Every now and again I am reminded that there are at least a few people who are "awake" in American society. I hope, for the sake of a nation whose demographics are changing very rapidly, that more people can start to tear down those blatant prejudices and miconceptions we as a nation hold to.
I slightly disagree with this statement, in that I think you understated it. I believe the media is incredible vindictive and spiteful. Whatever criteria they use to pick their "golden boys" once that person is picked they hold on to those assertions, and spend tireless effort influencing the public opinion. People may argue that there is no media conspiracy, okay maybe maybe not. However, I have no doubt that they are keenly aware of the images they create and the effect they have on public opinion. Their success relies heavily on public trust and they lose support when people stop believing they are the experts they claim to be. I believe there is no limit to the extent they will go to protect their reputation.
Not trying to preach to the choir. Hopefully somebody with an openmind will read this.
Oh, I don't disagree with you on your later point/s.
I was only speaking about THAT particular issue (Cam not interviewing with certain reporters, who now hold a grudge), such as Peter King of Sports Illustrated, who's always ready with a quick, unsubstantiated shot against Cam.
Now Media Individuals Hating Cam, is for a multiplicity of reasons. And it's not all; just some, many of them. LOL.
1) Supposed Auburn Scandal (which he was cleared of); the purchased stolen lap top and exams controversy at Florida. The seeds of hate were planted.
2) Combine those things above, with Big, Black, Charismatic, 1yr starter, BCS QB, who won the national Championship. A lot of people just wanted to say, "he can't make it in the NFL" regardless. Not experienced enough!
3) His Charisma and perceived arrogance (i.e. I'm not going to talk to the press, until I'm ready), made many in the press feel he was entitled and not an ass kisser, like so many others, who would/should have felt honored to be given air time. Think "Prima Donna". LOL
4) They beat the great Alabama, for the national Championship and their fans wanna believe that Auburn paid him off, as MSU or Cam's father supposedly wanted them to.
5) Comparison to other Black QB's and Big Black Bust, Jamarcus Russell (i.e. Lazy, "be careful").
6) Cam was an option QB, so they normally assumed he was a "one read" guy, who didn't make pro throws or possess good pocket presence. They also felt, he'd run out the pocket at a moments notice. That was a poor assumption obviously. Break down of Film demonstrated his "Pro throws" and talks with both Chizik and Mulzahn revealed how much Cam actually sat in the pocket (i.e. called/designed runs vs perceived early scampering out of the pocket).
7) Unfounded rumors that he was, hard to coach, self centered, poor work ethics, locker cancer and a "Me" Player.
8) You combine all this: And some lazy members in the media wanted to believe (for what ever predispositions some of them had, and I'm not just talking about race), who already had their minds made up. Many changed their opinion quick. And others, still grudgingly 'don't wanna be wrong', or just dislike the kid for what ever reason, like Bill Polian.
Mind you, active NFL people never bought into any of this media chatter (though many of us, confuse the media's attitude, with NFL teams and scouts, sadly). Because, they did the same research that the Panthers did (and the excellent Miami Herald scouting series, to a lesser degree), and found that most of the negative things said about Cam were unfounded. And the more they dug, the more they realized he had much better pro potential than he was originally dismissed/given credit for. Pro scouts knew he was the number one pick, and the media only created a meek, pseudo debate regarding Gabbert, Locker and those guys. But even Mel Kiper (who didn't do background checks and interviews of Cam's teammates and coaches past, like NFL teams and the excellent Miami Herald series and others did), listed Cam the DeFacto #1 pick, weeks before the draft. Why did he do it? Simple; cause he heard what the NFL people were saying internally. Cam was too great a prospect to pass up on (unless you really had red flags about Jamarcus Russell or incredulously believed he had actual/current character issues).....Cam had already accounted for Florida ("I grew up"). By all accounts, was a model citizen at both Blinn Junior College and Auburn. And he spoke candidly about the supposed, alleged bribing in College, that the NCAA had already closed it's case on. But those doubts were being fed by media people, not NFL people (unless they put out negative info, miraculously hoping Cam would drop into their hands-LOL)...Unlike so many in the media, NFL teams did their research!
So despite all the negativity and uncertainly you may have heard months before the draft, by the time the NFL draft rolled around and NFL teams had all did their research, ANY OF THEM would have drafted Cam number one (unless they just liked some else better for what ever reason)! He was #1 with all the teams that had top 5 picks. But they knew he was going to be gone, and the Panthers would take him anyway, so they had all moved on to their own picks. Unfortunately not many people (including many Cam and Panther fans, realize this).
Sorry for the War and Piece Response. LOL
