In an early screening version of the upcoming film “Draft Day,” fictional Cleveland Browns GM Sonny Weaver Jr. is informed that he has a phone call. The caller: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, who is seeking information on what the Browns’ 2014 NFL Draft plans are.
Weaver, as portrayed by Kevin Costner, grumbles that he will not take media calls on this day, of all days. The embattled team executive begins to add a colorful suggestion about what Schefter can do with his quest for news.
That’s Hollywood. In the real world, plenty of NFL sources take Schefter’s calls.
The start of 2014 NFL Free Agency yesterday was clear evidence of that, as Schefter fielded phone calls, emails and texts while breaking news of free agent signings on NFL Insiders and other ESPN programs until late in the evening. An estimated 28 free agent deals were made in the first two hours alone. Schefter’s reporting and his Twitter feed (@AdamSchefter) provided a fast-paced running scorecard of NFL player movement.
Schefter’s reporting was so impressive, many of his ESPN coworkers, fans and even fellow NFL reporters at other news outlets took notice.
Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer for ESPN’s NFL studio shows, put it this way: “I have grown to have big expectations from Adam, but he really blew me away yesterday.”
As the tweets below attest, Markman was not alone.
As always, @AdamSchefter is earning his paycheck. pic.twitter.com/rjAvYKKNn2
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2014
@AdamSchefter great job today with all the free agency coverage.
— Jeremy Underwood (@JSUnderwood) March 12, 2014
Whatever ESPN is paying @AdamSchefter, it’s not enough.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) March 11, 2014
Schefter now going Secretariat at the Belmont in 1973 with the DeMarcus Ware news.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) March 12, 2014
Only fitting that on #NFLFreeAgency day, @AdamSchefter shows why he’s one of the best free agent signings ever for ESPN.
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) March 11, 2014
How many times a day do you think @AdamSchefter has to charge his phone
— Rob Fetters (@fetts10) March 12, 2014
Final thought for the night (maybe): @AdamSchefter put on an absolute clinic today. Bow down.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2014
I’ve been a reporter for 32 years – wow, really? – and I’ve never seen anybody break as much news in one day as @AdamSchefter. Now sleep.
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) March 12, 2014
it’s @AdamSchefter‘s christmas
— Aamir Aziz (@aamiraziz_) March 12, 2014
Salute to @AdamSchefter …puttin in work !
— .m☆tt (@DL05STAR) March 12, 2014
How does @AdamSchefter know everything???
— Jay StClair (@drstclair77) March 12, 2014
9:30 at night and @AdamSchefter is still doin work.
— The one and only (@bryan_lacey16) March 12, 2014
Tho @AdamSchefter is on his game. respect
— Verdin (@franklyexplicit) March 12, 2014
@AdamSchefter is killing it!!! Nothing more
— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) March 11, 2014
We should all just save the Twitter characters and assume whatever signing or trade is coming from Adam Schefter,
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) March 11, 2014
I don’t know if anyone has ever pitched a shutout on Free Agency Opening in the NFL.. but @AdamSchefter is coming close #killingit
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 11, 2014
Adam Schefter getting more calls than LeBron James.
— Play 60 Kid (@NatePlay60) March 11, 2014
So far “@AdamSchefter Day”, I mean the first day of NFL free agency has been a whirlwind.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) March 11, 2014
Per source (my calculator): @AdamSchefter has been retweeted 87,282 times (and counting) since free agency started at 4 pm EST today.
— Megan Armstrong (@meganKarmstrong) March 12, 2014
It’s after 10pm, do you know where your insider is? Only breaking the biggest stories of the day….@AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/z0uBIBMyYP
— Ashoka Moore (@AshokaESPN) March 12, 2014
