ESPN had a tiff which was centered around Simmons wanting a new contract and ESPN saying that all of his content was ESPN property. It is my understanding that the issue is still unresolved and Simmons is sulking...According to what I have read, it was Simmons who wanted to go on EEI and make peace, but ESPN said no. Kinda ane eye for an eye type thing...

I'm thinking that this whole thing is a calculated move by Simmons to PO ESPN in the attempt that they will void/change his contract.

Just going off what I heard...

 

[Rob0729]

Yea I read that part on the Herald. Wasn't sure if there was a long-standing thing that went backa few years.

Simmons took a wrong turn here. He should have not even made mention of his displeasure with EEI. He doesn't have the cache to get away with this. If someone like Belichick or Barak Obama said something, maybe Big O would have turned yellow...

Yes, Simmons looks like the bigger jerk/idiot here. He did take it too personal and went over the line. He is definitely more wrong here because he made it really personal on the air and on twitter. Ordway is more media savvy in that he didn't make it personal and took his jabs without looking like an arse. Hence why one is a print/Internet guy and the other guy is a broadcast media guy.

I do disagree that Simmons shouldn't voice his displeasure in WEEI. WEEI is a a radio channel. Ordway is a media celebrity. Sports writers take jabs at sports commentators like Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk, etc. all the time. Local media guys are not immune to this criticism. Where Simmons went wrong is to make it personal.

 

[Garbanza]

I think the Sports Guy is very funny and a very good writer....but it pains me to have the "world" think that he represents the Boston Sports Fan point of view. He HAS lived in L.A. too long and IS out of touch with the Boston Sports Scene.

 

[JAYHAWKS34]

I heard Simmons on Felgers show bash The Big Show.....

I don't think I have ever nodded my head up and down more.

Simmons was spot on. Loved it

I'm amazed that show is still on the air. Bunch of dumb animals on that show.

you hit the nail right on the head, awful show

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yes, Simmons looks like the bigger jerk/idiot here. He did take it too personal and went over the line. He is definitely more wrong here because he made it really personal on the air and on twitter. Ordway is more media savvy in that he didn't make it personal and took his jabs without looking like an arse. Hence why one is a print/Internet guy and the other guy is a broadcast media guy.

I do disagree that Simmons shouldn't voice his displeasure in WEEI. WEEI is a a radio channel. Ordway is a media celebrity. Sports writers take jabs at sports commentators like Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk, etc. all the time. Local media guys are not immune to this criticism. Where Simmons went wrong is to make it personal.

I meant for Simmon's PR reasons only. I have no issue at all going after EEI. It's good discussion and maybe gets EEI to think about their approach and format.

 

[farn]

Truth is Ordway is awesome. If so many people didn't listen, he'd change his ways. The reason he doesn't ? Everybody listens. Sure, the bulk of patsfans.com individuals seem to hate EEI, but I personally love it... and obviously many, many more do as well.

The Big Show is one of the best things that has ever come from the NE states. I am even in the process of getting a new phone to listen to EEI from anywheres.

 

[Nordberg]

Truth is Ordway is awesome. If so many people didn't listen, he'd change his ways. The reason he doesn't ? Everybody listens. Sure, the bulk of patsfans.com individuals seem to hate EEI, but I personally love it... and obviously many, many more do as well.

The Big Show is one of the best things that has ever come from the NE states. I am even in the process of getting a new phone to listen to EEI from anywheres.

The only thing Glen Ordway is awesome at is:

Interrupting his guests and callers
Riding the fence on every topic
Talking over anyone and everyone

He sucks, and so does his show

 

[maverick4]

I was one of Simmons' earliest readers, way back when he was on a tiny site called digitalcity. I liked him a lot then, and helped spread the word.

I think the past 3 years, he's really been coasting. He barely writes anymore, just does the obligatory picks columns now.

Also, I heard he got into a tissy fit/drama with Rick Reilly when he joined ESPN.

Seems the common denominator in all this prima donna fighting, now with Ordway, is Simmons.


Also, Simmons has been way off base on Boston sports for awhile. His take on the Video Witch Hunt is ridiculous, he's definitely more LA than Boston at this point.

 

[farn]

The only thing Glen Ordway is awesome at is:

Interrupting his guests and callers
Riding the fence on every topic
Talking over anyone and everyone

He sucks, and so does his show

You can't mean that... he's cool, assertive, and teddy bear-like. You love Ordway, you just don't know it yet.

 

[ivanvamp]

but Ordway is way better at his job than SportsGuy. QUOTE]

you must be joking:wha:

If I have a choice whether to listen to Ordway and the chaos that passes for conversation on WEEI's afternoon show or read a column written by Simmons, that's an absolute, no-brainer slam-dunk. Simmons in a landslide.

That said, I still enjoy WEEI and when I'm driving, obviously I cannot read Simmons' work.

I have no stake in their feud, and both are extremely successful at what they do, but I enjoy Simmons' work WAY more than Ordway's.

 

[TheBeers]

I can't stand the big show or Ordway... So I don't really mind Bill telling it like it is here. He's always been an opinion columnist.. so he's entitled to it, and i agree with him. But he probably could have toned it down just a bit though.