COWLISHAW ISSUES MEA CULPA

[Klecko73isGod]

It's extremely rare for a sportswriter to admit they were wrong. I have a lot more respect for this guy than I did before.

http://timcowlishawblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/revis-news-life-on-cowlishaw-i.html

One way or another, Darrelle Revis will be a Jet

Posted at 7:38 AM on Thu., Aug. 26, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz

Tim Cowlishaw / Columnist E-mail News tips

"Revis and Jets announce new deal probably Wednesday. You heard it here first. Inside information!"

If I could take those 15 words I sent out into the Twitter world Sunday afternoon, if I could take a do-over on the matter of Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets, I would type:

"I think Revis and Jets get contract done sooner rather than later -- probably this week, maybe even Wednesday."

The words "I think'' would have gone a long way towards expressing my feelings although on Sunday I felt them very strongly and wasn't worried about being wrong. This deal, I truly believed, was almost done.

But it didn't get done Wednesday -- as you Jets fans know by now -- and I can't say for sure where it stands for this weekend. I have only a partial understanding of why what I honestly believed was about to take place failed to do so.

But why and how things unraveled doesn't matter. 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.

So what happened in this case is irrelevant. It's on me.

I didn't go about it with any real thoughts that I could be wrong. If you knew my source and the information I had, I think you would understand that.

And I certainly didn't do it to stir things up, to make life miserable for Jets beat writers or to call attention to myself. My position as a columnist at The Dallas Morning News and on ESPN's Around the Horn has given me more attention than I will ever need.

I think when this is over and Revis has come to terms with the Jets, I may be able to figure out why it didn't happen as it was presented to me. I'm not sure about that, but I think I will.

In the meantime, there are degress of "wrongness'' in this business, and I'm glad only that I wasn't at the worst end of that. The people who actually fabricate quotes, events, stories, sources -- Scott Templeton for any of you that watched Season 5 of The Wire -- they are at the extreme end.

Somewhere after that come the mistakes of telling readers inaccurate information as to where a player is headed. If you write that Cliff Lee is about to become a Yankee and he becomes a Ranger, well, you can fall back and say, "but I had good sources and things changed..."

Doesn't matter. It never happened.

In Revis' case, he isn't going to sign with a rival like the Giants or the Patriots. This story is not going to have that unhappy of an ending for Jets fans. One way or another, new long-term megadeal like a Pittsburgh radio station reported Tuesday, or same old deal he already has in place, Revis is going to be a Jet.

We just don't know the date.

It could still turn out to be this Saturday which is what I was originally told ("Wednesday or Saturday").

And if it happens....I won't bring it up.

[jussssstme]

Seems to me <please please please> that he still thinks something will be done soon, maybe even by Saturday.

[JerryK]

If they had agreed on (any) Wednesday, HBO doesn't have time to collect/edit footage before it hits the newswire.

Do Saturday, and the story will be fresh next Wed, with HBO having plenty of edited dramatic footage. Call hbo now to subscribe! 1-800-we-are-all-sheep

[Integrity28]

I wonder if Ham will ban him.

[THE ILK]

Can we start a Rumor: Colishaw's wrong thread?

[sirlancemehlot]

Can we start a Rumor: Colishaw's wrong thread?

Sounds to me like Revis' agent planted the story on Cowlishaw in order to get the Jets (and their fanbase) fired up again about getting his client signed. The longer the holdout goes on the less interested we become in the "revis Situation", paricularly with a media gag-order, Hard Knocks, and the regular season getting closer and more media-relevent by the day.

[LWC611]

It's extremely rare for a sportswriter to admit they were wrong.

http://timcowlishawblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/revis-news-life-on-cowlishaw-i.html

+1 I coommend him for his honesty.

[JiFtheOracle]

But, but, but, he's putting himself so far out there. His whole reputation is on the line. He's going to get kicked out of broadcasting for making this prediction. His career will be over if its a lie.

[Matt39]

But, but, but, he's putting himself so far out there. His whole reputation is on the line. He's going to get kicked out of broadcasting for making this prediction. His career will be over if its a lie.

The problem was, his initial tweet wasnt a prediction....he was telling us it was done.

He doesnt have any reason to apologize...it's just clear he didn't have any sources. But hey, I'm following him on twitter now...Colishaw wins by default.

[NIGHT STALKER]

I don't respect any of these clowns in the media. This unwritten law about not disclosing their so called "sources" is plain BS. Unless it affects national security, put it out there.

You got an entire fan base all worked up in a frenzy over what? A yes, no or maybe?

[Vudu]

Cowlishaw is a dick. **** him and his half assed mea culpa.

He gets no brownie points for apologizing. he got an entire fan base worked up over questionable info.

[jgb]

welcome to the offseason. i'm not mad about a reporter reporting on a rumor. if cowlishaw did anything wrong he didn't hedge it enough but that would've been mocked as him being wishy-washy as was his "wed or sat" mini-hedge.

[joewilly]

Cowlishaw is a dick. **** him and his half assed mea culpa.

He gets no brownie points for apologizing. he got an entire fan base worked up over questionable info.

I'm ok with it. I liked getting worked up. not seein DLJ in a bikini worked up but worked up nonetheless.

It certainly was better than hearing nothing all week in my opinion.

[war ensemble]

I don't respect any of these clowns in the media. This unwritten law about not disclosing their so called "sources" is plain BS. Unless it affects national security, put it out there.

If you disclose the source, the source will never come back to you. The whole point of not saying who the source is is to make sure he can get more info after the fact. You end up with no scoops if you reveal your sources...

[Guest Oxoboxo]

I wonder if Ham will ban him.

Probably.

Ham is gay.

[lamont_jordan_rules]

I'm ok with it. I liked getting worked up.

It certainly was better than hearing nothing all week in my opinion.

+ 1

(not sure who DLJ is so edited that out )

l_j_r

[tstevens403]

It's extremely rare for a sportswriter to admit they were wrong. I have a lot more respect for this guy than I did before.

wait, wait... you have MORE respect for him for using the media to market himself?

[Darrellegivesmeaboner#24]

Am I a sucker if I do not believe that this whole this was a farce? I still believe that a respected journalist such as Cowlishaw was not going on simply nothing; and now that he has received such backlash from the whole thing, I can understand why he is softening his stance. It is just difficult to fully understand what is happening with this complete media blackout, and I would not be surprised if this leak has actually slowed the tires on both sides. My gut feeling: Both sides are getting closer, but a deal isn't done just yet.

[Fishooked]

Eff that Dick Rickshaw or whatever his name is. EPIC FAIL

[Lil Bit Special]

If you disclose the source, the source will never come back to you. The whole point of not saying who the source is is to make sure he can get more info after the fact. You end up with no scoops if you reveal your sources...

but do we really "need" unnamed sources? That can lead to outright lies and made up quotes. I blame the media entities that allow anonymous sources for information. I'd rather wait to get the real story than some bullcrap story that only has half truths.

[war ensemble]

but do we really "need" unnamed sources? That can lead to outright lies and made up quotes. I blame the media entities that allow anonymous sources for information. I'd rather wait to get the real story than some bullcrap story that only has half truths.

In today's age of immediate news updates via Twitter, RSS feeds, etc. people want information ASAP. They would rather take a chance on some person's "source" over waiting for the real thing...otherwise, nobody in the news would try to break stories early. A source also just gives the reporter something to hide behind, although Cowlishaw's trying not to do that.

[Lil Bit Special]

In today's age of immediate news updates via Twitter, RSS feeds, etc. people want information ASAP. They would rather take a chance on some person's "source" over waiting for the real thing...otherwise, nobody in the news would try to break stories early. A source also just gives the reporter something to hide behind, although Cowlishaw's trying not to do that.

And right there is the problem. People want info ASAP even if its wrong and then throw a fit when it is proven wrong. And the media is just a bunch of whores for $$$, so they dont care if their info is right or not. And the reporters are lazy and can blame their sources if things dont pan out. Whether Revis signs today, tomorrow, or Sept 1st, it doesnt matter. It also doesnt matter who breaks it first. When its done, its done. Why rush and have all these wasted posts and twitters about whether he signed by Wed night or not. The whole thing is just stupid.

We're all to blame. And it sucks.

[war ensemble]

And right there is the problem. People want info ASAP even if its wrong and then throw a fit when it is proven wrong. And the media is just a bunch of whores for $$$, so they dont care if their info is right or not. And the reporters are lazy and can blame their sources if things dont pan out. Whether Revis signs today, tomorrow, or Sept 1st, it doesnt matter. It also doesnt matter who breaks it first. When its done, its done. Why rush and have all these wasted posts and twitters about whether he signed by Wed night or not. The whole thing is just stupid.

We're all to blame. And it sucks.

POTW!

[NIGHT STALKER]

If you disclose the source, the source will never come back to you. The whole point of not saying who the source is is to make sure he can get more info after the fact. You end up with no scoops if you reveal your sources...

I know what the purpose of "sources" are...point is, with this particular source like this Cole Slaw has regarding this fiasco, who needs 'em...

[jgb]

And right there is the problem. People want info ASAP even if its wrong and then throw a fit when it is proven wrong. And the media is just a bunch of whores for $$$, so they dont care if their info is right or not. And the reporters are lazy and can blame their sources if things dont pan out. Whether Revis signs today, tomorrow, or Sept 1st, it doesnt matter. It also doesnt matter who breaks it first. When its done, its done. Why rush and have all these wasted posts and twitters about whether he signed by Wed night or not. The whole thing is just stupid.

We're all to blame. And it sucks.

god i love the "everyone is just doing it for money" argument.

if the farmer wasn't "greedy" we would starve.

if the car makers weren't "greedy" we would have to walk everywhere.

if you weren't "greedy" you go tell your boss you'll take a paycut.

of course the media does it just for the money - i go to work every day for money, too.

[THE ILK]

Sounds to me like Revis' agent planted the story on Cowlishaw in order to get the Jets (and their fanbase) fired up again about getting his client signed. The longer the holdout goes on the less interested we become in the "revis Situation", paricularly with a media gag-order, Hard Knocks, and the regular season getting closer and more media-relevent by the day.

Sounds to me like Revis' agent planted the story too, the numbers were ridiculous!

[JiFtheOracle]

And right there is the problem. People want info ASAP even if its wrong and then throw a fit when it is proven wrong. And the media is just a bunch of whores for $$$, so they dont care if their info is right or not. And the reporters are lazy and can blame their sources if things dont pan out. Whether Revis signs today, tomorrow, or Sept 1st, it doesnt matter. It also doesnt matter who breaks it first. When its done, its done. Why rush and have all these wasted posts and twitters about whether he signed by Wed night or not. The whole thing is just stupid.

We're all to blame. And it sucks.

But his career is over now. He reported a false report. He's never going to show his face in sports broadcasting again.

I hear he's contacting the home and garden network and the weather channel.

[Lil Bit Special]

god i love the "everyone is just doing it for money" argument.

if the farmer wasn't "greedy" we would starve.

if the car makers weren't "greedy" we would have to walk everywhere.

if you weren't "greedy" you go tell your boss you'll take a paycut.

of course the media does it just for the money - i go to work every day for money, too.

At one time the media was about reporting news and getting the story right. And it was about money then too. Over time, the search for truth disappeared so they could be the first ones with "news" so they could sell they were the best and make even more money. The truth faded away in the search for more money. And we're left with the mess we see now.

I'd rather have a company do something right and make money, rather than do something half-assed for an attempt to make even more. Toyota did it. Our huge agri-companies are doing it to us. The media isnt the only one who sold its soul to get more money. Every company has.

[Lil Bit Special]

But his career is over now. He reported a false report. He's never going to show his face in sports broadcasting again.

I hear he's contacting the home and garden network and the weather channel.

???

Im sorry, I dont understand what point youre making.

[JiFtheOracle]

???

Im sorry, I dont understand what point youre making.

I'm mocking everyone that was saying how this was going to ruin Coleslaw's career if he was wrong.

People were acting like he was going to be run out of sports and never invited back on ATH. I astutely pointed out that nothing would change in Coleslaw's life if he was wrong and people thought I was crazy.

I'm being a prick. Cant you let me enjoy being right for once in my life.

[Lil Bit Special]

I'm mocking everyone that was saying how this was going to ruin Coleslaw's career if he was wrong.

People were acting like he was going to be run out of sports and never invited back on ATH. I astutely pointed out that nothing would change in Coleslaw's life if he was wrong and people thought I was crazy.

I'm being a prick. Cant you let me enjoy being right for once in my life.

SURE! I just didnt know what you were getting at. I grow bored of these threads pretty quickly. Rehashing the same sh!t over and over and over and over and over for 18 f#cking pages about a f#cking tweet. Ugh.

[THE ILK]

I'm mocking everyone that was saying how this was going to ruin Coleslaw's career if he was wrong.

People were acting like he was going to be run out of sports and never invited back on ATH. I astutely pointed out that nothing would change in Coleslaw's life if he was wrong and people thought I was crazy.

I'm being a prick. Cant you let me enjoy being right for once in my life.

But something did change, he's known as Coleslaw now.

[THE ILK]

SURE! I just didnt know what you were getting at. I grow bored of these threads pretty quickly. Rehashing the same sh!t over and over and over and over and over for 18 f#cking pages about a f#cking tweet. Ugh.

******* is not censored.

[NJ]

I wonder if Ham will ban him.

Already did, right after the original Tweet. Outscooping Scoop.

[Bruce Banner]

but do we really "need" unnamed sources? That can lead to outright lies and made up quotes. I blame the media entities that allow anonymous sources for information. I'd rather wait to get the real story than some bullcrap story that only has half truths.

+!

I've said this before, anonymous sources have their place when journalists are covering politics. Some guy who knows the truth but is afraid of getting fired might tell a journalist about some political wrong doing but it has to be anonymous. But in sports anonymous sources are just cowards who want to put down people without being man enough to put their name to it.