ESPN takes down Simmons story regarding camera-gate?

[pats1]

Has anyone noticed this. I saw this on Google Reader, but I got a 404 error. Same thing if you go here and click on the first story - "the camera doesn't lie:"

http://sports.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=bill_simmons

 

[primetime]

It's already gone. What did he have to say about it, I wonder?

 

[upstater1]

Apparently, he feels disgraced.

 

[SCPatFan]

Interesting.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I read that. It was a stupid article from a so called fan. Maybe after he decided a read a little more into it he found out it's not as uncommon as he thought. Especially when former coaches,analysts and players are coming out of the woodwork.

 

[BadMoFo]

Maybe he forgot to proofread it. Either that, or he realized he was going to lose the support of many of his most loyal readers.

 

[maverick4]

This is what happened. Bill Simmons got caught up in all the massive anti-Patriots hysteria and was influenced by his peers to believe the Pats killed Christ.

Then, as time progressed, he read more about all the coaches and players saying how common it is. He probably read about how the Dolphins used audio recording on us last year and beat us 21-0, and nobody complained. He probably also read that lip reading, using binoculars, audio recording, and videotaping of the play on the field was all acceptable. The more he read about how this is more an issue of degrees of technology used, rather than whether stealing calls is the issue, he probably backed down and withdrew his column.

 

[stinkypete]

Simmons is an idiot. His opinion on the Pats changes every 2 weeks. He predicted Joey Harrington would lead the Falcons to the playoffs. His comments about Jerry Remy were cruel and unwarranted. I'm sick to death of his Goodfellas and Entourage references. He reinforces the bad name of the Boston fan.

 

[Oswlek]

Simmons is an idiot. His opinion on the Pats changes every 2 weeks. He predicted Joey Harrington would lead the Falcons to the playoffs. His comments about Jerry Remy were cruel and unwarranted. I'm sick to death of his Goodfellas and Entourage references. He reinforces the bad name of the Boston fan.

I enjoy Simmons, but he does flip flop about NE all the time. It almost seems as if he uses them as his team to prove that his NE bias isn't *too* great.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Interesting. I didn't know the article was posted earlier. I thought there were technical difficulties in posting it. I was looking forward to reading it, but now not so much.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Pat_Nasty]

Wait, has anyone actually been able to read the supposed article he's being judged for having written?

 

[Lansdowne]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070912

Found it through his Sports Guy World page.

 

[Kdo5]

Simmons is always changing his opinion on the Pats. I don't like him. He never has a firm opinion when it comes to the Pats. He bashes them for letting go of Branch and we win a couple games and we are so great again. And now the Pats are ***** again in his eyes.

 

[pats1]

The story is back up now.

 

[Bella*chick]

I'm not sure that he said anything in that column that hasn't been mentioned here. Not seeing what the big deal is. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[BadMoFo]

Simmons is always changing his opinion on the Pats. I don't like him. He never has a firm opinion when it comes to the Pats. He bashes them for letting go of Branch and we win a couple games and we are so great again. And now the Pats are ***** again in his eyes.

So basically, a sports columnist who also happens to be a Patriots fan should feel the same way you do on all things Patriots-related?

People get disapointed with their teams and then forgive them, it's part of being a fan. Several Pats fans were upset at losing Branch, and then changed their tune once we started winning without him. Then several were upset with Rodney, only until he gave his "heartfelt" apology. Now, we are embarrased and disappointed about what our coach is alleged to have done. We have every right to be and Simmons has every right to be.

 

[Pat_Nasty]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070912

Found it through his Sports Guy World page.

Yeah, just found it.

Does it seem to anyone else like all Simmons has done since becoming a father is write annoying hand-wringing columns about the state of sports?

On the other hand, Schatz is great. I agree with pretty much everything he says, and thinks he says it well... actually, amazing well considering he's primarily known as a stat geek.

 

[Patriot Missile]

So basically, a sports columnist who also happens to be a Patriots fan should feel the same way you do on all things Patriots-related?

People get disapointed with their teams and then forgive them, it's part of being a fan. Several Pats fans were upset at losing Branch, and then changed their tune once we started winning without him. Then several were upset with Rodney, only until he gave his "heartfelt" apology. Now, we are embarrased and disappointed about what our coach is alleged to have done. We have every right to be and Simmons has every right to be.

Sorry BILL, keep on writing those New England related articles.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

I'm about to read it.

Before doing so, I'll say that I like Simmons as long as he isn't writing about NE sports. He lost me last year with the endless "NE is cheap. You can't roll over unused cap space." (they did) and "NE is cheap. Tom Brady didn't take less so NE could save money" (he actually didn't take less, unless 12M/year is considered less).

He's a good representation of the poorly-informed, reactionary NE fan. The sad thing is he takes shots at people like Affleck when he has more in common with him than he realizes.

 

[primetime]

I enjoy Simmons, but he does flip flop about NE all the time. It almost seems as if he uses them as his team to prove that his NE bias isn't *too* great.

Bill Simmons knows nothing about football. He'd rather see the Patriots cover the spread than win a game. He knows alot about basketball and should stick to writing about that.