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They've just been talking about this on PFW in Progress:
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/?p=1484&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1484
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/?p=1484&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1484
06/27/06
The NFL and communist Russia
Posted by Mike Sando @ 05:47:05 pm
This is a fascinating time for media watchers. Our own coverage has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years, notably with this blog. In the broader view, it's interesting to watch how various corporate entities are covering themselves. The NFL is doing this aggressively with its cable network and Web site. Individual team sites are joining the table independently. Content varies widely. I was stunned to read the following passage on the Patriots' official site today, provided by Patriots Football Weekly's Tom Casale during a mailbag column:
Q: What has come of all the talk of tweaking the NFL officiating after the Atrocious showing by the Zebras this past post-season? Wasn't this past year the first year that they used so called "All-Star" officiating crews? Clearly that didn't work out so well!! Does the NFL just think its fans are so stupid we will all just forget about the pathetic job the Ref's did? -- Craig Clark
A: The short answer to your question is, yes, the NFL thinks the fans are stupid when it comes to officiating and there’s nothing we can do about it. The league treats the officials like communist Russia. No one can talk to them, they don’t have to explain any decisions they make and 99 percent of the time, the NFL sides with their call no matter how ridiculous it may be. If the Colts had beaten the Steelers in the playoffs, do you think the league would have come out and said the officials made a mistake? Of course not. They only did that because the Steelers won and the ref’s awful call didn’t cost them the game. The league is so crazy about their officials, I’ll probably get fined for this post but to answer your question, the NFL regularly insults the intelligence of the fans by claiming calls the rest of the world knows are wrong, were made correctly. -Tom Casale, writing for the Patriots' official Web site
We generally keep this blog Seahawks-related. This case hints at issues that affect all teams, the reporters who cover those teams and the people interested in how those teams are covered. My first reaction to the above-cited passage went along these lines: Why would the league and/or one of its teams want such content written in its name? Could the league fine the Patriots for making or at least condoning such comments, however indirectly? And, finally, does the league control what teams write on their Web sites?
I raised the final question today with league vice president Greg Aiello. "Each NFL team is responsible for the editorial content of its web site," was his e-mailed response. In the Patriots' case, my understanding is that team owner Robert Kraft employs Casale, but the league does not. Therefore, the league does not control what Casale might write on its Web site. I did notice, however, that the cited passage was subsequently removed from the Patriots' site.
We saved a copy of the original version here (this link is opening in my Internet Explorer browser, but not in Firefox; if you are having problems, try right-clicking on the link, selecting "save link as" and then saving the file to your computer; you should then be able to open it with IE). The edited version was still online here as of this afternoon.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. How should a team's Web site cover the team and the league? Can team Web sites be credible sources of information? Do you find team Web sites valuable? Which ones are the best? The worst? Why? What will team Web sites look like in five years? What questions do you have?
Seahawks Insider
Mike Sando has covered the Seahawks for The News Tribune since May 1998. His award-winning blog dates to April 2005. Mike also contributes to USA Today.com and the affiliated USA Today Sports Weekly, plus KJR-AM 950, Pro Football Weekly, KFFL, Athlon, Lindy's and others. In 2004, Mike co-authored Steve Raible's Tales From the Seahawks' Sideline. He lives in the South Sound with his wife and sons.
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