ND's Talking Heads ... The good, bad & ugly

[dublinirish]

I believe Staples was a walk-on/scout team guy for a year or two at Florida. Agree he's one of the best out there. Sounds like he's staying in the business just going to a different publication or something.

he said where he's going you'd need a subscription to consume his content but you wouldnt have to pay for it.

 

[dublinirish]

Not going to lie really going to miss him at the athletic. His podcasts were getting really good. Thought he and ari were annoying at first, but they really covered all of the things going on in college football.

Ari is the only national guy with a bit of self awareness and socially capable. Guys like Mandel are dorky and awkward IMO

 

[NDohio]

Ari is the only national guy with a bit of self awareness and socially capable. Guys like Mandel are dorky and awkward IMO

Not going to lie really going to miss him at the athletic. His podcasts were getting really good. Thought he and ari were annoying at first, but they really covered all of the things going on in college football.

I feel just the opposite of Ari being socially capable. He seems so infatuated with his own thoughts and the idea of being extremely wealthy someday that it permeates through in everything he says.

Actually pretty excited about Andy moving on and starting something new. I like Andy on his own, not a fan of him and Ari together.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I know it's the summer offseason and all but does Sampson's output for The Athletic seem to be dropping off? They haven't put out a podcast in two months and it seems like Pete hasn't put out a real long form article in a long time. Today's piece seems like something thrown together from stuff he might have written years ago.

Perhaps I just have my antenna up because Staples left The Athletic for an undisclosed destination.

 

[stlnd01]

I know it's the summer offseason and all but does Sampson's output for The Athletic seem to be dropping off? They haven't put out a podcast in two months and it seems like Pete hasn't put out a real long form article in a long time. Today's piece seems like something thrown together from stuff he might have written years ago.

Perhaps I just have my antenna up because Staples left The Athletic for an undisclosed destination.

We were talking about this other day. Fortuna has been on paternity leave or something, which is probably why no podcasts. Solo podcasts are boring. And really there's not a ton to write about this time of year, aside from maybe recruiting which is not really The Athletic's game. Students/the team aren't even on campus right now, right?
I would guess this is when a guy like him takes vacation time and maybe actually reports longer-term features that'll roll out when the season gets closer.

 

[dublinirish]

I know it's the summer offseason and all but does Sampson's output for The Athletic seem to be dropping off? They haven't put out a podcast in two months and it seems like Pete hasn't put out a real long form article in a long time. Today's piece seems like something thrown together from stuff he might have written years ago.

Perhaps I just have my antenna up because Staples left The Athletic for an undisclosed destination.

Fortuna is on parental leave hence no podcasts

 

[IA4irish]

We were talking about this other day. Fortuna has been on paternity leave or something, which is probably why no podcasts. Solo podcasts are boring. And really there's not a ton to write about this time of year, aside from maybe recruiting which is not really The Athletic's game. Students/the team aren't even on campus right now, right?
I would guess this is when a guy like him takes vacation time and maybe actually reports longer-term features that'll roll out when the season gets closer.

I agree with all of the above, but I still feel like his production has been weirdly low. He couldn’t even come up with an article on all of the visits scheduled for June?

With Staples leaving I feel like their coverage is going to slip. Do I really want a subscription for Stew Mandel?

 

[dublinirish]

I agree with all of the above, but I still feel like his production has been weirdly low. He couldn’t even come up with an article on all of the visits scheduled for June?

With Staples leaving I feel like their coverage is going to slip. Do I really want a subscription for Stew Mandel?

they are actively trying to reduce overheads so they have let go/cut a ton of writers/positions. Seem to focusing more on the teams with the biggest followings (blue blood CFB and NFL) and caring less about minority sports and lower level CFB

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Fortuna is on parental leave hence no podcasts

That's kind of getting a "Prince Kollie had a class conflict" vibe. Fortuna's last podcast was February 3rd - four months ago. Pete did three episodes without him in April (with guest hosts) but hasn't put any podcasts out for The Athletic in about six weeks.

By itself that wouldn't necessarily have me wondering but Pete's articles have been very bare bones as well. And then there's everything else going on with The Athletic.

 

[dublinirish]

That's kind of getting a "Prince Kollie had a class conflict" vibe. Fortuna's last podcast was February 3rd - four months ago. Pete did three episodes without him in April (with guest hosts) but hasn't put any podcasts out for The Athletic in about six weeks.

By itself that wouldn't necessarily have me wondering but Pete's articles have been very bare bones as well. And then there's everything else going on with The Athletic.

its definitely a sinking ship.

 

[stlnd01]

they are actively trying to reduce overheads so they have let go/cut a ton of writers/positions. Seem to focusing more on the teams with the biggest followings (blue blood CFB and NFL) and caring less about minority sports and lower level CFB

How many CFB writers have they let go? I know about the Va. Tech guy b/c Va. Tech fans always complain about it in the comments of ND stories that mention Va. Tech. But who else?

I would think college football would be a strong spot that they'd invest in, because college football fans are pretty intense (i.e. more likely to buy a subscription) there's relatively less competition for eyeballs than, say, the NFL or NBA where lots of other outlets are pretty deeply invested.

Either way I really don't see them dropping Notre Dame. And if they're going to cover Notre Dame, Sampson is the best guy for them.

 

[dublinirish]

How many CFB writers have they let go? I know about the Va. Tech guy b/c Va. Tech fans always complain about it in the comments of ND stories that mention Va. Tech. But who else?

I would think college football would be a strong spot that they'd invest in, because college football fans are pretty intense (i.e. more likely to buy a subscription) there's relatively less competition for eyeballs than, say, the NFL or NBA where lots of other outlets are pretty deeply invested.

Either way I really don't see them dropping Notre Dame. And if they're going to cover Notre Dame, Sampson is the best guy for them.

They cut the UWashington guy too and then reassigned a bunch from CFB to NFL and then in instances where writers have left, they havent been replaced (Oklahoma)

 

[stlnd01]

They cut the UWashington guy too and then reassigned a bunch from CFB to NFL and then in instances where writers have left, they havent been replaced (Oklahoma)

They don't have an Oklahoma writer? Yeesh.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The Athletic's concept was to create separate spaces for each team and (after burning through VC money) let them fail or succeed on their own. They seem to be entering that phase now. ND isn't going anywhere, I'm sure, but the disintegration of the CFB beats is going to have a negative effect on the rest of the CFB coverage.

It sucks because I want professional, quality work to succeed but I'm just not sure it can in the current media landscape.

 

[dublinirish]

They don't have an Oklahoma writer? Yeesh.

or Texas!

 

[stlnd01]

The Athletic's concept was to create separate spaces for each team and (after burning through VC money) let them fail or succeed on their own. They seem to be entering that phase now. ND isn't going anywhere, I'm sure, but the disintegration of the CFB beats is going to have a negative effect on the rest of the CFB coverage.

It sucks because I want professional, quality work to succeed but I'm just not sure it can in the current media landscape.

Also they're now owned by the New York Times, which should bring a measure of stability (good) but may also swing them toward more national coverage - which would appeal to the NYT's national readership - and away from team-specific beats, which are obviously more niche.
It's also unfortunate (predictable, but unfortunate) that they hired SO MANY experienced sportswriters away from local papers - particularly to cover pro teams. If they're scaling back and those jobs start to go away, they'll leave a lot of holes.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I think Pete is ready to go back II - he never even really left. Not to mention Prister won't go on forever (heart/age).

 

[arrowryan]

I think Pete is ready to go back II - he never even really left. Not to mention Prister won't go on forever (heart/age).

This is where I am at too. He is on almost every II pod.

 

[Reaper97]

One thing that is annoying that someone posted on the IB board a year ago & it was deleted, is the “Gap Closer” crap Driskell is always saying, wearing & saying ND is doing.

A kid who is a 4 Star commits. Cool. But then Driskell does an entire show wearing his Gap Closer outfit & saying ND closed the gap in recruiting.
How so?
He, himself, says Bama, UGA & OSU are the ones ND has to close the gap on, yet they will sign a 5 Star kid, who Driskell himself thinks is a better player, than the kid ND signed, yet he spouts off the ND kid is a gap closer.

If I shave 2 seconds off my mile time, buy my competitors shave 3 seconds off, I didn’t close the gap, it in fact got wider.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

One thing that is annoying that someone posted on the IB board a year ago & it was deleted, is the “Gap Closer” crap Driskell is always saying, wearing & saying ND is doing.

A kid who is a 4 Star commits. Cool. But then Driskell does an entire show wearing his Gap Closer outfit & saying ND closed the gap in recruiting.
How so?
He, himself, says Bama, UGA & OSU are the ones ND has to close the gap on, yet they will sign a 5 Star kid, who Driskell himself thinks is a better player, than the kid ND signed, yet he spouts off the ND kid is a gap closer.

If I shave 2 seconds off my mile time, buy my competitors shave 3 seconds off, I didn’t close the gap, it in fact got wider.

I think he just wants to sell merch

 

[IA4irish]

One thing that is annoying that someone posted on the IB board a year ago & it was deleted, is the “Gap Closer” crap Driskell is always saying, wearing & saying ND is doing.

A kid who is a 4 Star commits. Cool. But then Driskell does an entire show wearing his Gap Closer outfit & saying ND closed the gap in recruiting.
How so?
He, himself, says Bama, UGA & OSU are the ones ND has to close the gap on, yet they will sign a 5 Star kid, who Driskell himself thinks is a better player, than the kid ND signed, yet he spouts off the ND kid is a gap closer.

If I shave 2 seconds off my mile time, buy my competitors shave 3 seconds off, I didn’t close the gap, it in fact got wider.

We get it. Driskell is a d bag. Why even follow him?

 

[irishnd31]

Exactly. It’s just branding. The phrase is annoying for several reasons, but that’s what he rolled with.

Many phrases are annoying……
Especially from the IE dirty diaper clan.

 

[IrishInMIA]

Bryan Driskell is insightful, thoughtful, and a big huge football nerd and I love it. One of the best networks covering ND from this angle of recruiting and prognosticating. And that team has enormous work ethic with so much free content and real leads on developing news from inside sources. It’s crazy how often we see anti-IB posts on these sites.

 

[Reaper97]

We get it. Driskell is a d bag. Why even follow him?

I can separate the football insight from the other crap.
There are things I think IB are much better at than the other sites, that’s why I still follow them.

 

[Reaper97]

Bryan Driskell is insightful, thoughtful, and a big huge football nerd and I love it. One of the best networks covering ND from this angle of recruiting and prognosticating. And that team has enormous work ethic with so much free content and real leads on developing news from inside sources. It’s crazy how often we see anti-IB posts on these sites.

You obviously haven’t read many of my posts.
People on here actually call me Driskell because I defend IB so much.
I can separate the football stuff from the other stuff.
I think Ryan Roberts is awesome & Dridkell analyzes & breaks down football & recruits better than most. But there are also other things he does that are annoying.
Both can be true.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Bryan Driskell is insightful, thoughtful, and a big huge football nerd and I love it. One of the best networks covering ND from this angle of recruiting and prognosticating. And that team has enormous work ethic with so much free content and real leads on developing news from inside sources. It’s crazy how often we see anti-IB posts on these sites.

You can see the faults in a person but still appreciate them in another way.

Problem with Driskell is that he puts out TOO much content. He overworks himself, says to my opinions that alter over time, and is always on the defensive.

Doing 3 three hour shows every week is no bueno. II does a one hour podcast once a week, twice during the season, and Singer has his show twice a week. Both only do one hour.

 

[pumpdog20]

Bryan Driskell is insightful, thoughtful, and a big huge football nerd and I love it. One of the best networks covering ND from this angle of recruiting and prognosticating. And that team has enormous work ethic with so much free content and real leads on developing news from inside sources. It’s crazy how often we see anti-IB posts on these sites.

I agree with most of this, but any "network" that has MZ in it gets dragged down the hypothetical rankings in my eyes.

 

[Irishdrunk]

For all his so-called knowledge, Driskell screws himself up by being too much of an ND Homer. He honestly thought last season Freeman would ND as a Title contender w only a possible lose at The Shoe. He never took into account Freeman’s lack of experience. He so hated BK and gave Freeman unearned credit too much. I suppose last season was a day dream burst for Driskell.

He also consistently overstate the upside of the lesser ND recruits.

In short he has a hard time being objective.

ND has not closed the Gap in recruiting - that is a false narrative.

 

[IrishInMIA]

I agree with most of this, but any "network" that has MZ in it gets dragged down the hypothetical rankings in my eyes.

Lol. I wish he would try harder.

 

[IrishInMIA]

You obviously haven’t read many of my posts.
People on here actually call me Driskell because I defend IB so much.
I can separate the football stuff from the other stuff.
I think Ryan Roberts is awesome & Dridkell analyzes & breaks down football & recruits better than most. But there are also other things he does that are annoying.
Both can be true.

100% correct.