ESPN gets its signals crossed on Mangini
An ESPN spokesman this week denied an ESPN report that an ESPN employee was offered a new job.
Yes, you read that right.
Let's retrace the steps that led to that point.
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported Wednesday morning that one of the network's NFL analysts, former coach Eric Mangini, had been offered a job by Philadelphia coach Andy Reid as a consultant to first-time defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.
It seemed like a legitimate story. Reid and Castillo are under fire after the 1-4 start by the "Dream Team," and the possibility of bringing in a fresh opinion could only help.
The Eagles and Reid, however, denied the report.
That's when things really took a turn.
According to Geoff Mosher of the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal, an ESPN spokesman denied the report on behalf of Mangini.
As Deadspin noted, "Sal Pal delivered his report without noting whether he had bothered to get Mangini to confirm, which he could have done by simply looking up his name in the company directory."
Watch for a Worldwide Leader spokesperson to deny any denial was ever issued to a story that they deny was ever reported.
■ SNOOKI BEAR -- Oregon State football coach Mike Riley has nearly 5,000 followers on Twitter, but it's probably safe to assume he doesn't post his own tweets.
He's just now figuring out his cellphone.
According to Portland media personality John Canzano, Riley sent out his first text message this week.
The response came back to him, "Who are you? Why do you have Mike Riley's phone?"
Riley, 58, played for Paul "Bear" Bryant in college, who probably wouldn't have been quick to embrace technology, either.
Just imagine Bryant sending out text messages from his iPhone with a plaid cover and getting one back, triggering his "Jersey Shore" message alert.
■ BABY SITTER JACK -- Former Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon didn't read the now famous Boston Globe story that accused pitchers Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester of drinking beer, eating fast-food fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse during games.
That didn't stop him from being able to offer unique insight to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post.
McKeon said Beckett and then-teammate Brad Penny used to hang out in the clubhouse during games when they were teammates on the Marlins in 2003, forcing McKeon to lock the clubhouse door during games.
The story says McKeon had to issue "poo-poo cards and pee-pee cards" during that World Series season for players who needed to relieve themselves during games.
That team was known for its youth, but that seems a little extreme. So did replacing the batting cage with a seesaw.
COMPILED BY ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
