PLEASE ALL ESPN DISCUSSION HERE. THANKS.

[Big Daddy]

Has anyone seen Mark Schlabath's article on ESPN on which he grades the coaching changes this offseason?  He graded the search process and the new coach.  They gave us an F and Michigan a C, even though we both suffered the same embarassment of being turned down in the national media, (them by Miles and Schiano, us by Bowden and Grobe).  What is even more egregious is their grades for the coaches:

Johnson (Ga Tech)  A
Rodriguez (Michigan)  A
Fairchild (Col State)  B
Cutcliffe (Duke)  B
Sumlin (Houston)  B
Nutt  B
Niumatalolo (Navy)  B
Kill (No. Illinois)  B
Sherman (Texas A&M)  B
Wulf (Wash State)  B
Petrino  B-
Briles (Baylor)  C
Pelini (Nebraska)  C
Fedora (So Miss)  C

So this guy Schlabath says that Steve Fairchild, David Cutcliffe, Kevin Sumlin, Houston Nutt, Ken Niumatalolo, Jerry Kill and Paul Wulf, (among others), are all better coaches than Bobby Petrino.  ESPN's anti-Arkansas, anti-Petrino prejudice is out of hand.

Idiots. When Arkansas is winning the SEC they'll all have egg on their face and I'll be there to throw some myself.

[nolt]

haha its not like petrino is suing the falcons for crying out loud

[tlchog]

I am really surprised that ESPN isn't stating on the air "If I was a high school player and parent and Rodriguez came into my living room I would immediately sign with Michigan."  They're all hypocrites and idiots.

[silverhawg]

ESPN= Egotistical, shallow, pinhead, Notalents

[tlchog]

The question is how do we hurt ESPN.  I have tried to write emails to  express my concerns over their hypocrisy and biased journalism, but they either don't care or just ignore the emails.  I doubt Arkansans are going boycott ESPN and even if they did ESPN wouldn't care.  Any suggestions?

[jeffshogs]

Apparently you can bail out on 18 to 22 year olds that may be playing in their LAST football game, but if you "bail" on spoiled millionaires you are disloyal.

[hogmillion]

Has anybody noticed that ESPN has not implied one bad thing about Rod leaving West Virginia high and dry.  Especially after the linching it gave Arkansas aand Petrino.  The question is :  is it more to do with the fact that it is in bed with the NFL or is that ESPN favors the bigger schools and  the so called big name programs?

Who cares??  Blank fired Reeves with 3 games left and McKay fired Dungy at TB. As far as I'm concerned, Petrino leaving couldn't happen to 2 nicer guys.

[silverhawg]

I  couldn't care less what espn or anyone else thinks about Petrino..so far I like the fact that he actually sounds intelligent when he speaks and i think he's gonna turn the hogs into a force to be reckoned with.....can't wait for spring training

[Brass Knob]

I dont think some of guys get it!  it doesnt matter that you dont care that we are getting bad, it affects the recruits!  We will all be Razorback fans next year no matter how much they bash Petrino.... But the recruits watch ESPN and they respect what the analyst say on that channel...... So what you think about it doesnt hold water with anyone!  It is a travesty that ESPN can such an injustice and single out any program like they have with Arkansas..... Because what is worse, leaving a 3-13 program not playing for anything or leaving a team that is playing in one the biggest bowl games and for most of those kids the biggest game of their lives!  Listenting to some of those ignorant analysts makes me sick!  It is all about the big name with them anymore!

[Porkem]

The question is how do we hurt ESPN.  I have tried to write emails to  express my concerns over their hypocrisy and biased journalism, but they either don't care or just ignore the emails.  I doubt Arkansans are going boycott ESPN and even if they did ESPN wouldn't care.  Any suggestions?

[ErieHog]

Actually, ESPN has offered bashing of Rodriguez (but usually is pairing it with Petrino bashing).

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071218&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos2

[Master B]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071218&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos2

Wow, good read.  Looks like RR might have committed some recruiting violations.  He was calling kids and recruiting for Michicrap before his official announcement. 

[rljjr]

Read this. I mean didn't he SIGN a contract?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3159677

[BartIV]

Another thing, Petrino was put in a bad spot and had right to quit.  The Michael Vick scandal was a bad deal to walk into.  And don't think more players in that organization didn't know what was going on.  If Vick would have talked, he probably could have released more names.
Petrino walked into a broken system and decided to leave. Good for him.

[DoubleJ]

True, but the University signed a contract, too, and if they didn't follow through then Rodriguez has a case.

[nohuddle]

My email:

Mr. Forde



I read your atrticle yesterday.  Thought about it then slept on it.  Im from Arkansas and I think what Coach Petrino did is pretty un-American.  I think of all the Dad's out there who say, "stick it out," "finish what you started," etc...  Then I wonder, why do you use your worst venom on this guy.  What he has done is a drop in the bucket to what Michael Vick has done, or Allen Iverson's practice rant, Pac Man Jones, Barry Bonds, the list goes on and on. 



My question is this; why not attack the guys that really do the damage to our youth?  As I high school coach, I spend much more time undoing what these guys have done than I ever would Bobby Petrino.  Did you rip Belichek?  Come on, what he did was cut and dried cheating.  Filming signals?  Than wasn't for educational purposes or for making his team better.  He was cheating. 



What about the professional players that quit playing hard, tank an injury, get kicked out of games or suspended. 



You want to attack people?  Attack the people that matter.  Hold the people who actually serve as models for young people accountable.  Have the nerve to attack all the "me egos" in professional sports.  People in my profession would put you on a pedastal if you did that.  You wouldn't be using your ink for only what irked you personally.  This guy got lured into a organization that was absolutely blind or stupid to what it's biggest piece of capital was doing.  You kidding me?  You pay somebody that much money and you don't know what his personal life is about?  I don't blame Petrino for bailing, I do fault how it was done.  But not enough to waste time and hours writing a venomous article about it.  Did you attack the guys who wore the free Michael Vick shirts under their uniforms Monday night?  Come on, free Michael Vick?



Attack the people who need attacked.  Leave the meaningless alone.  Make a difference.  Have the courage to call out the ones who should be called out and use the same venom.  I'll back you 100% when you do.

[elkhog]

The question is how do we hurt ESPN.  I have tried to write emails to  express my concerns over their hypocrisy and biased journalism, but they either don't care or just ignore the emails.  I doubt Arkansans are going boycott ESPN and even if they did ESPN wouldn't care.  Any suggestions?

Yeah, boycott Home Depot.  I am.

[rcowen]

My email:

Mr. Forde



I read your atrticle yesterday.  Thought about it then slept on it.  Im from Arkansas and I think what Coach Petrino did is pretty un-American.  I think of all the Dad's out there who say, "stick it out," "finish what you started," etc...  Then I wonder, why do you use your worst venom on this guy.  What he has done is a drop in the bucket to what Michael Vick has done, or Allen Iverson's practice rant, Pac Man Jones, Barry Bonds, the list goes on and on. 



My question is this; why not attack the guys that really do the damage to our youth?  As I high school coach, I spend much more time undoing what these guys have done than I ever would Bobby Petrino.  Did you rip Belichek?  Come on, what he did was cut and dried cheating.  Filming signals?  Than wasn't for educational purposes or for making his team better.  He was cheating. 



What about the professional players that quit playing hard, tank an injury, get kicked out of games or suspended. 



You want to attack people?  Attack the people that matter.  Hold the people who actually serve as models for young people accountable.  Have the nerve to attack all the "me egos" in professional sports.  People in my profession would put you on a pedastal if you did that.  You wouldn't be using your ink for only what irked you personally.  This guy got lured into a organization that was absolutely blind or stupid to what it's biggest piece of capital was doing.  You kidding me?  You pay somebody that much money and you don't know what his personal life is about?  I don't blame Petrino for bailing, I do fault how it was done.  But not enough to waste time and hours writing a venomous article about it.  Did you attack the guys who wore the free Michael Vick shirts under their uniforms Monday night?  Come on, free Michael Vick?



Attack the people who need attacked.  Leave the meaningless alone.  Make a difference.  Have the courage to call out the ones who should be called out and use the same venom.  I'll back you 100% when you do.

That was pretty damn good email.

Good 13th post. +1

[rcowen]

A.I.? That shows that some only look on the outside and really dont know jack. What has he done wrong in Denver??? Dont drag somebody through the mud that by your statement shows that you know nothing about. Youre better off saying Kyle Turley with his trailor trash, redneck, helmet throwing self. Call  him a thug too!!! Drag his name when you talk about and dont give me that was the past because A.I. 's problems are in past back in Philly.       

He wasn't talking about what AI has done in denver. He's talking about the childish Press conference in Philly where Iverson made a total horses ass of himself.

I think Iverson has really made some strides to straighten himself up since then.

[flashtrain]

My letter to ESPN

Dear ESPN'


About 15% of what you guys discuss is sports, the other is BULL$hiiit. You nitpick  the athletes and coaches about Values and Ethics but seldom tell us the score of the game. I sit down to watch sports center with my kids and have to change the program due to the bashing and political spins that you orchestrate. You do it well; every one of you has an opinion and discusses it to exhaustion. Sometimes people make mistakes in life; we can't dwell on these issues. We want to enjoy the damn game and watch our team, you want to tell us our coach is unethical and the player is on drugs. Let us be fans of the game not fans of Bull&hiiiit.

[jlambert1982]

If anyone cares to listen, The Sports Guy on ESPiN touched on the Falcons situation.  I found some humor in it.  His guest even said that he wouldn't mind seeing a Falcons vs Arkansas preseason game.  He figures the line would just be 14-16 points.  Pretty funny stuff.  And not one bad thing said about Petrino. 

[biggiepiggie]

Maybe they're tired of beating the proverbial "dead horse".

[jlambert1982]

That would be nice.  But I fear that won't be the case.  Simmons just writes from the "fans point of view" and looking at the ATL situation, it's not hard to understand to why he did it.

[lokopig]

.....BY REPORTING IT.......WOW!!!! Makes me feel all warm all over. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3162017

[The UnderHog]

http://seanbigmouthsalisbury.net

[311Hog]

rofl +1

[Chuck Boarris]

from Pat Forde.  Look at his prediction for the Cotton Bowl.  Sorry if this has posted already.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3160347&sportCat=ncf

[txkrazorback]

Let's be honest: even at the highest melt-down period of TCWWF (banners, black-shirts, texts, huggers/haters, etc.) there was local media  reports but not WIDE national exposure. Yet now, we are the whipped step-child in the SEC and the bash-du-jour for ezspin, nfl channel, and other sports shows on national radio, tv and print. Also, we received more national exposure on the tactical ousting AFTER the deeds were done.

Why do you think Arkansas has become such a lightning rod? Is it because we garnered exposure w/DMac? is it because we had such a crazy selection process after the deportation and exile of TCWWF? Is it the fact we got Petrino? were we a hot topic at the time when steriod Mitchell report came out? Is it a culmination of these OR is there something I am missing?

We've got awesome facilities that rival anybody, funds a payroll to match anyone, a coach that's awesome, a historical Football program that is poised to climb to the top. Are "they" just determined to keep Arkansas Football down or am I just paranoid? Because of the Hogs situation now, are we poised to challenge for National Championship status and "they" are mad, afraid or just feel we are undeserving?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated...  :razorback:

[Jack The BN]

ESPN SUCKS

[Dr Swineglove]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2723700

"Bobby Petrino received plenty of offers during his four years as Louisville coach. Finally, he got one worth taking" - oh, the irony, considering how Forde has been singing a different tune recently regarding Petrino's departure from the Falcons.

I also found several comments interesting regarding Blank being a 'hand-on' owner; had fired Mora over 'off-field issues,' etc.  Forde's article also makes things very clear that Petrino's appeal for the job, the reason he left Louisville even though he'd just signed a contract extension, was for the opportunity to coach Michael Vick.

I wonder if Forde is aware of the fact, that back then, he had nothing but praise for Petrino leaving the Louisville program for the exciting opportunity to coach Vick, the QB who is now incarcerated for criminal activity...

[Big Daddy]

A note from Le Anne:


I cannot respond personally to all the mail I receive, but  I do read and take note of all complaints.  When the complaints are specific to a show or to an article on espn.com, I forward them to the producer or editor in charge of that content. When there are several complaints on the same topic,  I do a weekly tabulation that becomes part of a report sent to all of ESPN's top management.  (I do the same for positive comments.) I cannot assure you that your complaints or mine will result in action, but I can assure you they are not lost in some cyberspace void.  They are read, thought about, disseminated.


Thank you,


Le Anne Schreiber

[3kgthog]

In other words, ya'll are gonna need about 1,423,963 more of these complaints before we stop bashing your coach and attempting to influence the decision of recruits.

[ashleyswine]

A note from Le Anne:


I cannot respond personally to all the mail I receive, but  I do read and take note of all complaints.  When the complaints are specific to a show or to an article on espn.com, I forward them to the producer or editor in charge of that content. When there are several complaints on the same topic,  I do a weekly tabulation that becomes part of a report sent to all of ESPN's top management.  (I do the same for positive comments.) I cannot assure you that your complaints or mine will result in action, but I can assure you they are not lost in some cyberspace void.  They are read, thought about, disseminated.


Thank you,


Le Anne Schreiber

disseminated right into the trash can.....

[HogISH™]

who the hell is BSPN?

HogISH

[spiritof92]

who the hell is BSPN?

HogISH

The four letter network that is more interested in entertainment than accurate reporting of all things sports.

[HogISH™]

   The four letter network that is more interested in entertainment than accurate reporting of all things sports.

FOX is only three letters!

HogISH

[Big Daddy]

who the hell is BSPN?

HogISH

Instead of Entertainment Sports....oh never mind if I have to explain it.

[ashleyswine]

Biased Sports Network

[HogISH™]

Biased Sports Network

that is only 3 letters.... please pay attention to the conversation!

HogISH

[ashleyswine]

okay  Biased Sports Programming Network    happy now?

[HogISH™]

okay  Biased Sports Programming Network    happy now?

never heard of them

HogISH

[ronmahony]

Bull $hit  Paddycake Network

[RazorBama]

http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/email 

http://sports.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=Le_Anne_Schreiber&rT=sports";

Links to e-mail ESPN

Let's unify and let our complaints be heard about the bias reporting and efforts by the ESPN talking heads to influence recruting.

[bigheadred]

Ok, I will send a sarcastic email to those dimwits. 

[ErieHog]

Arkansas inferiority complex...check.

[stronguard]

It's obvious there was some bad blood between ESPN and BP.  Nobody will convince me that Arthur Blankety-Blank's money is prompting most of the vitrol.  He is using a major media outlet as his personal soap-box.  He obviously feels betrayed by BP, whether justified or not. 

However.  All of this negative pub isn't a bad thing.  First of all the vast majority is coming from the NFL shows (Primetime, Live and so forth) the college shows have been mum on the topic.  Many college football fans and recruits will see that the U of A has decided to take the one step neccessary to become a prominent national player.  We have hired a coach who knows how to use X's and O's for more than a tic-tac-toe game.  And we have shown ourselves willing to accept criticism as the price we pay for hiring the best possible candidate for the job.

We need to let all of the hate go.  The NFL themed shows on ESPN have done us a favor.  They have thrust our program into the national spotlight.  When recruits for the next few years decide to research their choices they will remember that Arkansas made a bold move against the grain of conventional wisdom.  This move will resonate with adolescent males the same as any other rebellious activity.  Tey will research our program and find out that hidden in the central part of the US is a bustling town(s) that is passionate about their program and are willing to spend the money to make it the best in the land. 

We have a bright future in store.  Brighter than Sean Salisbury Tubesteak, or the Atlanta Falcons have.  We are on the cusp of greatness and ESPN has made sure that every football fan will be watching.  Either cheering us for being bold, or waiting for us to fail.  But either way, watching.

[HoggToad]

For some reason ESPN has chosen to diss the Hogs, and Petrino severely.  How was Petrino quitting 3 games early that much different from that Atlanta owner firing Dan Reeves with 3 games left?  ESPN virtually cost McFadden the Heisman, I think, and has done all it can over the years to keep Arkansas sports down.  Just think about it.  All sports!!!!  And it is almost a campaigne against us, not just ommissions.  It seems like someone, somewhere in ESPN is pulling strings to put us down.  I may be paranoid, but even paraniod people have enemies.   I would love for us Razorbacks to have some sort of leverage against ESPN, but we seem woefully short of any retalatory options.

[taintlint]

If you ever have some time on your hands, go visit another board. Find ONE school that does not have a silly "ESPN hates us" thread.

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, believes with all of their precious hearts that ESPN hates them.

Yes, some broadcasters have an obvious bias. It's humorous though that Hog fans do not have a problem with the fact that you can not watch a Jimmy Dykes broadcast without him going on some rant about how super Arkansas is. The same holds true for the rare occasions that Chris Mortenson talks up Arkansas. We can over look those things I guess.

Yes, ESPN laid it on thick over Petrino. stuff happens. Deal with it. The news world moved on. Some of you obviously have not.

In the end, they will say what they want and you will watch either way.

ESPN does not hate us.

[hogmafia]

let em hate. well prove them all wrong with petrino and mallett

[flashtrain]

Did anyone hear the John Kinkade ripping Petrino on the Heard this morning? Called him a snake. "There is a snake loose in Arkansas" Some Arkansas guy called in and agreed. The discussion was players should be able to change commitments when a coaching change is made. "Players should be able to leave if Petrino is the coach for sure"
These guys are to TOOLS and are doing nothing to help Arkansas, He said other things could influence recruits or potential prospects.