Mainstream Media Stirs it Up with the New York Jets….Again

October 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) rushes with the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

The mainstream media has an interesting job, especially in New York. They have to cover the team, and cover it fully. All the while, they have to write pieces that are going to generate interest. It’s a thin line, between sensationalism, and journalism.

It has also been a job that has been magnified in 2012, thanks to the arrival of the guy to the right. No matter which side of the coin you fall on Tim Tebow, the fact is undeniable that he creates a buzz. By many accounts, he creates a bit of controversy, based on both his strong religious beliefs, and his performance on the football field. He is a polarizing, sometimes beloved, sometimes vilified figure in the world of sports.

In comes the mainstream media that covers the New York Jets. They have to draw attention to their work, we get that. But that causes them to stir things up with the team. The media puts itself right in the middle of things, and that is why a lot of us have a problem with them. The whole situation with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, right up to, and including today is a prime example. To cover the situation, the media basically has to talk out of both sides of their mouths, if you think about it.

Right when Tim Tebow was brought in here, the obvious question was asked, “How will this affect Mark Sanchez?” “Will he get affected by all of the Tim Tebow talk?” These are all fair questions, obviously, because Tim Tebow does generate a lot of talk, and for good reasons. His success in Denver was clear to everyone, so it is appropriate to wonder whether or not he could continue that success.

But the way the media handles it is why they stir things up. When the trade was made, the mainstream media was relentless with their criticism of the New York Jets for making this move. The biggest reason was the fact that he stirs up a lot of talk. All of the criticism was centered on the idea that the Jets will have to answer questions about Tim Tebow every day. Mark Sanchez will feel the pressure of hearing the questions ever day if he is not perfect.

Oct 21, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) congratulates New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after being defeated 29-26 in the first overtime quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s the thing, who is asking those questions? The mainstream media! That’s who. They are complaining about bringing a guy into the team that is going to generate questions, and then going ahead and asking those very questions. Does that make sense? If the media would stop going to his locker every day, guess what? The world would accept the fact that Tim Tebow is the backup quarterback. But yet, that doesn’t happen.

Throughout the months, the stories continued. Everyone remember the Gary Myers story from a few weeks ago? He named “unnamed sources” that told him that Tim Tebow would request a trade at the end of the season if his role didn’t increase. Tebow vehemently denied the report, but it was out there. Instead of reporting on what was actually going on with the team, they stir it up. This is when the mainstream media crosses the line from reporting the news, to making the news. They stir up controversy with the Jets, when they were the very ones to blame the Jets for bringing in a controversial player. That’s how they stir it up, with this “pot caling the kettle black” scenario. They don’t like the controversy, yet they create it.

Then, we open, or download, the NY Daily News this morning. Many people read the Daily News for the New York Jets coverage. So, what are they talking about today?

There are a lot of things to talk about these days with the Jets. Jeremy Kerley is an emerging star wide receiver. Despite what Rex Ryan says, he is filling in the number one status. His chemsitry with Mark Sanchez is growing leaps and bounds eveyr week. What a time for a story about that! But no. How about Quinton Coples and Demario Davis? It is no coincidence that the defense has improved with the emergence of these two players. Does the Daily News feel it’s time to write about that? Nope. How about Dustin Keller and his return? How great did Mark Sanchez and Dustin Keller look together last week? Write about that? Nope.

So what did the Daily News decide to write then? An exclusive interview with Tim Tebow, dropping hints that his role could change, and that the Jets talk too much. With all due respect to Manish Mehta, are you kidding me? Would you like the list of more influential New York Jets so far in 2012 than Tim Tebow? I’ll give you a hint, it’s a very long list. There is no point in a Tim Tebow featured, “exclusive” interview, talking about his role, unless you are trying to stir things up.

That is what the mainstream media does with the New York Jets. They stir things up. They are at it again, and it is frustrating.