By David Scott
Boston Sports Media Watch

Just a quick follow-up on the Asante Samuel/Jackie MacMullan ‘saga’, as it were.

It appears that Samuel was not entirely truthful when he told Julian Benbow the JMack interview took place “three or four weeks ago” ( as he did in Benbow’s Globe story from Monday).

Shots has been told by separate Pats’ beat insiders that the first sit-down took place closer to 10 days ago (around the run-up to the Titans game). There was also, we have been informed, two follow-ups to the original sit-down.

Further, it seems the Patriots had a PR staff member sit in on the initial interview. It is doubtful, however, that the follow-ups between Samuel and MacMullan were “supervised.” (Don’t even get us started on the disdain we have for organizations that insist – or even ask – for permission to sit in on a one-on-one interview. By definition, it would no longer be a one-on-one.)

So, to summarize, this was, in near certainty, a calculated move by Samuel to get his message out on the day he could be guaranteed the most eyeballs. Both Samuel and the Globe got what they wanted out of it and in the end, both The Player and The Paper did exactly what they are supposed to do: create buzz.

Samuel’s faulty recollection on when the interview(s) took place only brings into question his modus operandi in his effort to Get Paid.

. . . One reader reminded us of a similar circumstance involving MacMullan from earlier this season when, in August, she went to interview Adam Vinatieri for a takeout piece, but wound up getting some next-day news when Vinatieri made comments like this one: “I understand the business. I’m not naive. But [2004] was a good time to get a long-term deal done. I wish they had.”

MacMullan didn’t hold those comments for the feature she was working on, but she did hold Samuel’s, which may suggest there were parameters in place before Samuel would talk “exclusively” with JMack. Happens all the time, of course, but again gets into the transparency issue we referenced earlier today. Inform the reader of when the interviews took place and under what conditions, if any.

. . . Okay, that will be my last comments on that. Way too “inside baseball” for most to truly care, but that’s sort of the purpose of a niche blog, if you catch my drift.

• As for the BeliShove of suddenly famous shutterbug Jim Davis and Brian McGrory’s Metro section column on Tuesday, I’ll say this: Nothing is too small or too inane in this YouTube age.

Even Deadspin Will Leitch, the bastion of subtle (borderline genius) over-reacting managed to completely over-react by adding fuel to fire that Michael David Smith supposedly lit (although the Track Gals had some fun with it today as well).

To compare – even in jest – the BeliShove and the Rogers assault is just ludicrous. Beli was in the middle of a pack of frothing sports paparazzi. Rogers went after a lone video photog trying to get film on Rogers doing light toss. Big difference. We’ve all been in crowds like that (many of us, in fact, waiting to get into the game at the inefficient entryways to Gillette Stadium). A good shove here or there always seems to work okay for us.

Belichick was obviously sorry – he called Davis at home AND apologized on WEEI 850 AM. Not exactly the gruff guy we picture in the grey hoodie.

Davis, by the way, handled it tremendously and stayed above the fray. Although we do wish he’d post the shots he was surely snapping in mid-shove. Just for kicks.

And McGrory - simply outstanding, as always. His role is to stir the pot and stir it he did. If only the page he writes on had about three more of him.

. . . Anyone notice what appears to be the ubiquitous Reebok logo on the photogs’ red vests? They logoed the schmatties that separate camera people? Really? That’s either genius or evil – we’re not sure which, but since it’s the NFL, we’re leaning to the latter.

• Have your coffee with some Shots on Wednesday morning (in the 7:30-8:00 vicinity) as we make our return to NECN’s “Good Morning Live” with the lovely Karen Swensen and Mike Nikitas and weather guy Matt Noyes.

The main topic will likely be the Hall of Fame nominations, but I’m guessing we get into a little Pats and Sox as well.

If you think Shots is frightening during prime time hours, wait until you see him at the crack of dawn. Tune in, New England!


David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. And can be reached at shotsATbostonsportsmedDOTcom