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Bills Largely Criticized For Instituting New Restrictive Media Policy For OTAs, Mini-Camp

The Bills yesterday unveiled new policies for the media, with the team "trying to crack down on any information from public practices getting to fans," but only some points "seem reasonable, others not so much," according to Tyler Dunne of the BUFFALO NEWS. The policy is "bizarre even by bizarre NFL standards." Prohibited in the policy is reporting on which players practice with the first or second team, as well as a prohibition on reporting "who is rushing the passer, dropped passes, interceptions, QB completion percentage, etc" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/25). In Boston, Rachel Bowers notes reporters are "barred from revealing any conversations that take place between players, coaches or team executives during practice." Videos and pictures also "cannot be snapped in and around the locker room without team approval." Bills Senior VP/Communications Scott Berchtold said that most of the rules apply to practices "closed to the public, not training camp." Bills coach Rex Ryan said, "Our media policy isn’t something that I’m involved with" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/25).

ALL THE WRONG REASONS
: In N.Y., Gary Myers notes after yesterday's announcement the Bills immediately "were ridiculed," and the "media protested." The team later "clarified their policy: The new rules pertain to OTAs and mini-camp, which are not open to the public." But it "should have said this when the policy was first distributed." There is "still a camp problem with fans able to tweet anything but the media must follow rules." It is "rare that teams place restrictions on OTAs and mini-camps" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/25). FS1's Jay Onrait said, "It seems easy enough. If you’re a reporter, just don’t report” ("Fox Sports Live with Jay and Dan," FS1, 5/24). ESPN's Adam Schefter said of the new policies, "These things are a complete waste of time. There is no reason for doing it" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 5/24). In Buffalo, Jay Skurski writes, "Predictably, reaction to the Bills' new policy that would make North Korea proud has been overwhelmingly negative among both media members and fans" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 5/24). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "The NFL bypasses mainstream media. They don't need you, they don't want us there, so you know what, close the practice and you don't have to worry about the rule" ("PTI," ESPN, 5/24). CBS Sports Network's Adam Schein said, "This is pathetic. This is embarrassing. This is paranoia" ("Time To Schein," CBSSN, 5/24).

PLAYER PERSPECTIVE: ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley said, “This is a smart play and I think all teams should ban media from doing this, and let me tell you why. It converts the practice experience into a game-like atmosphere and that's not what practice is for. Practice is not for you to go out there and grade how good you are right now, it’s about how good you can become if you listen to the process and trust in the process and go through the procedure of practice" ("SportsNation," ESPN, 5/24).

NOT THE ONLY ONES
: ESPN.com's Mike Rodak wrote, "Note how 'interceptions' and 'dropped passes' are among the restricted items but 'touchdowns' and 'catches' are not. In other words, telling fans about the not-so-savory stuff that happens is unacceptable, but go ahead and let everyone know about when things go right." But "plenty of teams have rules about what reporters can report from practice, and the Bills are no exception; they had less formal policies in place in recent years" (ESPN.com, 5/24). But ESPN's Herm Edwards said he conducted a "camp for media members" covering the Jets when he was the head coach, because the if "you can teach the members of the media what you're trying to do," then "they have a better ability to look at the game from that perspective" ("SportsNation," ESPN, 5/24).

STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP?
In Buffalo, Bucky Gleason asks, "Is this the National Football League or the People’s Republic of China?" While the new policy was announced by the Bills' PR department, the restrictions likely "came from a higher branch of the hierarchy," possibly "handed down from" GM Doug Whaley or Ryan. Meanwhile, the Bills "didn’t mention whether the media was restricted from reporting their promotions or providing updates about tickets sales." Gleason: "I would imagine that would be encouraged along with stories about their work in the community and warm-and-fuzzy yarns about players who haven’t been arrested" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/25). ESPN's Scott Van Pelt asked, "Rex Ryan said the policy is not something he was involved with, so who is? Who’s worried about the information getting out?" Van Pelt said coaches "have feared spies for as long as football has been played, but given the ease with which information is accessible now this hardly seems like a battle worth starting, particularly with the people that are just going to heckle you for it" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 5/25).

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