Just now listening to the Thursday podcast. . .Given the conduct of the media (rebelgrove staff excluded) this past summer I don't see how you cant understand limited access granted to the media. Reduced access by media to these 18-22 year old college students will continue to be limited as long as those like Blevins and the editorial staff at the clarion-ledger are considered media. Objectively if your job is to have student athletes be as successful as possible you simply can't allow it. Had Blevins had access to Tunsil he would have irreparably harmed him - you can't put toothpaste back in the bottle regardless of whether its accurate or not. The student-athletes should have guidance in money management, public speaking, maybe even have "fake" interviews in controlled settings. If we don't have folks on staff doing that I think we should. However, giving access to players during the dead days of summer will always be a powder keg. Its simple risk reward for the player. If I was Hugh Freeze this summer would make me question whether I'd give access during the season.
