I think what bothers me the most is exactly what some have already said. Stuff like this happens and has happened for a very long time. Is it right that DMC said something inappropriate? Nope. But is it really necessary for Sam Amick - or any "reporter" for that matter - to always want to spill the beans?
Maybe I'm in the minority (I know @
carmichaeldave disagrees, based on his tweets tonight) but I do not think this is journalism and I do not think it is reporting. I think it's no better than TMZ or any of a myriad of gossip blogs.
Is this a story? Depends on what you call a story and what you think is grist for the mill. I certainly don't think it was worth an entire column. I think it's beneath Sam Amick.
Am I defending Demarcus Cousins? Yes. He's human; he makes mistakes. I'd like to see Amick or anyone else live under the kind of scrutiny Demarcus faces every single moment of his life and see how they stand me. Then, have them be targeted without mercy and denied the basic courtesy of fair treatment by the people who are responsible for trying to maintain a level playing field. I know it's fashionable to post everything either on Twitter or Facebook or via whatever social media possible. Cool. If that's the case, then where's the story about how far Cousins has come this year? The kid has made HUGE strides, and yet it's not enough. He's not abusing his wife or his dog, he's not destroying cameras in the tunnel, he's not being arrested for DUI or brandishing a weapon. He's made a couple of poor decisions when it comes to verbal altercations. Seriously. THAT'S IT.
Those in the media can defend Amick all they like...and they will. I'm going to defend Cousins. I'm not going to say he didn't do something wrong. I'm merely saying it doesn't rise to the level of meriting an entire column in USAToday. And I think they all know it.