Part I: The Rumors
Date: August 13, 2009
Time: 10:20 PM ET
As the clock struck 10:20 PM yesterday evening, the Philadelphia Eagles were in the fourth quarter of their pre-season face-off against the New England Patriots. The buzz circling around Lincoln Financial Field was not on the game itself, but on the Eagles signing of QB Michael Vick earlier that evening.
Not wanting to miss out on the dizzying spin of the news cycle surrounding the controversial signing of the media’s latest story maker and seeking to stand out in the laundry load of Michael Vick related news, Profootballtalk.com hit the online press and threw a pair of red underwear into a machine full of white clothes in hopes of spilling its color all over the news.
In an article posted in Profootballtalk.com (the site was recently acquired by NBC), PFT quickly gained the inside scoop over the hoopla surrounding the Vick signing and the feelings of his new teammate and longtime Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb.
Titled "Source: Donavan McNabb isn't happy with Vick acquisition," the most well known football blog on the internet cited the always reliable "anonymous source." Close to the situation and two hours into the announcement of the signing, the article states:
“According to a league source with intimate knowledge of the dynamics within the organization, McNabb isn't pleased with the development.”
The article continues to go on, reviving a three-year old rumor about McNabb’s alleged jealousy of journeyman quarterback Jeff Garcia taking the helm of the Eagles as they went to the playoffs with an injured McNabb on the sidelines. Playing a poor man’s Dr. Phil, the author continued to detail the mental state of Donovan McNabb who was obviously affected by Michael Vick’s presence.
PFT attempted to further strengthen their point, providing readers with an “update,” referring to a sideline interview with McNabb by Eagles reporter Dave Spadaro. To PFT’s faux surprise, the Eagles QB was not asked about the signing. In an obvious attempt to portray the Eagles beat reporter as protecting McNabb’s “fragile” feelings, PFT ignored the fact that the possibility to ask McNabb to reveal his feelings about the Vick signing was cut short because they were going to a commercial.
Unbeknownst to PFT during the initial release of their article was the collusion between Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid, General Manager Tom Heckert and Donovan McNabb in signing Michael Vick.
Anyone with half a brain should have known that the team picking up Michael Vick would do their due diligence. With the amount of mandated stipulations tied to signing the former Atlanta Falcon, a team would need across the board agreement before giving the go ahead to acquire him. And to believe that Donovan McNabb influence and alleged negativity as the team’s leader would be overlooked by the Eagles front office that just rewarded him with a contract extension is outright baffling. These possibilities obviously flew over the heads of those at PFT in their rush to be a part of the story as they sat away at their computers, listening to the source housed in the part of the brain responsible for creating ones imagination.
As Andy Reid took the podium in the post game press conference, informing the media that McNabb played a major part signing, PFT obviously saw the façade of their “inside scoop” beginning to crack. Forced to add another update, PFT stated that Andy Reid’s confirmation about McNabb’s involvement somehow proved their point. But as McNabb took to the podium and became his own spokesman, it would completely expose PFT as a purveyor of manufactured news and force them to come up with a Plan B to sustain their ever weakening story.
Part II: The Fallback
Date: August 13, 2009
Time: 11:16 PM (ET)
“Despite early indications that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb isn't happy with the arrival of Mike Vick in Philly, McNabb claims that he's fine with the move.” – McNabb:” There’s no threat for me”
As Donovan McNabb spoke on his role on the Eagles signing Michael Vick, it became more and more apparent that PFT initial story was suited to be housed on a bookshelf neighboring copies of Grimm Brothers fairy tales.
The former Syracuse Orangeman spoke at length about the decision behind the Eagles signing Michael Vick. Appearing forthright and honest, McNabb chronicled the thought process behind the signing, the current status of Vick playing ability, the potential Vick could bring to the Eagles offense, and his personal feelings on why his friend deserved a second chance.
Minute by minute, McNabb press conference tore away at the fabric of PFT’s earlier story. The resulting follow up article, posted an hour later, was basically a white flag at the top of the pole, waving away violently as the McNabb’s statements blew apart their agenda. Forced to shift gears,PFT decided to write about Vick’s presence on the team, in a last ditch effort to restore its legitimacy.
Highlighting the statements of former Eagles offensive lineman and radio host, Barrett Brooks, who feels that the city would be clamoring for Vick after every McNabb mishap, PFT misconstrued Brooks’ statement as Vick being a divisive presence in the locker room.
It’s obvious that PFT (and probably much of the media) are looking forward to hearing a divided locker room or a looming QB controversy to write about in the future. In their own words, “What happens behind the scenes remains to be seen.”
What we can be sure of is that what remains to be seen just maybe a scene drawn up in minds by those who run PFT.
But don’t worry…..we’ll be watching.
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