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Illegal Contact: NFL Bans Zebras From Social Media

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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The league issued an updated social media policy yesterday. These are the main points:

  • No electronic devices on the sideline, in the locker room or in the coaches’ booth
  • No social media use starting 90 minutes before the game until after the media interviews
  • Social media can be used by players and coaches on other moments
  • Game officials and members of the officiating department may not use social media at any time

The first three points seem reasonable to me, but that last point really bugs me. The rules are one of the most complex parts of the game. Of course I don’t expect officials to use social media during the game or within the timeframe that players and coaches can’t use social media, but outside of the games, it can be an interesting experience for fans.

The segment “Official Review” on NFL Network where Mike Pereira, the NFL’s VP of Officiating, explains more about the rules and certain calls is one of my favorite segments.

I can understand that the league wants to protect its officials. The social media hate would tremendous in a situation like Hochuli had last year. But it can also work the other way around by creating more empathy for the difficult task these men have to perform every week.

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How High Can You Punt And How Broken Is Your Shoulder?

August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Couple of updates on Dallas:

The first relates to the video screen at the new Cowboys stadium. The NFL has ruled that it doesn’t have to be moved but that a re-punt needs to take place when the screen is hit.

Doesn’t sound very logical to me, but we’ll see how this goes.

The second update is on WR Roy Williams. He hurt his shoulder during practice on Wednesday. There were reports on a broken collarbone, but according to the Dallas Morning News, x-rays were negative.

This is another story that will get more clarity over time. For now, stay away from taking Williams too early in fantasy drafts. I’d recommend you take him in late round 5 and preferably later. Even if the shoulder injury is minor, it can still play up over the course of the season.

Keep an eye on Sam Hurd late in the draft if you draft Williams.

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Marshall Law

August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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The Denver Broncos have suspended Brandon Marshall for the preseason for “conduct detrimental to the team”. Earlier, ABC showed a video of Marshall acting childishly during practice drills.

This is bad for both the Broncos and Marshall. I don’t know if Marshall realizes that his lack of professionalism displayed on tape will turn off teams even more (if they were interested in him).

Furthermore, he admitted to not knowing the playbook which also puts his work ethic into question.

The story will unquestionably be continued but Marshall has not helped himself here and you won’t be helping yourself either by taking a too early chance on him in fantasy drafts. I would recommend against drafting him before the 6th round.

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Keep Your Enemies Closer

August 25, 2009 By

Particularly in new media, marketing tactics aren’t always as proven and as successful. There is often a big difference in the tonality, the form and the audience of the content. Readers of a car blog aren’t necessarily the same type of people that read a car magazine, for example.

It’s always important to consider the value, the relevance and the timing of your message when marketing on the web. The danger in online marketing—especially with the advent of social media—is the backlash that can arise when a certain marketing effort is not to the audience’s liking.

Some companies will enter a confrontation with the audience, while other companies will ignore the audience. But either way, there’s a moment of contact that you can seize. The amount of backlash you receive is the result of the influence of the starter. Wouldn’t you like to be able to make use of that influence to your advantage? There are more benefits to be gained in repairing any bridges that may be broken than to burn them down completely.

Understand the value of your messages to your audience. When things do go wrong, embrace the naysayers.

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Ex-Giant Burress pleads guilty in weapons case

August 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Link: Ex-Giant Burress pleads guilty in weapons case

Former New York Giant Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to a weapons charge and agreed to a two-year prison term for accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub.

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