Rift between Aponte and Philbin has Dolphins on path to Harbaugh

[Brian Fein]

Without "unnamed sources" people would actually be responsible for verifying their information before word-vomiting any rumor or unsubstantiated made-up thought onto a internet blog. 

Unnamed sources could be literally anyone.

[Rich]

Without "unnamed sources" people would actually be responsible for verifying their information

Without unnamed sources, no one would give them information. Most sources wished to remain unnamed. But as the old saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire.

Unnamed sources could be literally anyone.

I'm sure a well known reporter like Jason La Canfora is not getting this information from the janitor...

[Sunstroke]

But as the old saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire.

No words cooked up by man in the literary kitchen have been used more often than those to justify jumping to an unverified conclusion.

[Rich]

No words cooked up by man in the literary kitchen have been used more often than those to justify jumping to an unverified conclusion.

That'd be great if we hadn't seen this play out last season between Aponte, Philbin and Ireland.

Here's dessert.

You've got to see the forest for the trees.

Bon appetit.

[JGreenMachine]

It's the female genes.  This is why chicks don't belong in an NFL front office.   

[Sunstroke]

Here's dessert.

You've got to see the forest for the trees.

Bon appetit.

Mmm, Vanilla...such a rare and exotic treat. 

It's the female genes.  This is why chicks don't belong in an NFL front office.  

"Chicks cannot hold their smoke...dat's what it is."

[Rich]

Mmm, Vanilla...such a rare and exotic treat. 

I'm on a roll today.

Life is simple if you stick to the basics.

[Brian Fein]

I'm sure a well known reporter like Jason La Canfora is not getting this information from the janitor...

I'm not sure if you were serious or not.  LaCanfora is notorious in the media for publishing stories that end up being false.  Did it several times last season alone.

[Rich]

I'm not sure if you were serious or not.  LaCanfora is notorious in the media for publishing stories that end up being false.  Did it several times last season alone.

All of these guys have stories that don't pan out. Adam Shefter, Peter King, our local beat writers. We could go on all day about how these guys miss stories.

That doesn't mean they don't have well-placed sources feeding them information.

Given Dawn Aponte's past, I am willing to give La Canfora the benefit of the doubt on this story. She is loyal to no one but herself and her ambition knows no bounds.

[Brian Fein]

All of these guys have stories that don't pan out. Adam Shefter, Peter King, our local beat writers. We could go on all day about how these guys miss stories.

That doesn't mean they don't have well-placed sources feeding them information.

Given Dawn Aponte's past, I am willing to give La Canfora the benefit of the doubt on this story. She is loyal to no one but herself and her ambition knows no bounds.

Fine but look at the spin, and the stretch he puts on the headline...

Internal turmoil still the norm for the Dolphins. QB change could be coming soon: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24728031/divide-between-philbin-front-office-has-dolphins-on-path-for-more-turnover …

https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/516207384575115264

How do you post an article stating "QB change could be coming soon" after a game like yesterday?

I guess, to be fair, the article was posted yesterday morning.  But this is the same guy that posted articles saying Cameron Wake was about to be traded, Mike Wallace was about to the traded.  Sean Smith was getting the franchise tag.  Same guy broke ALL these stories.  I remember one a while back about Jason Taylor too that he posted that was complete trash.  Sorry, but for me, he has completely lost credibility.  I haven't seen any other writer habitually get this many stories wrong.

My guess is that he was just piling on the previously existing controversy and trying to push it a step further.  Or link 2 seemingly unrelated stories to spin a web of controversy.  Sorry, I just am not buying it.  We don't have to take these writers' words as fact.

With former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, Tannehill's college coach at Texas A&M, let go, Philbin has been increasingly intrigued by the prospect of veteran backup quarterback Matt Moore running his offense. The idea dates back to the end of last season...

This doesn't even make sense.  He's saying Philbin has interest in starting Matt Moore because Sherman was fired, but was interested BEFORE Sherman got fired?  Does he know what Philbin is thinking without asking him?  HE must be a mind reader.

Sorry but this entire story reads like a 3rd grade book report, and is worth about just as much.

[Rich]

But this is the same guy that posted articles saying Cameron Wake was about to be traded, Mike Wallace was about to the traded.

That's not what he reported. He reported that according to sources the Dolphins would listen to offers. That's a far cry from saying they are about to be traded.

Sean Smith was getting the franchise tag.

Actually, he reported that Randy Starks would and he did.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/21809543/dolphins-likely-to-franchise-tag-defensive-lineman-randy-starks

[Brian Fein]

^^ My mistake, it was Alex Smith, not Sean Smith. (article said "Smith," I filled in the blank)

And this article cites the same "unnamed sources" that Jordan, Wake, and Wallace were being shopped.  All vehemently denied by the team later on.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24460690/miami-dolphins-shopping-2013-first-round-pick-dion-jordan

And this:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2014/02/dolphins-respond-to-jordan-wake-wallace-trade-rumor.html

So what we have here is an issue of credibility and integrity. Do you believe CBSSports.com? Or do you believe the Miami Dolphins?

[Rich]

And this article cites the same "unnamed sources" that Jordan, Wake, and Wallace were being shopped.  All vehemently denied by the team later on.

A team is not going to admit to shopping a player if they aren't getting the type of interest they are looking for.

[Dave Gray]

Unnamed sources could be literally anyone.

Not really. 

You can ethically report news if you get enough evidence to suggest a story is true.  Usually, three secondary sources make something a fact.  Your closeness to the organization depends on if you're a primary source or not.

It's the job of the reporter (and their reputation) that you're buying into.

So, if John Clayton reports something is true, even with unnamed sources, he's trustworthy -- he's been doing this long enough, has shown a reputation, etc. 

Some equipment manager could be blowing the whistle, but they won't go public because they'll lose their job.

It's when sites are so quick to be the first to report anything that they don't wait for three secondary sources, or they print info they know isn't reliable that they start getting a bad reputation.  PFT is known for this because they have very little filter.

[MikeO]

I'm sure a well known reporter like Jason La Canfora is not getting this information from the janitor...

I agree with everything you say Rich....but LaCanfora is garbage. Especially when it comes to Dolphins stories. He hasn't been right once. He announced a Fins press conference a couple years back when they signed Ahmed Bradshaw....obviously that didn't happen. He was dead wrong. He was 100% wrong this past offseason with his Wallace and Jordan being traded rumor, they were never offered nor could they be because of the salary cap implications. Anyone could look at the salary cap hit and realize neither could be traded.

LaCanfora is 0-100 and counting when it comes to Dolphins stories. The guy's track record is garbage. The next story he gets right with the Fins will be his first.

In general overall I agree with your points and stance when it comes to journalism and reporting....just can't give LaCanfora any credit. He sucks