ESPN/NFLN analysts ordered not to spoil draft picks this year (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

THANK YOU!!!

Because they do the on-location television coverage for the draft, the analysts who work for ESPN and NFL Network will know in advance who's being taken in the 2013 NFL Draft. But this year, those folks aren't going to spoil the picks on Twitter.Instead, they will "speculate" on who might be chosen."Our fans have told us they would rather hear from the commissioner and I think it is a better TV show when we speculate and let the commissioner do it," ESPN NFL senior coordinating producer Seth Markman told Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. "It goes against a lot of our instincts as journalists and it's totally different than anything I deal with, but we feel like it is a win for the fans and our viewers." That "speculation" is a frustrating thing for me; it basically involves things like "could this be the first quarterback taken? Who knows!" before a quarterback is taken. I'd be curious to see how viewers feel about that type of "speculation" as well.But it won't be all "speculation" -- ESPN's Adam Schefter told the Sherman Report that he plans on revealing information about non-"standard" picks as they come along."I'm not going to report standard picks. If a team is sitting still at 15, I'm not going to tweet (that pick)," Schefter said. "In other words, mundane, run-of-the mill picks, leave alone. But if it's a quarterback or a bold move, have at it. ESPN places no restrictions on me (in that regard)."Keep in mind, we'll be publishing every pick of the draft, oftentimes ahead of the broadcast via the @eyeonnfl account. Be sure to follow that for up-to-the-second pick-by-pick news.Schefter says he was straight-up told by ESPN between the first and second rounds of the draft last year that "we don't want you reporting on any picks" before they happen. And Schefter sounded somewhat frustrated in a quote about the NFL asking ESPN to reign it in."I am almost certain -- not to put words in someone's mouth -- that the NFL has spoken to ESPN and ESPN has told me to be more selective about what I'm tweeting in advance," Schefter said. "I am trying to be as considerate as possible and tweet everything we're getting, but I am going to tweet the headline-making items."It's a tough line to walk. You want to maximize the experience for people watching at home, but you also don't want to look like you're behind the eight-ball when it comes to knowing the picks.Maybe I'm off and Schefter isn't frustrated by being roped in; but I wouldn't blame him at all if he was. If you don't want to find out who teams are picking and what moves they might be making, you should probably stay off Twitter or unfollow people who deliver the NFL's breaking news.

It boggles the mind that some people don't understand that there is drama in hearing the commissioner announce the pick live.

Regarding the bolded quote above... we get it, Adam. You're an insider. Have a cookie.

 

[flranger]

Nothing worse than hearing rat face Berman "guessing" the picks and pretending to be a genius when he gets it right again. I get this is a twitter thing, but I don't follow anyways. I just hate hearing the announcers spoiling it 15 seconds before the pick. I mean geesh, shut your piehole.

 

[Raider Nation]

Nothing worse than hearing rat face Berman "guessing" the picks and pretending to be a genius when he gets it right again. I get this is a twitter thing, but I don't follow anyways. I just hate hearing the announcers spoiling it 15 seconds before the pick. I mean geesh, shut your piehole.

Even if you avoid Twitter, people in the official draft thread let us know what THEY just read on Twitter. I enjoy interacting with everyone else on the board during the draft, but it became unbearably annoying with everyone tipping the picks.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Yeah, I like Shefty, but he has to let this go. Draft day is sacrosanct.

 

[mquinnjr]

I want to feel goosebumps right before Goodell announces that Andy Reid's first pick as Chiefs HC is Leon Sandcastle.

In all seriousness, much more entertaining without pick spoiling. Thanks for the heads up, RN.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Berman and his "funny little quips" about who is about to be picked sucks balls.

 

[grateful zed]

i kinda like the spoilage. this nfl thing is over hyped.

 

[cobalt_27]

i kinda like the spoilage. this nfl thing is over hyped.

Yeah, this over-hyped thing gets to me, too. They should stop broadcasting the draft because it's so unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Did schefters mom not hold him enough as a baby?

 

[KellysHeroes]

are they going to stop showing the kids on the phone talking to the team thats about to select them.

 

[Riversco]

The most entertaining thing to me is that video of Jets picks and their fans going nuts every time.

They should try expanding on that for one draft and ship in a section of fans for every team to get their reaction as the picks get made. Or maybe have a reporter on site at a local sports bar in each town to get the reaction.

 

[offdee]

Let's just say hypothetically that I wanted to know all picks as soon as possible in advance, but could only follow one source online....what would that be...Schefter's twitter or something else?

 

[RUSF18]

Let's just say hypothetically that I wanted to know all picks as soon as possible in advance, but could only follow one source online....what would that be...Schefter's twitter or something else?

Normally, yes, but not this year with ESPN prohibiting him from doing so. Maybe Jason La Canfora of CBS?

 

[coolnerd]

I just want the information. Nothing particular entertaining about goddell (or whoever) reading the name off the 3 by 5 card. Now players hugging goddell like he was thier long-lost uncle makes me chuckle.

 

[gandalas]

Nothing worse than hearing rat face Berman "guessing" the picks and pretending to be a genius when he gets it right again. I get this is a twitter thing, but I don't follow anyways. I just hate hearing the announcers spoiling it 15 seconds before the pick. I mean geesh, shut your piehole.

Even if you avoid Twitter, people in the official draft thread let us know what THEY just read on Twitter. I enjoy interacting with everyone else on the board during the draft, but it became unbearably annoying with everyone tipping the picks.

Why don't we make a NON-TWITTER draft thread this year? I know that I would be in it.

 

[KellysHeroes]

i got no problem w/ tuning in at 10pm and catch up... I still don't like the draft as a primetime event

 

[PatsFanCT]

i got no problem w/ tuning in at 10pm and catch up... I still don't like the draft as a primetime event

Inconceivable!

 

[Anthony Borbely]

are they going to stop showing the kids on the phone talking to the team thats about to select them.

Interesting question. That is really no different than using twitter in terms of giving the pick away before the commissioner announces it..

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Hooray.

 

[Shutout]

Love the idea but like a few people listed above, my first thought made me shudder as I envisioned Chris Berman trying to be cute and "speculating" the pick: "Hmm? What's this? Could it be time the Jaguars are going to be bold and take Geno Smith? What's this mean? I don't know...I'm just sayin." and then all the other guys gaff and slober on him like he just won the World Series after the pick is announced. To me it is a total buzzkill to know the story before the presentation. I would much rather see a team on the clock(drama builds)..then hear there is a trade (more drama building)...then hear that maybe MY team, or even a rival team, is the one that mjust traded up (now the tension is really building), and then feel the goosebumps as the Commissioner slowly approaches the podium and pauses before announcing the pick. To me, that is much more enjoyable than hearing about it, then seeing a kid hug 20 people a full minute before its made official. Last year it was so bad, my friends and I relegated ourselves to trying to guess who was Player X;s Girlfriend or if they were married or not or double or nothing on whether that kid sitting there is a nephew or a son. All the other unknowns were already out the window.

 

[Chimp Magnet]

Jason LaConfora has stated he intends to still tip picks.

I went to unfollow him on twitter only to realize I'd done that already. Past me is smart!

 

[Hopeless Lions Fan]

Just do it like AMerican Idol. Stand them up on stage, have Ryan Seacrest announce the next pick with zoom ins and dramatic music. Problem solved.

 

[Faust]

Let's just say hypothetically that I wanted to know all picks as soon as possible in advance, but could only follow one source online....what would that be...Schefter's twitter or something else?

Normally, yes, but not this year with ESPN prohibiting him from doing so. Maybe Jason La Canfora of CBS?

from the article above:

Keep in mind, we'll be publishing every pick of the draft, oftentimes ahead of the broadcast via the @eyeonnfl account. Be sure to follow that for up-to-the-second pick-by-pick news.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I'm sure several d-bags will retweet the picks anyway.

I unfollowed lacanfora last year during draft and still don't follow him

 

[ImTheScientist]

I'm sure several d-bags will retweet the picks anyway.I unfollowed lacanfora last year during draft and still don't follow him

Pro tip: Don't check Twitter.

 

[offdee]

On Twitter, how early are these guys releasing insider info? 30 seconds before pick announcement or sometimes multiple minutes before?

 

[Daru99]

As KellysHeroes points out - we still get the camera views of the impending pick getting a phone call and bursting into tears before the commish gets to the podium, however, I agree that it's worse when the broadcasters are the spoilers. Good to know ESPN and NFL Net will abstain this year.

 

[squistion]

As KellysHeroes points out - we still get the camera views of the impending pick getting a phone call and bursting into tears before the commish gets to the podium, however, I agree that it's worse when the broadcasters are the spoilers. Good to know ESPN and NFL Net will abstain this year.

Has that been verified? From what I have read I was under the impression those would not be shown either.

 

[JohnnyU]

i kinda like the spoilage. this nfl thing is over hyped.

Oppositional behavior?

 

[Spin]

The most entertaining thing to me is that video of Jets picks and their fans going nuts every time.

They should try expanding on that for one draft and ship in a section of fans for every team to get their reaction as the picks get made. Or maybe have a reporter on site at a local sports bar in each town to get the reaction.

This is a great idea.

 

[DaveL]

As KellysHeroes points out - we still get the camera views of the impending pick getting a phone call and bursting into tears before the commish gets to the podium, however, I agree that it's worse when the broadcasters are the spoilers. Good to know ESPN and NFL Net will abstain this year.

last year NFL Network didn't show any of that anyway (they announced it beforehand that they wouldn't). Was a treat to watch.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

As KellysHeroes points out - we still get the camera views of the impending pick getting a phone call and bursting into tears before the commish gets to the podium, however, I agree that it's worse when the broadcasters are the spoilers. Good to know ESPN and NFL Net will abstain this year.

Has that been verified? From what I have read I was under the impression those would not be shown either.

You are correct, they aren't doing this either.

 

[KellysHeroes]

As KellysHeroes points out - we still get the camera views of the impending pick getting a phone call and bursting into tears before the commish gets to the podium, however, I agree that it's worse when the broadcasters are the spoilers. Good to know ESPN and NFL Net will abstain this year.

Has that been verified? From what I have read I was under the impression those would not be shown either.

You are correct, they aren't doing this either.

the past couple of yrs have been pretty bad but sounds like they heard the complaints... lets see how it unfolds

 

[Beerguzzler]

I never really cared.

 

[3C's]

And of course ESPN had to "break" the news on the first pick. They can't help themselves.

 

[KellysHeroes]

And of course ESPN had to "break" the news on the first pick. They can't help themselves.

CBS or someone else would of done it anyway

 

[The Ref]

And of course ESPN had to "break" the news on the first pick. They can't help themselves.

CBS or someone else would of done it anyway

The first pick is fair game. So long as it doesnt go beyond that.

 

[Raider Nation]

Rich just said flat-out "we're not tipping any picks!"

Good enough for me, and the bonus is not having to watch Berman.

 

[Bri]

I love some of these NFL folks for their news. I think they are awesome and so "money" that I read their tweets closely.

I throw out all reasoning on draft day.

I am not in anyway offended by anything said first by whomever. I haven't been related to a pick so I don't really get a big rush if Goodell announces the pick first or not. However, if Schefter or Bloom or Cecil say the pick is going to be "this guy" ummm...I'll believe it when Goodell says it. I love them all but the nature of all these drafts and mock drafts is to predict and there will be mistakes amongst those.

If Rang could predict all 32 teams picks, he'd be collecting truckloads of gold from vegas.

We all here know the same stuff is going to apply when Dodds or Joe B predict ADP (or whomever) to go first in your FF draft. This is not "hold their feet to the fire" type statement that better be true, it's just a reasonable prediction.

I don't like the NFL controlling what reporters state on twitter. They have their reasons, but I disagree for a myriad of freedom of press and speech reasons.

I don't like them having to do this because someone doesn't comprehend not to read twitter every minute of everyday.

If someone wants the experience of solely hearing Goodell, then just watch the TV. How is this such a difficult concept.

People get hyper around the draft with all these 2nd comings entering each year. Give it a month or so and they'll no longer be "the next soandso" but they'll be rookies. It's just draft hype at it's peak.

 

[Bri]

And of course ESPN had to "break" the news on the first pick. They can't help themselves.

well teams do this when they sign a player before the draft some years. This is not new at all.

 

[RUSF18]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

 

[shader]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

Mayock said "EJ Manual is a darkhorse here".....kind of hails back to the days when Chris Berman would magically guess the right player right before they rolled to the commish.

 

[3C's]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

Mayock said "EJ Manual is a darkhorse here".....kind of hails back to the days when Chris Berman would magically guess the right player right before they rolled to the commish.

Mayock was nostradamus last night.

 

[3C's]

And of course ESPN had to "break" the news on the first pick. They can't help themselves.

well teams do this when they sign a player before the draft some years. This is not new at all.

It was somewhat a joke with the feeling that they would continue to do so.

 

[KellysHeroes]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

Mayock said "EJ Manual is a darkhorse here".....kind of hails back to the days when Chris Berman would magically guess the right player right before they rolled to the commish.

Mayock was nostradamus last night.

I think he actually had insider info prior to the start of the draft, but I was upset that he called it right as the commish announced the pick

 

[massraider]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

Mayock said "EJ Manual is a darkhorse here".....kind of hails back to the days when Chris Berman would magically guess the right player right before they rolled to the commish.

Mayock was nostradamus last night.

I think he actually had insider info prior to the start of the draft, but I was upset that he called it right as the commish announced the pick

Then you really shouldn't have watched ESPN, because Shefter was much, much worse. Calling the pick beforehand, but not admitting he already knew.

 

[LionsFan78]

NFLN did a fantastic job last night if you're a person who didn't want any sort of early info, beyond a limited amount of discussing rumors from Jeremiah and Rapaport.

I thought they were great. Added a level I haven't had while watching Round 1 in a while. Perfect example was Miami's pick, all 4 analysts agreed it'd be Johnson as Goodell walked up on stage. Good surprise when it ended up being Jordan.

 

[MDSkinner]

I found it painful to watch personally. On the ESPN telecast you could see the board behind them showing what pick they were "really" on and that we were just being drug along for TV purposes. Very frustrating. Far better last year, from my perspective.

But it looks like quite a few of you enjoyed it, so that is good. Just was not my thing.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

I found it painful to watch personally. On the ESPN telecast you could see the board behind them showing what pick they were "really" on and that we were just being drug along for TV purposes. Very frustrating. Far better last year, from my perspective.

But it looks like quite a few of you enjoyed it, so that is good. Just was not my thing.

NFLN>ESPN.

 

[The Hank]

I dont know, the draft coverage of TV was awful this year -- there were times that they were 3 picks behind and kind of waiting for Goodell to announce the pick.