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August 25, 2008
No explanation for omission of Panthers
So did The Sporting News simply forget that the Carolina Panthers, those same Panthers who slipped by the Redskins 47-3 Saturday night, exist? The magazine published its list of the top 101 NFL players in its Sept. 1 issue, and not a single Carolina player was found. No Steve Smith, although he's been in many top 20s of various publications in the past. Not Jake Delhomme. Not Julius Peppers. Nobody. The list, written by former NFL center Randy Cross, is called by Cross "a starting point for discussion about the best players in America's favorite game, this year." So I checked it three times, and then I checked it again. No Steve Smith? I don't care if he is suspended for two games, you can't tell me he isn't in the top 101. Although I was just told that by a respected national publication. RB LaDainian Tomlinson was picked No.1 by TSN, followed by QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss, QB Peyton Manning and S Bob Sanders. Can't argue that any of them shouldn't be high on the list. But no Steve Smith? I'm betting that Cross and TSN's editors simply forgot, that the Panthers slipped their minds. I can't explain it any other way. -Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on August 25, 2008 at 01:09 PM | Permalink
Comments
I can explain it. I can also explain the phenomenon of why SI.com has no mention of the game today. I can also explain why Sirius NFL radio visited 3 out of 4 training camps in the NFC South this summer, leaving out the Panthers.
It's got to do with our media coverage. You see, our team doesn't like to divulge any info other than "it is what it is". They don't force players to talk to the press, and they don't give front office interviews.
In most other markets, the local beat writers would develop unofficial 'inside' sources and cultivate relationships with players that might give news off the record. In Charlotte, we don't do that. We're content with the little boring nuggets of info the Panthers' front office allows us. It's OK to have one article a week which is essentially the printed-out transcript of the media day interview and a bunch of 'blog' posts about how negative things are.
The national media sees nothing interesting going on down here, and they ignore us. It is what it is, Charlotte Observer.
Posted by: Authority | Aug 25, 2008 1:20:19 PM
Learning about things like this makes me upset, but I hope we can win the super bowl this year and maybe then most people will know the the panthers does have some great talent.
Posted by: Technology | Aug 25, 2008 1:28:37 PM
Why not?? The Observer left out the Tampa Bay Bucs and several other teams in the Sunday sports section. What goes around...
Posted by: Bob Darrough | Aug 25, 2008 1:29:16 PM
even more embarrassing is that Sporting News is now based in Charlotte.
Posted by: jk | Aug 25, 2008 1:33:58 PM
SI.com had the Panthers win over the Redskin as their lead headline yesterday with a big picture of #34. It was up most of the day.
On the other hand ESPN.com has had no mention of the Panthers win.
Posted by: Jim | Aug 25, 2008 1:38:06 PM
Stan Olson, you're one to talk.
I've now lived here for a full year and YET to read one quote from anyone in your sorry excuse for a Sunday baseball column.
Go out and actually do a little reporting, will you? No one cares what you think about the game. Talk to someone, for Pete's sake. I read 50 baseball columns a week, including yours, which is no better than 51st on my list.
It falls in line with the rest of your sports section. Thank heavens for the Raleigh paper. They have more writers contributing to the Observer these days than the Observer itself.
WOW, is it bad.
Posted by: Observerstinks | Aug 25, 2008 1:42:39 PM
Who cares, we know better and we are going to whip the chargers. At the end of the year we can call and tell them how stupid they are. Julius will be defensive player of the year, we'll have two 1,000 plus yard rushers, and Steve Smith will be in the Pro Bowl with Julius, Jake and several other team mates. I had a subscription to that magazine and it' the fluff crap sports magazine out there. Swimsuit models are what they should stick to.
Posted by: BobCat | Aug 25, 2008 1:45:59 PM
I meant TSN.
Posted by: BobCat | Aug 25, 2008 1:47:53 PM
Blasphemy! It's almost as bad as the Observer's coverage of the Panthers...or any sports for that matter.
Posted by: Peppers Powa | Aug 25, 2008 1:52:02 PM
Regarding Steve Smith
I assume there was no factoring in of cheap shots and/or sucker punches to teammates taking a knee - he would have surely made the top of that list.
Doing it to opponents is one thing...but teammates? More than once!!!! No respect for the or his game.
How do you Panther fans cheer for the guy.
Posted by: DHam | Aug 25, 2008 1:55:51 PM
Dear OStinks,
The baseball column is something I do because I love MLB. We don't send a writer to cover it, so it's a bit difficult to get quotes. But that isn't the bottom line. Columns are Supposed to be opinion. I write mine. If you don't like it, please do me a favor and don't read it. Oh, and here's a novel idea--sign your actual name, big boy!
Posted by: stan olson | Aug 25, 2008 2:05:09 PM
WHO CARES, JUST WIN!
Posted by: Brian | Aug 25, 2008 2:05:47 PM
I don't know that its anyones fault, but the media machine that covers the Panthers is a lawnmower compared to many other NFL teams Mack trucks. WFNZ is a great example, where in other major markets, sports radio hosts will often break major stories, often get interviews with players, and in general just do a better job covering the teams. As interest grows in the Panthers, hopefully demand for more coverage will spring up, and then inside information or information in general about the Panthers will be easier to find.
Posted by: Greg | Aug 25, 2008 2:15:22 PM
Hey Authority,
Sirius NFL Radio DID visit Spartanburg and had interviews with Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, etc. and spoke highly of the Panthers
Either way, The Sporting News has very little credibility to lose.
Steve Smith, Julius Peppers, Jon Beason could have made the list but only people that follow the Panthers know that.
THIS PROVES MY POINT - CAROLINA PANTHER FANS KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PANTHERS THAN MOST NFL ANALYSTS.
Posted by: bbbbb | Aug 25, 2008 2:25:10 PM
Stan,
Tell Observerstinks what time it is.
Ben Cecil
Posted by: Ben | Aug 25, 2008 2:26:36 PM
Sirius NFL Radio did come to the Panthers camp. Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan came to Wofford on a Monday and did a great show. The show was full of interviews from Hurney, Fox, and several players. The next day Kirwan wrote an excellent article on the Panthers for NFL.com. Randy Cross is not a journalist in my opinion and even worse host for Sirius' "Opening Drive" show. Once Bob Poppa left for the NFL Network Cross was exposed. Plus Cross does live in Atlanta so that too could be another reason for shafting the Panthers
Posted by: J Thomas | Aug 25, 2008 2:27:04 PM
give em heck Stan. I do read your baseball OPINIONS and like them. He's been here a year . Send his arse back wherever it came from. GIVE EM HELL APPS
Posted by: happyappy | Aug 25, 2008 2:27:50 PM
is anyone shocked that we have terrible national coverage as a team? It's starts from within from the top down. As for this crap paper here well they have no excuse for at least attempting to cover some of this stuff. But then again you expect that kind of thing from a paper they can't give away at the grocery store. This is why I only check it online for free once a week. For true panthers fans read carolinagrowl.com by steve reed of the gaston gazette or check out darin gant's blog of the rock hill herald. At least you will get a little inside info on the panthers not the regurgitated press release the panthers give out and the observer restates.
Posted by: scott | Aug 25, 2008 2:29:43 PM
LOL! Looks like Ostinks really tweaked you, Stan. Seems to me that your skin is getting noticeably thinner. Just as he has the choices to not read or agree with your column, you have the same choices in reading and responding to posts that get under your skin.
Sheesh - lighten up, big boy!
Posted by: Scott | Aug 25, 2008 2:32:10 PM
I agree with the baseball column critic. It's awful. You should be able to take criticism, Olson. Pick up the phone and call someone. Reporters do it all the time. So lazy.
Posted by: Notmyrealnameeither | Aug 25, 2008 2:41:40 PM
You guys don't really know what a column is, do you? I can take informed criticism; we certainly get enough of it. The operative word there would be "informed." By the way, big boy isn't a bad nickname. I've been called far worse! Thanks for reading..
Posted by: stan olson | Aug 25, 2008 2:49:57 PM
While this is infuriating, I would also like to know how the word "explanation" could be misspelled in the title of a significant publication.
Posted by: Gabe HDP | Aug 25, 2008 3:01:14 PM
You trolls on here who know absolutely nothing about journalism should just keep your mouthes shut. Quit trying to make yourselves feel important by criticizing every little thing Stan and these guys do. Feel free to sit on your couch and be unproductive; just stop bothering people in the process.
Posted by: My real name is Robby | Aug 25, 2008 3:02:05 PM
Also, I have no criticism on the baseball columns. Keep up the good work, Stan.
Posted by: Gabe HDP | Aug 25, 2008 3:04:08 PM
Stan, please grow a thicker skin.
Posted by: PolkPlace | Aug 25, 2008 3:05:11 PM
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