The amount of honesty that Jay Glazer shows on a weekly basis, is refreshing to some, but can get him in trouble from time to time. Earlier this week, Glazer broke the news that Brett Favre was officially heading to Minnesota to sign a deal, and while ESPN credited him with the story, their analysts continued to mock him throughout the day and poo poo the story. Well after his breaking news came to fruition, he went on the Jorge Sedano show, on 790 The Ticket in Miami, and had some more choice words for the "Leader"....

Again, it's refreshing to hear someone who can be serious about his job, but also understand that we're just talking about Sports. ESPN has to be bitter that they spent the whole Summer following Favre around, and when he finally decides to sign with the Vikings, the story is broken by someone else. Burn!

I have no idea why Jay Glazer decided to email out this video, but it's damn funny. The NFL on FOX reporter stopped in at his local Bingo match recently, and showed some elderly ladies just how they play Bingo in the UFC....

Ummm....okay then. While Chris Mortensen is touring every training camp in the NFL, Jay Glazer is trash talking old women in a bingo hall. Whatever recharges your batteries I guess.

If there is one man in mainstream media, that's willing to call out the "Leader, that man is Jay Glazer. The FOX Sports "Breaking News" Expert has made it no secret that he likes the current battle between himself and the likes of Chris Mortensen, so it should come as no shock that he recently decided to deface Mort's Tour Bus. Via PFT....


I'm not entirely sure what gang sign Glazer is throwing up there, but the nuances that he added to Mort's visage are extremely entertaining.

This was about 6 months in the making, but ESPN officially added ex-NFLNer, Adam Schefter, to its stable of NFL reporters today. Schefter had been in a contract dispute with the NFL Network for awhile, and was waiting for his contract to run out. Schefter will join the "Leader" this August, and will continue to be based out of New York. Here are the details via ESPN....

Adam Schefter, one of the top National Football League reporters and insiders, will join ESPN as an NFL correspondent in August. Schefter, who worked for NFL Network, will appear on such programs as SportsCenter, NFL Live, Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, as well as ESPNEWS throughout the year. He will write regular columns for ESPN.com and contribute to ESPN Radio and other platforms. Schefter will continue to be based in New York.

“Adam has covered the NFL for 20 years and he is widely respected for his professional approach and ability to uncover stories,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “He is a tremendous addition to our roster of NFL insiders who provide year-round coverage across ESPN’s platforms.”

Schefter added: “The name ESPN speaks for itself. Its reputation stands alone. I watched ESPN growing up, so to be a part of the programming that every football fan watches, and really has always watched, and to be a part of such a talented group of people, it’s surreal to me. It feels like I’m a late addition to the Pro Bowl. I’m flattered, honored, humbled - and I can’t wait to get to work.”

During the last year, Schefter established himself as perhaps the best reporter in the NFL. Obviously working for a channel owned by the league helped, but during the last two drafts, no one worked harder and brought more information than Schefter. The move also positions ESPN to be the breaking news king, with both Schefter and Chris Mortensen under their umbrella. This now means that Fox's Jay Glazer will have to work that much harder to stay on top of the pack.

Chris Mortensen has stated that he has not spoken to Favre himself, or his agent since last week, but that isn't stopping the ESPN reporter from shooting down a report from one of his co-workers. Trent Dilfer said the other day that Favre texted him with an unequivocal "NO", when asked about his return to the NFL. But according to Mort, his buddy Favre was responding to something else.

Mortensen was on Mike & Mike this morning, and when the subject of Favre and Dilfer came up, he stated that he believed Brett to be answering the question of whether he had hired a personal trainer. Here's the audio....

While Mortensen could certainly be right (and lord knows Greenberg is, about everyone being sick of this), but completely disregarding a colleague's report about the situation is pretty messed up. It's not like that is a first for Mort though.

Mort Tries To Explain Favre's Text Message To Dilfer (Pro Football Talk)

I know I go overboard when it comes to Chris Mortensen, and I know that people hate Stephen A. Smith posts, but I just couldn't pass up this comparison on the heels of the Chris Bosh rumors. Stephen A. came out last week and said that Chris Bosh was telling the Raptors that he wasn't resigning with the team, and that Toronto was looking into trading the All-Star. Both Bosh and management said that the whole story was entirely made up and to not listen to the ESPN analyst, but Smith is fighting back the best way he can. By blogging about it!

In case anyone didn't comprehend what I reported first on ESPNews Sunday morning, then SportsCenter Monday night, let me be clear: My sources tell me Chris Bosh wants out of Toronto. Preferably before 2010, when he's free to opt out of his contract. They've also informed me Bosh has quietly made the Raptors aware of this, that he wouldn't mind interest from Miami or Dallas, at all, and that he's hopeful his days as a Raptor will come to an end sooner than when the LeBron James' Sweepstakes hits the fan in 2010.

Both Bosh and Raptors' President, Bryan Colangelo have emphatically denied Bosh has made the Raptors aware of anything. Feel free to believe them if you want to. And while you're at it, feel free to to conveniently forget that Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter all echoed similar sentiments before they skipped town, too.

I find it hard to believe that anyone working at an organization as large as ESPN, would be in the habit of making up stories, but I could be wrong. I also thought that the "Leader" was phasing out Screamin' A., but apparently they're keeping around for the controversy. As far as Bosh goes, you know he's leaving but he has to deny it because I'm sure he doesn't want the Vinsanity treatment when he returns.

Boshed (Stephen A. Smith)

Another interesting crossover happened during Media Day on the NFL Network. A panel including NFL News Breakers, Jay Glazer of FOX, Michael Silver of Yahoo and Adam Schefter of the NFL-N, discussed reporting on the league and "journalistic integrity". You can even catch a slight jab at the one NFL reporter missing from the round table....

The panel was obviously missing that one key participant that Glazer took said jab at, but that certainly could have been by design. Great discussion all around, and it's interesting that the two up-and-comers are actually friendly and respectful of each other. I don't really know what was going on with Silver's glasses, but great points from him on the Internet side of things as well.

Oh and speaking of Mort, is he even in Tampa today? I haven't seen him moseying around among the masses at all.

There are really only three reporters who are in the running for the NFL's top stories each week and those are Jay Glazer of FOX, Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. Schefter was relatively quiet the past few years, but after owning Mortensen during the 2008 NFL Draft, he did some excellent reporting and probably slid into the two-spot in the hierarchy of "NFL Breaking News Reporters".

Well all last week, Mort was trumpeting the fact that he had a source saying that Mike Shanahan would be replacing Herm Edwards in Kansas City. While that seems like a great storyline, and a seemingly good replacement, Schefter is here to tell you that it's false....entirely false....

Despite rampant reports that the Chiefs are negotiating with former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan to replace Herm Edwards, they are not, sources said Friday.

The Chiefs never have made any contact with Shanahan — never. And there have been no contract negotiations.

So unless people I have known for years are blatantly lying to me, Shanahan will not be the next coach of the Chiefs. It’s not happening. People can keep talking as if it is, but it’s not. Shanahan will not be the coach of the Chiefs in 2009.

Obviously I've taken quite a few shots at Mort over the years, but when is the guy ever right? I mean seriously. If we're talking percentages here, Glazer is probably above 75-80% accurate when breaking news, Schefter is close to that as well, but Mort is probably under 30% with stories over the past year. As I've said before, if this was any other job, that kind of performance wouldn't be tolerated.

Glazer has already taken his shot(s) at Mort in the media, so it seems it's Schefter's turn now. Let's get this battle cooking guys, because I'm already bored with Media Week, and it hasn't even started.

Shanahan isn’t a candidate in Kansas City (NFL.com)

It's not unusual for reporters at any level to get into tiffs with certain teams, but it's rare that it happens with the same team multiple times in a season. The Raiders gotten into it with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, and ESPN a few times, during the 2008 season, but their latest feud with Chris Mortensen is getting really interesting.

Recently, Mort reported that the the Oakland Raiders were negotiating with a controversial investor, and the Raiders issued a statement that the story was completely false. Mortensen then decided to naturally do what any good reporter would do. He said that taking to him is a "privilege" and that the Raiders have lost said "privilege". Via the Associated Press....

"The Raiders have lost the privilege with me of running stories past them for comment," the e-mail [from Mortensen] stated. "This stems from their history of denials to most stories I have reported -- as well as others in the media -- when those stories have eventually proven to be true. The latest example is I reported that Al Davis planned to interview Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and, of course, the story was trashed by a team spokesman."

Mortensen has since clarified that privilege was the wrong word to use, but also added that the team, "repeatedly diminished and discouraged efforts to reach out for an official comment based on the repeated denials of prior stories."

While I also agree that the word privilege was the wrong word to use, his statement about the team is certainly true. Certain teams will never regain prominence, or attain it for the first time, until their Owners are ousted. Al Davis is unfortunately one of those at the top of the list.

Raiders talk with Gilbride about coaching opening (AP)

TBL came across an interesting ESPN chat item from much-maligned ESPN Reporter, Chris Mortensen today. A reader was asking about ESPN attributing stories to certain websites and the same not being the case for other networks and websites. Mortensen ended up giving a pretty interesting response and even hinted that some outlets utilize "time stamp" fudging....

Ken (Scottsdale, AZ): Mort, you got props on the blogs for answering my question a few weeks ago about ESPN “confirming” other network’s stories. You guys still continue to do it. Do you know why Fox or SI doesn’t post headlines confirming your breaking stories?

SportsNation Chris Mortensen: It’s not that big a deal. really, some of the reporting is so split-second..or minutes apart and there’s a little trick to getting it out. I think each brand/agency should just do their job and not worry about the “credit.” ESPN is the big brand so I think we’re treated like that.

Interesting angle there, but I don't think it addresses the real issue. It's not that ESPN, or Mort for that matter, isn't doing their job. No, it's the fact that up until recently, ESPN had been taking credit when other outlets had the story upwards of a few hours before them. I know stories can break fast, and that not every item needs to be accredited to a certain individual, but the perception that ESPN breaks everything is just insulting.

I think things have gotten much better, and I wouldn't doubt there's time-stamping going on, but it's just something that ESPN needs to keep more of an eye on.

Chat with Chris Mortensen (ESPN)
Chris Mortensen Concurs with Buster Olney on the Mysterious Time Stamp Controversy (The Big Lead)

I had no idea that the Favre Family knew what a blog was, let alone that they had one on Blogger (using the most basic template possible), but alas there it is....The Family of Favre. It's a good enough website on the family with pictures, stories and links to charities. Nothing out of the ordinary really. Well outside of the latest post titled "Family".

I almost skipped past it because of the title, but the post is actually Deanna Favre's first blog entry. One that actually serves as a defense of her husband against the "continual attacks" from the media....

But, over the past weeks, we have been deeply affected by the various media reports and accusations that have unfairly questioned Brett’s loyalty, fairness and character... Our children, family and friends have been so supportive and steadfast during these times. Brett and I have two wonderful girls, who, daily, show us unconditional love and remind us that everything will be okay. And, they remind us that media reports, accusations and rumors become irrelevant in light of the joy they bring to our family and in how they remind us that, in all things—even the tough things--- God has a bigger, better purpose.

But, I will say, most hurtful are those media reports who would like you to believe that Brett is eaten up with bitterness over his split with the Packers. Still feeling some grief, sure… but not bitterness. Yes, in the beginning, Brett was angry and hurt with the way things ended, but how could he not be? Brett gave most of his career (and his adult life) to the Packers. They were more than just an organization but also became our home away from home and our surrogate family. We will always love the Packer fans for making Brett more than just the focus of their applause on game day, but as part of their families, too. Again, how could any of us not be hurt and brokenhearted about such a loss of connection? Thus, certainly, Brett does not, in any way, hold a vendetta against his former team. But that has not stopped some from scrutinizing his every move and blaming him for so many things that simply are not true. Some incidents, like the locker room pranks appear funny (but they are still untrue)… Others, like the questionable phone calls to other teams, are hurtful, distasteful, and… still untrue as they have been reported.
Because of this, lately, my heart has been so heavy.

She's kind of all over the place (not unlike myself), but you get the general idea. Let me first say that I'm sure Deanna Favre is an amazing person. She survived Cancer, wrote a book AND helped her husband beat addiction (she was also the only guest on MNF that was even remotely interesting). She is certainly a better person than I.

With that said, while it's great that they are sharing their lives with their fans, it was an extremely sketchy decision to post this. I mean Brett was caught in an all out lie whether he was helping the Lions or not. He went running to Peter King and Chris Mortensen to deny the whole thing, before finally admitting to the Millen conversation in a press conference. I know athletes play the media, and vice versa, but to come out and try and defend something in this fashion just reeks of a PR stunt. Not saying that it is, but it's just odd.

It'll be interesting to see if anything is added to the site in the coming weeks. I'm guessing it will go dormant for awhile.

Family (Family of Favre)
Deanna Favre Thinks the Media is Hard on Brett (The Sporting Blog)

The more and more I write this afternoon, the more and more I realize what a crazy past two weeks this has been. We've had a war of words between two highly respected former QBs and announcers in Troy Aikman and Boomer Esiason. We've had a network that calls themselves, "The Worldwide Leader in Sports," completely ignore a story when they could have reported it as a rumor. AND we had a person at that same "Leader" make a Hitler reference and cause a double standard in suspension policies. Just wild all-around, right?

This site really tries to be a "watchdog for the watchdogs", and while I think it's succeeded in that to some degree, it ultimately just a drop in the bucket. Well a drop in a bucket, from about the 100th bucket, in a line of proverbial buckets. Jay Glazer however has an idea. A very good one in fact. In a discussion with USA Today's Michael McCarthy, he has proposed the idea of a "Media Scorecard"....

Jay Glazer, Fox Sports' NFL insider, says his goal is to make his rivals at ESPN "miserable." Still ticked after ESPN issued an internal "hot list" instructing staffers not to follow his report that New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre snitched on his old Green Bay Packers team to the Detroit Lions, Glazer views this week's leak of the private directive to ProFootballTalk.com as a personal attack.

"It's disappointing. What we should do as a result is start keeping score," says Glazer, who broke Favre's trade to the Jets and the firing of Lions GM Matt Millen. "If they want to talk about credibility, let's keep score, starting from Week One of last year, and see who broke what, who was right and who was wrong. I don't think they'd want that."

And Glazer didn't appreciate the report by Peter King of NBC and Sports Illustrated in which Favre himself described his story as "total" bull. "Did he give up family secrets? Yes. Was it total (bull)? No."

Well, as a pseudo-member of the Sports Media, I had thought about taking on this task by myself, but lucky for me.....someone beat me to it. PFT's Mike Florio....

The relevant factors listed will be the scoop, the person who broke it, whether it was confirmed by a credible independent media outlet (OK, that will require some subjectivity as well), whether it was confirmed or denied by the persons involved, and whether the report was accurate, inaccurate, or inconclusive.

For starters, we need to come up with a good list of reporters to include. Here’s our work-in-progress roster: Jay Glazer of FOX, Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Adam Schefter of NFLN, Peter King of too many media outlets to list, John Clayton of ESPN, Alex Marvez of FOX, Michael Smith of ESPN, Michael Silver of Yahoo!, Jason Cole of Yahoo!, Charley Casserly of CBS. (Let us know who we’re missing, or whether any of these guys shouldn’t be included.)

The exercise begins Sunday and runs through the Super Bowl. We’ll then decide whether to keep it going, or whether to change it or expand it.

I think this is ultimately a great idea, but when we start to talk about the "merit of inclusion", I think that's when it gets sketchy. Many of you have talked about not even caring about who breaks news on trades and firings, and I think that's a fair point of view. If you're just a regular Sports Fan, who cares right?

I think the lesson that ultimately needs to come from this is that ESPN needs to understand that giving credit to someone else isn't a bad thing. Us Blogs do it all the time and the sharing of information will only make the public more informed. Waiting for Chris Mortensen and Michael Smith to confirm a story, just so you can spin the headline to cater to them, really needs to stop. It's not fair to the viewing audience, or the person who actually broke the news, and just makes you look like a poor sport. Hopefully something like a "Media Scorecard" can make that a reality.

Reporters engage in their own kind of trash talking (USA Today)
We're Keeping Score, Starting Now (Pro Football Talk)

So Chris Mortensen was on 950 KJR this morning to talk NFL on the "Mitch In The Morning" show, and he decided to address the whole Brett Favre-ESPN situation. There's nothing really controversial said, but the guy seems to think he's a "fact checker" now....

The thing that amazes me the most about Mort's whole attitude when it comes to this is that he comes off like a complete hypocrite. If you take every story that Mort tried to break in the past two years, he did the EXACT opposite of what he said he did in regards to this story. I mean the guy has a laundry list of stories that he jumped the gun on, and now he's going to pretend that he's cautious?

You have the Mike Vick indictment story, Ron Rivera as the next Cowboys Coach, Eli Manning's injury, the Parcells to Atlanta guarantee. He even said at one point that Brett Favre WAS NOT going to come back this season.

Again, I don't deny that he's a hard worker, but he doesn't need to try and pretend that he's this beacon of journalistic integrity, when he's clearly not.

Mitch In The Morning (KJRAM)

There were a lot of crazy and inane things about Al Davis' press conference after his firing of Lane Kiffin, but none moreso than his rant on the Raiders beat writers and their relationship with one Christopher Mortensen. Davis went on a bit of a tirade about how quickly the ESPN reporter got access to the firing, and here's the hilarious, yet very very awkward, video....

I don't even know where to begin with this. I've obviously been very critical of Mortensen in the past, but I think the clip above finally proves that he actually tries to be accurate at his job from time to time (I kid, I kid). I think that video just really solidifies how crazy the Raiders organization is. A beat reporter actually does his job, and then a national reporter actually does his job....and they're the ones doing things wrong. So very dysfunctional.

I'm sure Raiders fans don't even care about this media war bullshit. All the want is a team that won't lose and make them look like idiots when they break out the silver spray paint and the "Road Warriors" outfits.

Mort's reporting has been well documented on this site as extremely suspect and now you can officially add another to his resume. On Sunday, Chris Mortensen had the breaking news that the Arizona Cardinals were choosing veteran Kurt Warner as their starting quarterback. Well that had every beat writer in the Grand Canyon State perplexed and scrambling for a statement from Cards' Coach Ken Whisenhunt. The coach refuted the item early yesterday morning and by the end of the day the AZ Central had the news that Mort's report was completely off-base.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, however, citing a team source, said Warner would be named the starter ahead of Leinart, who threw three interceptions against the Raiders.

“I haven’t read the paper today or seen the Internet,” Whisenhunt said. “Do we have a quarterback? … It seems like Chris Mortensen is making the decision on our quarterback for our football team. … But nothing has changed.”

Update: Leinart remains Cardinals starting QB

Matt Leinart remains the Cardinals starting quarterback, despite a news report on Sunday that coach Ken Whisenhunt had decided to replace him with Kurt Warner.
Whisenhunt denied that was his plan and said today that the evaluation process at quarterback is continuing. He met with Leinart this morning to talk about the reports, assuring the young quarterback that the information didn't come from the Cardinals.

Leinart took snaps with the first team in Monday's short practice but so did Warner. That has been the norm this off-season.

In the past two years alone Mort has been responsible for a laundry list of false reports. First, it was that Michael Vick unlikely to get indicted, we all know how that turned out. After that came the guarantee that Ron Rivera was the next Cowboys Coach, and when that didn't pan out he was chided by colleague Greg Easterbrook online. Next, it was Mortensen saying that Eli Manning would "officially" miss a month to start last season, Eli played every game. THEN it was Jon Gruden put him on blast. If you add to that this Cardinals story, the Parcells to Atlanta guarantee, and the lock that Brett Favre WAS NOT going to come back this season, you have grand total of eight....EIGHT!....breaking news items that Mortensen was dead wrong about.

Look, I'm not denying that Mort has sources or that he works his tail off, but good lord! How many times is ESPN going to go all-in with one of his guesses just to have it blow up in their face? It's not the fact that he gets reports wrong, that happens to everyone (obviously not that many times), but every damn show on ESPN then talks about them like they are gospel. Yesterday alone PTI, ATH, NFL Live, First Take and Sports Center all spent a good two to five minutes on the item when Whisenhunt had already refuted the claim. Hell, he said that wasn't the case at around 9am Monday morning! Anybody can make guesses like this, but if he was a reporter for a local newspaper, he would long been fired for so many errors.

The guy is obviously there to say, but can we please just tone down all the "Breaking News" reports the next time he happens upon some news, ESPN? I'm just looking out for you.

Whisenhunt says no decision yet (AZ Central)
Still No Named QB in Arizona ... Mort Guessed Wrong Again (Fanhouse)
Chris Mortensen is back in the game, baby (PaxArcana)

Last year's ESPN Celebrity Fantasy Football challenge was so competitive that I didn't think they could do it again. I mean how do you replace such marquee names as Sean Salisbury, Mark Schlereth, Steve Young, and The Big Lead's Best Friend, Jerry O'Connell? Well I'll tell you how....

With f'ing Method Man (TICAL!), Merril Hoge, Roy Williams and Summer Sanders....That's How! Well all of those names mean nothing when you have Chris Mortensen returning to the fray. You would think that the number one NFL reporter on ESPN, would know something about the Sport he covers but alas....let's go to the videotape!!!

He seriously picked McFadden in the second and Devin Hester in the seventh....In an eight team league!!! Are you kidding me?!? This is the guy you go to for all your insider Football information? The same guy who in the draft picked Devin Hester because, "he's a receiver now," and, "he's going to touch the ball twenty times a game," and because the Bears have Kyle Orton!!! Good god. I'm pretty sure Mort has never watched the Bears.....ever. The guy just continues to amaze me and not in a good way. Oh and everyone please check out Roy Williams' team if you have a chance. Guess where he drafted? Of course right after ESPN's Football expert, Chris Mortensen.

I'd also be remiss to not comment on Merril Hoge. He's seriously drafted the following starting lineup: Hasselbeck, AP, Brandon Jacobs, Rashard Mendenhall?!, Santonio Holmes, Anthony Gonzalez and Ben Utecht

How are these people still employed? They deserve to be fired after that showing.

Other highlights:

- Matthew Berry calling Mort's pick of Westbrook a steal....at pick four.
- T.O. lasting until Round Three
- Method Man picking Tight Ends in both Round Five and Six (clearly wasted)
- Ronnie Brown lasting until Round 8

Good times!

2008 ESPN Celebrity League Rosters (ESPN Fantasy)
2007 ESPN "Celebrity" Fantasy Football League Filled With Big Names (Awful Announcing)

Steve Young was with Matt Hill in L.A. for the Madden release party last night and both of them did a brief spot for Monday Night Countdown. Well, Young's hair wasn't exactly cooperating with him, and afterward, Chris Berman and Chris Mortensen decided to have a little fun at his expense....

Don't know why I found this so funny, but whoever yelled "Huh?" in the background just cracked me up. Seriously though, the wind wasn't even blowing....what the heck was Steve doing before that segment???

Here's the rest of your Monday night in quotes:

“Me and Key. If we’re in that looker room we don’t care how much experience you have. We want the ball and we want it a lot.”- Cris Carter

“So shut up and play. If you win, everyone will be happy.”- Mike Ditka

“Alex Smith, who’s in a battle for his job, so he goes to Arnez BATTLE.”- Chris Berman

“They don’t have a Staubach in Chicago. Staubach? Is it Staubach or Starbuck?- Mike Ditka
“It’s preseason for all of us.”- Chris Berman

“They got Good Charlotte who Steve likes and Busta Rhymes who Steve is going to get up on stage with.”- Mike Hill on Steve Young at the Madden 2009 Event in L.A.

“Bobby Engram out 6 to 8 weeks.”- Chris Berman
“Ooooh. They’re looking for a receiver, Key!”- Cris Carter

“I went back this afternoon, I know Tony will love this because he does not think I have a life. I went back and watched the Dallas game on the coaching tape from last year…”- Ron Jaworski

“It’s a tutorial.”- Ron Jaworski
“The Mr. Wizard of Football!”- Tony Kornheiser

“Speaking of Hawk, you see a lot of 50 jerseys in the crowd. A lot of 4s but a lot of 50s. Maybe they’re free.”- Tony Kornheiser

“Like an Ichabod Crane hit.”- Tony Korheiser after a Packers player lost his helmet

“Last night we ate at Brett Favre’s Steakhouse. Tomorrow there will be a sign, “Coming Soon: An Aaron Rodgers Dairy Queen.”- Tony Kornheiser
“Good steak though.”- Ron Jaworski

“You got him on radio? The day of the game?”- Tony Kornheiser on Mike McCarthy
“Yes.”- Mike Tirico
“He didn’t say I don’t talk on the day of the game like every NBA guy?”- Tony Kornheiser
“He probably came on for Van Pelt”- Mike Tirico
"Fabulous!”- Tony Kornheiser
“Usually Van Pelt gets the heavy hitters”- Mike Tirico

“Then they hire Ari Fleischer if I’m not mistaken. What are they going to do? Declare war on Minnesota?”- Tony Kornheiser

Well there's no surprise here, but Chris Mortensen is reporting on NFL Live that Brett Favre has talked to Coach Mike McCarthy and is interested in coming back to the Packers. We all know Mort's track record in regards to "Breaking News" but if there's one guy he's got an in with it's Favre.

The interesting thing is that Al Harris is in the ESPN "Carwash" today and has had stuffed dropped in his lap all day long. On First Take they asked him about Aaron Rodgers comments about Green Bay's fans and now they're piling the Favre news on top of him as well. He seems very at a loss for words today.

It's not fair to Aaron Rodgers, but at least he's starting this nonsense now and not during Training Camp. I blame Strahan taking Favre's job at FOX for all of this.

The Patriots are upset at just about everyone that ran with this and the Patriots' President Jon Kraft has some words for ESPN as well....

"I don't. If you guys can get any of them on the air -- I would argue that there are certain people at ESPN.com who have shown journalistic standards that really are not up to snuff. And the Times, give the Times credit for one thing, they gave us a chance to comment the day before and they actually took some of our comments and realized that certain parts of what they were about to write that were wrong, but there were other things that they still decided to print."

Hmmm, I wonder who he's talking about? Could his name rhyme with Schmortensen??? I kid, I kid. There were certainly people at ESPN (Easterbrook) who ran roughshod with the story as well, and they did a good job of throwing the Herald under the bus last week on ESPN Radio, but ESPN seemed willing to do the background work that the Herald wouldn't do. They still certainly jumped the gun in a few instances on ESPN.com, but in all fairness most ESPN shows (Sports Center, NFL Live) and "talking heads" still referred to the Herald

It seems like to me the Pats are really just reacting to being portrayed in a negative light for the first time by the "Leader". There are a lot of people to blame in this whole mess, but in the end the Patriots still cheated. Not to the degree rumored by the Herald, but none of this would even be an issue if they hadn't.

(P.S.- This is the last post on this....I promise.)

Jon Kraft (WEEI)
Patriots President Jonathan Kraft: ESPN.com Journalistic Standards Not Up to Snuff (Fanhouse)

When one radio host says something about someone you usually don't pay attention, but when five different employees say something about someone you're going to take notice. Let me introduce to you John Tomase of the Boston Herald and Mike & Mike, Chris Mortensen, Jason Smith (All Night), and of course Shrutebag.

The reason behind the ambush is simple. Tomase is the source of the Rams' "Walk Through Tape" that didn't surface when Walsh finally talked to the NFL. Mortensen even went so far as to say the following. Via Fanhouse...

"Other media outlets including ESPN, had this allegation and pursued this allegation for months, and it just didn't meet the standard in terms of what you needed to report it, and the Boston Herald evidently felt they had met the standard to report it," Mortensen said. "They need to come out and say, 'We stand by our story' or they need to have a retraction and apology and deal with the consequences of it, but certainly it's damaging to the Boston Herald at this point, especially if they stay silent on the subject."
You know it's bad when

Chris Mortensen is questioning your reporting standards. Jason Smith commented on a retraction, Mike & Mike followed suit, and Cowherd even compared the story to the Patterson-Gimlin "Bigfoot" video from 1967. I find it extremely odd that ESPN is going through these lengths to call out the Boston Herald considering some of their own anonymous source stories that didn't pan out, but the Herald does owe an explanation. More on this later today.

Chris Mortensen: ESPN Had Rams Walk- Through Story, It Didn't Meet Our Standards (Fanhouse)

(Thanks to DG for the tip.)