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Around SBN: The End Of Sabanball: Details, Barbarians, And Precision

A suggestion about smack talk.


Lately, I've been involved in a lot of threads where the subject of smack talk has come up.  A lot of fans seem to enjoy rolling up their sleeves and getting into verbal slugfests.  It's not my cup of tea but I can appreciate the fact that many do enjoy it.  The problem is that so many of the sites out there have turned into nothing but smackfeasts.  That's one of the reasons I started coming here.  There are so few sites where the rest of us can go and engage in friendly discussions.  I've been thinking about this for a while and have a suggestion that might fill the needs of both kinds of fans.

Perhaps we can set aside a thread just for smack talk.  Call it, I don't know, "The Bull Pit" or "The Parking Lot" or my favorite, "The Back Alley".  Anyway, make it the place where anybody can go, take off the gloves and really lay into each other with the understanding that the rest of the site stays smack free.  Then, if somebody brings smack talk to any of the other threads you can just tell them to take it to the back alley and maybe even move the offending part of the thread there.

What do you think?



This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

Comment 48 comments  |  8 recs  | 

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I will be...

Setting up a Smack Talk Thread after the BYE week. It makes sense because, as you said, several people like to do it. Not really my thing either…

-TSG

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by John Bena on Oct 16, 2009 10:55 AM MDT reply actions   1 recs

Hopefully that works...

One reason I come to MHR is to get away from the message board, ePeen, clique, and smack mentality. It’s silly when people call this a “forum”, because it’s not. It’s a Broncos blog & community, where the readers have a chance to make solid contributions as well, but it centers around the great news & opinions provided by the MHR staff.

You’ve run this thing very well so far, and I trust your judgement. If it’s a bad idea, you’ll stop it :)

by studbucket on Oct 16, 2009 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions  

Brilliant Idea!

Jack, you hit it spot on, and Guru is (as usual) ahead of the curve.

by Royal With Cheese on Oct 16, 2009 11:04 AM MDT reply actions  

Good idea for sure

People need an outlet for that since they aren’t all like TJ and Guru. Take off your skirts boys and get in the PITT!!!

(j/k brothas)

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 16, 2009 11:18 AM MDT reply actions  

Great idea.

I like the phrase “Take it Outside”. Also like “The Back Alley” choice.

by Beer30Bronco on Oct 16, 2009 11:19 AM MDT reply actions  

My smack talk has toned down over the years...

I make friendly smacks and follow it up with something positive…just to remain respectful. I have not always been so tempered. ;-)

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Oct 16, 2009 11:21 AM MDT reply actions  

Yeah, but it doesn't count

when you’re talking to yourself Zappa! =)

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 16, 2009 9:32 PM MDT up reply actions  

Bad Idea

I actually posted a similar suggestion during the summer. I now think it is a very bad idea. Catering to the worst sides of people is pandering. I say we continue to have civil discourse here and flag those who do not respect that.

by Endzone on Oct 16, 2009 11:27 AM MDT reply actions   1 recs

Good point.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 16, 2009 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions  

There would have to some rules.

And pandering is big business, lol.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 16, 2009 1:15 PM MDT up reply actions  

When I feel like talking smack, I go to the DP or ESPN.

by McGeorge on Oct 16, 2009 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions  

Of course the best smack is the painful truth.

Such as: San Diego was the most talented team in the NFL in 2006. However, father time has robbed the games former best player (LT) of much of his explosiveness and playmaking ability.

The same can be said about J Williams (formerly the best NT in the NFL). San Diego’s poor drafts from 2006-2009 have not restocked the cupboard with potential All Pros to pick up the slack for the deterioration of the skills and physical abilities to former NFL greats. Father time is just around the corner for Q Jammer and Gates.

BTW: Clady, Royal and Hillis are 23. Ryan Harris is 24 and BMarsh is 25.

by McGeorge on Oct 16, 2009 3:01 PM MDT up reply actions  

That's gotta hurt.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 16, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions  

None of that is smack talk though.

Those are facts, or informed opinions. To me, smack talk is when folks start using name calling and personal comments.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Oct 16, 2009 6:48 PM MDT up reply actions  

Calling LT a shadow of his former self is definitely smack talk, even though it’s also a fact.

by McGeorge on Oct 16, 2009 7:03 PM MDT up reply actions  

I disagree.

People will do it. Whether they should or shouldn’t has no effect whatsoever on whether or not they will.

I think the idea of a separate thread constrained by certain rules has a lot of merit. I doubt Guru plans on letting the smack thread become a free-for-all, and if people bring it to other threads, there will be consequences.

Besides, I’ve seen comments flagged for some pretty ticky-tack stuff. Not all smack talk is flag-worthy. I think we all can be a bit hasty with that option, and with throwing down the ‘troll’ label as well.

Rec’d, T-Jack, for a good idea.

- Jason

Horton is WIN - HORVIL TIKI

by jubei on Oct 16, 2009 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions  

I don't mind trolls

They make themselves look bad. Just one more thing I get to laugh at. Always nice to inflate one’s arrogance.

by RaRaDonk89 on Oct 19, 2009 1:44 AM MDT up reply actions  

I'm not in favor of the idea as well.

On the surface it seem sound to segregate this stuff, but in my limited sample of other blogs, it tends to bleed into the rest of the site.

It’s hard to get into a name calling, foul language, grammatically challenged flame fest with a poster in one thread, and then go back to playing nice in the next thread. You see the same screen name and the emotion carries over. It’s human nature.

I get that some people enjoy this stuff. There are a lot of places for that on the interwebs. This is an oasis of reasoned discussion (at least most of the time). I’d hate to see this blog get dragged down.

by PDXTai on Oct 16, 2009 3:09 PM MDT up reply actions  

These things are always trickier to contain than they seem.

And once you have a good flame war going, it can be hard to put out.

That said, I anticipate the main battles will be between Bronco’s fans an fans of other teams which may not spend that much time at MHR. That would tend to keep the vitriol from spreading. I think the biggest concern would be if regular MHR members got in the habit of taking shots at each other and it spilled over.

by PDXTai on Oct 16, 2009 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions  

Good points.

Trash talk likely has a different meaning to all. I enjoy directly and bluntly telling why our team is better than ‘their’ team. To me, that’s football. But as so many have noted, this site is respectful above all others. First and foremost, that should never be compromised.

Yet, I personally believe there can be a balance. Civility. Respect. And a little ‘in-your-face’.

by Alex on Oct 16, 2009 6:36 PM MDT up reply actions  

It seems like all the sites that have smack talk

end up with it getting bad throughout the site.I rarely read much on the other forums because once the smack talk starts back and forth between 2-4 posters the thread is ruined and I quit reading.
I think the lack of smack talk is what brings most readers to this site and I for one would be disappointed to see it on here.

by Broncolorado on Oct 16, 2009 11:32 AM MDT reply actions  

Even "Intelligent Dischord" gets out of hand though

Just look at the first version of the BFTB answers thread. I can’t believe how much s#!^ obviousman had to take for ONE off-hand remark.

by RaRaDonk89 on Oct 19, 2009 1:47 AM MDT up reply actions  

I don't mind the smack talk so much

it’s the arguments that happen and the name calling. a little smack talk is good provided it’s done in a good natured way. I think all fans want to defend their team and say that they want to win. It’s the negative comments that I skip past and move on down. Those types of comments are not my cup of hot chocolate either.

by papasteven on Oct 16, 2009 11:37 AM MDT reply actions  

Speaking of Smack Talk

Where the heck is Papigrande???

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 16, 2009 1:32 PM MDT reply actions  

YEAH....where has that kid gone Sad???

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Oct 16, 2009 3:26 PM MDT up reply actions  

I like the idea, unless...

that prohibition includes snarky comments.

Then I don’t like the idea.

;-)

Cheers!

-OKD

by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 16, 2009 2:05 PM MDT reply actions  

I like the idea

I would also like dual game-day threads, one a “talk however you wish and don’t bother caring about who is reading this stuff” thread and another one for…well, the rest of us.

I routinely go into game-day threads and just can’t stay. Too often the threads read like there are some adults present…as well as a bunch of ten year olds who just discovered new ways of cursing to get attention. There is no sense that they understand that anyone else is here except their ten year old friends who just learned the same words. And they say whatever they want however they want. Why would anyone would want to hang out in a house where that’s the level of conversation? But that’s what we have online.

That’s just my own peeve and is probably impossible to change.

by elwayfan on Oct 16, 2009 3:04 PM MDT reply actions  

well, j-man tends to set up a thread with good-natured smack talk in other fan forums, but ya, I suppose there’s never really a smack talk MHR post.

by RaRaDonk89 on Oct 19, 2009 1:50 AM MDT up reply actions  

Great Idea!

I’m one of those that has been lurking on this site for about 9 months. I first discovered it, like so many others, when the MSM was blatantly misreporting the events of this last offseason, and now I’m hopelessly addicted. I love the fact that the debate (mostly) stays respectful, and I also love that most people here use sentences rather than text-speak. I don’t think we’d be catering to the smack talkers, but rather giving them an outlet and keeping the rest of the site clean.

I think snark and sarcasm should still be allowed, I just don’t want to see any more “U suk go back to raiderland” type comments when there is a disagreement about something.

Keep up the good work on the site!

by GrizBronc on Oct 16, 2009 3:05 PM MDT reply actions  

I’ve been waiting for someone to take that picture as their avatar. People will probably say you must no like Orton with a pick like that, I get that all the time, but we know better.

by McGeorge on Oct 16, 2009 5:13 PM MDT up reply actions  

One thing about the occasional flurries of smack talk on MHR is that it often ends in “sorry I got carried away” and “yeah, me too” and people let it end amiably, at least in the case of Bronco fan vs. Bronco fan.
I’m afraid that this will happen less if there is thread where this kind of ‘debate’ is encouraged.
For visiting opponents a smack thread might work ok.

As far as confining the smack talk to one thread, it’s tough to resopnd to someone who breaks the rules by posting “Respectfully, go to this thread to see my scathing rebuttal to your comment.”

"My job description is to win football games. I'm a hard worker. I'm not flashy by any means, but my job is to play football and win and I plan to do that." Kyle Orton

by odarol on Oct 16, 2009 5:11 PM MDT reply actions   1 recs

I don’t care all that much one way or the other…. but if we are to have a specific Smack thread, I think you open a new one every week for the new opponent. There isn’t that much smack talk here outside of who we are playing THIS week. I would hate to see anything that would encourage it any more than it needs to be, or any where other than where it is allowed. Also, in years of forum cruising and lurking, I find that for the habitual offenders, merely deleting their post works wonders. They are looking for a reaction, trying to score in a contest. If you delete or completely erase their work, it really does more to discourage than more conventional or “corporal” punishments. I know that some forums have used scripts so that a certain number of flags would automatically delete the post or mute the poster. My two cents.

I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok.
Shaquille O'Neal

by tannji on Oct 16, 2009 5:32 PM MDT reply actions  

May I comment?

I’ve gotta keep it short: I’m fine with this. To avoid bleed-over – continue two solid rules. No cussing. No name=calling. And if they want to argue with each other, at that point I’d rather have them say “See X thread for my rebuttal.” I’m not going to go on that thread, so I’ll be perfectly happy. But if bleed-over occurs – drop it, as I know John would

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Doc Bear on Oct 16, 2009 5:34 PM MDT reply actions  

smack talk

the reason people talk smack is that they have nothing useful to say about the subject being discussed. This is just one of many reasons why the MHR is such an OUTSTANDING forum. People who contribute here, actually know what they are talking about. They are not just interested in bashing other fans. I would hope that the powers that be at MHR will continue to doing the outstanding job of FORUM moderating and that the smack talkers will be going to faIdernation, or bolt doldrums or what ever other site they prefer. Lets keep this an upbeat, positive discussion of our beloved DENVER BRONCOS. GO BRONCOS !!!!

by windblocker on Oct 16, 2009 6:01 PM MDT reply actions  

An analogy

in engine design, and atually in any powers cycle design, the subject of “relief systems” is a debated one.

In short, relief systems consist of addons to the regular function of the cycle to process undesired resutls that the sstem may incur. A very simple example is the pressure relief valve on your hot water heater. If the tempature rises high enough to create steam in the tank (an unwanted byproduct from a malfunctioning or improperly operated cycle) the valve is triggered to release the steam.

In theory, this always comes across as a reasonable practice. But in practice, the addition of these kinds of systems to powercycles tends to highlight much deeper cycle flaws that really must be addressed to make the system truly efficient. In the example of the hot water heater, triggering the relief valve creates a whole host of problems that need to be addressed separately. For example, the steam isn’t safe just because it isn’t in the tank: if anyone is in the vicintiy they could be terribly burned, including their lungs even if they aren’t in the direct path of the steam. Additionally the steam can be a trigger for mold growth in unventilated areas, common spots for HWHs. If structural lumber is present, even a single blast of steam can precipitate a long term condition of dry rot, especially in the commonly available kiln-dried varieties.

Best practices for homeowners tend to revolve around maintenance of the heater, including regulating and monitoring system temperature.

I am of the school of thought that smack-talk, and any kind of power cycle malfunctions are signs of deeper problems that are better to be addressed, than segregated into new cycles that require additional maintenance.

John has always taken the angle that the key power cycle, informing Broncos fans (which implies brains and useful information) should trump any individual ulterior whims of trolls, members and even staff. To date, as mentioned above, we have dealt with smack-talk by drawing out the BEST in fans, not by segregating them off and ignoring them. It is my opinion that we continue on that path unless we discover that we are not adequately capable of bringing out the best in our members.

Of course, I’m assuming that BEST means the most reasonable, uplifting or insightful commentary we can each muster. That point is debatable… not really, but I would invite the debate anyways. :)

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 16, 2009 6:13 PM MDT reply actions  

You and Bear have nearly "look-alike" avatars.

I’d change mine to a statue head or bust, but I think I’ll be going with my own pretty mug once “the unveiling” happens.

That’s right folks. Something new and exciting is coming to MHR. That’s all I’m going to say.

: )

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Oct 16, 2009 6:52 PM MDT up reply actions  

bear inspired me wiht his avatar change

I simply can’t leave the issue alone… When I see or hear or read something about Plato I have to respond with Aristotle. Something of a compulsive disorder.

And done with due and immense respect, of course.

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 16, 2009 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions  

Thanks styg50,

that is very well stated and resonates with me. Mix your comment with a dash of worry about containment of the behavior I so much like to avoid, and it tastes about like what I feel.

by idahobronc on Oct 16, 2009 10:47 PM MDT up reply actions  

Assuming, of course, that the analogy is applicable.

I can see that in many ways it may be. On the other hand, what we are really talking about is human nature and experience. In real life, there are consequences for “bad” behavior running from temporary shunning to the extreme of physical assault. I, for one, believe this is why manners developed. We needed a way to stay in association with people with whom we sometimes disagreed.

But in a medium like this there are few consequences and none are serious. A faceless individual can act any way he pleases using a psydonym and the worst that can happen to him is that he is dropped from the forum. That can be good, in that you are more likely to get honest answers but it can also be bad in that one can be totally disrespectful and aggressive.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 10:38 AM MDT up reply actions  

I love the name Sir

The Back Alley. Rec’d

I like to get under some skin at times, although I like to think I generally remain respectful. Great idea

by Alex on Oct 16, 2009 6:28 PM MDT reply actions  

Here's my thoughts

whenever I see that kind of thing happening, I generally take the high road and pass it by. I will do that when I see two ot more engaging in an unsolvable disagreement here also. If it’s going to happen, and I think it will (or already has), then that is the only way I can deal with it.

To engage
or disengage,
That is the question.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 16, 2009 9:38 PM MDT reply actions  

Smack talk thread?

Not really my thing and it never has. However for those that do, hopefully it will go smoothly and there won’t be any problems.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Oct 16, 2009 11:36 PM MDT reply actions  

May I ask a question?

What if you actually smack a raider fan first….

…then you try to talk to him.

Is this smack talk?

Or is it simply doing the right thing?

Please don’t take away legit satire and hyperbole so people can laugh. That’s half my game, man.

Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain.

by TJ Johnson on Oct 17, 2009 12:38 AM MDT reply actions  

I have a Question

Sure if you set up a smack talk thread, it gives the smack talkers somewhere to spread their filth, but who exactly would ever read through this thread? What would be the point?

by RaRaDonk89 on Oct 19, 2009 1:58 AM MDT reply actions  

Kinda tells you what smack talk is worth.

So why do it in the first place.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions  

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