Warning on Rotoworld Headlines, Player News (1 Viewer)

[sholditch]

I have begun noticing this year that Rotoworld blurbs are increasingly selective in what they cite from an article. Many have pointed this out, but I think it deserves its own thread for those that are, as I was, unaware of just how selective they are in what they tell you. Here is a perfect example:

Blurb:

Justin Fargas-RB- Raiders Oct. 6 - 11:38 pm et

Justin Fargas (groin) will likely rejoin the Raiders' starting lineup in Week 6, according to ESPN's John Clayton.

Darren McFadden got hurt and didn't do enough to seize the job in Fargas' absence. If Fargas was dropped in 12-team fantasy leagues, he needs to be picked back up. Oakland plays the Sedrick Ellis-less Saints in Week 6.

Source: ESPN Insider

Related: Michael Bush, Darren McFadden

Then just below this:

Justin Fargas-RB- Raiders Oct. 6 - 2:46 pm et

Justin Fargas (groin) returned to Raiders practice Monday.

Fargas, who's been out since Week 2, is slated to rejoin the lineup this week. It remains to be seen if he'll retake his starting job under new coach Tom Cable, but Fargas is a fair bet to do so with with Darren McFadden (toe) still in a boot. Oakland has a tasty matchup against New Orleans in Week 6.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Yet they leave this out, from the quoted blog:

– Fargas said he wasn’t quite 100 percent, but expects to face the Saints Sunday in New Orleans.

“I feel pretty good. I’m going to keep rehabbing it, keep treating it, and get ready to go,” Fargas said.

Seems that rotoworld picks out what they want to hear and leave out the rest. Just a reminder to read the quoted articles as the blurbs often leave out what could be fairly pertinent info.

 

[Andy Herron]

Absolutely!

Rotoworld is very bad about this.

To add, there are many occasions that what they blurb pertains to nothing found in their source's content at all.

Be very careful with those guys, they can be mis-leading to say the least.

You're better off sticking with "our" news page. We make a very concerted and conscious effort to be precise with our blurbs.

Nothing more or nothing less than our sources deliver.

I can assure you that they watch over our shoulders constantly to see what we're posting. I see it all the time during my shifts as they are following up my posts with their own posts all the time. They are "by no means" as much a front-runner as some may think.

Not only do they misconstrue, but leave other relative information out altogether.

Trust me, I see it all the time.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

As new bloggers for FBGs Andy, as well as I and the rest of the team have become pros at seeing thru Rotoworld's speculation.

Not to say we won't post ANY speculation, but we will preface it, i.e. "Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe SPECULATES that WR Randy Moss could be out 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury" NOTE -- JUST AN EXAMPLE!!

As Andy said, we have a news blogger here for you guys -- it is here to be utilized, and free of RW's slant.

 

[gregjcross]

Absolutely!Rotoworld is very bad about this. To add, there are many occasions that what they blurb pertains to nothing found in their source's content at all.Be very careful with those guys, they can be mis-leading to say the least.You're better off sticking with "our" news page. :( We make a very concerted and conscious effort to be precise with our blurbs.Nothing more or nothing less than our sources deliver.I can assure you that they watch over our shoulders constantly to see what we're posting. I see it all the time during my shifts as they are following up my posts with their own posts all the time. They are "by no means" as much a front-runner as some may think.Not only do they misconstrue, but leave other relative information out altogether.Trust me, I see it all the time.

Yes Rotoworld is trying to be a stand out and this isnt China. So, the only thing to do is track what they say and rate it a month later. If they are right more than they are wrong i suppose it would be of value. IF they are full of BS, their reputation is going to keep fading.

 

[Enforcer]

Amen.

They take way too much license in mixing their opinions with facts. I've had disagreements with two board members here concerning reports about Seahawks players. Rotoworld (and some other fantasy information sites) are looking at the same blurbs as you and I see from local beat writers. They then change the words to try and convey their opinion without quoting exact text from interviews. Not cool.

 

[Andy Herron]

Believe me,

we are VERY cautious when we see a post of theirs that we may have not hit on yet. We'll research it "thoroughly" before we post anything relative to it at all. If we do at all. There are many times it simply doesn't hold water.

 

[blake]

understandable that they take license with facts or omit things, but i'm not sure where i see anything misleading in the original post about fargas. they say to proceed with caution, and fargas says the same thing.

 

[Enforcer]

The discussion that takes place in this thread is a perfect example.

ffcollective interpreted some comments on the Tacoma News Tribune blog and ran with it. They took this quote from the local beat writer:

They also are in a conundrum about the return of Mo Morris, and he said he will think on that one all week as well. Julius Jones has two consecutive 100-yard games and clearly is getting it going. Holmgren does not want to mess with that. He said in the fashion that he used Duckett to spell Jones yesterday, he said he likely will do the same thing with Morris, using him to spell Jones. But, he said, Duckett earned the right to have a role with the team as well, though that role may be short-yardage and goal line guy who is scoring and getting first downs. Still, he is noodling on that.

and turned it into this:

Holmgren strongly suggests Julius Jones will remain as starting RB

The quote above isn't even from Holmgren. Its mostly speculation from the local beat writer. I think this is an example of horrible journalistic practice.

 

[-baller]

I've seen a lot of #####ing about rotoworld, recently, and I understand there's this whole competing site thing going on, but I haven't found them to be at all confusing or misleading.

I like the format and there's always a steady stream of news, notes, and nuggets.

hopefully the staff here isn't just slandering them to keep all eyes glued to this site.

 

[blake]

I've seen a lot of #####ing about rotoworld, recently, and I understand there's this whole competing site thing going on, but I haven't found them to be at all confusing or misleading.I like the format and there's always a steady stream of news, notes, and nuggets.hopefully the staff here isn't just slandering them to keep all eyes glued to this site.

with several posts all too eager to put down an obvious rival by an apparent staffer here at FBG, i really hope that's not the aim either.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Absolutely!Rotoworld is very bad about this. To add, there are many occasions that what they blurb pertains to nothing found in their source's content at all.Be very careful with those guys, they can be mis-leading to say the least.You're better off sticking with "our" news page. We make a very concerted and conscious effort to be precise with our blurbs.Nothing more or nothing less than our sources deliver.I can assure you that they watch over our shoulders constantly to see what we're posting. I see it all the time during my shifts as they are following up my posts with their own posts all the time. They are "by no means" as much a front-runner as some may think.Not only do they misconstrue, but leave other relative information out altogether.Trust me, I see it all the time.

Preposterous.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

I've seen a lot of #####ing about rotoworld, recently, and I understand there's this whole competing site thing going on, but I haven't found them to be at all confusing or misleading.

I like the format and there's always a steady stream of news, notes, and nuggets.

hopefully the staff here isn't just slandering them to keep all eyes glued to this site.

While I have not done any news blogging this year, what Andy and Kevin have stated is fact. Thoroughly researching the source information and reporting the facts without putting any FBG spin on the information is exactly what the entire team of bloggers here at FBG do daily. Everything you see posted in the news section is a short synopsis of the actual article linked. You should always head over to the linked source article for the complete text of the original author/newspaper/internet site. You can read the news blurbs here at FBG and know for a fact that there is no spin from individual reporters. They would not still be reporting if that ever happened.You get Joe Bryants thoughts on news articles during the pre-season with the email updates. During the season, the news page stands on it's own merits without any spin from the bloggers.

Neither Andy nor Kevin slandered any competition with their posts here. They simply are saying that here at FBG the news reporters are not in the business of giving you their own personal take on any reported item. We are not allowed to do this, by Joe and Davids standards. They are also saying to take into consideration that other news outlets, such as rotoworld, will often put their own spin on an article. This is a fact. I'm not going to go pull any examples for you guys. Please, by all means, go over there yourself and make your own decisions. Compare any blurb posted with the actual article they link. I'm not implying it happens all the time, but it does happen. It never happens here at FBG.

 

[Bizkiteer]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

 

[blake]

this entire thread is laughable. for over 8 years i have been looking at rotoworld, and never have i felt misled by any of their blurbs, and actually they summarize the article quite nicely. FBG does a fine job with news blurbs, as does rotoworld, but i definitely appreciate their take to summarize an article and whether a player should be targeted on the waiver wire, or if a running back should be considered, in their view, an RB2 or merely a flex play for example. they make a quick summary of an article and then offer their opinion. if you don't respect their opinions, it's pretty easy to stay away; there is no need for a thread like this. FBG summarizes things competently, but i like how rotoworld does things, and to suggest that rotoworld does a poor job, which this thread is trying to say, is fairly inaccurate.

and yes, disparaging another website is certainly slander.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

Unlike several of the guys in this thread, I think you're offering a fair assessment. It's different strokes for different folks as the two sites are aiming at two distinct styles for their own reasons. It's been said that Joe & David don't want their news guys offering spin, which is understandable. There's a place for a "just the facts, ma'am" news site. Rotoworld, however, is aiming at something different. Their news guys are encouraged to voice their opinion as often as possible because most of the people who come to the site want an informed opinion or analysis putting the news into proper perspective.

It's expected that you're going to disagree with Rotoworld's analysis some times; that comes with the territory of going out on a limb. After all, it's much easier to just summarize an article than it is to offer a strong viewpoint on an item of news.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

Unlike several of the guys in this thread, I think you're offering a fair assessment. It's different strokes for different folks as the two sites are aiming at two distinct styles for their own reasons. It's been said that Joe & David don't want their news guys offering spin, which is understandable. There's a place for a "just the facts, ma'am" news site. Rotoworld, however, is aiming at something different. Their news guys are encouraged to voice their opinion as often as possible because most of the people who come to the site want an informed opinion or analysis putting the news into proper perspective.

It's expected that you're going to disagree with Rotoworld's analysis some times; that comes with the territory of going out on a limb. After all, it's much easier to just summarize an article than it is to offer a strong viewpoint on an item of news.

Exactly. I'm not at all disparaging rotoworld, just stating that they do what they do and FBG does what it does. I'm not the one stating they are misleading, that was the OP. I'm not stating rotoworld is wrong either, which would be slander. If you want a strong viewpoint on any situation or player from FBG, you just have to go looking through each weeks volume of content here at FBG to get that. There are plenty of articles from many valuable and talented fantasy football writers giving plenty of analysis and opinion. FBG provides it in a different format than their competition, that's all.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

Unlike several of the guys in this thread, I think you're offering a fair assessment. It's different strokes for different folks as the two sites are aiming at two distinct styles for their own reasons. It's been said that Joe & David don't want their news guys offering spin, which is understandable. There's a place for a "just the facts, ma'am" news site. Rotoworld, however, is aiming at something different. Their news guys are encouraged to voice their opinion as often as possible because most of the people who come to the site want an informed opinion or analysis putting the news into proper perspective.

It's expected that you're going to disagree with Rotoworld's analysis some times; that comes with the territory of going out on a limb. After all, it's much easier to just summarize an article than it is to offer a strong viewpoint on an item of news.

Exactly. I'm not at all disparaging rotoworld, just stating that they do what they do and FBG does what it does. I'm not the one stating they are misleading, that was the OP. I'm not stating rotoworld is wrong either, which would be slander. If you want a strong viewpoint on any situation or player from FBG, you just have to go looking through each weeks volume of content here at FBG to get that. There are plenty of articles from many valuable and talented fantasy football writers giving plenty of analysis and opinion. FBG provides it in a different format than their competition, that's all.

Absolutely. Both sides do a fine job at what they set out to do.

 

[blake]

Exactly. I'm not at all disparaging rotoworld, just stating that they do what they do and FBG does what it does. I'm not the one stating they are misleading, that was the OP. I'm not stating rotoworld is wrong either, which would be slander. If you want a strong viewpoint on any situation or player from FBG, you just have to go looking through each weeks volume of content here at FBG to get that. There are plenty of articles from many valuable and talented fantasy football writers giving plenty of analysis and opinion. FBG provides it in a different format than their competition, that's all.

thankfully a rational opinion. though unfortunately, it wasn't just the OP who was claiming rotoworld was misleading. a member of the FBG staff also was, and arguably in stronger words which was unprofessional at best. just like you say, rotoworld does their thing, FBG does theirs, and different people may prefer different things, but both sources are viable. to allude anything to the opposite is pure folly and simply trying hard to make a thinly veiled FBG commercial which is embarassing.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

If you don't have time to smell the roses, you shouldn't be in the garden to begin with...

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

Unlike several of the guys in this thread, I think you're offering a fair assessment. It's different strokes for different folks as the two sites are aiming at two distinct styles for their own reasons. It's been said that Joe & David don't want their news guys offering spin, which is understandable. There's a place for a "just the facts, ma'am" news site. Rotoworld, however, is aiming at something different. Their news guys are encouraged to voice their opinion as often as possible because most of the people who come to the site want an informed opinion or analysis putting the news into proper perspective.

It's expected that you're going to disagree with Rotoworld's analysis some times; that comes with the territory of going out on a limb. After all, it's much easier to just summarize an article than it is to offer a strong viewpoint on an item of news.

This part is not the problem. I don't think anyone has a problem with the opinions given. The problem to me is people posting the opinions given by Rotoworld as facts. They are not facts, they are opinions. There is a big difference between a fact an an opinion.

 

[GroveDiesel]

this entire thread is laughable. for over 8 years i have been looking at rotoworld, and never have i felt misled by any of their blurbs, and actually they summarize the article quite nicely. FBG does a fine job with news blurbs, as does rotoworld, but i definitely appreciate their take to summarize an article and whether a player should be targeted on the waiver wire, or if a running back should be considered, in their view, an RB2 or merely a flex play for example. they make a quick summary of an article and then offer their opinion. if you don't respect their opinions, it's pretty easy to stay away; there is no need for a thread like this. FBG summarizes things competently, but i like how rotoworld does things, and to suggest that rotoworld does a poor job, which this thread is trying to say, is fairly inaccurate. and yes, disparaging another website is certainly slander.

Sorry, but I disagree. I've found Rotoworld frequently posting misleading information over the last 2 years or so. The blurb will straight out say that a coach said something specific when the coach in no way said that. Their summaries are taking way too many liberties with actual quotes and news. If they're going to mix in their opinions, they need to make it clear that what they are stating is an opinion and not actual quotes from the articles.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

Basically, you shouldn't be just looking at headlines and blurbs to get your info.

This is absolutely so true, but a lot of times, folks just don't have the time. This is why FBG strives to be accurate with the blurbs. It may be all some subscribers have time to see, so the news blurbs are free of spin and full of as much pertinent information as possible.

It's expected that you're going to disagree with Rotoworld's analysis some times; that comes with the territory of going out on a limb. After all, it's much easier to just summarize an article than it is to offer a strong viewpoint on an item of news.

This part is not the problem. I don't think anyone has a problem with the opinions given. The problem to me is people posting the opinions given by Rotoworld as facts. They are not facts, they are opinions. There is a big difference between a fact an an opinion.

All right then, we basically have some folks saying rotoworld is misleading, some not. We also have some folks saying rotoworld posts facts, and sometimes posts opinions as fact.The main thing to take away from this thread is to be aware and to take a closer look at what is posted. You should not just read a posted blurb and assume it is fact, whether it is rotoworld or FBG or any other fantasy football news site. You should definately look further into any news blurb (if it interests you) by clicking on any links provided and actually read the source article to make your own intelligent decisions. You might find that the original news source is also stating opinion, you might not. It is not beyond reputable news outlets to put their own spin on things. But, by reading the actual source article you may be able to read between the lines and you'll be able to see the actual quotes from the players, HC's, etc.

As far as it being easier to just summarize an article.......I can honestly say this is not necessarily true. Many times I found myself having specific thoughts with regards to certain news and immediately thinking about the fantasy football ramifications of such news. It is easy to want to add these thoughts to a news blurb, not the other way around. But, that is not why FBG hires news bloggers. News bloggers at FBG are here to provide you, the subscriber, with the facts. Other writers are employed by FBG to write articles and discuss their opinions on such news ramifications through the many articles posted within the weekly content provided to subsrcibers.

One other thing I'd like to note: Every single news blogger here at FBG takes tremendous pride in their job. Honesty in their news reporting is taken very seriously, to say the least. All they can really do is to keep doing what they do best and let you, the hard core fantasy football player, decipher the factual information as you see fit. It is up to you to take the news blurbs on face value or to look deeper into the situation being reported on. Rest assured though, there is no spin from individual news reporters here at FBG on any news blurb posted. As Kevin stated earlier, if any speculation is posted it is speculation from the original news source and is posted as such.

I hope this helps alleviate any concerns you may have about the honesty and integrity of the news bloggers here at FBG.

Peace.

 

[HoTnickZ]

Rotoworld + cross reference with fbg = due dillegence, without being misled

Spoonfeeding to such an extent will simply ruin ff.