Give DeSean Jackson credit last night for not playing into the hands of the local media, by refusing to talk about Donovan McNabb and any of the other nonsense.  In Philly.com, Les Bowen talks about how Jackson refused to talk about the fake McNabb controversy.
Of course there will be some in the local media who could and will make something of it because that will mean something to talk about.¬† Some will call him a coward if he doesn’t talk, but I don’t think constant controversy is good for the football team.
His priority should always be what is best for the football team.¬† That’s why I don’t like to see them all out talking about how great they’re going to be.¬† I heard DeSean yesterday on Comcast Sportsnet and he again refused to talk about McNabb and he took the humble route in talking about their potentially explosive offense.
Yes, their offensive attack could be great.¬† They have the potential to light up the league with points but there’s no need in going out and talking about how great they can be.¬† If they play great in the fall, we’re all going to know it.
They could and should talk about it to themselves, but they should take the humble route when they’re talking to other people because if they don’t start the season out like a house a fire, the same people who build them up by getting those quotes our of them are going to be there to tear them down.
I’m part of the media but I’m not part of the football team.¬† I don’t think they should cater to me or anybody else who isn’t on the team, if it’s not in the team’s best interest.
The players should put the football team first and they shoudn’t bother to worry about what everybody else has to say.
Too many times around here both the media and the fans think they’re the main issue.¬† Both the fans and the media are important but they’re not the main issue when and if what they want isn’t in the best interest of the football team.
The players should put winning first goal and if at some time, talking to the media and the fans is getting in the way of that, they should shut up.
Its gonna be a trial by fire with the media for DJax. Obviously with McNabb leaving there is now a huge void for the media whores in this city. Enter #10. It appears he’s learning fast. We’ll see after a tough loss in which Kolb or the defense struggles how well he’s truly doing because he will be baited all year long for that “front page” quote. It’s a game within a game actually.
G, of course your excluded from the media whore thing..lol.
One thing about playing in the NFL, there will be ups and downs. Here, in Philly, both aspects are magnified greatly. When you win, no other town will treat you better, and win you lose none will treat you worse.
DeSean is the man…and a professional at that…for being as young as he is..his parents did a good job with him..all he wants are more n more opportunities for him n his family (about the whole agent switching)..
Doesn’t Desean’s contract obligate him to speak to the media at least a certain amount? I would bet that that has a lot to do with him talking when he does. It’s not like he or any other player sought out a forum to express themselves. Gary I think you forget that there is pressure for them to speak.
I didn’t mean to imply that Garry doesn’t know that, but more that he seems to loose sight of it from the media perspective. I’m quite sure that if Desean or any other player were given the option to just play football and not talk to the media, they would take it. That’s not the case though.
I appreciate all of your comments, but I try be honest about fact that everything I write isn’t in the best area of the team. I find myself in the middle of the media and the players at times. I have told players to shut up even when I didn’t think they were helping themselves.
Schiller-I don’t think it’s in his contract about media availability but more a league rule/expectancy that players have to be “available”, kind of like dress code policies and such. Some players love the cameras and some shy away, some are VERY vocal and some eh not so much. DJax will be sucked into the media vaccume with the deprture of McNabb, and we all know there will be times that his words will be twisted into something they’re not, it will happen to Kolb and McCoy and Maclin etc. I think the Eagles do a better than good job about “coaching up” these players on how to handle the media and potential pitfalls to avoid. Kind of a “Give them something to talk about by saying nothing” mentality.
Do anyone have an idea what Andy will do about the center position? Dallas all but raped us twice in a row last year, and yet it seems there’s no apparent answer to the revolving door in the middle of the line. Kolb is going to look like a geek getting his lunch money taken on a regular if this is not addressed. What you all think?
Song, Shipley, McGlynn and Cole (with an offseason to prepare). Yeah, Cole sucked in the Dallas games. But coached up for an offseason he’s an option there. But don’t pretend that those young guys can’t play center – the can and have and if young guys can’t play well then, Celek, Maclin, Jackson etc….. don’t exist…