Free Press Cannot Leave Well Enough Alone

So much for "All In." On the heels of an impressive opening victory over Western Michigan, the publisher of Detroit's premeir newspaper decided to put his own iron into the fire adding to what has to be assumed as a now turbulent relationship with the University of Michigan.

Publisher and Editor Paul Anger staunchly defended reporters Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder as he should. They are his guys. He writes about the threats and unwell wishes both have recieved since the article appeared. My problems with this are two fold:

One, all three had to know what was going to happen once this article came out. They had to expect a fair amount of backlash when taking on one of the most storied programs in football history. The report was going to anger a very large and passionate fan base. I have no problem with Anger having his reporters backs, but now the article appears as if he is whining about the trouble it has caused. Anger says to let the investigation take its course before reserving judgement on his writers.

My second problem with Angers column is with this part:

"Players asked not to be identified because they feared retribution from coaches and some peers. Interviews were done separately, then matched up for corroboration."

"ESPN followed with its own reporting and got information similar to ours. A former Wolverine went on the record and said he would describe the excesses if any investigators asked him."

One player, Toney Clemons, who is bitter about his role in the program was the one to speak out. He is now headed to Colorado and its has been assumed that he as an adgenda with the direction the program is headed. Without identifying the players, this story lacks credibility, no matter what Anger writes. Also, the timing of his article, with which has to be assumed as a strategic move on the papers part, could not be any worse. Michigan fans are still on a high from Saturday's victory.

So to Paul Anger, I advise if you do not want the backlash, you should have left the Wolverine nation alone. Here is another piece of advice, go outside the confines of Michigan and find out what other top tier programs are doing. That would be responsible reporting.