JLC vs. Cerrato takes a new twist?

I'm lost...I've allways seen LM mention the sourcerer on the show but never really knew he was reffering to JLC or that it carried a negative emphasis. Could some one in a nutshell update me on how this all started and Cerroto's and LM's involvment. And who is the Intimidator because after skimming through some of the threads it seams as if JLC is, which is hard to believe.

As someone who has worked in that local media covering the Redskins (Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Freedom, United, Bison, Terps. Hoyas, Eagles, Colonials, Patriots, etc.) I would say that as far as getting access to a team's front office the Redskins are certainly the most difficult. They're the big dogs in town and they know it.

It stems from a few things. When Snyder bought the team, he brought in a new mentality when it came to media coverage. First, because of his marketing/media background he wanted a more consolidated/streamlined line of communication making it more difficult to get "inside scoops." Secondly he, or someone in his group, would hold stories to leak them to the national media first because he wanted the Redskins to be thought of nationally, not just locally. Needless to say, this irked a lot of local media. In that sense, Snyder and the Redskins didn't handle things right in my opinion.

But I think to an extent, the Redskins have some legitimate concerns. There are a lot of people who work in the media in the DC area (current friends and former colleagues of mine) who quite honestly have made serious blunders in their zeal to break a story on the Redskins. Whether it's providing erroneous information or reporting on issues that were strictly off the record. There are plenty of good, objective professional media people down in DC but then there are those who simply are looking for a career boost (by whatever means necessary). JLC strikes me as one of the latter.

Excellent post. Thanks. That sheds an inside light on the situation.

I understand being in the media (especially in the capacity of a mouthpiece or talking head) can be brutal. But this sounds like a pretty bush league move by JLC.

As someone who has worked in that local media covering the Redskins (Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Freedom, United, Bison, Terps. Hoyas, Eagles, Colonials, Patriots, etc.) I would say that as far as getting access to a team's front office the Redskins are certainly the most difficult. They're the big dogs in town and they know it.

It stems from a few things. When Snyder bought the team, he brought in a new mentality when it came to media coverage. First, because of his marketing/media background he wanted a more consolidated/streamlined line of communication making it more difficult to get "inside scoops." Secondly he, or someone in his group, would hold stories to leak them to the national media first because he wanted the Redskins to be thought of nationally, not just locally. Needless to say, this irked a lot of local media. In that sense, Snyder and the Redskins didn't handle things right in my opinion.

But I think to an extent, the Redskins have some legitimate concerns. There are a lot of people who work in the media in the DC area (current friends and former colleagues of mine) who quite honestly have made serious blunders in their zeal to break a story on the Redskins. Whether it's providing erroneous information or reporting on issues that were strictly off the record. There are plenty of good, objective professional media people down in DC but then there are those who simply are looking for a career boost (by whatever means necessary). JLC strikes me as one of the latter.

Good post. Do you think some of this zeal to break the story could come from the way you mention the Skins have done their comm? It seems like this set up could make reporters feel out of the loop and also reduce rapport with the team. Do you think this reduced rapport and making the media feel marginalized could make reporters do things they wouldnt have done under the older more open communications.

The more I think about it I have figured out what irks me on this. JLC is the king of "league sources". Whatever the hell that is. These are the same people he relies on for analysis of Skins FO moves and onfield play. He is always talking to these people. I know, based on his past assertions, that some of sources are in or close to the NFL offices. Why didn't he just ask one of these sources off the record? Why does he have to start trying to make a capital case out of it? I think he was trying to stir it up and that is BS.

Good post. Do you think some of this zeal to break the story could come from the way you mention the Skins have done their comm? It seems like this set up could make reporters feel out of the loop and also reduce rapport with the team. Do you think this reduced rapport and making the media feel marginalized could make reporters do things they wouldnt have done under the older more open communications.

well, I think changing times and emerging technologies have had a significant impact. It's not as easy to "work your sources" and cultivate relationships as it used to be. It applies to all sports and all teams. So I don't think it's as much about the Redskins philosophy as it is their importance in DC. I mean look as much as I think JLC needs to improve I don't really envy his position. Not because he's covering the Redskins but because of the demands on his job.

When I was down there I was producing stories for the web at a tv station and expected to have some new news three times a day (when you wake up, when you leave work, when you go to bed) and more if possible. This is apart from working on "meatier" stories for weekly shows. And sometimes there is just nothing to report. But the fans and your boss don't want to hear that. But now with someone like JLC, we're looking for updates (and as a fan I definitely do this) almost hourly.

Can someone tell me why JLC is calling the NFL in the first place. Is that his job? Is it his place to call the NFL? He'a a reporter. Right? His check isn't signed by the NFL. Why is he doing this? If this is true some needs to sit this guy down and remind him what his job is.

while i only know of this story from what ive read on this thread, it doesnt surprise me that a reporter would follow up and try to be the first to break a story. if the league was investigating it then JLC being the first to call and find out would make him the "reporter who brings you breaking news on the skins" . . but this sounds like the media trying to make a story for the sake on being able to say "were the first to bring you breaking news" . . . JLC trying to make a story out of nothing basically. he shots, he doesnt score.

i dont know what happened or why and honestly dont care to find out.

go skins!!

edit: just read smootsmacks post, now my original thought is just a tag on. thanks alot smootsmack! j/k

You have got to be kidding me...this is getting out of hand.

Larry Michael: La Canfora Could Be a Spy | Mr. Irrelevant (http://misterirrelevant.com/index.php/2008/09/24/larry-michael-la-canfora-could-be-a-spy/)

We wish this was satire. But we’re afraid it’s not. Here is, verbatim, what Larry Michael said on Comcast’s Redskins Nation yesterday:

And again, it really smacks of unprofessionalism, and a big concern that I have is that he’s in this building, ok? Uh, what stops him from leaking—with this hateful spirit that he has—what stops him from leaking information to other teams? How ’bout that, Redskins fans? How would you feel about that? How would you like it if you found out, ‘Well, he could possibly be a source for a Dallas newspaper?’ If you’re a Redskins fan, you’ve gotta be worried about this, you’ve got to be scared a little bit about what he could do. How he could leak information from this building to the opposition. This IS pro football. Other teams LOVE getting inside information. Maybe he IS a source elsewhere. How can our players speak to him without knowing this information will not be passed off to harm them in a ball game somewhere along the way? Why this hatred of our team, the Redskins, Redskins Nation? Of course, the Sourcerer is Jason La Canfora, but you already knew that, didn’t you? What do you think, Redskins Nation? Love to hear your thoughts.

Yeah, maybe he’s giving Pentagon secrets to Al Qaeda. He works at the Post, and people at the Post have contacts to high ranking military officials. So what do you think about that, Americans? Hmmm? You know what? What would you think if we told you he organized 9/11? How would that strike your fancy, Nation? Look, let’s not get carried away, but what I’m trying to say here, fans, is that Jason La Canfora is Osama bin Laden. Love to hear you thoughts on that.

But seriously, La Canfora is the one who “smacks of unprofessionalism,” yet Michael is on television outright suggesting the La Canfora is capable of, or actually is, giving insider info to the Cowboys? And while La Canfora is apparently “in the building”? Perhaps Michael should try talking to La Canfora about his concerns of espionage. Or, better yet, just stop outright slandering a man who cannot defend himself.

This really has gotten way out of hand. First, Vinny Cerrato incorrectly accuses La Canfora of something JLC never did, and now they are trying to scare the fans into thinking that he could potentially harm the team on the field by giving out insider info.

Oh, and while we’re here, please stop referring to our fan base as “Redskins Nation.” This isn’t fucking Boston and we’re not a pack of blowhard douchebags. Unlike Larry Michael, Vinny Cerrato and Co.

You have got to be kidding me...this is getting out of hand.

Larry Michael: La Canfora Could Be a Spy | Mr. Irrelevant (http://misterirrelevant.com/index.php/2008/09/24/larry-michael-la-canfora-could-be-a-spy/)

Is there a way we can get rid of Michael and JLC? To me that would be ideal. Both of them are what Jon Stewart would call "Partisan Hacks" and to see both find work elsewhere would be ideal.

Either way send Michael back to his producer job or whatever he was doing before his commentary and let JLC cover the Caps. Then bring back Herzog and try to bring an end to Snyders police state policies concerning the team and the local media.

Wow...all of this is giving me a headache.

Why does there have to be a pissing contest. I've never raelly had a problem with LM until now. He needs to get the hell. Flamming is bS and this is flamming. I can udnestand why VC got mad but LM is simply trying to stoke this up even further.