Newsflash...ESPN Loves The Patriots

ESPN continues to try to be in the business of creating stories than reporting (or commenting on) news. After the Chargers's victory over the Colts, Charger Igor Olshanky made the following ( I think tongue and cheek) comment about the Patriots.

Notice this wasn't a story on Monday...but come Tuesday it became the lead story with ESPN and it's given outlets. Why is this?

ESPN wants the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. This is obvious. Some of it has to be do with their east coast bias but mainly it has to do with ESPN's constant banging of the drums that anything present is the best ever. Nothing would suit their argument more than an undefeated Patriots team.

The Patriots get off on getting revenge on opposing players who talk trash leading up to the game. Just look what they did to Pittsburgh and Anthony Smith. They embarrassed them (and him). It's hard for me to see how some no name player can inspire the Patriots to play better but ultimately that seems to be the case...at least to a small degree.

Thus ESPN fuels the Patriot's fury by hyping (what should be) not event stories. The Olshansky's quotes led off PTI on Tuesday evening and was part of the opening montage for the 6:00 Sportscenter. I'm sure there was a segment about it but I didn't stick around to see it. It was also bantered about on ESPN 2's First Take and I would be willing to bet that it made the rounds on ESPN's radio shows as well. They did the same thing last week with Paul Spicer of Jacksonville Jaguars. He made a despairing (yet it was his opinion) comment around week 2 about the Patriots and spygate and lo and behold it was front page news with ESPN.

I realize that ESPN hyping a story to motivate a football team to win a game is not a guarantee that that team will win the game. I'm not that naive. But what bothers is the fact that ESPN is nonetheless trying. In their estimation they have nothing to lose. They're ESPN they can pretty much to whatever they want. They've been frustrating me a lot lately but it sure isn't stopping me from watching (or listening) to their programs.

Nonetheless...It's just ridiculous and unprofessional for ESPN...a journalistic institution...to manipulate their coverage in a way to help (maybe not the right word...) out another team to meet their own desires. Look at what Olshanky said...it was nothing...it was almost like he was just being sarcastic. But boy did ESPN run with the story.

I'm not kidding about this...but as I type this...Sportscenter just replayed Olshanky's quote....and now they are having Sean Salisbury and John Clayton discuss it.

Please.

I'm done.