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Rams' arrogance toward local media is a puzzler
Sports Columnist Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/17/2009
Sometimes I wonder if the Rams really do want to move back to Los Angeles.
Sunday, when the Rams played Minnesota at the Edward Jones Dome, the contest was covered by Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers. This wouldn't be worth mentioning, except that Simers didn't sit in the press box. He watched from the suite occupied by Rams general manager Billy Devaney. Simers was personally invited to do so by Devaney.
Interesting. But it fits the pattern at Rams Park. Devaney has become increasingly uncooperative and distant with the local media. The Rams limit access to coach Steve Spagnuolo. The team's nervous first-year media-relations director sits in on harmless interviews in an apparent effort to protect the coach and GM. (From what, exactly?)
In this regard, the Rams are dramatically different from the Cardinals and the Blues. Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt, Blues chairman Dave Checketts, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, Blues President John Davidson, Blues coach Andy Murray, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and other key members of these winning organizations are relatively easy to reach and willing to answer questions. Not that these folks are always in a good mood — losing and criticism can sting — but as a fan you can at least see them, hear them and read their comments. There's little if any hiding.
Unlike the Rams, the Cardinals and Blues aren't building walls. They run fan-friendly, media-friendly franchises. They get it. The Cardinals and Blues want to speak to the fans, and keep the public informed, and show the customers that they care. And you do that by being accountable and accessible in good times and bad. You take the time to explain your decisions, performances and policies. And the way you do that is to go through the media.
The Rams aren't big on diplomacy. The Rams have lost 32 of 37 games but strut around as if they've won 32 of the last 37 games instead. The arrogance is out of step with reality.
It wasn't surprising that the Rams and Devaney gave the visiting-royalty treatment to the Los Angeles Times. The team's owners live in LA, as does Rams
"consultant" John Shaw. The team may make its profits in St. Louis, but LA is the home base.
And here's the kicker:
Simers quoted a Rams "official" as saying this: "Five years from now, we might be back in L.A. Just imagine that."
Simers — as the personal guest of the team's GM — ripped the Rams and St. Louis. Simers used the term "embarrassing" to describe the Rams.
Great PR move by Devaney.
That sure worked out well, didn't it?
Let's just hope this franchise is sold soon, and that it ends up in the hands of ownership-management that makes St. Louis a true priority.
READING TIME, 3 MINUTES
Free Alex Pietrangelo.
Call me crazy, but I think the Rams have a good chance to win at Jacksonville on Sunday. The key will be the red zone; Jacksonville has one of the league's worst red-zone defenses. Can the Rams make enough plays on offense to exploit it? We'll see. ... Rams WR Donnie Avery showed a lot of class for apologizing for his silly end-zone dance near the end of the 38-10 loss to Minnesota.
I poked fun at coach Spagnuolo last week for the way he handled offensive tackle Alex Barron, but Barron responded with his best game of the season, so I'll eat my words. In this instance, the coach deserves credit. But will Barron keep this up? ... By the way, it isn't totally hopeless at Rams Park. VP Kevin Demoff is an intelligent and classy individual who tries to do the right thing. ... Defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, has only 1.5 combined knockdowns-hurries in the pass rush through the first five games, according to STATS LLC.
Sports Columnist Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/17/2009
Sometimes I wonder if the Rams really do want to move back to Los Angeles.
Sunday, when the Rams played Minnesota at the Edward Jones Dome, the contest was covered by Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers. This wouldn't be worth mentioning, except that Simers didn't sit in the press box. He watched from the suite occupied by Rams general manager Billy Devaney. Simers was personally invited to do so by Devaney.
Interesting. But it fits the pattern at Rams Park. Devaney has become increasingly uncooperative and distant with the local media. The Rams limit access to coach Steve Spagnuolo. The team's nervous first-year media-relations director sits in on harmless interviews in an apparent effort to protect the coach and GM. (From what, exactly?)
In this regard, the Rams are dramatically different from the Cardinals and the Blues. Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt, Blues chairman Dave Checketts, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, Blues President John Davidson, Blues coach Andy Murray, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and other key members of these winning organizations are relatively easy to reach and willing to answer questions. Not that these folks are always in a good mood — losing and criticism can sting — but as a fan you can at least see them, hear them and read their comments. There's little if any hiding.
Unlike the Rams, the Cardinals and Blues aren't building walls. They run fan-friendly, media-friendly franchises. They get it. The Cardinals and Blues want to speak to the fans, and keep the public informed, and show the customers that they care. And you do that by being accountable and accessible in good times and bad. You take the time to explain your decisions, performances and policies. And the way you do that is to go through the media.
The Rams aren't big on diplomacy. The Rams have lost 32 of 37 games but strut around as if they've won 32 of the last 37 games instead. The arrogance is out of step with reality.
It wasn't surprising that the Rams and Devaney gave the visiting-royalty treatment to the Los Angeles Times. The team's owners live in LA, as does Rams
"consultant" John Shaw. The team may make its profits in St. Louis, but LA is the home base.
And here's the kicker:
Simers quoted a Rams "official" as saying this: "Five years from now, we might be back in L.A. Just imagine that."
Simers — as the personal guest of the team's GM — ripped the Rams and St. Louis. Simers used the term "embarrassing" to describe the Rams.
Great PR move by Devaney.
That sure worked out well, didn't it?
Let's just hope this franchise is sold soon, and that it ends up in the hands of ownership-management that makes St. Louis a true priority.
READING TIME, 3 MINUTES
Free Alex Pietrangelo.
Call me crazy, but I think the Rams have a good chance to win at Jacksonville on Sunday. The key will be the red zone; Jacksonville has one of the league's worst red-zone defenses. Can the Rams make enough plays on offense to exploit it? We'll see. ... Rams WR Donnie Avery showed a lot of class for apologizing for his silly end-zone dance near the end of the 38-10 loss to Minnesota.
I poked fun at coach Spagnuolo last week for the way he handled offensive tackle Alex Barron, but Barron responded with his best game of the season, so I'll eat my words. In this instance, the coach deserves credit. But will Barron keep this up? ... By the way, it isn't totally hopeless at Rams Park. VP Kevin Demoff is an intelligent and classy individual who tries to do the right thing. ... Defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, has only 1.5 combined knockdowns-hurries in the pass rush through the first five games, according to STATS LLC.
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