What do you guys look for in a media member covering the Huskers?

Somewhere between Dirk and Sipple is fine for me. I think Dirk tends to find the negatives in everything far too often. More than anyone though, I can't stand half the bullsh#t Sipple writes. Actually half is way too generous, more like 90%.

 
I think Dirk started this tread :)

Sam McQeowon (spelling?) is the best writer and it isn't even close.

Covers what is happening and is critical where there is room to be critical. No problems with him at all.

 
ColoradoHusk said:
IIRC, it was Jon Nyatawa who questioned David Santos about the scar on his forehead and the off-season fight involving Brown and Suttles.
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da skers said:
The first presser was moved because UNL asked media not to bring up some topics at fan day. Dirk of course cut in lines, jammed mics in peoples faces and asked the questions about Brown and Suttles anyway. After that they are wanting to control what practice info gets out in the media. Doing it at night prevents injury info from leaking out fast should it occur. Limiting the players and coaches also controls what topics might be discussed.
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There is a decided tone that a writer can take that makes it seem too personal. I don't mind them questioning the coaches judgement on calls or something like that. But when they start to dissect every aspect of the coaches decision making, especially one that is winning 70% of their games, and can barely find anything good to say, then you know it is personal.

 
I look for football knowledge. I hate reading something by a journalist who clearly knows less about football than I. And I don't know that much.

I look for good writing. They have to be able to convey what they're covering in a compelling manner. I don't need spoon moon June crap, but something that grabs my attention and forces me to read further.

I look for inside knowledge, or at the very least someone who discerns what's happening from the glimpses they see. Nobody has inside access (that goes for the "insiders" on message boards as well) but these guys typically have a higher level of contact with the players and coaches than us schmoes, and from what they're given, I like to read a good extrapolation now and again.

I look for objectivity, and in the case of Husker coverage, a bit of homerism. I know journalists are supposed to be objective and neutral but let's stop kidding ourselves - they're human, and their income depends on the nuggets of info they receive from the program. They pay their bills by having people read what they write, and when they have nothing, I appreciate someone who can be objective when the coaches (Bo) is an a$$ to them, or when a player (Martinez) is less than microphone-friendly.

Why homerism? Because I can go anywhere around the country and read about all the problems facing the Huskers. I can go to any message board, any CBS "journalist,"
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any ESPN analyst and find out what I already know - this team has weaknesses, and deep flaws. So, while I don't mind a local journalist covering those flaws, I don't want to read someone who revels in it.

There are a lot of talented journalists covering the Huskers in Nebraska. Look around the country - we're spoiled. Sipple is the sh#t. Sam McKewon is cut from a rare cloth. Nyatawa is one of the lesser-discussed dudes around here and he's a pretty good read. Even the "bad" guys, like Shatel and Chatelain are pretty good reads - and Dirk is quite a good writer, to be honest.

Basically, I want to be informed, I want to find out something I didn't know, and I want to walk away from the article knowing the truth of the situation. And if I can possibly feel better about what's going on, that's a positive. There's enough crap out there in the world. I'm not following Husker sports to wallow in bad news. At the end of the day, this is supposed to be an escape from the hum-drum of everyday life.

 
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