Tim Cowlishaw's Thursday Column On Revis

by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 11:31 AM EDT

I'm sure for a lot of people, reading this blog entry by Dallas morning news writer Tim Cowlishaw won't be easy. In it he explains a few differences he would make to his tweet, and the merits of new media and information sharing, as well as where the responsibility lies when reporting on inside source information:

It's my mistake. I was wrong, and while I once saw a significant difference between a column or story that I spend hours writing for The Dallas Morning News and a 15-word "tweet,'' I no longer do.
It is one of the things I like least about this business when I hear a reporter blame his or her sources after either getting beat on a story or having things go differently than they had said they would.

"My source lied to me. My source was misled by someone else.''

Doesn't matter. The person who writes the story (or Tweet) is the one responsible.

He's not saying it won't happen but he is saying that he wishes he had used the words "I think" in his now famous 140 character message that raised Jets spirits the world over. He comments on if we knew the source and the information he was given, we would understand his confidence.

The important thing to note is that he does not rule out it happening this weekend. Remember in his initial explanation he said Wednesday or Saturday. He used Wednesday in his tweet as it made more sense and with the character limit, you don't have space to divulge further.

I don't blame Tim, not in the slightest. I've seen tweets being sent to him calling him all the names under the sun, I've seen people angry it didn't happen last night. He seems as confused as all of us, saying he only partially understands why it didn't go down like he had been told or as he originally thought. Sometimes things don't go as planned, even from the most trusted of source. That doesn't give anyone the right to bombard him with profanity.

Maybe it gets done this weekend, and Tim was right, maybe it doesn't and he was wrong. It's not the first and it won't be the last, but at the end of the day, he makes the perfect point in his headline:

"One way or another, Darrelle Revis will be a Jet"

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Some people won’t forgive him on this one, but I will. He trusted his source and stood by his story. That’s what journalists do. Thanks for making my week more interesting, Tim.

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by Max VV on Aug 26, 2010 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

I commend his mea culpa but...

Thats just BS. If you’re going to put a huge story like this out there and then defiantly stand by your source, then your should get their ass called out onto the carpet if proven to be wrong.

There’s no excuse for making things up. Whether its direct or indirect. Times have changed and the news cycle is too rapid to tolerate misinformation. If your source can’t go on the record, then you don’t have a story.

by Crackback on Aug 26, 2010 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

What about the taped TV interview???

What the hell is going on?

by Crackback on Aug 26, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

No source goes on the record. Ever.

If they did, they would no longer be a valuable source.

by dookiehead on Aug 26, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He said the source has always been correct before. Why throw him under the bus because of one wrong (or premature) scoop? Why would he want to lose a reliable source forever?

Buster Posey: Let's enjoy him before he goes to the Yankees.

by rxmeister on Aug 26, 2010 2:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

+1

Exactly, you don’t oust a good source after one bad tip….it’s not how it works and it’s not how it should work.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but you also don't come out and say your source "lied"

"The People's Poster"

If you've got a problem with one of my posts. Take a deep breath, re-read it, and make sure I'm not being sarcastic. Over reaction on your part WILL result in me stoking your fire. You have been warned.

by Fr8Train on Aug 26, 2010 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

When did he say that his source lied?

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

isn't it quoted in the OP?

My source lied to me. My source was misled by someone else.’’

"The People's Poster"

by Fr8Train on Aug 26, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He didnt.

He has a quote in his blog

“My source lied to me. My source was misled by someone else.’’
But he is using it as an example of what he could have said if he wanted to out his source.
If thats what Fr8Train means then hes reading it wrong.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

ahhhh, thats my mistake then.

"The People's Poster"

by Fr8Train on Aug 26, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

lol. I actually had to do a double take as well.

I thought the same thing you did the first time reading it.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I never claimed to be the smarted guy :)

(feel free to insert Dolphins fan joke here)

"The People's Poster"

by Fr8Train on Aug 26, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

lol. Nah.

Im nice to the rivals. In fact some might say im a to harder on my own guys. But you gotta be different, right?

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nobody argues with Jets fans quite as much or as well as Jets fans.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

We gotta keep each other sharp right David?

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

lol I guess we can call it that

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

rofl... Well I can respect that.

"The People's Poster"

by Fr8Train on Aug 26, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

it's not even a huge story

it’s a tweet. And if you think there’s absolutely no misinformation in todays “news” then you need a lesson on media studies. Or maybe you can just turn on Fox News…

by PowerBar on Aug 26, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Even Fox News doesn’t report that “so-and-so” won an election when that person didn’t. I don’t blame Cowlishaw for trusting his source and getting burned. But when you try get out in front on a big story like this, and you stand behind your source who claim is never wrong, then that “source” should lose his anonimity.

If Revis doesnt sign by Saturday, for one won’t be trusting Cowlishaw the next time he “breaks” a story and i’m sure i’m not the only one.

by Crackback on Aug 26, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Whattt!!!!! Fox News does not do what!!!!!???? Have you ever watched it, it should be called Faux News, they reported Gore winning and a ton of other bull. If you take too much stock on the speculations of other people then you are at fault here. It is the fault of the heartbroken to feel the way they do, you put your hopes and expectations on what-ifs and when they dont come true you get angry at them for not doing what you wanted them to do.
A bird in hand is worth more than two on the bush, if it is not confirmed as fact dont believe it, wait and see and if it is wrong then you havent lost anything.
He said that he should sign by ____ date, not that he absolutly would. He should haven’t even begun a holdout, blame Revis for starting the whole thing. He could have gone the professional way but nooo he had to go the little bitch diva way. I could almost hear the tantrums he is throwing. I want my money, I am going to hold my breath until you give me what I want, wa, wa, wa.
Tell your boy revis to grow some balls and man up.

Jets green since 1997

by mousie on Aug 26, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Please...

Fox News is the worst news ever. They “Lie” about EVERYTHING! Or at least skew the truth. Bunch of bigots.

GANG GREEN ALL DAY!
You see, it's not about how you won the game, it's about how you played the game.... there's a difference.

by King A! on Aug 26, 2010 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Right on

The media can make sh!t up and then hide behind freadom of speach. It’s BS.

by Crawdady on Aug 26, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

There is a huge difference between making stuff up, and having some information that is usually reliable not come through for you.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Not enough data

David for you to not blame him or for Crackback to blame him. The extremes of what could have happened don’t allow for any reasonable conclusion. He states we would understand if we knew the whole story – maybe we would and maybe we wouldn’t. If you remember another famous tweet was from Revis’ buddy/manager that basically stated that good news was coming imminently, and that was months ago. If he relied on that idiot, I would not understand his confidence level.

I do agree with Crackback that a writer has more responsibility, when their story doesn’t pan out, to explain why it didn’t pan out. And, depending on the circumstances such as when the story is fabricated, it may even call for revealing the source.

by 96 Tears on Aug 26, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Why would you reveal a source, if someone is right 20 times and wrong once….you’re not revealing that source. Why would I blame him? he had someone he trusted (that’s what he said) and so far it just hasn’t come up true….that’s the way it works. He went with someone he trusts and who hadn’t been wrong in the past (any journalist/writer would) and this time it’s not come through, at least not yet. I’ve been wrong, I’ve given people information from people I trust that has turned out not to come to fruition. People are wrong, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever use them or even have to explain. It’s the way the sports media world works, and that’s “enough data” for me to not blame him. His source could be 50/50 in his past dealings and I still wouldn’t blame him if he got it wrong.

People angry at the situation look for someone to be angry to, and especially the Revis backers who will blame everyone for this situation apart from Revis himself of course.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I told you why I would reveal a source – if the source fabricated a story. If you wouldn’t, that’s fine but my feeling is shielding a source is based on two way trust and if the source breaks that trust they don’t deserve protection. BTW, I’m not angry with the situation regarding the tweet at all. I understand until it’s reported by the Jets any reports by others are subject to correction.

by 96 Tears on Aug 26, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

People are wrong, if this source had a history of fabricating stories and getting information wrong then Cowlishaw would not have used him. His trust came from the fact this source had never gotten an item of information wrong. It’s one case v a lot of other good information, if you would oust your source based on one mistake then I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have many sources left, and thus wouldn’t be able to break any stories at all.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously.

That would be great practice by reporters. Everytime you get a little upset, just reveal another source. We would have literally no sports writers left with any news within like a week.

by dookiehead on Aug 26, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I respect Cowlishaw for admitting this.

But I know he must have a damn good reason for believing his source. And he also cannot be considered completely wrong until Saturday passes.

by umohan21 on Aug 26, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I thought we had till the weekend on this.

by cult hero on Aug 26, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Very true, he does still have until the weekend. Cowlishaw doesn’t have a history of making claims and getting them wrong. He doesn’t need any extra publicity, everyone already knows him from ESPN. If it doesn’t come through it’s just one bit of bad information. Not going to hold it against the guy,

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

if you reveal a source no one will ever tell you anything in confidence. You wouldn’t be an effective sports writer if no one will give you an exclusive or a scoop.

by george JETson on Aug 27, 2010 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions

At least he admitted his mistake

Most people wouldn’t even do that.

"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra

by KSJ49 on Aug 26, 2010 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

So basically those people in Pittsburgh and KDKA

were blowing a lot of hot air? Just smoke and mirrors? WTF?

I don’t get it. This is beyond pissing me off now.

by umohan21 on Aug 26, 2010 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

There has to be some truth to it, because it’s come from too many places. I expect it to be resolved within days.

Buster Posey: Let's enjoy him before he goes to the Yankees.

by rxmeister on Aug 26, 2010 2:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yea I would hold off till after the w/e to pass judgement on anyone reporting stuff at this point. There is definitely smoke, whether that turns into a full blown fire has yet to be seen.

by Judgegavel on Aug 26, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

None of this bothers me in the slightest.

When this thing first broke I looked for every other expalnation possible. Of course I wanted him to be right but I placed no faith in him or his “source” what-so-ever. In my mind, a beat reporter from dallas WHO DOES NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF BREAKING STORIES should not have been given so much trust in this matter. I suppose you could blame our desperate feelings. I was however heavily influenced by all the other reports that were being released in the last few days. I dont know about you but I think thats where I began to get frustrated.
A word of advise to everybody:
Do yourselves a favor and do not look to this thing being worked out by this weekend. Don’t bother torturing yourself.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with colin

I wanted him signed as well. it’ll get done…..maybe he just wants to sit out the pre season.ala Brett Favre. He’ll be there opening day and that’s all I care about.

by leafs71 on Aug 26, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Why are people attacking one guy when the news broke from different places and others “confirmed” it? So Revis has not signed for $12 mil a year, who’s fault is that? The Jets for making a reasonable offer or a Diva for demanding exhorbitant amouts of money?
Revis is little boy that listens too much to other’s opinions and demands more than he should get. It’s like a kid at the store crying because his mom didn’t let him get more candy and toys.
This guy heard somewhere that Revis was close to signing and he thought gee Jets fans would love to hear this. He told us something that made us happy was going to happen but it didn’t. Welcome to the world children, that happens allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the time. But I bet you guys, that hate Cowlishaw because of this, still believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny. Oh yeah and polititians care about the people and actually make good on their promises.

Jets green since 1997

by mousie on Aug 26, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

You know what? In a less agressive way I actually agree with you. lol
We all wanted to believe that this guy was telling the truth. But Im not about to jump off rooftops in outrage because he was wrong. I just didnt place enough stock in what the guy was saying to take it too serious. Thats all. No big deal.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Btw. Is anybody watching the Pats and Rams?

Sammy boy is for real. The kid can wing it.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Nope watching the Colts/Packers, and trying to see if we can beat these guys…..coverage doesn’t seem to matter, pressure, pressure, pressure are the keys!!

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

And brady is so afraid of players falling at his knees. I wish you guys could see him doing his fappy feet dance. too funny.

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Well he doesn’t need to be afraid, if someone dare touch him they’ll get chucked from the game.

Bob Sanders looks like he’s back.

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

bradfords numbers

11-15 143 yards, 2 tds with 2 min left in the half. He’s looking off his WRs, Pump faking, and giving me quarterback envy. lol

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

He's got the two min drill goin.

If this kid scores again before the half I wanna trade him for Revis. jk lol

by colinyoung on Aug 26, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

The only issue I have with him is his injury history, also with it being pre-season you just never know. Then again I haven’t seen him, so can’t really comment lol

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by David_Wyatt on Aug 26, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions