Who Should Succeed Ron Borges?

[MosisMooses]

Anyone know what the deal is with Borges' Hall of Fame vote? Will Borges lose his vote now that he's no longer a local columnist? Does the Globe control who inherits the Boston HOF vote?

 

[Mike the Brit]

I'm curious about the "anymore" part of your statement, which echoes what a lot of us say here. Are we nostalgic for the old mole-in-the-locker-room days? Will McDonough wasn't about "plain old good reporting"! I actually think that Reiss and Tomase and the blog era give us more and better of the plain-old than we've ever had before.

What the Globe sorely lacks at this point is a football VOICE. We all love what Reiss brings to the table, but can you think of a quotable line he's ever written? What he offers is more like a newswire for the hardcore fan. They have to find their football feature guy, the writer to take on the big interview and the in-depth concept piece in a way that is engrossing and quotable (but not snarky and bitter like Borges). Holley offered pretty middle ground in this regard, as did Curran. Gosselin and Ketchman are two who bring some good personality and analysis to local markets. This is a great opportunity for the Globe to find its signature voice on the Patriots.

Patchick, you get it! I couldn't agree more.

Does anyone have the Globe sports editor's e-mail?

 

[CTPatsFan]

A chimp with a keyboard?

I was thinking Coco the Signing Gorilla.

 

[patfanken]

I'd vote for me, but that would mean that the Globe would also have to hire an additional editor just to correct my spelling and punctuation. In lieu of me, I'd like to nominate Jackie McMullen. Riess could provide us with the meat through his reporting, but IMHO McMullen gets the most out of the interviews she conducts and is someone players and coaches would trust.

 

[belichickaholic]

My vote goes to Mike Reiss. He already has what Borges wanted so badly but couldn't attain... An in with the Front Office and the respect of the players and fans.

Really when you think about it, Mike Reiss is the only one who has really been objective, these past few years. How much negativity can you write about a dynasty! Look at Felger, he tries to be so objective he just ends up looking like a dope. Fans are smart enough to know when a player, coach or team is messing up, they don't need a reporter to tell them.

I think Reiss has already earned Borges' spot and I hope he gets it if that's what he wants.

 

[marty]

I'm curious about the "anymore" part of your statement, which echoes what a lot of us say here. Are we nostalgic for the old mole-in-the-locker-room days? Will McDonough wasn't about "plain old good reporting"! I actually think that Reiss and Tomase and the blog era give us more and better of the plain-old than we've ever had before.

What the Globe sorely lacks at this point is a football VOICE. We all love what Reiss brings to the table, but can you think of a quotable line he's ever written? What he offers is more like a newswire for the hardcore fan. They have to find their football feature guy, the writer to take on the big interview and the in-depth concept piece in a way that is engrossing and quotable (but not snarky and bitter like Borges). Holley offered pretty middle ground in this regard, as did Curran. Gosselin and Ketchman are two who bring some good personality and analysis to local markets. This is a great opportunity for the Globe to find its signature voice on the Patriots.

I don't think it's the old boy network (ie McDonough) that we're missing. What I'm missing is in-depth reporting with supporting background. The interest and knowledge of the average Pats fan has increased, while the coverage has fallen way behind! I guess that's why I get most of my news from this board.

 

[groundgame]

My vote is to bring Kevin Mannix out of retirement. In the Ron Borges tradition, he can grade Bill Belichick on his report card as follows: D; D; C-; B- (a hypothetical 37-7 Pats win); C; C-; F; D+; D; F; C-; B-; D; F; F; C+..........

 

[Danny Boy®]

So are all you guys gonna be happy now that the big meanie is gone?

Maybe the Globe can hire Pete Shepard and Fred Smerlas to make it all better.

 

[Mike the Brit]

So are all you guys gonna be happy now that the big meanie is gone?

In a word: yes.

 

[jczxohn1]

Reiss wrote Borges column last Sun, "Football Notes". IMO, with the pressure on the Glob to hold down costs and Reiss' perceived popularity, it's his job to lose, and no one else will be hired.

 

[Bostonian1962]

They really need to find somebody negative. Somebody who hates the team he covers, and tries to beat them down. Perhaps somebody who can't stand the head coach, and slants his articles to rip said coach. But, the most important thing the Globe could do is to find somebody willing to assault a handicapped elderly man, AND willing to copy other writers' work.

That is the PERFECT replacement candidate for Borges IMHO.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Reiss wrote Borges column last Sun, "Football Notes". IMO, with the pressure on the Glob to hold down costs and Reiss' perceived popularity, it's his job to lose, and no one else will be hired.

That would be very sad, if true. Mike is great -- but the idea of football at the Globe becoming even more of a one-man band is depressing.

 

[shmessy]

I'd vote for me, but that would mean that the Globe would also have to hire an additional editor just to correct my spelling and punctuation. In lieu of me, I'd like to nominate Jackie McMullen. Riess could provide us with the meat through his reporting, but IMHO McMullen gets the most out of the interviews she conducts and is someone players and coaches would trust.

I'd vote for Patfanken also. I'm serious.

If not him, then Michael Smith or Tom Curran.

 

[shmessy]

They really need to find somebody negative. Somebody who hates the team he covers, and tries to beat them down. Perhaps somebody who can't stand the head coach, and slants his articles to rip said coach. But, the most important thing the Globe could do is to find somebody willing to assault a handicapped elderly man, AND willing to copy other writers' work.

That is the PERFECT replacement candidate for Borges IMHO.

Bill Parcells?

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Patchick has a good point about the Globe finding a voice - when your paper covers the best team in football it provides the ideal platform to re-establish the football column of the Globe as a national must read like it was when McDonough was writing (like him or not, he had the ear of the entire football industry).

Micheal Smith would be a great choice. He's been on ESPN and espn.com long enought that he's known all across the country and he has roots here in Boston. He's also become a very fine writer and has shown he can impart plenty of 'attitude' without becoming cheap and insulting like Borges. Man, Reiss and Smith together would be one heck of a football writing team. Smith would be costly but the new traffic he'd generate on Boston.com might easily offset his salary by making the Globe sports website an national force.

Why would he comeback? Smith is just another one of the many football guys at espn, returning to the Globe to write a national column might eventually elevate him to Gammons stature. That's why Smith should consider returning....

Any which way, I am just so pleased Borges is gone...

 

[Mike the Brit]

I'd vote for Patfanken also. I'm serious.

And I'd vote for Patchick -- every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Anyone who knows that When Prophecy Fails isn't a biography of Mel Kiper Jnr has to get my vote.

 

[Flying Fungi]

Bill Simmons?

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

First off,I'm deee-lighted to see Bogus gone,though he'll likely resurface in other venues but whatever.
I'd love to see Reiss get a chance but I think he may be too cut and dried at this point in his career? Not enough pizazz yet,though that may develop as he goes along. But if the Globe goes with a Patriot Voice type person,he's in the perfect position,in fact he's actually paving a road towards that end. Solid reputation,seldom speculates,reports the facts,and obviously has earned a degree of trust from the Pats org. He also understands how the Patriots operate,but he would need to write with a bit more flourish,let his sense of humor surface a bit more,develop a more intriguing style,etc.
Micheal Smith would be great but as some already said,he's pretty entrenched at ESPN.
If I were the Globe I wouldn't do anything except wait and see who develops. Of course this IS the Globe we're talking about...Patriotgate may still be their goal,we don't know yet.

 

[marty]

And I'd vote for Patchick -- every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Anyone who knows that When Prophecy Fails isn't a biography of Mel Kiper Jnr has to get my vote.

Yet another priceless contribution from across the pond!!!

 

[jefmblrd]

I'd be very happy if Mike Reiss got the job. I love what he writes and trust the information that he is giving.