The Lions' Pride

BOB was never going to come out and echo what the insiders said, true or not that wasn't going to happen.

psujmc1992-- I quoted you, but this isn't a commentary on your piece--just some of what you said sparked what's below.

When I was in journalism, I tried to construct most of my stories out of direct quotes, not summarizations, because it's the summarization that can slant the information in a direction not intended.

What O'Brien said today doesn't conflict anything he's said in the past--in only conflicts with the assumptions/suppositions that reporters and "inside sources" have put out there.

If you look at Jones' story from Friday, his only direct quote is not contradicted by anything he said today. Everything else in that story is from "high-level PSU sources." It will be interesting to see how Jones' responds to today's press conference. He's been pretty positive towards O'Brien up until now. I'm curious as to how he treats after the events of today.

PR nightmare? Stumble blindly? What are you talking about?

This was beautifully orchestrated from OB's perspective.

And really, what PR nightmare do you think there was?

No wonder Joe didnt like the media. We all found out a lot about the media since November 2011.

haha, PR from a Fans perspective. Oh, there was quite a lot of speculation and consternation last week. In that sense, it was stressful for the fans.

Of course from BOB's perspective,you're right. Separate the BOB's results (which worked perfectly) from the public rumors & tweets that stirred up the fanbase.

Ok, "nightmare" is hyperbole. But still, it was quite dramatic.

O'Brien had exit interviews with every player, departing or otherwise, after the season. Did the same thing after spring ball last year.

Yes--I edited my original post to reflect that. I realized after I posted it that it was going to sound like commentary on what you did, when that really wasn't my point.

As far as what you were referring to--It's like that old game of "telephone" that kids play--one person says something to someone, and every time it's repeated it gets changed a little more, until it barely resembles the original statement.

I understand the need for confidential "inside sources," but I was taught (at PSU) that if you were going to use information like that, you better confirm with at least 1 and preferably 2 other independent sources to make sure the information you had was legitimate--or you don't use it. In today's world of "it's better to be fast than be right," the frenzy of the past week is what you get. And people eat it right up, because they seem to want it to be fast rather than right.

I appreciate that the staff here seem to do their due diligence when it comes to reporting. That's why this is the only site that I subscribe to.