Cox is crossing the line

by Back In Black on Nov 21, 2009 5:09 PM EST

You know, generally I've always liked Damian Cox. It puts me in a bit of a minority in these parts. Still, for years it has seemed to me that he was good for a step-back look at the state of the Leafs. Most other Toronto writers were either too close to the team, too far, or too into making stuff up (you know you I mean). Recently he's even been pretty positive about the Leafs - which for a while I thought was simply 'fair'. So why do I think he crossed the line today? Well, you can follow the link and guess, but I've got more.

It's not like Cox hasn't been a flawed writer. He picks personal favourites, like Eric LIndros, who he praises and never criticizes. The worst recently has been Martin Brodeur; how many glowing Brodeur columns does a guy have to write before disclosing a personal friendship - and that Cox wrote his biography. Cox also occaisionally writes stuff (especially on his blog, which he seems to resent) for no other reason than to piss people off. Still, no writer is perfect and I agree with him on a number of subjects, such as goons in hockey, so I can overlook some flaws.

It's been a wierd year for Cox. After Fletcher (who he clearly despises) was replaced by Burke, there's been very little criticism of Leaf management. Looking back, it becomes quickly apparent that Cox likes/respects Burke as much as he hates Fletcher. Despite the fact that he doesn't like Burke's style of team, suddenly the Leafs have a GM who can do no wrong. Cox defends every move Burke makes.

But he doesn't like Ron Wilson, and that's the tipping point for me today.

Perception is everything in politics and sports, and in this case, there is a growing perception that Wilson would be safe even if the Leafs had zero victories because he has already by tabbed by Burke to coach the American Olympic team in February.

I call bullshit. "Growing perception" where? I read PPP regularly (I may not follow all the links, fanposts and columns) and I even read The Spin. I haven't read a single opinion that Wilson should be canned.

So is he making it up. No - there is one opinion, and that's Cox's. He started riding Wilson in September, when he announced that if the coach didn't play nicer with the media he was in for a rough ride. Ever since he's written every couple of weeks or so about how poor the Leafs have been since Wilson took over and how little improvement can be found. In other words, he's been repeatedly criticizing him and now he's effectively pointing to his own columns as evidence of growing criticism and hints at fan unrest; and even suggests an arbitrary 10 game deadline for improvement.

It's a one-man hatchet job and I lost a lot of respect for him today.

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Damien Cox

is an insane bastard.

An excerpt from his column in today’s Star:

Burke, in London, Ont., watching top draft pick Nazem Kadri on Friday night, is working on at least two trades. He will undoubtedly attempt to make roster moves first, preferring to make a coaching change the last resort.

The way he mentions Burke watching Kadri last night, it implies that he’s planning on packaging Nazem in a trade. I

Truculence is Everything: Das Blog. Read it. You know you want to..

by Marc Pilgrim on Nov 21, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions

I didn’t take that from that excerpt at all. It’s a bit of a sloppy subordinate clause, but the trading of Kadri is by no means implied in that text.

As much as I dislike Cox’s tendency to be disingenious – I’ve had enormous issues with him in the past – he’s been startlingly good this year and is turning out great copy.

As for the larger context, the simple notion that Wilson is safe because of the Olympics is a line that’s been spread around by fans, pundits and people I know in hockey for months. Do a twitter search or search here and you’ll find it’s pretty pervasive.

Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...

by mf37 on Nov 21, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Has there really been months

Of speculation that Wilson should lose his job? The suggestion that he should be fired before at least the end of this season is ludicrous to me. I’d think he at least deserves as much rope as Paul Maurice got.

And sure, people have noticed that the US GM and coach work for the same NHL team. This is the first time I remember someone suggesting that Burke would sacrifice the Leafs for a slight Olympic improvement. Of course, Cox isn’t suggesting that. He’s just saying that some unidentified people might get that impression.

And I’m starting to question whether Cox has been good this year. I think he’s been kissing Burke’s butt for the last year and we’re confusing “pro-Leafs” with “good”. I’m 100% certain that if Fletcher had traded three high draft picks for Kessel Cox would have been all over him.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 21, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

I think Cox has been good this year, but it’s a pretty subjective issue.

As for months, that may have been a poor choice of words on my part. “Month” (singular) or “weeks” would have been more accurate.

Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...

by mf37 on Nov 21, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

If I haven’t written that I’d wondered whether the Olympics were affecting coaching decisions here, I’ve certainly thought about it. It’s not out of left field.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Nov 22, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve mentioned that the players might sense that ACCOUNTABILITY IS A HOAX when the coach has such a cozy relationship with the GM. As much as I’d like to think that I can influence Damien’s writing all on my own, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one leaning in that direction.

by general borschevsky on Nov 23, 2009 8:45 AM EST up reply actions

I'd lose respect for Damien Cox too...

…except I never had any to begin with.

Truculence...starting 10/1/09

by LeafBoy on Nov 21, 2009 5:33 PM EST reply actions

Lots of people...

…think any coach with a record like the Leafs have would be in great danger of getting the axe (unless there’s extenuating circumstances, such as a ton of injured players). But few think Wilson is at risk, because firing him, then using him as the U.S. coach at the Olympics would make Burke look like even more of an idiot than he already does. Besides, they’re long-time buddies who look at hockey the same way. I’m sure Burke doesn’t blame Wilson for the team’s poor showing at all. And I’m sure he doesn’t blame himself. It’s all the players fault for not being as talented as Burke thought they were (right Beauchemin and Komisarik?).

by Grinch13 on Nov 22, 2009 2:01 AM EST reply actions

Keep in mind...

… that power influences information. I’m sure Cox is aware of Burke’s influence as a hockey-person; by creating a hagiographical effect towards Burke, Cox curries favour. Damien’s agenda is probably more career-oriented than present-day journalism.

I despise Cox, but I can appreciate that most of the time, he tends to tell the truth. Too bad he has an anti-fighting agenda. Just goes to show that he’s probably never played a hockey game on ice in his life.

by hockeysense on Nov 22, 2009 5:41 AM EST reply actions

I strongly dislike Cox, but I think this is an odd thing to take issue with. There were loud “Fire Wilson” chants in the ACC (the ACC!) by the fifth or sixth game, and it’s something that comes up from a number of media personalities (off the top of my head, Steve Simmons has brought it up, and now Cox), and is definitely not unheard of in the Barilkosphere (read eyebleaf’s blog for a start down that road). So he’s not out of line pointing out that it’s been on some people’s minds. I haven’t kept meticulous track of who’s said what, but I’m certain I’ve heard speculation about the Olympic connection playing a role from a number of places.

I do think Wilson, in the court of public opinion, faces more of the blame for the current season than is rightfully his (not saying he has none, before anyone replies in that direction), and I’d definitely say the Toronto media treats him with undue animosity (and he returns it, or maybe it’s the other way around), but I wouldn’t put this column in that category.

For the record, I’m in favour of giving Wilson more time for now. Allow that to colour your perception of my comments however it may.

Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.

by puckurgently on Nov 23, 2009 2:10 AM EST reply actions

Hmm

I guess I haven’t been paying as close attention as I thought I was. It just seems so silly to me to hire a top level coach and then fire him a year later. It’s clear to me that the problems with the Leafs stem from the personnel – and it’s starting to look like they really did overachieve in their first year without Sundin.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 23, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions