By Jeff Moss
DetroitSportsRag@GMail.com
December 21, 2013
This morning, I posted an article regarding Ed Werder’s report from earlier this week on ESPN’s Sportscenter that Lions GM Martin Mayhew wanted Jim Schwartz fired last season, but Bill Ford, Jr. refused to sign off on the termination due to the three years remaining on the head coach’s contract.
I spent a couple of days trying in vain to get in touch with Mr. Werder before publishing a blog that summarized the NFL reporter’s salacious story. I felt I was doing my due diligence by holding off until hearing from Werder, but when it appeared that effort was fruitless, I went ahead and posted.
Approximately 12 hours after my article was posted, Justin Rogers of MLive.com wrote a similar story. Justin (sorry, I don’t have a good Mister Rogers joke) also was holding off on publishing an article about Werder’s TV broadcast interview until he heard back from Poor Man’s Chris Mortensen.
Rogers left Werder a voicemail message but the Lions beat writer’s phone call was never returned.
Anyway, late this afternoon, I FINALLY received some feedback from Werder regarding his bombshell report. After I noticed a recent Tweet from his account, I asked him the following question ….
.@Edwerderespn Never going to respond to anyone about your Schwartz/Mayhew/Ford, Jr. story? Real nice.
— Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
Here was Werder’s response and the balance of the conversation …
@JeffMossDSR What do I have to explain? I was asked a question on two shows and gave my informed opinion. It wasn’t a news story.
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) December 21, 2013
@Edwerderespn You don’t think a story that big is worthy of a print article or even a Tweet or something other than 6am SportsCenter? — Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
@Edwerderespn Also, saying that Ford wouldn’t pay the buyout isn’t an opinion. It’s either a fact or it isn’t. — Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
@JeffMossDSR I obviously think it was worth exactly what we did with it. I offered my informed opinion when asked question.
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) December 21, 2013
@Edwerderespn Once again, saying that Ford looked at the buyout and said no IS NOT AN OPINION.
— Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
@Edwerderespn If your story not opinion is true, it is a huge story here due to the ownership of this team the last 6 decades. You get that? — Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
@JeffMossDSR I suggest you go ask them your questions — Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) December 21, 2013
@Edwerderespn very professional. Glad to know it is your “OPINION” that something factual either did or didn’t occur.
— Jeff Moss (@JeffMossDSR) December 21, 2013
And that was that. I don’t think we have learned much from these Tweets other than that Ed Werder seems like a real asshole. Did Junior refuse Mayhew’s request to shitcan Schwartz? It’s my OPINION that it probably did occur, although Werder sure didn’t comfort with me his responses.
I just have always come to expect the worst from this organization, and it has rarely failed me in the past.
Now you will have to excuse me, I have to go ask Martin Mayhew and Bill Ford, Jr. if Werder’s story is true. I am sure the pair will be forthright with me.
Or maybe my Twitter follower and Lions President Tom Lewand will send me a Direct Message confirming that I am on the right track.
Actually, I have a better chance of Mayhew’s kid telling David Fireberg’s child that dad tried to give Schwartz a pink slip, but Junior refused to piece the head coach off.
You won’t get that reference. Mayhew will.