D. Conner high on T. Boyle...

[Husky25]

What exactly do you mean. I have an issue with this twitter BS. Spits out 1 thought as a teaser and then what. Where do you go to elaborate or even see the rest of the thought? I am too old to figure this out, any help would be appreciated. Are there any Courant football articles anymore, piss poor coverage if you ask me and I have stated it before. I still chuckle as I see the side question on "are the linebackers fast enough from January 2 years ago".

Twitter is typically used as an avenue by which the writers inform their audience that a story is available. I think it is dirty pool to dismiss the medium that most journalists use and then claim that no information is being reported (you're not doing that, per se, but its in the ballpark).

Most writers link a tinyurl, as applicable at the end of their tweets that brings the reader directly to the story. Simply click on that link and it will bring up the article, if there is one. It helps to follow the writers (not just Desmond Conner, but Silver, Fuller, et al), but you can only follow them if you have an account. You can manually search but that takes forever in comparison. You are not obligated to tweet if you have an account (I have 23 over a 2.5 year period), but if you have a direct question, it is a way for many personable reporters to respond directly to you depending on their availability. For example, I got a response from a reporter within minutes of a tweet sent to him last week.

 

[jackl]

Twitter is typically used as an avenue by which the writers inform their audience that a story is available. I think it is dirty pool to dismiss the medium that most journalists use and then claim that no information is being reported (you're not doing that, per se, but its in the ballpark).

Most writers link a , as applicable at the end of their tweets that brings the reader directly to the story. Simply click on that link and it will bring up the article, if there is one. It helps to follow the writers (not just Desmond Conner, but Silver, Fuller, et al), but you can only follow them if you have an account. You can manually search but that takes forever in comparison. You are not obligated to tweet if you have an account (I have 23 over a 2.5 year period), but if you have a direct question, it is a way for many personable reporters to respond directly to you depending on their availability. For example, I got a response from a reporter within minutes of a tweet sent to him last week.

Thanks for the input, I'll see if I can step up and set up an account.

 

[junglehusky]

Also don't forget @theuconnblog has some new bloggers who recently took over for Andrew. More of a fan perspective, I don't think they get press credentials so wouldn't be able to ask PP a question, but they're be more likely to be critical. Here's a recent blog post by John Rook, I think he does a good job illustrating the fans' mindset in the preseason.

 

[CodyJ.]

This is really funny. Some fans complain about Des for not being critical enough of the program, thus being too pro-UConn. Others don't like that he went to Cuse (which happens to be one of the main schools for sports journalism along with Northwestern and Mizzou) and therefore he must have an anti-UConn bias. If the boneyard could decide which one it is, it would make things a lot easier.

Bottom line is he has a reputation for telling readers off and not doing very well reporting. He gives fans zero red meat and only reports injuries or arrests. When he does do another "story" it is about a kid that few people have interest in.

I think he could do a better job. Especially writing for what is suppposed to be CT's newspaper. And he ticks me off. so it

 

[CodyJ.]

I will say this though. It appears that he got it right with Boyle. he is the real deal... i think. I want to know more about this kid. how about a couple stories on him?

 

[Chin Diesel]

The problem I've had with Des's mancrush on certain players is that he doesn't back up why he thinks they should be playing more and he doesn't show us that he's asked questions to the coaches about it.

All we hear is that is looking good in practice or looks the part. We don't get technical info about route running, hands, blocking or anything else. He gives us an opinion and then gets defensive when challenged and he holds on to those opinions even when it's obvious his favorites aren't going to play.

I realize that reporters pinging coaches on individual players on the depth chart is similar to arguing balls and strikes. It gets you no where and only builds resentment on both sides.

But take WR's for example. We know Des always had high opinions of TJjr and Dwayne Difton. It's reasonable for him to ask "What are the receivers listed on the depth chart doing in practice that the other receivers aren't doing or need to get better at doing?".

Then he can

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

Since camp started I think Dez has done an ok job. There's been a ton of stuff lately.

Cue the stupid "what's good" comment from some squid on here, followed by 5 other idiots "liking" it.

 

[CTMike]

What's good?

 

[CTMike]

(Let's be honest there was 0% chance I could resist that once Matt posted what he did)

 

[uconnbill]

All I can say is that Boyle showed the best foot work of all the quarterbacks this weekend. Of course I am going by one practice which is a small example of what they have been doing the past couple of weeks.
As someone who say Boyle play five times in high school he has talent, the arm, good mobility, but does take chances at times and will make the forced pass.

 

[freescooter]

I think Des tends to try and pump up the local kids. clearly he did that with Tebucky Jones and he's done it in the past. So his reports on Boyle I take with a grain of salt . Partly that's playing to the local audience I think. That was clearly the case with Jones, Jr. Partly he only sees what he sees and hears what the coaches tell him. It isn't like he is at practice every day. He goes to an open practice and X has a good, day, he writes about X. If X happens to be a local kid, he might well give him even more of a pump up than normal. If he hadn't been hurt, I fully expect that by Opening day, McQuillan would have been Gronk's equal.

 

[CTMike]

THC, thank you for completing my band of 5 merry idiots!

 

[whaler11]

What's good?

I would have liked but there are five and that was his call.

 

[whaler11]

Des seems like a good guy. I can't stand the religious stuff he sends on Twitter. I don't like how he proclaims his allegiance to Syracuse. I don't get his obsession with local players beyond what it means for people reading his stories. His skin is so thin I'm embarrassed for him at times.

I could get beyond all of that if he did a better job.

The guy has the tools to be a good beat reporter but Silver eats his lunch. I will agree he's been a bit better this summer.