Congratulations to the Elite Eight... we're getting down to the nitty gritty. Best of luck in the next round!
Also, let's put our hands together for ShooterB, rivjo, edhardiman, and Elizabeth_Bennet. You all did an excellent job making it this far -- qualifying for the top 12 of a national sportswriting contest is an outstanding achievement you should all be very proud of.
I agree with Norcal, although it is becoming evident that the voters can do more damage than the judges. The judges had Belle and MooreSports in their bottom three, which, by the way, I disagreed with. However, neither was even really close to being eliminated. On the other hand, rivjo, Elizabeth_Bennet and edhardiman stayed out of the dreaded judge's bottom three, only to get cut.
Anyway, Bri and Belle, I'm glad that you two didn't get cut. You two deserve to be in the final 8, but should also take a long, hard look at the judges reaction to this week's comments. As for ShooterB, Elizabeth_Bennet, edhardiman, and rivjo, good work and congrats on making it this far. As I know all too well, there can be only one NGS II winner.
I want to single out edhardiman here as well. I've really enjoyed his razor-sharp wit over the last month or so.
Last edited by absolutebest on June 5th at 12:14 PM.
Trust me, I've taken the wake-up call to heart. Lessons learned, you could say. I'll give it another shot this week. Congratulations to all those who moved on and to the talented writers who didn't, nothing but bright things in the future for you.
You two will be fine. I've just made that rookie mistake before and, enjoying both of your blogs like I do, I wanted to make sure you both look at it and continue to move on. Hopefully, the judges will start giving more assignments and ones that aren't quite so vague. I think both of you guys ending up in the bottom three was the result of writing the piece that you thought the judge's wanted.
All the best to those who did not make the elite 8, and congratulations to those who are moving on.
For those moving on, I take just as much interest in reading the judge's comments as you. I want to make sure that any criticism I offer is at least in their ballpark. So far, I believe it is.
In this regard, and to all of my fellow bloggers, if we really want to help the contestants we should give it to them straight. If we sugarcoat our criticism simply because we personally like him/her, it won't help him/her to ultimately win this thing.
Thus said, for those remaining contestants who'd prefer to receive my criticism "light", please let me know, and I'll simply lay on the platitudes.
All in all, there are some fantastic sportswriters emerging -- absolutely fantastic. I am honored to be a witness to this process.
Well said Ty. It is a shame we have to see four more talented writers leave the competition. Congrats to everyone who advanced this week and let me say a job well done by our four exiting finalists for getting to this point. All of you clearly have talent. Best of luck to you in the future.
The competition is extremely fierce and I am honored to have been awarded the chance to continue on in this contest another week. Thank you all for the positive feedback and constructive criticism you have given me.
Glad to see that all three "replacements" survive yet another round of cuts as well. Good job Belle and Dudski.
I believe EB was treading thin ice with the diatribe (spasmodic upheaval) against the holy trinity of American sports, which obviously is basketball...If you attack one, how can you really belong here? And try to defend the other two?
That said, I withheld my vote, but let loose in defense of said sport as convincingly as I could...
I tried!
Ed H., you have been stellar, and on a personal note, very cool for reading and commenting on my blogs.
Who else? ShooterB and rivjo, both have been solid. I think I am a sugar coater (style-wise) on critiques...for most everyone...I take issue with faulty reasoning, offensive things, and other random red flags...
And then there are my own personal side notes and curiousities...
To Ed, EB, Rivjo and Shooter: I think Ty put it best in his response - making it this far in the competition is definitely a feather in the cap. Kudos for all of the hard work you put in - you are all very talented writers.
To the voters: I'm flattered that so many of you have taken the time to not only come to my blog, but to offer both criticism and support as well.
To the remaining finalists - congratulations. This is going to be an interesting week for all of us...
At this juncture in the competition I do believe the contestants have to develop thick skin whereas the comments from bloggers should be brutally honest.
I grew up under the guidance of that boring cliche "if you don't have anything nice to say" but obviously this is not something I swear by today even if to an extent I should aim towards.
Very best of luck to the 8 and hopefully all of you realize what MeanDovine is trying to say. Those who truly care about your best interests give it to you straight. If you suck, they point out your faults which allows you to fix them. Shining you on does you no good.
So it ends, I'd like to thanks first and foremost the readers who gave me great advice, encouragement and praise over the last few weeks, the people who voted for my blog, FoxSports and the Judges for choosing me to compete.
It's never easy losing, but sometimes you have to weigh the gains against possible disappointment. I was blessed to be among the best o####reat bunch of writers chosen and not chosen. To the people advancing best of luck in chasing the dream, to all the others like myself this isn't the last opportunity and perhaps next time one of us will triumph. I'm grateful for the kind wishes expressed by all today and truly enjoyed this unique opportunity to express myself and hope to scribble better in the future.
Thanks I appreciate it.
Ed Hardiman
I said thick skin was the key last year and it's the key this year.. I dont care how good you are, EVERYBODY gets criticized, and this is NOTHING compared to the real world.
I have nothing against Elizabeth, I just didnt connect to her style and since this is at least PARTIALLY a popularity contest I think you need to cater to topics fans can relate too more.
Ed, Rivo and Shooter I really enjoy reading your guys work and I hope you continue.. Finishing in the Top 12 of a contest like this BETTER demonstrate that you have the ablity to make an impact.
Based on the first two weeks, Josh and Nappy in my Whiskey-fueled opinion have emerged as the front runners.. MooreSports has mad skills (reminds me a mix of Simmons and our own Hildenbrant) but he's gotta find a way to put it together.
Lastly, BIG congrats to my man Dudski and my Girl Belle, who weren't "good enough" to make the "judges" original Top 16 yet here they both are in the final 8.. Hmmmmm.
You guys are all good.. ALL of you. There's not a scrub writer on this list.. Props from me.
Yipes, I left out Hi-Plains..
That dude got skills, he must be busy in the real world, he dont post that much.. Your the forgotten man! But you're skills definately are not.
LASTLY
I'll pay money if one of the eliminated contestants skips the Politically correct approach and instead of thanking the judges says to one or all of them.. "#### on you"
I agree with MD and Norcal that you have to shoot it straight at this point, but excessive criticism doesn't accomplish much. After all, what do those of us that have been eliminated or didn’t make the contest at all really know about advancing? Probably a little, but truth be told, none of us really know how the heck you advance in this thing.
Each of us is entitled to our own philosophy on this, I suppose. Personally, I just try to be as constructive as possible while still being honest. There are enough people in this world that will let you know that you blow and why, I let you know what I like and why with hopes that you take that and run with it. That's just me, though. I guess I'm just eternally optimistic/positive.
Last edited by absolutebest on June 5th at 2:21 PM.
It was definitely fun while it lasted. (Although I don't think I ever truly enjoy any extra stress in my life.) Right now I do feel disappointed. The only thing I can compare it to is like when a relative who has been very ill for a while finally passes on. I feel a little sad and relieved all at once.
I wanted to wish the remaining contestants the best of luck and also congratulate all the others for giving their all. I have a few favorites but don't we all. I'll take the high road and leave them nameless but I look forward to being able to root and critique now that I have been eliminated.
Thanks to all who took the time to read and leave feedback. The praise and constructive criticism I received was much appreciated. Also thanks to Fox Sports for having this contest in the first place.
I've been here awhile and I'll keep posting. I think 3 blogs every 2 weeks or so sounds about right. I have a few in mind and I hope you stop by to read them. I look forward to having more time to check out what everyone else is writing. That's the best part of logging on here.
Peter Schrager Peter Schrager is a regular contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the popular "Wednesday Buffet" in the FOX Funhouse. He was also one of the judges in the first Next Great Sportswriter competition.
Tom Seeley Tom Seeley is the managing editor of FOXSports.com and was also a judge in the first Next Great Sportswriter competition.
Dime Magazine Dime Magazine is a complete celebration of the game of basketball and its culture, from the playground asphalt to the NBA hardwood to life off the court.
