First Annual Grading of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports writer Bob McGinn
by John Ellis
With the Green Bay Packer season coming to an end it’s time for the first annual grading of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports writer Bob McGinn.
“It’s one thing to be confident. It’s another to be smug” said Bob in a January 11, 2014 article grading the Packers. With that in mind, let’s begin.
1. Having the expertise that can only come from actually having played the game. Were not sure about this one. Although we researched it we couldn’t find any evidence that Bob actually played football, even at the pee wee level. Grade; incomplete.
2. Routinely using unnamed NFL sources in his articles. Bob does this on a regular basis and for no legitimate reason. If Bob has a source with an opinion about a coach, a player, or other members of the Packer organization, that source should go on the record so that his credentials can be questioned. One professional journalist, who wished to remain off the record, said “By doing this, Bob cheapens our profession.” Grade; D-
3. Never going on the record with a pre-game prediction. Bob has been in journalism for a long time and unlike many of his fellow sports writers we can find no evidence that Bob ever puts his expertise on the line by predicting the out come of a game before it’s played. We find this troubling and hope he corrects it in the future. Grade; F
4. Never allowing his readers to grade him. After grading the Packers Bob will occasionally ask his readers to submit their own grades of the team, but never their grades of him. This is a serious omission because without timely and objective feedback it’s impossible for Bob to improve his performance. Grade F
5. Overall Grade; F+
Please forward any comments, or your own grades of Bob’s performance this year, to jellis@onwisconsinoutdoors.com. In the interest of fairness the comments or grades of current and former Packer players or personnel will be accepted anonymously.