ESPN and Others Need to Stop Creating Controversy with the New York Jets

Jun 21, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; ESPN reporters and tv personalities Stephen A. Smith (left) and Skip Bayless (right) prior to the start of game five in the 2012 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie are clearly not the smartest when it comes to dealing with the media. Look at our previous posts, we have discussed this at length. Santonio, and now Cromartie, have clearly shown that they have to watch what they say.

I have also personally defended Rich Cimini, and his fellow writers in the print media (see my post by clicking here)

However, if you take an honest look at both situations, you have to take a look at ESPN as well. They are doing nothing except instigating controversy at Jets camp. They are taking it too far, and it needs to stop.

Let me show you what I mean.

First of all, ESPN has been camped out at Jets camp since the opening. Every day so far, you can tune in to ESPN to see live coverage from Jets camp. We all know why they are there, specifically the QBs. Someone actually said that they stated as much on air.

The Jets are making it clear that there is no controversy. Sanchez is taking the first team reps, as everyone expected. Tebow is the number two. All of the print media is beginning to get it, but not ESPN on air. They still sit there, waiting for something to happen. Heck, they didn’t close up shop even on the players day off. Are you kidding? There are 31 other teams in the league.

The only reason they are there is to wait for something to happen. That is influencing the viewer, and it is not acceptable.

Moving on to Santonio Holmes’ comments.

He talked about the 2 quarterback system, saying that he didn’t feel it would work. As we know, he didn’t earn any favors with his coach, as coach Ryan said he didn’t hire Tone to be offensive coordinator.

Yes, Santonio probably could have dodged the question. Calling out your team and it’s plan is not the greatest idea in the world. But my issue today is the question that was asked, in this case, by the NFL Network. They asked him, “Do you think the two quarterback system can work in the NFL?”. Asking this type of direct question is designed only to elicit a headline worthy answer. If he says no, like he did, the headline becomes that he doesn’t believe in the system. Had he said yes, the headline would be that Holmes prefers Tebow over Sanchez.

See? That question sets Santonio Holmes up for a question where he can not win. It can only set up a problem.

A better question would have been to ask him his feelings about the offense. This would have been more open ended, giving Santonio a chance to speak without applying that kind of direct answer which elicits him calling out his team.

But no, instead NFL Network asks a trap question.

Turn the page where we will talk about Antonio Cromartie and our friends at ESPN.

Antonio Cromartie was interviewed by our friends at “ESPN First Take”(pictured on page one). They asked him where he fits on the wide receiver depth chart, and we know how he responded by now.

Let’s think about that question.

“Where do you it on the depth chart?” If he answers the way he did, well, we see the headlines that come out. If he had said anything else, like that he is at the bottom, the headlines would have talked about how Cromartie doesn’t feel he is good enough to share time at WR, the way the team wants.

Again, a situation where the player can’t win. They asked Cromartie a question that is solely designed to elicit a headline. They set Cromartie up to give an answer that would only be a problem.

The better idea would have been to ask him how he feels about playing offense. Ask him if being mixed into the offense, he thinks he can make an impact. Again, that would give Antonio the opportunity to give an open ended answer without calling out his teammates.

But ESPN didn’t do that. Instead, they ask a question that elicits a headline. A question designed to cause controversy.

Unacceptable.

As I said before, the players are responsible for what they say. They are certainly to blame for making comments. But, the interviewers need to be fair. They need to stop asking questions that are designed to cause a problem.

ESPN, and everyone else, you need to stop this. It’s just unacceptable.