Honestly, what is it with the sports media in Ottawa? We are exactly nine days into training camp and I am already sick to death of the negativity being spewed towards the Ottawa Senator players.
Last night during the Team 1200’s pre-game show, Ottawa Sun journalist Bruce Garrioch and ex-NHL'er Mike Eastwood completely ripped Jonathan Cheechoo apart. This is a player who landed in Ottawa one week ago, and has yet to play a single meaningful game here. We all know he’s coming off a very disappointing season and has been on a downward slide since the 2005/06 season, but does that really give people the green light to drag his name through the mud? According to these guys, he’s been just awful and is totally out of shape. The fact that we were told he spent all summer working out and getting ready for the season was supposedly a total lie. And apparently he misses every single shot on net during practice, too.
Why?! What is the point in that? Give the guy a chance to get into the swing of things. At the very least, don’t write him off before the season even starts! His confidence is no doubt a bit fragile, and making him the new whipping boy to replace the now glowing Jason Spezza isn’t going to help him or the team. These guys must have been just drooling at the thought of Cheechoo playing here. Why do they get off on dismantling players here?
Next up were the jolly three yahoos on TGOR this morning discussing (quite matter-of-factly) where Chris Neil will be dealt to before the season starts, because apparently Murray is totally unhappy with him and he has done absolutely nothing this pre-season.
Am I the only person in Ottawa who understands that Chris Neil isn’t here to score goals? Seriously? He was rewarded with a big contract because he takes care of problems on the ice, and does it very well. He also has the ability to play hockey and isn’t a risk out there. He is a very valuable piece to the puzzle, and he isn’t going anywhere.
Instead of lamenting on the fact that he isn’t scoring, why not praise him for finally making Steve Downie feel a bit of heat for his 2007 supermanning of Dean McAmmond? No matter how ol’ Deaner feels about being traded away last season and likely being forced into retirement as we speak, you can bet he felt some serious redemption upon hearing that the players here have not forgotten what happened. That’s the kind of player Neil is, and he is worth every penny.
I think it’s about time for a wholesale changing of the guard here in Ottawa. More guys like Ian Mendes, Gary Gally, Steve Lloyd and Jason York. Less of the whiney, know-it-all Garrioch, Kulkamania and whatever the hell TGOR is supposed to be (seriously... is it just me or is that show just three creepy, over the hill dudes and about 3 regular emailers that flirt with them and stroke their egos all morning? Am I right?).
I’m not looking for cheerleaders by any stretch, just guys with a positive outlook on the Ottawa Senators who make you want to take an interest in the team and their players, not shoo them out of town like dirty rats.
Enough already.
10 comments:
I couldn't agree more.
For sure the Ottawa media were a big part of Heatley's desire to leave. The idiocy of jackasses like Don Brennan (who I think is at the top of the pile of the douchebags in the local sports media) by no means legitimates Heatley's own douchebaggery, but, as has become all too clear, as the super rich guy, he's the one who calls his shots.
This from tsn.ca regarding Heatley's first post-game with the Sharks:
After the game, there was just one camera and a few reporters on hand to ask Heatley about the game.
When asked to compare it to the media he faced in Ottawa, Heatley didn't pull any punches.
"There's only so many things you can talk about, or write about," he answered. "I think that's the biggest thing between the two cities.
"They're going to cover here, up there if there's nothing going on, they have a tendency to try to cover other things, or make up stories for the papers."
Also, in spite of his other shortcomings, I'd add Wayne Scanlan to the list of reasonable and respectful local sports journalists.
Yup they are scum. I'm surprised the Senators haven't banned arseholes like this from the dressing room. I mean, how much more negative can they get?
So bush......
I wrote off the sports media in Ottawa long ago.
I also completely agree with the points you've made. Although I wouldn't go so far to completely write off the TGOR morning show - but the Sun writers have to be taken off the air... permanently. Bring Ian Mendes into the pre-game group, lose Garrioch. The only Sun writer who I can occasionally deal with on the pre-game is Chris Stevenson.
Did you just write that Bruce Garrioch criticized Cheechoo for being out of shape?
Now that's some fucking irony...
Right?! I didn't wanna say it, but...
Right on. I am so tired of the Sun writers particularly and of Bruce on the pre-game show. Talk about I told you so. If we win he can be happily surprised and won't be disappointed if we lose.
TGOR is a disgrace. It sounds like four year old homophobes. The only thing worth considering is Pierre McGuire - at least he is straightforward and gives praise where he thinks it it merited.
While Yorkie isn't bad, boy do I miss the combo of Galley and Lloyd.
I agree... I listen to the team every morning from 8-8:30... but I just have to turn it off once hes gone.
It's funny, I find him annoying on TSN, but he's got hockey knowledge like no other media around here and whether you agree or disagree with him, he is always informed.
I just clicked on the link from "Black Aces" that brought me here. I'm glad I did. Great post, and great comments.
I couldn't agree more. It's exactly how I feel. The TGOR guys are way past their expiry date. I get the feeling that Jim Jerome thinks we're still living in 1988, the Oilers just won the Cup, he's hanging with the players, and he thinks he's cool because of it.
You called it perfectly. Time for a changing of the guard.
I don't even think that the age of the personalities is the issue, but rather the mentality. Time to get some talent who "gets it", and is in tune with the times.
Mendes, Galley, and Lloyd would all be a step in the right direction.
On a personal level, the Sun guys have already marginalized themselves, in my books. I started reading the blogs only a year ago, and I find Black Aces and Sens Army much more credible and relevant reads.
I'll have to add Blood Red Army as places to visit.
Hear, Hear!
The TGOR bums, Brennan, Garrioch would be considered funny jokes if they were on community radio or writing for their school newspaper. But once you consider that they are professionals, it's just embarrassing. How do these slobs still have jobs? Dreadful, especially considering they have an effect on the team's performance: they tell people stupid enough to listen to them what to think about the team.
The Sun and Team 1200 should hold a media person training camp, see how these bozos fare. I guarantee they'd be beaten out of a job by bloggers in a heartbeat.
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