Gary Shelton Is Sensitive

Gary Shelton of the Times wrote almost 900 words today questioning the Buccaneers' credibility as a team. Here are some samples:

Do you trust those in charge of the Bucs as much as ever? Do you believe what you are hearing, and do you believe in those saying it?

It is an alarming thing when a franchise's credibility begins to crumble.

More and more, the Bucs tell you less and less. The truth has become a moving target.

No competitive edge would be sacrificed by a few reasonable explanations. But when a team isn't upfront about small things, it is easy to wonder about bigger ones. About hidden agendas. About ulterior motives.

Way to take it personally, Gary. I have always held a bit of doubt in the conspiracy theory that the Tampa media hates Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden. Most of the time I chalked it up to knee-jerk reactions to criticisms of the team. But it's true. If Shelton feels this way, chances are all the Bucs beat writers do.

Let's be clear. The Buccaneers do not owe the media specific explanations of their business transactions or their players' medical conditions. Simeon Rice failed a physical and they parted ways with him. I was surprised just like everyone else, but it's done. He was released a week ago and hasn't been picked up yet. He left New York without a contract. Maybe there's a reason, eh? Chris Simms has a sore elbow. Allen said that. He also said the arm wasn't a concern. You know why it's not a concern? Because they have other quarterbacks to take his place and have absolutely no reservations about releasing him. For Allen, it really isn't a concern.

The part about hidden agendas is the best. Seriously, Gary? Do the Illuminati secretly run the Buccaneer front office and releasing Rice is the first step to world domination? Jesus Taco Christ, it's a football team. They want to win games. That's it. It's not all about you and the team making it easy for you to write your stories. I realize Rich McKay was much more forthcoming with his secret information to the media, and the subject of his own current credibility can be taken up later if you like. But just because you actually have to dig for your scoops now doesn't mean Gruden and Allen are plotting anything weird.

Look at a guy like Bill Belichick. Every week he puts about half of his team on the injury report as questionable. And every week they all play. Should he tell the media that it's really all a trick to make the upcoming team question who they need to prepare for? Maybe he should prepare a "Real Injury Report" for the reporters who feel so entitled.

Why not come clean? This is because one of your colleagues (who, as far as I know, does not have a medical degree) diagnosed Chris Simms with a disease that he does not have. He put a lot of his ego into breaking the story and Bruce Allen dismissed it. So now you're taking up for your friend and, by proxy, all Bucs beat writers, to let him know you don't appreciate being publicly kicked around. Isn't that it? The Times is supposed to be better than that. Me, I can write whatever I want because everyone knows I'm a dumbass and I'm not held to any standards. You, though, work for a real paper with real credentials. Your feelings about Bruce Allen are irrelevant and your smear story about them is nothing but you venting your spleen. Hope you feel better, because the cost to your publication's credibility was high.