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Terry Foster: Detroit Lions Are At War With Detroit Media

By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971

How did you enjoy the one-on-one interviews with local television stations after the Lions signed wide receiver Marvin Jones?

You missed it? Well so did I. There were none. The Lions are at war with the Detroit media, refusing to make signed players available for interviews even though the media and players were in the same building.

The Lions gave reporters seven minutes notice that Tavon Wilson would be available on a conference call. They were given 11 minutes notice for the Jones conference call, even though he was in the building with coach Jim Caldwell and his entire family.

Some of the beat reporters fired off questions from the first floor media room while Jones was a three-minute walk upstairs in the front office.

This is like texting someone while sitting at the same dinner table.

Reporters asked for Jones personally but he was not made available. Some left believing he would not talk that day.

The next thing you know the Lions will send video clips of players and coaches after games instead of making them available. Oh wait, let me stop. I do not want to give them any more ideas.

Why have the Lions resorted to childish behavior? I am simply told this is the Patriots way.

We wish General Manager Bob Quinn the best at his job but it is clear he does not understand Detroit and Lions fans. We embraced our sports stars and want to meet them and get to know them.

For most people that comes in television and radio interviews and by reading quotes in the newspapers and on the Internet.

From my understanding Marvin Jones is an engaging player. He loves to talk. He loves to explain the game and get his views out. Why not allow him to get to know the reporters he is going to deal with? Even the reporters on Detroitlions.com were pulling quotes off the conference call.

The only real interview you see is a video on the Lions website.

This has been building up. Former President Tom Lewand told Detroit News beat writer Josh Katzenstein that there is no reason for the team to build a relationship with the local media.

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had a better relationship with the media before he was booted from office.

I am not a media relations guy but I've been in the media for more than three decades. The people who cover teams work hard and even though it is not their goal, they do promote the team.

These men and women deserve better.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)

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