Raheem, King, Hold Media Accountable
August 3rd, 2011
So what happens when a media member or outlet writes something preposterous about the Bucs? Are they punished or called out?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. And, of course, a response from the Bucs can take many forms. This is hardly unique to the Bucs. That kind of interaction runs throughout the sports world.
As Joe documented yesterday, Tom Balog, of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune ripped Raheem Morris in a column, essentially saying Raheem didn’t have Barrett Ruud’s back when his friend and quarterback of the defense needed him most. And Balog said that sent an ugly message to the rest of the team.
Well, at Monday’s news conference at One Buc Palace, Balog asked a question of Raheem. The head coach didn’t answer the question, told Balog he heard about the Ruud column and, with a smile on his face, said “I don’t read that garbage,” before moving on.
This calm, measured reaction from Raheem had former Bucs quarterback Shaun King doing on-air cartwheels yesterday during The King David Show on 1010 AM.
“The thing is, head coaches should roll up the local media. I don’t get this thing where, ok, the athlete is always accountable, but any time some dimwit that follows a local team writes something that’s completely wrong, they’re never held accountable for it,” King said. “He should be able to roll him up. Raheem Morris is probably the only guy over there that wanted to keep Barrett Ruud.”
“I am so sick and tired of the media not being held to the same standard as the athlete. How many guys write just bogus stuff? How many guys write stuff that’s completely wrong? How many times have you ever seen any of these guys come out and admit that ‘I was wrong?’ How many of them are held accountable?
“There should be some kind of standards and expectations that have punishments if it’s not met when it comes to people [who cover sports]. …”That’s the one thing I love about Belichick, they’re so afraid of Belichick rolling them up, they don’t even ask Belichick any weird questions.”
There are all kinds of great arguments to have when it comes to a coach’s — and a team’s — relationship with the media. Joe’s can’t dive into all those here.
Joe has no problem with Raheem sending a public message like he did Monday. Would Raheem call out a national figure from BSPN or NFL Network in the same way? Doubtful, but possible. Regardless, Raheem is easily one of the most media-friendly head coaches in the NFL and it ain’t always going to be smooth sailing.
Has Joe ever been confronted/punished by the Bucs regarding a post during Joe’s three seasons of covering the team? Absolutely. It’s all part of the game.
Joe’s glad, though, that he runs this site in a way so it makes no difference whether the Bucs embrace him or treat him like Jeff Jagodzinski.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:15 am
Love Raheem . . . reminds me of last years, “stats are for losers”. I hate it when writers say stupid stuff in the media and I think coaches should have free rein to fire back regardless who says it. Fire the cannons Raheem!! GO BUCS!
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:18 am
I support Raheem 100%. If a media outlet puts out false information they should be called out. Too many in the media are expressing their personal ASSumptions because they don’t have the sources or they’re too lazy to do the proper research.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 am
Joe, getting crosswise with the Bucs is one thing, but printing something that slams the Coach as a traitor, back stabber & liar is totally different. I went back a read Balog’s garbage as Rah called it and Balog was way out of line, unless he can prove it. That is the worst thing I have seen written to date about Raheem that is speculation and innuendo. The Paper should write a retraction and Balog should write a letter of apology.
Lightbulb !!! Could Tom Balog be Tom “Thomas 2.2” Balog ?????????
How does it feel now Tom? How’s that for an insult?
Coach Rah rolled him up with flying colors. Touche!
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:35 am
Reacting in kind is not any better…
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:37 am
If Balog is Thomas 2.2, then he needs a psych evaluation and sympathy, not our hate.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:58 am
The media has a responsibility to report both positives and negatives on public figures. You sheep freak out when journalist appropriately report the latter. Rah Rah is too emotional and too thin-skinned. He needs to grow up.
Rah Rah’s insecurity contributes to his unwillingness to obtain vets, he feels inferior to players who have accomplished something and knows his cheerleading style of coaching has no effect on men. Don’t even argue Ronde, Ronde had picked his buddy to extend his career – very smart move by Ronde. If Ronde criticizes Rah Rah, Rah Rah loses all credibility, Ronde holds all of the cards.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:58 am
“hand picked”
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:05 am
More non sense from thumb ass.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hey Thumbass,
If that is your defense, the Judge just sentenced you to 20 years.
Great Argument Juicebag.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:23 am
After watching the meet and greet videos of Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers (Buccaneers.com), I am even more stoked. Both of these superior athletes are very intelligent and well spoken. On top of all that Brawn is a healthy serving of Brains. If our politicians could answer questions that well, we might not be so screwed.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:32 am
@Thomas 2.2 inches
Ronde hand picked his buddy to extend his career Ronde holds all of the cards.
So accoriding to tommy 2.2, Ronde is running the Bucs.
Thomas 2.2 inches, you are a moron.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:33 am
2.2: positives and negatives are appropriate, yes, but lies are not. You need to draw a line between the two because your hate for Raheem is obviously clouding your judgment. As an attorney you know we don’t get to say anything we want about a person. Lies can be damaging and, if so, they are libelous. Stop being a hypocrite.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:54 am
Actually, the media has a responsibility to objectively report the truth. I know that’s a tough concept for a guy pretending to be a lawyer to grasp. The article in question accused Raheem of betraying Ruud. It was a complete lie. And Raheem isn’t even responsible for signing players, so it falls nowhere near him regardless.
The media does need to be held accountable more often…and not just in the area of sports. They freely make up the news and try to make it a reality.
Like I’ve heard so often before: “If you hear a even an obvious lie often enough, eventually you will believe it is truth.”
That goes in most cases, and the media knows it. There was a time when the news had to report only the truth…by law. The law still exists, but is not enforced.
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:48 am
Pete:
You should be banned for using the term “objectively.” Your participation here is the antithesis of objectivity and I believe it is selfish in motive as you have previously included links back to your own amateur webpage – where you promote your “bucs and nfl blogging” along with other items.
Hopefully, Joe has told you to stop the shameless plugging. I would not and have not done that. I contribute unselfishly.
BTW – the article did not say “betray” the headline did which is usually written by an editor. The article said disown which I believe is different. Balog believes, as he wrote, that Rah Rah’s actions were inconsistent with his rhetoric – and he has much more access than Pete Doucher.
Just because a media member disagrees with your fanatical narrative doesnt mean that they are “obviously lying.” That is an extreme allegation. The truth is often much different than what the Glazers through Grilla are trying to convince Pete Doucher of.
FYI ladies: it is extremely difficult to defame (which libel is the written for of) a public figure. Saying that a HC disowned a player when it came to retaining that player is an opinion, based on facts, of a columnist which is protected. If he mistated facts then he would need to correct that but I haven’t heard anyone argue that his facts were wrong, just that you sheep disagree with his honest opinion.
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:56 am
I’m not sure how one can defend Balog on this. The media has to report both the good and bad aspects of a subject? I thought the news had to report the truth – be it good or bad.
Hey Thomas, do you watch Fox for your news?
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:57 am
Balog wrote:
Despite however much Morris tries to be close to you now, someday, at contract time, he will not be there for you. He will disown you, just like he apparently did Ruud.
As a head coach, Morris certainly was not there for Ruud. And if he was not there for Ruud, who is he going to be there for?
The upshot of all this, is that it undermines the people-person image of Morris, who is by nature a good guy.
There is no excuse for Morris, if him and Dominik are really that close, for him not privately telling Dominik in the offseason, “‘Hey, look, man, we gotta keep Barrett for another year or two. He’s my guy.”
_________________________________________________________
Nothing Balog wrote was based on fact and those are pretty harsh, borderline libelous accusations.
Tdumbass, you’re not a lawyer. That’s all BS. You’re way too stupid. “Hey everybody, I’m the CEO of Exxon. Oil/Gas prices are so high because I wanted to phuc you.” Now I have given up my identity on this blog and I’m sure everyone will believe me. Stick your standard line Son, “Would you like cheese on that?”
August 3rd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
T2.2″, you and your buddy Balog are becoming 2 peas in a pod and why I referenced you to one in the same. I dare you to respond to me, you little punk, and why you haven’t in ages. I’ll chew you up and spit your little wannabe hater A$$ out. It’s time for you to disappear or STFU, BOY!!!
August 3rd, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Thomas, you post like Balog was writing the truth. Why don’t you share with us your source, or are you just making baseless assumptions like Balog?
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:39 pm
What if the media guy turns out to be right? Will Rah be held accountable?
Doubt it.
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Balog was supporting his opinion (that rah rah didnt do enough for ruud) with facts (that publicly rah rah was slobbering about how good ruud was). Fyi- your hc is either not telling the truth, doesnt know football or is saying thatt all you Ruud haters dont know football.
Balog’s personal intimate contact with the team adds to his opinion in a way that you sheep miss.
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Not 1 single fact from T-dumbass or Balog or Eric. Nothing but unfounded hate for the head coach. Balog’s intimate contact is the same as Thomas the Dumbass. His right hand and a bar of soap. Any questions?
For Pete’s sake move out of your parent’s house and get a real job, you bum.
August 3rd, 2011 at 3:46 pm
haha the media has a ‘responsibility’ no. look at fox news, cnn and other ‘news’ sources they have a responsibility to sell air time, or in this case draw page hits. thats his only responsibility. His boss (though he is probably not happy with the criticisism, his boss is joyous over the hits the criticism has caused)
August 3rd, 2011 at 3:49 pm
also balog didnt say raheem did betray disown or anything he was suggesting the possibility that seemed most possible to him. normal media stuff. probably crossed a line since he has to interview this guy regularly and keep somewhat of a good repotoir with him. of course it was rude but lets not act like he commited treason or murder or something. its called splash journalism and its even more offensive because it has the ring of truth. I will tell you what he sure generated page hits.
August 3rd, 2011 at 6:41 pm
I commented (slammed) on Balog 2.2″ blog, but I promise you that I will not be back there for any reason whatsoever.