49ers ask Stafford about parents divorce.

[gibbsisgod]

Is nothing off limits when asking questions to respective draftees? I would be offended if this were to happen to me.

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Smoothing things over: Stafford to visit 49ers «

And the comments made by Singletary is just salt in the wound. I wonder how the topic came about and if he just gave a "no comment" type answer or if he became defensive. I just think some things are out of bounds when interviewing for a "job".

Thoughts?

[MTK]

Maybe over the top but I can see where teams are coming from. They're about to pay a guy millions to be the face of the franchise. You want to make sure you've dotted all your I's and crossed all your T's.

[SmootSmack]

The questions potential draftees are asked can be quite intense. But they're peppered in with football related questions. They're designed more than anything to test a) the player's ability to react quickly and b) to be honest

Some examples

"What did you say to your wife when she found out you cheated on her?" (said to a player without a wife)

"What if I told you your son isn't really yours right before kickoff? Could you play?"

"What's your favorite pie?" (made that one up)

"I asked Coach Gibbs a question. What did you think?" (made that one up too)

Still, Singletary's response was kind of ridiculous. I think he' taking his "I'm a tough guy" act a bit far, and he's going to lose that team fast if he doesn't pull back some.

[MTK]

Singletary pull back? Is that even possible? The guy wrote the book on intensity.

[Defensewins]

The problem is Singletary comes off as a arrogant prick. Plus talking about Stafford's private business to the media is crossing the line. You can ask a player what ever you want behind closed doors, but keep it private. Why is Singletary talking about it to the media?
If someone from the media asks just say no comment.
Instead 49ers coach Mike Singletary fueled the controversy last month after comments with Ralph Barbieri on KNBR, a local radio station. “If you’re going to look at drafting a guy in the first round,” Singletary says in the interview, “and you’re going to pay him millions of dollars, and asking him about a divorce about his parents, if that’s going to be an issue, then you know what, maybe he doesn’t belong here.”

That is like a school with out a teacher...NO CLASS!

[gibbsisgod]

I was involved in the interview process for a recent new hire at my job. Before I got started I was pulled aside by my supervisor and was verbally given a list of types of questions we were not allowed to ask. Most were like, dont ask if they are gay, dont ask if they have kids, are they married, how old they are, and stuff like that. I was told it was for legal reasons because a applicant could say that we discriminated against them because they were......whatever.

I wonder if there are ANY restrictions on the teams at these interview sessions.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by gibbsisgod

I was involved in the interview process for a recent new hire at my job. Before I got started I was pulled aside by my supervisor and was verbally given a list of types of questions we were not allowed to ask. Most were like, dont ask if they are gay, dont ask if they have kids, are they married, how old they are, and stuff like that. I was told it was for legal reasons because a applicant could say that we discriminated against them because they were......whatever.

I wonder if there are ANY restrictions on the teams at these interview sessions.

I would think that's something the CBA would have to include, otherwise the nfl is merely bound by all other federal laws re: hiring practices.

[724Skinsfan]

Big whoop! If Stafford doesn't have a thick skin he won't make it as franchise QB. If those type of questions hurt his feelings I wouldn't want him on my team (Ryan Leaf). Also, if he does have some emotional baggage that he hasn't been able to properly focus then he'll be worthless. Of course, at this stage he probably has sorted out that stuff. I don't think this equates to a 45k/year job interview.

[hooskins]

I agree with SS, very few coaches can stay extremely intense and remain in good terms with their team. You do these kinda things a couple times so people realize not to F with you but then back off.

It's like how they tell you kick someone's ass or become someone's bitch as soon end up in a federal prison.

[cpayne5]

I don't see a problem with any of this.

[firstdown]

Well the question was asked by the teams psychologist and I could see why it was asked when given the money they plain on giving this guy. Its not like he is applying for a job at McDonalds.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Well the question was asked by the teams psychologist and I could see why it was asked when given the money they plain on giving this guy. Its not like he is applying for a job at McDonalds.

That is true and he should not get offended, but it is difficult to remain composed when someone pretty much tells you "have issues" especially when you feel they have no idea about the situation or it is simply none of their business.

Obviously there is a professional way of responding, but if I were in his position I would definitely be pissed I just wouldn't show itt.

[GMScud]

I would have flat out told them "may parents' personal lives are none of your business."

Singletary's tough guy act is getting old. If he still wants to act this way, then come out of retirement and strap on a helmet. Methinks he'd find some humility pretty quickly in that case.

I don't care how much money they are about to invest in these guys, some of this stuff is silly.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Maybe over the top but I can see where teams are coming from. They're about to pay a guy millions to be the face of the franchise. You want to make sure you've dotted all your I's and crossed all your T's.

Didn't the Raiders have a PI follow JaMarcus Russell around before the draft? I know some people had issue with it, but I thought it was a good idea.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I would have flat out told them "may parents' personal lives are none of your business."

Singletary's tough guy act is getting old. If he still wants to act this way, then come out of retirement and strap on a helmet. Methinks he'd find some humility pretty quickly in that case.

I don't care how much money they are about to invest in these guys, some of this stuff is silly.

Yeah I agree. I thought Singletary was going to be a really good head coach but now I'm starting to doubt it. Some of his antics are not going to work in the pro game. Leave that stuff behind closed doors. Plus what is the divorce rate in this country? Almost 50%? Stupid question.