I have been doing this site for little over a year, and I never had more traffic and feedback for a subject than the Twitter issue and the NFL draft.
You’re really passionate about this.
Monday, I did a Q/A with ESPN’s Adam Schefter and how he has been told to cut back on tweeting out picks during the draft.
Wednesday, I did a post in which CBS’ Jason La Canfora said he doesn’t have any restrictions and will be tweeting everything during the draft, including picks if he gets them before they are announced on TV.
I asked readers to weigh with in their views. And brother, did they ever.
I would say it was 70-30 against reporters tweeting picks, and thus spoiling some of the suspense and anticipation from the draft.
The anti-tweeting folks were very vocal and had some not-so-nice things to say about Mr. La Canfora.
La Canfora also heard from them, prompting this tweet: “To all the Tweets about people unfollowing me, I have a job to do and if you don’t want the info, that’s cool. I get it. No one has to follow.”
Here’s a sample of reader reaction:
DON’T TWEET
Aaron: F-you Jason La Canfora.
Nick: I hope he has 7 followers by draft day.
Jon: Boooooo this man!!! Trying to do something different to add excitement to the draft and you are trying to mess that up. You are a CBS tool.
Tony: Because we want it to be a surprise you idiot!!!!!
Sonny: WHYYY???? I am a hardcore football fan! But still I like the excitement of the commissioner saying the names. Not some wanna be who thinks he has all the facts. Just leave it alone for three nights. OH MY GOSH SO ANNOYING.
Michael: I understand they have to do their job but it takes all the excitement out of the event.
Will: No reason people can’t wait 20-30 seconds. Adds more drama, better for production.
Disappointed NFL fan: This year I was excited because no one was going to tip the picks and it was going to keep the suspense. but this A hole puts his try hard pants on to find a loop hole and exploit it. come on man….. Really??? please don’t do this… let the draft go back to being exciting rather than lame. I hope he is the only guy going to tip the picks and everyone else respects the agreement making him look foolish and like a selfish A hole he is.
Taigdh: Total bs, for the sake of waiting a extra few minutes on draft day there might be some tension and atmosphere about the event..the above statement by La Canfora is stupid.
Dan: Not a fan. I turn to Twitter to debate picks. Turn to TV to watch picks be announced. Don’t like when writers ruin surprise.
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BY ALL MEANS, TWEET
Ken: Good. I think all of the networks signed away a bit of integrity with that agreement. La Canfora still has his.
Jeff: Is it a necessity to have Twitter open while you watch it on TV? What about people who aren’t able to watch it live. They aren’t allowed to receive the info ASAP? I say to ESPN, NFL Network, La Canfora, go ahead and Tweet away till your heart’s content. If I don’t want it I’ll take care of it on my end. Ridiculous.
Gail: I don’t mind at all. It’s the world we live in now.
AJ: I love Adam’s draft updates I can’t understand how someone can complain about getting an update or reading a tweet that ruined a surprise. If you want to be surprised turn off your phone. If you want to be really surprised turn off your TV and wait to read about it in the paper.
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Want to weigh in with your opinion? Drop me a line.
I do not mind the tweeting of picks. If you do not want to know beforehand what the picks are, do not be on Twitter. It really is that simple. No one said you have to watch the Draft on TV and be on Twitter at the same time in order to know the selections.
To the people who are against the tweets, how about not looking at your twitter feed during the draft or don’t follow the person giving out the picks. See, it’s that easy.