Great clarification Mike. I didn't read anything negative in your article, but I know you do have your haters who are always looking for something to nail you on.

Did anyone on a team that went to the "Final Four" talk about turning the team around? Did any player mention his 40 time during their interview? I realize you wrote something you regret but the way to fix it is not to create fantasy reasons why this guy impressed you.

Mike,

I am not sure who took offense to your article or why, I saw nothing in it that would offend. Oher is a very unique guy and does stand out from other picks and he is not a sexy pick (which is not what you want in a O-lineman anyway). I liked your article and thought it defended the pick and pointed out the fact that picking Oher was a great move on a good number of levels. If people found fault in what you said they are looking too hard.

I didn't construe your comments as being improper. You're comparison to Oddjob was a pretty good analogy. This kid's an intense dude of few words, which is really all you said. People are just looking for a fight otherwise.

Mike it's no problem at all..ravens did a great job at not finding a wide out for flacco but hey at least he will now have all day to look at a field of covered worthless recievers..or even better..mason can get 290 catches for 70 yards next season..that should really make an impact there. Great pick..whatever...

I wasn't crazy about the oddjob reference, either. But RT's are usually big dudes who are kind of "odd" ...Orlando Brown comes into mind.

I think you want a nastier RT (drafting Oneil Cousins is a good example, he might not pan out which is why getting Oher is great news), and a more cerebral, tactical, less aggressive LT (drafting Adam Terry, though he hasn't panned out.)

Mike, I thought your article was complimentary of Oher. There's nothing flashy about being an offensive lineman in the NFL. Oher seems to be a tough, talented tackle with a chip on his shoulder (more like a cinderblock considering his upbringing.) He absolutely fits the mold of what it means to be a Raven.

Mike, no apology needed from my view. Unless, those who thought you dissed the man come forward with the exact words it should be a dead issue.

I didn't find anything that you stated in your column to be offensive, whatsoever. Whatsmore, I completely agree with your assessment that this was a terrific selection by the Ravens and one which will ensure quarterback Joe Flacco's safety in the pocket. I think that your characterization of what type of hard-nosed player Oher has demonstrated himself to be is accurate and I like the kid. When it comes to analysis of the Ravens by anyone in the media, I trust your impressions above everyone else. I also think that Oher would probably agree with your comments about his focus and his stoicism. He has been brought in to push defensive linemen around and protect his quarterback for the Ravens, not issue press releases.

And of course Preston makes sure to publish each and every letter that had no problem with his offensive and inane "oddjob" comparison to Michael Oher. Mikey, the only questionable intelligence I see is whoever continues to sign your paycheck.

I'll say this and say it in a straight forward way because that's who I am: Black athletes are often scrutinized, fairly or unfairly is up to debate (although I have my own personal view on that) and there are always these preludes and features with the downtrodden music playing in the backdrop of broken homes, fathers absent or dead, and mothers being on drugs, and the bad neighborhoods and so and so forth. The Michael Oher story is a very heart warming and heart felt one and one of true humanity. I'm not going to sit here and tell a lie that as a black man I am in love with all white people, but hell, I ain't in love with all blacks either. But inspite of that I can be proud that I have never done physical harm to either race based on senseless hate. I have however dreamed of doing something kind and meaningful for people if only I had the means and the finances. When I heard what this family did on behalf of our new offensive tackle, it brought tears to my eyes and gives us all a reason to live and want to make a difference in someones life, God willing! Welcome to the Ravens Michael Oher and good luck to you and your family, brother!

I see nothing wrong either; and to me I'd much rather have an "oddjob" than a player plea bargaining in a double murder trial to a "lesser" charge of obstruction of justice. Congratulations Michael Oher; may you have a long healthy NFL career full of many Pro Bowls and a ring or two.

I am so tired of people who look for any excuse to take offense. Don't worry about these thin skinned, naysayers who look at the glass half empty. Keep writing and telling it like you see it. I won't always agree but at least I'll know where you stand.

Been watching the draft coverage a lot since yesterday and there's almost no talk about the Ravens even though they came within one game of the SB. If any other team had picked Oher,they would have beeen going on and on about it. The national media just hates the Ravens.

The Ravens probably got some solid players in this draft but you have to wonder why they didn't get a wide out or kicker.

Of all the cheapshots you have taken at players and coaches, this is what you apologize for?

I give the Ravens, A on the draft.Everyone is screaming for a WR help and they don't need WR help.Ravens need a OT got one a TOP TEN pick AMEN.,Need a DE nail it to with there 2 pick.More CB help and SP team player to. Jason Phillips was ok and what can you say about a 6.5 TE other than corner of the Endzone BABYYYYY and for Peerman ....Ray Rice tooooo

Mike,

Don't sweat anyone who didn't understand your meaning. From an old, fat, white former DB and HB, O-lines and D-lines constitute 90% of the game...maybe more. Michale Oher sounds like the real deal. I think I saw one Ole Miss game last year, and I noticed him.

Keep up the great work; you're one of the few people in the entire media (not just sports) whose opinions I respect.

That is all,

Roger and OUT

Mike,

I thought your article on Oher was a great assessment of him as a person and what he's capable of on the field. John Harbaugh doesn't go around throwing "big" words around; instead, he uses powerful language that describes who his players are as men and the heart they have. Judging from Oher's interview, he's a mighty man and will fit right in.

You put up with a lot of criticism, but I for one am a fan of your articles. At the end of the day, even the folks who throw daggers at you still have to read your articles to acquire their fodder. Keep up the great work.

You think Oher looks like Oddjob from James Bond and I think you look like Rerun from What's Happening. I apologize if that offends you; it wasn't my intention.

No worries Mike, forget about it. This was a great pick for the Ravens and I'm very excited. The Ravens for some reason always gets their Man. How? I just dont know!!!!!

People are way too sensitive these days. Clearly the article was meant to endorse Oher and the Raven's decision to draft him. Lighten up people.

Talk about a double standard. You don't ever hear anyone writing in about how writers depict Art Donovan. Mike, you're fine. The guy's a football player. We're not talking about Obama here. So what? Nobody would've written about it if the guy were white. And it's ridiculous to think you would denigrate an African American player. We pride ourselves on being a blue collar town. Everyone just needs to let it go. What's the world coming to?

I value your observations about the Ravens more than anyone else at the Sun. In this case, I think your observations were mostly correct, although some could be misinterpreted if someone was inclined to do so.

My take: you were trying to say Oher was not an intellectual, just a down-to-earth guy who will battle (and win) in the trenches for the Ravens.

No prissy guy, No jive talking. Just a young man who overcame the odds. A bulldog for the Ravens.

That is what I thought you were saying in your column.

As an Ole Miss alum, I just want to tell you guys congratulations on picking up a fantastic, pure football player and an even more impressive human. Joe Flacco should be sleeping a lot easier these days. Jevan Snead put up Heisman numbers last year because he had a wall named "Oher" standing in front of him.

I'm truly sad that Oher's days in Oxford, MS, are over, but I'm excited to begin following Michael's NFL career.

And everyone who is a Ravens fan should familiarize himself with the Ballad of the one and only Big Mike...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24football.html?ex=1316750400&en=e3741d62a638bb81&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Both teams that played in the Super Bowl last year had great wideouts(real playmakers) with average offensive lines. The Steelers have had Burris and now have Holmes, both Raven Killers. When will we finally get a great playmaker or Steeler killer. I do not know of one in Ravens' history. I guess we will have to look forward to more dink and dunk passes and not a much better ranking in passing than 28th in the league.

I didn't find it offensive and definitely never thought to send an angry email, but since the subject's been brought up, I have to admit I was taken aback by the Rhodes Scholar thing. It's like if you said, "He's no rocket scientist, but he sure does hit hard." It was a positive article, but I don't know why you had to insult the guy, and maybe more than that, why your editor left it in.

Also, Rich in CT, no, if he was white, the term would be "plain spoken" or something. I'm not suggesting anyone is racist in this story, and know nothing about Mike Preston as a human being, but there are plenty of black people who hate black people. Also, racism doesn't just mean hatred. It's more subtle than you choose to believe. Much easier to say things like, "If he were white, nobody would bla bla bla bla," though, right?

Kudos Preston, you nailed it with that April 15 call for an OT as the Ravens #1 pick when so may of the so called "experts", had the Ravens taking a WR, TE, or DB. It's good to know that at least one person in the local media has his finger on the pulse of Ravens football.

I went to nfl.com and looked at EVERY ravens game highlights. What stuck out at me was that when Flacco did not have a good game, it was because he was getting a great deal of pressure even though we kept the TE and a RB in to block.

Flacco showed the stuff of a good NFL QB in his rookie season. Adding Oher will shore up the right side while another season will see Gaither even better on the left side.

An improved O-Line (with more receiveres in patterns not in the backfield) WILL result in an improved passing game.

I'm glad you clarified your remarks.

The only reason I could see some offense is you said Oher "doesn't come off as a Rhodes scholar", implying he may not be very smart. Then later you point out that the center, Matt Birk, is "Mr. Cerebral," implying he IS very smart player.

This goes back to the old implications that black players were "talented" and white players were "skilled". But like I said, good for you to clear the air.

Anyone who has read about Michael Oher in "The Blind Side" knows that he's not your usual run-of-the-mill college student. As a result of his upbringing (or notable lack thereof) he was reading at about a second-grade level when he entered high school. The Tuoy family hired full-time tutors to help him through high school *and* college. His coaches admit they have to keep things "simple" for him to learn their systems. Let's face it, the kid is not a cerebral multi-lingual guy like Jonathan Ogden. Mike was quite right: he's not a rocket scientist. That's all Mike Preston was saying. If anyone is offended by the truth, written mildly, then I hate to see how often you get offended going through a normal day.

So Mike Preston had to clarify his comments, what is the big deal, after all he is just a writer he should not be expected to communicate effectively. We don't want any of those awful big words to make their way into his column. After all, Preston is no Rhodes Scholar.

some of you people got a problem with Oddjob?