Content available exclusively for subscribers
Some of you might have heard this expression, some maybe not. But I think it’s important to keep this in mind at all times these days.
Clickbait – content, especially that of a sensational or provocative nature, whose main purpose is to attract attention and draw visitors to a particular web page.
When it comes to this concept, Daily News writer Manish Mehta has a knack.
His Colin Keapernick story this week is a perfect example. Actually two stories, connecting the 49ers quarterback to the Jets.
“The Jets’ decades-long search for a franchise quarterback could unexpectedly land them one of the most dynamic players in the league,” wrote Mehta. “The Daily News has learned that embattled 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco after a forgettable 2015 that included on-field struggles that resulted in a benching midway through the season and a coaching change after it. The Jets are his preferred destination, according to sources. The Jets are aware and intrigued by Kaepernick’s desire to play for them, but are still in the early stages of their offseason planning and evaluation, according to sources.”
With this story, Mehta struck gold
It’s getting huge play all over the internet. On ESPN’s “Around the Horn,” it was debated by the panel.
The Daily News got a couple of back pages out of it. The back page of the Daily News is essentially the front page of the sports section.
The first back page was in regards to the story quoted above. The second back page was Brandon Marshall saying, “I don’t want Kaepernick,” on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Mehta brought the struggling Daily News a ton of publicity. His bosses have to be thrilled.
“Kaepernick, however, offers Maccagnan and Bowles the rare opportunity to land a difference-making quarterback entering his prime at a discounted rate,” Mehta wrote in the second story.
Okay, with all this being said, now let me chime in on this story-line.
It’s an awful idea.
Have you seen him pay the last two years?
Kaepernick did get off to a strong start in San Francisco, but league has figured him out.
He really struggles reading defenses.
He locks on his first read.
He’s coming off two bad seasons.
So how he is a difference-maker?
Yes, he has a rocket arm, yes he has good speed. But he’s doesn’t process what he sees from defenses very well.
And Kaepernick had an awful relationship with the Bay Area media, bristling at their tough questions about his struggles.
If the North California media go under skin, how is he going to deal with the New York media, especially the vicious Jets beat?
This is such a bad idea, I don’t even know what else to say.
The Jets need to re-sign Ryan Fitpatrick, and try to develop a QB of the future, whether it’s Bryce Petty, Geno Smith or another draft pick QB this year.
I don’t think this is going anywhere.
To me, this story was a boondoggle.
But tremendous clickbait.
February 4, 2015
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Friday.
