Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
So you're standing there, addressing the press as you usually do, fielding questions about the team, and much to your consternation, no one's asking about the kickoffs. What should you do?
(A) Rush through the answer to the next question and then tack on your comments on kickoffs.
(B) Wait until after the presser ends and then issue a press release about kickofss.
(C) Wait for a question about a subject that rhymes with 'kickoff' and then pretend you misheard. (e.g. "the ball that was picked off")
Let's go to the video for the answer, where West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart addresses precisely this problem. (Scroll to the 17:00 mark and watch closely.)
None of the above! The answer is: (D) Plant the question with a reporter you've known for a long time and hope that no one sees you do it.
You are not as clever as Bill Stewart, but the Mountaineers fans at The Smoking Musket were not fooled, and called out the coach for his fishy planted question. And the incident appears to have gotten the attention of the reporter in question, long time play-by-play man Tony Caridi, who showed up to respond in the comments:
Before the press conference I asked Stew what had happened on those two kickoffs that resulted in penalties. He said I wasn’t alone and he wanted to talk about it during his press conference.
I forgot to ask and he remembered that he wanted to talk about it. That’s when you see him asking me to ask him about it.
Next time, Coach, just talk about the kickoffs, yes?
4 comments
Comments
More Bad Writing
Here we have another blogger just trying to stir the pot with poor writing and false assumptions. The idea that the question was planted was an absurd assumption to begin with based on any intelligent viewing of the video. Also, there was no reason to assume that Tony Ciardi was planted in that position. Making such a claim after you have already read Mr. Ciardi’s explanation indicates that you have less interest in facts than you do in getting attention. While everyone is entitled to opinions If you insist on posting a public blog, you do have some responsibility to get it right before you write.
by ginfor on Nov 19, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions
'Tis a lighthearted post
You’re reading too much into it, my friend.
You ain't hurt.
by Peter Bean on Nov 19, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions
Oops
My apologies for getting Tony Caridi’s name wrong.
Forrest
by ginfor on Nov 19, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply actions
Lighthearted is no excuse for continued disregard for accuracy. Continuing to talk about it as a “plant” is wrong, and the spirit of the post strikes me as an attack with some attempt to veil the attack with humor. If that was not the intent, then perhaps I’m misreading it. However, if it wasn’t the intent, you might also consider rereading it to see if it came out differently than intended. We take too much for granted in blogs as if the writing is somehow less real via computer than if it’s in a book or magazine.
Forrest
by ginfor on Nov 19, 2009 11:18 PM EST reply actions
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