What made the OBR so special?

[golfer704u]

Now before someone just comes in here and bashes the particular names there now, (I'm looking at you KoK). I want this to be a serious and constructive discussion.

Being away from Ohio and Cleveland. I'm not privy to everything that goes on there. I read some of the "real" media such as the PD and ABJ.

But now it seems like the OBR is considered some reliable journalistic source. And their analysts seem to be given a higher stature. I've been to the OBR. To me it's a message board like many I have been on. With some very smart people on it and some not so smart people.

What got the OBR it's appeared credibility? do they have actual media credentials now?

Again, I am not attacking anyone specifically. Most of thier expert anaylsys is well thought out even if I disagree with it.

I guess in the end this is my lament at the death of real reporting and that anyone can become a "journalist" now adays without going through any real professional vetting process or editorial process.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Yah they have some media creds.

When I go to the OBR, you know what I Google? Bernie's Insiders.

And that's all you need to know about how they initially got credibility amongst fans. It was Bernie's venture.

I've got nothing against them and enjoy reading some of their stuff. No way I am in awe of their football knowledge though, we've got members here who could run circles around their best writers in football IQ. Not a slam against them, more of a testament to how knowledgeable some of our members are.

They also have some really good forum members who I enjoy reading and wouldn't mind at all if they came over and got into some good discussions here.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by TheBestPlayersPlay

Yah they have some media creds.

When I go to the OBR, you know what I Google? Bernie's Insiders.

And that's all you need to know about how they initially got credibility amongst fans. It was Bernie's venture.

I've got nothing against them and enjoy reading some of their stuff. No way I am in awe of their football knowledge though, we've got members here who could run circles around their best writers in football IQ. Not a slam against them, more of a testament to how knowledgeable some of our members are.

They also have some really good forum members who I enjoy reading and wouldn't mind at all if they came over and got into some good discussions here.

Ahh Now I do remembers Bernie's Insiders. That does explain it yes.

But you hit at what I agree with. It's not that Adkins or anyone over there isn't knowledgeable. They are. And that forum does have lots of good members. But so does this one and others I have been on or visited.

I guess what bothers me is now they have "by-lines" that get quoted as "NEWS" and are by some considered a "source" as legitimate as any of the real newspaper, TV, or radiofolks in cleveland. when in reality they are just private citizens commenting on football like anyone here could.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

I guess what bothers me is now they have "by-lines" that get quoted as "NEWS" and are by some considered a "source" as legitimate as any of the real newspaper, TV, or radiofolks in cleveland. when in reality they are just private citizens commenting on football like anyone here could.

Well, as far as I am concerned "real" sports journalists are at fault for this. Guys like Tony Grossi. It's these guys that churn out news that is not in fact legitimate that have really spurred on places like The OBR. Cleveland's "journalists" are a joke for the most part, so it's hard not to look elsewhere for "news".

[King of Kings]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

Now before someone just comes in here and bashes the particular names there now, (I'm looking at you KoK). I want this to be a serious and constructive discussion.

Being away from Ohio and Cleveland. I'm not privy to everything that goes on there. I read some of the "real" media such as the PD and ABJ.

But now it seems like the OBR is considered some reliable journalistic source. And their analysts seem to be given a higher stature. I've been to the OBR. To me it's a message board like many I have been on. With some very smart people on it and some not so smart people.

What got the OBR it's appeared credibility? do they have actual media credentials now?

Again, I am not attacking anyone specifically. Most of thier expert anaylsys is well thought out even if I disagree with it.

I guess in the end this is my lament at the death of real reporting and that anyone can become a "journalist" now adays without going through any real professional vetting process or editorial process.

Don't look at me dude, you didn't try to prop up a freakin' forum member over there as some infallible expert so I really have no reason to mention names.

That said.... How did they gain credibility? Simple, they had a mole in Berea. Somehow some way they landed an in and for quite awhile there their inside intel was GREAT. In fact the sole reason I joined there and paid a monthly fee was FOR said insider info. Their draft work has honestly long left alot to be desired. They used to have one fellow, the name escapes me that was really good but he's no longer there.

Around the time Dawn Aponte was fired most of their inside info quickly dried up and their scouting info usually makes it into the free section, albeit a bit broken up and scattered but I don't know why people would buy memberships anymore.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by TheBestPlayersPlay

Well, as far as I am concerned "real" sports journalists are at fault for this. Guys like Tony Grossi. It's these guys that churn out news that is not in fact legitimate that have really spurred on places like The OBR. Cleveland's "journalists" are a joke for the most part, so it's hard not to look elsewhere for "news".

There's some of that I agree. But mostly it's just a fact of life. The internet has ruined real reporting, and now you have to sift through all the chaff to find the wheat. What really worries me is that this phenomenon of internet "journalists" in more than just sports will overwhelm real journalism to a point where it won't be viable anymore. As the skeptic I know you are, you probably believe that most main stream media has a left leaning bias. On the networks and major news sources I would agree with that. But small market news used to be a place where good journalism could also flourish and get it's start. Reporting and editing was taught in a professional manner no matter what your bias. And now most of those entities are dying a slow death because any person that can breath long enough to mash thier face on a keyboard can call themselves a "reporter" on the web.

[Riffer X]

I read and sometimes post at the OBR, but the biggest difference I see is there are too many of the wanker wannabe draftnik sorts that seem to be permeating message boards these days. It' s almost like the team and the situation is secondary, they can't wait to get past actually being competitive on to the prognosticaitons about the draft. It's like a sword fight with their cocks using the keyboard to write the best fiction possible. Then they start copying and plagiarizing one another, propping up certain posters as real experts because they use the correct catch phrases that turn heads and overall just kind of bore the living shit out of me.

This is apparently what football fans are supposed to be generally morphing into nowadays, and perhaps a lot of it can be attributed to the Browns and their losing culture. Most of us are now off season fans because that is the time we can pertain to be optimistic, during the season not so much. Thinking ahead to the draft and scapegoating QB's etc. make it easier to look forward to something that isn't losing football.

As far as the OBR getting the rep for journalistic standards, I guess it just coincides with the growth of the message board nowadays and the fact they are the biggest one. Also, charging the ridiculous amount they do to subscribe for "insider info" must give the impression that they are more reputable.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Yah I hear you ...but again, my thing is the real journalists made this bed. If the real journalists were bastions of journalistic integrity, less people would look to blogs, and any joe schmoe with an opinion sitting in moms basement. Journalism died when journalistic integrity died ...and it's been some time.

Also, there are some FANTASTIC, intelligent blogs out there. Few & far between sure.

[1brownsfans]

The OBR special? The only reason they have the credentials and journalist's are because they are backed by fox.

That place is a joke, if you're not buddy buddy with the mod's boyfriends and they don't agree with what you say or you have a personality, you can kiss your membership goodbye.

[King of Kings]

Originally Posted by 1brownsfans

The OBR special? The only reason they have the credentials and journalist's are because they are backed by fox.

That place is a joke, if you're not buddy buddy with the mod's boyfriends and they don't agree with what you say or you have a personality, you can kiss your membership goodbye.

Welcome to Barkinghard, I think you'll like it much better over here!

[1brownsfans]

Originally Posted by King of Kings

Welcome to Barkinghard, I think you'll like it much better over here!

Yah, i got kicked out of that place for not agreeing with a few certain individuals but it was a blessing in disguise. I actually frequent another browns board a lot but i don't mind floating to other sites occasionally. I just saw this topic and felt the need to comment.

[1brownsfans]

For the record, T-dog killed that place.