Sports PR: Zzzzzzzzzz...

Sports public relations is often the most boring aspect of sports except for the PR wars such as Brett Favre, Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, you name it—those last for a day or two, and then fizzle out like all other sports PR. 

Do you remember the last big trade?  What did the teams and players involved say?

One team probably said something like this, "We're disappointed to see Joe Schmo go, but at the same time we're excited to be getting a great player like Rocky Cocky.  We're eager to get him out on the field, and we're very glad to have him be a part of our team." 

The other team likely said something very similar. Sports PR is usually all the same.  It's just a drab, continuous cycle.  It doesn't matter what the transaction is—a signing, release, or trade. 

Take the Mark Teixeira trade from late July for example.  First baseman Teixeira was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for first baseman Casey Kotchman and AA pitcher Steve Marek.    

When asked about the trade, Kotchman said he was excited about playing for [Braves manager] Bobby Cox , "I've just seen him from the outside, how he handles players, how he's pulling for them," Kotchman said. "I'm excited. There's nothing negative out of this."

Kotchman may have said there's nothing wrong with being traded from the powerhouse Angels to the down-and-out Braves, but I highly doubt he doesn't wish he was still on the Angels with a chance to win the World Series instead of being with Atlanta, a team that doesn't have a chance at making the playoffs this year.

An NFL trade had the Carolina Panthers moving Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets for picks in the 2008 NFL Draft. 

"We've had several conversations with Kris over the last couple years and decided this was the right time for both parties to move in this direction," general manager Marty Hurney said after the trade. "Kris has been a very valuable member of our team the last seven years, and we appreciate everything he has done four us and wish him the best."

"Kris has played a valuable role since our coaching staff arrived," head coach John Fox said. "He showed determination in coming back the last two seasons after injuries to be a mainstay on our defense. We hope only the very best for Kris."

That sounds like every other statement made by a general manager after trading away a valuable piece of the team.  Doesn't it sound really similar to what Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said about Pennington upon releasing him?

But that's just trades.  There's also releases.  The reactions to these trade announcements are also strikingly similar to each other. 

New YorkJets general manager Mike Tannenbaum on the release of quarterback Chad Pennington:

"We have accomplished a lot of great things with Chad," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement.

"He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he has done."

That's a great thing to say and all, but isn't that what every GM says after trading or releasing a player that has been a big part of his team for years because he found someone better?  I thought so.

Here's what Hurney had to say about quarterback David Carr's release in the offseason.

"This was a very unusual season for us at quarterback, and David was a part of that," general manager Marty Hurney said. "He did everything we asked, but, unfortunately, it didn't work out like anyone had hoped or expected. David is an excellent person, and we wish him the best."

Do you see a trend emerging?

This is Hurney's statement following the release of running back DeShaun Foster. 

"DeShaun has displayed every quality that we value as a Carolina Panther," general manager Marty Hurney said. "He has been the ultimate team player, and this is a difficult decision but we came to the conclusion to go in a different direction. We wish DeShaun the best in the future and will always think highly of him."

But that's just trades and releases.  There's still signings.

The Carolina Panthers signed Muhsin Muhammad in the offseason.  This is what the team and player had to say about the signing.

"It feels good to be back home," Muhammad said. "I'm happy to be back with the team and, hopefully, can help make my teammates better and contribute to a championship."

"It's great to have Muhsin back," general manager Marty Hurney said. "He is not only an excellent player on the field but a leader who brings a mental and physical toughness. He came into the NFL as a Panther, and we are thrilled he is back with us."

"Muhsin knows our team and is still familiar with a number of our coaches and we know what he can do," head coach John Fox said. "He is a tough player who plays a physical style that we value. It's good to have him back with us."

The Panthers also signed safety Terrence Holt—receiver Torry's brother—and receiver DJ Hackett this past offseason. 

This is what Hurney had to say about Holt's signing.

"Terrence is a very smart, talented player who brings experience to our safety position," said Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney. "We've liked him since he came out of college and feel very fortunate to add him to our roster."

This is was Hurney's statement about Hackett's signing.

"We're fortunate to be able to add a guy like him to our mix," Hurney said. "He's got good size, good hands, and he's been productive. He looks like a good fit."

All of these statements have the same basic idea—praising the new player and welcoming him to the team as much as possible.  It's a nice gesture, but it gets very old and monotonous after awhile.

Whatever the transaction—a trade, release, or signing—sports public relations is all the same.