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The Rules of Pacers Digest

Hello everyone,

Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.

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Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.

Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.

Rule #1

Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:

"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"

"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"

"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"

"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"

"He/she is just delusional"

"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"

"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"

"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "

In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.

We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.

Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.

That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.

Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.

In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.

Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.

If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!

All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.

Rule #2

If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.

The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.

The right places to do so are:

A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.

B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.

If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

Rule #3

If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.

When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:

A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.

B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.

To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!

Rule #4

Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

Rule #5

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

An example:

If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

Rule #6

We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.

The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

Rule #7

Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.

It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).

However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.

Rule #8

We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

Rule #9

Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.

Rule #10

We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.

Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

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  • #1

    Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

    Wednesday, August 9, 2006
    James is gone, but stretch play remains

    By John Clayton
    ESPN.com

    TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Colts realize replacing Edgerrin James with one person is a stretch.
    James had four 1,500-plus-yard rushing seasons in seven years. He was a good blocker. He caught the ball out of the backfield and kept things loose in the locker room. What isn't a stretch is that the Colts' offense can operate successfully without him.

    The key to replacing him is finding backs who create threats on Peyton Manning's favorite running play: the stretch play. The stretch is one of the key elements of the Colts' offense. After taking the snap, Manning takes a couple of steps to his right or left and then starts to work his magic. A master of execution, Manning either gives the ball to the back or pulls it back, hides it and works a play-action pass.

    "Zach Thomas is one of the guys who gives you feedback," Manning said. "He says, 'You can't tell what it is.' There is that second or two the defense tries to play it honest and you hope you have the guy to get to the corner. If he's too slow getting to the corner, you have problems."

    The Colts shouldn't have any problem getting a back to the corner. Dominic Rhodes has been James' backup for five seasons. When James blew out his knee during Rhodes' rookie season (2001), Rhodes rushed for 1,104 yards and averaged 4.7 yards a carry. This year's first-round pick, LSU halfback Joseph Addai, also excels with the stretch play.


    Joseph Addai's experience with the stretch play makes him a perfect fit in Indianapolis.

    Between Rhodes and Addai, the Colts believe they can make up for the rushing yards, and more importantly, still have the threat of running the stretch.

    "I think Bill Polian and Tony Dungy evaluated that in the draft in trying to find somebody who can stretch it to the outside," Manning said. "We also ran a lot of inside plays with Edge. The back has to be physical enough to pound it inside, too. As soon as Joseph ran a 4.4 in the combine, you knew he had the speed to the outside. And he's a big guy. He looks like Edge in the body."

    Addai is 5-foot-11, 214 pounds. Many considered him the most complete back at the bottom of the first round. It also helped that the stretch play worked in LSU's offense. A couple of years ago, LSU offensive coaches picked up the Colts' stretch play and installed it in their offense.

    "Our offensive coordinator got it from the Colts," Addai said. "I understand it. It's the way Peyton handles the ball that enables you to run the play-action off of it. Nobody knows what's going on. You've really got to keep doing the same thing on the stretch play to open up the play-action. You try to get the linebackers to overflow."

    Manning is like a magician. Everything is sleight of hand with his offensive execution. James always gave him the edge in operating that offense because he was so consistent. James could read defenses and understand how Manning would adjust from play to play. Defenses were always confused.

    "You hope the stretch can make linebackers somewhat hesitant," Manning said. "As you are coming down the line, if they are selling out to the run, you can come down, fake it and get it to Marvin Harrison on the crossing route. If they are hesitant it might be a pass and then they realize it's a run, then the back gets past you.

    "People always ask as it looks like I'm getting older why I don't pitch it out. When you turn and pitch it, you always know it's a run. All you can do is threaten a defense with a halfback pass, but how many times does that happen -- one or two times a year?"

    The Colts plan to go into the regular season with Rhodes as the starter and Addai the backup -- although Addai is getting plenty of time in training camp with the first team. An undrafted player, Rhodes is the underdog in the long term going against a first-round pick, but he's an interesting underdog because the franchise values him so much.

    First, Manning trusts Rhodes because he knows the offense. Second, Rhodes has been one of the hardest-working Colts players during the offseason. (He's gained about six pounds, putting him at a playing weight of 213.) He's also the hungriest Colt, awaiting the chance to play.

    The past four years have been tough for Rhodes. James had a deal with the coaches. He was one of the few players who could come out of the game if he felt tired. All he had to do was tap his helmet, but the tireless James hardly ever did so, making life tough for Rhodes.

    "You're sitting behind a guy who can go the whole game," Rhodes said. "You knew you weren't going in. You felt like a relief pitcher sitting back waiting and waiting and waiting. Then you go in and your muscles are tight, you can't run like you usually do. It was frustrating."

    Rhodes had only 130 carries in the past three seasons. He's ready for this chance.

    Other than the important running back position, little has changed on the Colts' offense. Manning goes about his practices working on timing routes with Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley. He works the stretch plays. He gets the tight end involved with the offense.

    Colts camp is like no other in football. Practices are like mini-clinics. Drills are broken into position groups to focus on precision techniques. Scrimmages are minimal. Hitting is measured and controlled. The Colts are working on little things. The approach to this camp is more mental.

    Last year drained the team. The Colts had an extra preseason game in Japan, which added extra wear to a veteran bunch that's already used to seasons lengthened by deep playoff runs. Even though the Colts open the preseason Thursday against the Rams, Polian gave his players one of the latest dates for reporting to camp, giving them a few extra days of offseason.

    Despite a 13-0 start last season, the Colts' inability to advance to the Super Bowl keeps gnawing at them.

    "We felt like last year was our year," Wayne said. "We still have a lot of the same guys back, especially on offense. We've got a lot of guys who know the system even better. The sky is the limit for us. In practice, we are trying to do everything right. We don't consider [not advancing to the Super Bowl] a hump. As long as we just keep working, the system will take care of itself and the hump will be jumped."

    Dungy doesn't have the Colts dwelling on the past. He's trying to make sure his players are focused on finishing things.

    "We have to go hard and finish the plays no matter what happens," Dungy said. "My lesson to the team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. You have to do what they did, keep putting yourself in positions. Bill Polian went through runs where he was close in Buffalo. He got to the Super Bowl and lost, but they believed in what they were doing and kept coming back."

    No one doubts the Colts will be one of the favorites to win the AFC title. Though the free-agent losses of linebacker David Thornton and Larry Tripplett hurt, there is enough depth and youth on defense to allow the team to grow and even get better.

    "Tony Dungy has no interest in dealing with last year," Manning said. "We have a new group of players on this team. Joseph Addai doesn't understand. He finished his season gaining 180 yards for LSU in the Peach Bowl. Adam Vinatieri comes from New England and certainly doesn't have any hangover from last season. You better be able to move on from what happened last year."

    John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

    ESPN

    Why Not Us ?

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  • #2
    Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

    What's funny is Clayton probably spent another 15 minutes talking to Dungy off the record. Was very business like, but once the interview was over he was casual and seemed to be a genuine nice guy.

    He seemed to like Baltimore as a dark horse this year.
    You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

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    • #3
      Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

      One update.........Last week there was a picture in a local paper showing Manning signing autographs. An absolute terrible picture with Peyton looking like he had just crapped his pants or needed his finger pulled. Saturday walks up to him and says "Hey Peyt you see this????" Saturday shows a few other players and then throws the paper at Manning laughing. "Peyt, you really need to find that guy and shoot him. That's not a pretty picture".

      I've looked, but can not find a link to it. It's definitely not one to be proud of.
      You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

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      • #4
        Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

        I've always been a Clayton fan, even when ESPN tried to change his style.
        Originally posted by Natston;n3510291
        I want the people to know that they still have 2 out of the 3 T.J.s working for them, and that ain't bad...

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

          John Clayton is the man, he tells it like it is

          This upcoming season is going to be very interesting non the less, Kick off is less then a month away man i cant wait
          If you havin' depth problems, I feel bad for you son; I got 99 problems but a bench ain't one! - Hicks
          [/center]
          @thatguyjoe84

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          • #6
            Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

            Sweet! Glad to hear Addai is doing so well!
            It's a new day for Pacers Basketball.

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            • #7
              Re: Clayton : James is gone, but stretch play remains

              Yep, I pretty much can't wait for this season.
              Super Bowl XLI Champions
              2000 Eastern Conference Champions




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