Eagles

Jeff McLane, of the Inquirer, Gripes About Access the Eagles Give to Media

By Kyle Scott

Published: Dec 11th, 2013 · 3:05 PM EST

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Jeff McLane does a good job covering the Eagles. His article this weekend about Nick Foles, for exampulars, was unique, informative and entertaining. But he was also the Reid Regime’s go-to when a story needed to be leaked or assuaged. In other words: he got access others didn’t. But it sounds like that’s not the case now that Chip Kelly has been brought on-board.

Taking part in a Q&A with Peter King’s MMQB, McLane talked about the most frustrating part of his job:

In truth, most of what we report and write about a team is positive. But for those of us that try to cover a team, warts and all, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with its decision makers, especially if they are sensitive or equate unbiased reporting with negativity. Another frustrating part is the decreasing access reporters are given to coaches and players. We used to complain about the access we got when Andy Reid was head coach, but since Chip Kelly came aboard the Eagles have given us the bare minimum. I don’t generally complain about the job, and most readers don’t give a hoot (which I completely understand), but limited access affects the information and stories they often ask for.

Earlier this year, McLane’s punching colleague, Les Bowen, expressed that same sentiment when it was announced that Kelly would appear on the WIP Morning Show every Monday:

Chip's media strategy: stroke Angelo, keep the rest of us at arm's length. Similar to Andy's setup with @howardeskin.

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) September 3, 2013

Seems to me the Eagles – along with the Flyers – are finally understanding that, for many news items, they can go directly to the public, or to a radio show that the public listens to, and cut out the middlemen. The media, of course, no likey.

I’d recommend reading the entire piece— it’s a good, easy read.