He thinks this is funny or tongue in cheek, but it is just stupid lazy writing and it isn't funny in any way, just shows how ridiculous he and the NCAA and everyone involved in cheating in college football really are:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/07/05/cheating-for-dummies/index.html?xid=si_topstories

If this is what passes for humor these days, most of these writers need to go back to Bonehead English at their community colleges.

:headbang

lol.


it maybe pointless writing but he got us to read it... and you are just spreading his nonsense.

BearsLair72;526298 said:

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He thinks this is funny or tongue in cheek, but it is just stupid lazy writing and it isn't funny in any way, just shows how ridiculous he and the NCAA and everyone involved in cheating in college football really are
:headbang

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Given the recent revelations about football payoffs, etc... It is a simple story to write about not leaving an audit trail, pay cash, don't leave records on official stationary, etc... in order to avoid NCAA investigators. The subtle message is why weren't these time honored techniques employed and the story doesn't attempt to cypher that message.
Explore why these various programs didn't take the precautions he suggests and there could be a story. I worked for a brief time in law enforcement and it was enough to convince me that we were only catching the 'dumb' criminals (and there were enough 'dumb' ones to keep us busy). Maybe he is frustrated watching highly paid coaches play dumb or appear stupid. The story reflects his frustration but didn't provide the insight it needed.

satire

noun /ˈsaˌtīr/ 
satires, plural

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues

A literary technique of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change.

To be honest every program has at least a little dirt. I actually think this guy has kind of a point. With as much at stake as there is for a head coach at a big time university the kind of mistakes Whoregon made in this whole scandle is mind boggling to me. Chip Kelly really should read this and take it to heart if he is going to continue cheating.

okaydo;526307 said:

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This is great!
But where is U$C????

...but for instance this IS satire:



Or this:



But that, was just bad writing!

:headbang

Cal_Fan2;526317 said:

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satire

noun /ˈsaˌtīr/ 
satires, plural

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues

A literary technique of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change.

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BearsLair72;526298 said:

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He thinks this is funny or tongue in cheek, but it is just stupid lazy writing and it isn't funny in any way, just shows how ridiculous he and the NCAA and everyone involved in cheating in college football really are:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/07/05/cheating-for-dummies/index.html?xid=si_topstories

If this is what passes for humor these days, most of these writers need to go back to Bonehead English at their community colleges.

:headbang

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FingeroftheBear;526477 said:

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I didn't think it was particularly bad writing, mostly because it was true (satire) and it's sports. Also you have to face facts, blogging and twitting has brought down the quality of writing. If you want Pulitzer material, well that takes time and that's not what the interweb is about. Not defending Staples, just stating the obvious.

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The USC, Ohio St, and Oregon violations were all discovered during the course of extremely accurate research for stories that appeared in Yahoo! Sports. Which is an internet only site.

Additionally, I think the internet has increased the quality of some of the writing. Not sites like bleachereport and it's ilk obivously, but you can find a lot of cool original voices on sites like grantland.com, kissingsuzykolber.com, etc.

So I would say that what are you stating is not obvious, and beyond that, also not correct. Just because you prefer your sportswriting dry, or don't read blogs, or don't get satire doesn't make it bad.

FingeroftheBear;526477 said:

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mostly because it was true

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Uh, what? The observations Staples makes about effective cheating are completely valid: you can be as dirty as hell and not get caught if you avoid leaving a paper trail, you keep your circle tight, and you maintain plausible deniability. I don't think anyone would actually dispute that Staples view of the recruiting black market is essentially accurate.

As for the invective against the degradation of sports writing, child please. Grantland Rice thought that piece was an inventive way of pointing out Tressel and Kelly's pratfalls while also explaining why Butch Davis still has a job.

I guess the ridicule makes it satire. But, Staples was on target. That's how you cheat.