Ok, I've got to say this (long)...

[croomandwhite]

At risk of a rule violation, I #*!#+*$ hate Brandon Marcello's work. Let me be clear, I don't think he hates MSU or is a closet Rebel or anything like that. I thought Kyle Veazey was the best beat writer we have had in a long time. That being said, Marcello seems like a smug ****. I always feel worse about MSU after I read his tweets/posts/blogs/stories than I did before I read them. Granted, negative press typically generates more viewership (read, more $) than sunshine does, but his **** has just gotten old to me.

I honestly believe that if he has the option to simply report something or report that same thing while reminding his readers (State fans) of our perennial struggles, he chooses the latter. As an example, I present his most recent tweet. Joe Gilbraith (sp?) tweets a picture of the ribbon boards going up. Marcello replies "One panel = progress." I understand that he could have been joking with Gilbraith, he could have been joking with us, and YES I understand that what he said is factually true. But that stupid comment is unnecessary and serves only to diminish the accomplishment of putting up the initial ribbon board. When he reported that 3 MSU players made the All-SEC teams, he made sure to throw in that that number is the fewest in the SEC. Was he telling the truth? Of course. Was there anything incorrect about it being the fewest? Of course not. But was it necessary or even helpful? No.

Since I know that you read this board, Brandon, I am NOT asking you to pump sunshine up my ***. I am NOT asking you to refrain from reporting negative information when it happens. It is important for us to know the good <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the bad things that happen within our program. However, I am asking you that when you need to report a simple factual bit of information, you do just that. Leave that weak, negative **** you strive so desperately to put in each of your reports out of it. Thanks.

 

[croomandwhite]

At risk of a rule violation, I #*!#+*$ hate Brandon Marcello's work. Let me be clear, I don't think he hates MSU or is a closet Rebel or anything like that. I thought Kyle Veazey was the best beat writer we have had in a long time. That being said, Marcello seems like a smug ****. I always feel worse about MSU after I read his tweets/posts/blogs/stories than I did before I read them. Granted, negative press typically generates more viewership (read, more $) than sunshine does, but his **** has just gotten old to me.

I honestly believe that if he has the option to simply report something or report that same thing while reminding his readers (State fans) of our perennial struggles, he chooses the latter. As an example, I present his most recent tweet. Joe Gilbraith (sp?) tweets a picture of the ribbon boards going up. Marcello replies "One panel = progress." I understand that he could have been joking with Gilbraith, he could have been joking with us, and YES I understand that what he said is factually true. But that stupid comment is unnecessary and serves only to diminish the accomplishment of putting up the initial ribbon board. When he reported that 3 MSU players made the All-SEC teams, he made sure to throw in that that number is the fewest in the SEC. Was he telling the truth? Of course. Was there anything incorrect about it being the fewest? Of course not. But was it necessary or even helpful? No.

Since I know that you read this board, Brandon, I am NOT asking you to pump sunshine up my ***. I am NOT asking you to refrain from reporting negative information when it happens. It is important for us to know the good <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the bad things that happen within our program. However, I am asking you that when you need to report a simple factual bit of information, you do just that. Leave that weak, negative **** you strive so desperately to put in each of your reports out of it. Thanks.

 

[SnakePlissken]

+1 on your post. No need for sunshine pumping but simply report and leave out the freakin' commentary - good or bad.

 

[SchruteDog]

Richard Cross is doing the same thing. I used to enjoy his afternoon show when he pretended to be impartial (yes I know he's a Rebel). However, since they've gone to the Head to Head show, he strives to throw in little Eggbowl.com type comments into many of the MSU-Ole Miss conversation now. "Dan Mullen can do no wrong" has become his favorite little saying.<div>
</div><div>Just play it straight, no need to turn the show into Spirit vs. Jean's Page on the airwaves.</div>

 

[Rosebowl.sixpack]

It seems that is how a majority of these so-called beat "writers" get pleasure out of their job. They almost all, not just Marcello, like to make these smug little comments so people react to them and then they can come back with some witty rebuttal (probably with some reference to pop culture). Of course I understand this is what brings more readers and whatnot but it does get annoying at times.

This just seems to be the standard operating procedure for local media beat writers.

 

[Xenomorph]

...the two times I've tuned in I rolled my eyes in the vehicle listening to his shtick. He's obviously making a conscious decision to throw in the jabs hoping it will drive ratings up.

Who knows.. maybe it will. But it makes me want to listen to the show less with him trying to manipulate things.

 

[hotdigitydog]

Nt

 

[Dawg4Life]

I follow him and other members of our staff on Twitter also. I think many of them joke with each other as just part of a working relationship.

I don't think Marcello meant that to be a jab at the university, but just the normal back-and-forth banter he has with Galbraith, Stricklin and others. I think it's good they are able to joke with each other.

I intensely hated Kyle Veazey and I still do. BMarcello is not the writer Veazey is, but I don't think he's taking jabs at our university the way Veazey went out of his way to do and still does.

To me, BMarcello is neither good nor bad. He's just an average writer covering a beat. That's it.

 

[99jc]

Rick Cleveland used to be decent but not in the past 10 years.

 

[drt7891]

I follow him and other members of our staff on Twitter also. I think many of them joke with each other as just part of a working relationship.

I don't think Marcello meant that to be a jab at the university, but just the normal back-and-forth banter he has with Galbraith, Stricklin and others. I think it's good they are able to joke with each other.

I intensely hated Kyle Veazey and I still do. BMarcello is not the writer Veazey is, but I don't think he's taking jabs at our university the way Veazey went out of his way to do and still does.

To me, BMarcello is neither good nor bad. He's just an average writer covering a beat. That's it.

But to cast a different light on that, Marcello HAS to realize that whether he likes it or not, he is a voice of the University to the general public. He speaks through the media to the general population on behalf of the athletic office and many people, not just the fine folks commenting on this thread, have mentioned the exact same thing... that he adds this ******** commentary and it comes across to a lot of people as negativity. If it were up to me, that would be a point of concern because how many people, not just in the state of Mississippi, but State fans EVERYWHERE read his entrys and tweets, and to them, he is the "official" voice of MSU Athletics.<div>
</div><div>So yes, I think a lot of those comments can be interpreted as smug, but I don't think he necessarily is intending them to be smug. However, if he WANTS to joke like that, shoot Stricklin and Galbraith a text message, don't broadcast that kind of joking throughout the entire twitter-sphere. By all means, he can add some personality to them (like Veazey did), but don't be so damned negative all the time.

</div>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

• I have thoroughly enjoyed the program and it is a hell of a lot better than listening to Doug Gottlieb on the way home from work.

 

[biguglyjoe]

At least he can now be his naturally snarky self. I like their show, but I couldn't listen to him by himself.

 

[ForeverMaroonWhite]

I don't like nor dislike Brandon Marcello. The truth is that he does nothing more than re-post (or re-tweet) someone else's information. I guess this is what a writer does, but I stopped reading his CL writeups and stopped following him on twitter because i have found it more informative to read SPS and a few select tweeters. The biggest difference between Kyle and Brandon is that Kyle went after the story. He dug for information and was quite relevant in MSU news. Brandon is totally irrelevant. I don't think Brandon is lazy. I think he just doesn't have deep insightfulness when going after a story and his reports are always very superficial. And boring.

 

[wbc40]

I have little doubt the producers of that show have asked both Cross and Wyatt to increase the back and forth banter a little bit as a part of their on-air shtick. As Azzurri mentioned, there is a reason it's called Head to Head.

It will be really interesting to see how the on-field results of both teams affect the show this fall.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

You guys get way worked up about really stupid ****. Marcello isn't overly negative, nor was Veazey, nor will be the next guy that everyone claims is awful. I follow him on twitter and read his articles, and do the same for Locke. Locke is much quicker, and I enjoy his articles slightly more. Marcello, however, does tend to give a slightly different perspective, and I like to have options.

Twitter is a different beast. You're just as likely to get personal opinions or useless tidbits (hello Veazey's eating/drinking preferences) but that's just part of it, it's a mix between business and personal, you get to know a bit more about the guy behind the articles, and that's fine.

I like to know to bad as much as I like to know the good. If we produce more bad than good some years, that's our own fault.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

I listened to both Wyatt and Cross's shows now and then, and both were decent hosts who's shows could really drag on, both really needed someone to banter with, especially Matt. He's a blatant homer, and that's fine, we love him for it. He's also a super nice guy. I also agree that the producers likely encouraged the two to crank up the "head to head" aspect of the show.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

But to cast a different light on that, Marcello HAS to realize that whether he likes it or not, he is a voice of the University to the general public. He speaks through the media to the general population on behalf of the athletic office and many people, not just the fine folks commenting on this thread, have mentioned the exact same thing... that he adds this ******** commentary and it comes across to a lot of people as negativity. If it were up to me, that would be a point of concern because how many people, not just in the state of Mississippi, but State fans EVERYWHERE read his entrys and tweets, and to them, he is the "official" voice of MSU Athletics.
---------------------------------------------------------------

He is Not our friend, Nor the Voice to the General public, about MSU. He moved here from Arkansas and could care less about MSU, I'll look to MSU for the Voice of the University.
This past week he has posted several items on the OM Blog, and that is his job. He ain't one of us, he only provides information, and we can take from it what we will.

Sorry, I got a bit rev-ed up!

 

[saltslugs]

First quote you post: No reason for him to post that--he's basically bashing Mississippi State History, which is pointless... it's in the past<div>
</div><div>Second quote: That's some pretty useful info. If I'm not checking the entire list, I want to know this.</div><div>
</div><div>I can tell you that beat writers from other schools are super sunshiney which is worse than what Marecello does. But, he doesn't seem on top of things... ever.</div><div>
</div><div>As another poster stated, Sekou Smith is great. Absolutely great.</div>

 

[drt7891]

The reason I said that is because a lot of people look to the Clarion Ledger (whether I like it or not) for info and happenings in the world of MSU Athletics. I don't personally look to him as the "official" voice of MSU athletics, but to a lot of people who read the Clarion Ledger articles and blogs, he is. I know he isn't even paid by MSU (at least I don't hope he is), but he is in the position of "MSU Beat Writer" for one of the state's largest media outlets. I guess I think he should at least be a little more tactful in the way he presents information about us to the public. <div>
</div><div>On a footnote, I don't think the Clarion Ledger gives two ***** about how their beat writers portray the universities they cover in terms of image. </div>

 

[dawgstudent]

does he do ******** commentary on his blog or in an article? No. His personal twitter account is a completely different medium.

 

[re1297id]

even more painful to listen to. i'm glad they are gone.

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[hatfieldms]

ESPN radio in general is a joke though. 5 minutes talk radio/ 5 minutes commercial

 

[BriantheDawg]

.

 

[Paper Dog]

It has nothing to do with MSU

You do not see him act the same way in articles or blogs

Meanwhile, as far as the radio show goes ... it is designed that way

Wyatt is the Bulldog and Cross is the Rebel ... The show is built on bias and trying to bring out the best in the rivalry

 

[RocketCityDawg]

A couple of years ago, I sent out an email to some co-workers, mostly Dawgs, but a few Bammers, Aubies and Rebs, to the effect that Jack Cristil was the greatest sportscaster in SEC history. Basically, a "homer" tribute on my part.

Call that a brain-fart. I included my supervisor, a Rebel, in that distribution.
Somehow having forgotten, or neglected to remember, that David Kellum is his brother in law.

But, to his credit, he was gracious with a gentle reminder. At least he smiled.

 

[drt7891]

nm

 

[drt7891]

A couple of years ago, I sent out an email to some co-workers, mostly Dawgs, but a few Bammers, Aubies and Rebs, to the effect that Jack Cristil was the greatest sportscaster in SEC history. Basically, a "homer" tribute on my part.

Call that a brain-fart. I included my supervisor, a Rebel, in that distribution.
Somehow having forgotten, or neglected to remember, that David Kellum is his brother in law.

But, to his credit, he was gracious with a gentle reminder. At least he smiled.

nm

 

[thatsbaseball]

nm

 

[whatever.sixpack]

I know it's technically his personal Twitter account, but he uses it 75% of the time to report the news that he covers, so there's a fine line there.

I think reporters are eventually going to have policies where they have separate accounts on Twitter to separate their personal posts from the ones that seem as though they are representing their employers in order to avoid problems like these that arise

 

[drt7891]

nm

 

[Rockydawg]

If we start winning some goddamn championships, that **** won't matter. Somebody call a frikkin' wambulance...

 

[AssEndDawg]

if you don't like it quit following his ***! I getting pretty damn sick and tired of people bitching and moaning about every little thing they don't like. Quit +$+*@$+ following him on twitter or reading his articles if you don't like him. I've always though the "pussification of America" stuff was a joke but more and more it seems like it's come to pass. Not everyone has to do what you want... just deal with it.

 

[BiscuitEater]

You guys get way worked up about really stupid ****. Marcello isn't overly negative, nor was Veazey, nor will be the next guy that everyone claims is awful.

Read Veazet's article in the CA on Mullen and Spurrier. He turned the Spurrier's comments on "Mullen's arrival in a jet; they have money" into a commentary onCam Newton turnning down MSU to attend Auburn.

Explain that ... if you can. Don't see any 'overly negative' in that piece?

 

[Msudawg985]

Quit buying CL's if you don't like him. Call CL and tell them you quit buying because of BM. If you want him off as beat writer then that will work. Why? because newspapers need money more now than ever. So if people call the CL to tell them they won't buy until they find a good MSU beat writer then they will think hard about it. I quit buying CL's once Sleazy became the beat writer. I forgot who was before him the guy who went to cover UA at I think Birmingham, was the best in my opinion

 

[o_fredgarvin]

That said, he's just not a good writer.His reportsare dull, uninspired and are on the level of the sports editor for a high school newspaper. I look at Brad Locke's stuff if I want to know what's going on.</p>

 

[OneNationUnderDog]

I mean, I guess he technically "writes", but to call him a writer is an insult to true newspaper writers. I challenge you to read his posts, that appear in a state-wide published newspaper no less, and NOT find grammatical errors, syntax errors, or just plain poor English. I know he writes about sports in Mississippi, but please don't insult us by writing as if you are talking to some 73 year-old farmers at the Cracker Barrel.

Thank you,
A college-educated male

 

[croomandwhite]

Way to really think about your argument before you post it. Brandon Marcello is the reporter for the team that I love, for the largest newspaper in the state. In my opinion, he is doing a terrible job and not performing up to my expectations for what I, and all of you that subscribe to the CL, pay him to do. As the reporter with presumably the greatest amount of resources at his disposal, I rely on him (and the other media outlets that I follow online, on Twitter, etc) to bring me information about the program. I want to find out when a new player commits, I want to find out when we schedule a new opponent, I want to keep up with the stats of players after a game, I want to learn who the candidates for a vacant coaching position are, etc. This is all information that I am not capable of getting unless I were to become a reporter myself.

So if he is doing a bad job, is the proper response to let him keep doing a bad job, i.e, your suggestion of quit following/supporting him? If you are a shareholder in a company, and you think the company is doing a poor job, is the only course of action you have is to sell your stock? Or could you insist that management live up to the standards you expect? Why should I passively accept the consequences of his subpar performance? Obviously, I could quit following him. But why should I have to reap the consequences of his poor job performance? Next time, think before you post please.

 

[drt7891]

I don't follow him simply because he doesn't bother to post anything "up to the minute," he waits a few days before he ever writes a blog entry or tweets about it (which defeats the purpose) and all the extra ******** he tweets, but his tweets do show up on the CL Blog, so no, it isn't really personal. I simply got tired of sifting through the ******** to read something that happened a week ago... *EDIT* SPS breaks news much faster than the CL.

 

[AssEndDawg]

In my opinion...

So now we have things of equivalent value.