Sports in general are very emotional to players and it takes time for those emotions to subside. Yes we would like to know what they think after a game, but in the big picture I would myself want to wait until my emotions had calmed before I answered some of the dumb questions posed by some , not all , of the members of the media. No I do not think it matters, what matters is what they do on the field, period.Remember it is only a football game and will not decide anyones status in life except for those who are part of the game. I say if they want to talk great, if not let iti be!

Geez,

Neither player had any trouble taking MUCH time after the game to sign autographs for us PAYING fans who really matter to them. I can understand why they don't want to talk to you press members as rarely you see the point nor do you do anything but hype up misquotes.

Bogus blog entry's like this just alienate them further.

Neither player had any trouble taking MUCH time after the game to sign autographs for us PAYING fans who really matter to them. I can understand why they don't want to talk to you press members as rarely you see the point nor do you do anything but hype up misquotes.
_______________________

Would you know if they existed if it wasn't for the news media? You're reading this blog, which is written by a newspaper reporter aren't you? Do you read the papers before and after the game, listen to tv reports, radio accounts? They are ALL media doing those various reports for people like YOU to read. Before the 1996 draft where you aware there was a Ray Lewis? If you say yes, you're a liar. No, these players don't have to talk to the media after a loss, but don't do it after a win either. Be consistent. Most of all, don't call a press conference when you want to open a restaurant (Thank God that horrid place in Canton has shut down); don't pose for the cameras and talk when you want to promote nothing but your own sorry pathetic arse. You really want to know who the most sorry people are? Those who put someone who was arrested for a double murder, plea bargained to a "lesser charge" of obstruction of justice in said trail, and puts someone like that on a pedestal. Those are the true pathetic people. Then again, I guess little Ray was "misquoted" during the trail. You don't want to talk to the media, be consistent and keep your fat mouth shut all the time; win or lose, or when you need the publicity to save your sorry arse or help you start another horrible restaurant.

MEMO TO THE MEDIA: Don't write a single word about Ray Lewis anymore; period. When he needs the media to promote some stupid idea of his, don't show up. Don't even mention the whining thugs name in pre and post game reports. Just act like he doesn't exist. And most of all, remember him when it comes to Hall of Fame voting; where CHARACTER MATTERS. Something Cry Baby Lewis knows nothing about. Just ignore the childish punk from now on.

What are they going to say?
Reed: "I'm a moron who tried an illegal forward lateral that turned into a fumble."

Lewis: "I got juked out of my shoes because my ankle was sore."

They are not going to tell us anything we didn't already witness. Frankly, there should be no media in the locker room. I don't want to hear football players speak in their broken english about anything. I don't want to hear "I'm mean" or "you know what I'm sayin" 50 times in 5 sentences.

I just like watching the games and rooting for the ravens.

KVV,

Interesting question, but for me, I don't really care either way. What they say after games really doesn't matter one way or another, and in most cases is utterly useless (just a hodge podge of cliche's). I really only care about them working as hard as they can in practice and laying it all out on the line like they do every week.

hey Valkenburg, chill out with the Ray response to Mencken. Get over yourself- at least we have players who care enough about their team and performance to be emotional. Dropping the murder trial on this lame blog, gimme a break... How did you even get a post on Ravens Insider anyways?

Correction- i just realized that "Mencken" was the one who made the Ray comment... the previous message goes to him now- My apologizes Valkenburg

Reed isn't a moron, just a bit careless. Take it easy on them. Ray got juked but they had a 1st and goal from the 5, it wasn't exactly an unexpected score. And overall I'd say he had a positive effect on the game, considering he caused a fumble on our own 1 yard line when we were about to be down 7 more.

Most players and coaches don't have anything of value to say after a game. I am so tired of Coach Harbaugh's press conferences. He says the same boring diatribe every week. Frankly, when Ray Lewis talks, I can't understand anything he says. He speaks like he is an alien from Mars. Ed Reed rarely speaks to the media anyway, so he is consistent. I am not sure I would want to speak to someone publicly after a bad day at the office. However, I understand there are zealots out there who have no life but to hang on to every word a football player utters.

No it doesnt matter at all. what matters is what they did on the field. Yeah reed screwed up but he is still the greatest safety to ever play the game. If he didnt fumble would we have gotten to fg range in 17 seconds? who knows but oh well. People want to make a big deal about ray missing a tackle on the goaline. how about the tackle he made on the goaline to even give us a chance. How about the fact that ray and reed were the 2 to make plays to keep that game even close? they are the 2 greatest to ever play their position and we should be happy to have such great players playing at the same time. we are a city that is truly blessed. Ed keep laterling bc that has helped us way more than it has hurt us. Just dont do it on punts. Ray play your heart out, oh wait, you have never given us anything less. thank you

Uh, if you are a football fan, you certainly DID know who Ray Lewis was before 1996. He was an amazing player at Miami before being a 1st round draft pick. You would have had to be living under a football-less, ESPN-less rock in order to not know who he was. So, yeah, liar...right.

Of course I don't care if Ray Lewis doesn't want to talk to a bunch of f$!@*%#'s after a loss. They Sun and their snotty reporters should stop whining about it and trying to make a story out of their inability to produce interesting headlines, the only reason Mike Preston has a job is because he causes so much controversy due to how much he's hated.

It doesn't matter one bit. Just listen to the stupid idiotic questions the press has asked players in the past. Don't you think Ed felt bad about it. Ray hates to lose period. These men are heroes who sacrifice their bodies and old age wellbeing for a chance to make their and our dreams come true. They have a right to JUST SAY NO. The no test brings out the worst in whoever you say it too.

I don't care to hear from them either way, win or lose. They are hall of famers whose careers speak for themselves. Why does the media (the Sun reporters) think they are worthy of the players paying them the time of the day.

I don't care about Ray Lewis and Ed Reed persona or character. I'm my own role model. All I know is that they are great athletes who put their livelihood at risk at every play for the entertainment of the Ravens fans. And yes for the millions they deserve every penny of.

I would like to hear what Ray Lewis and the whole team has to say about wins and losses, but heres the problem.....

The sun reporters have written so much empty and inconsequential material about the team that I don't believe any of them have good relationships with the players or coaches. SO the players and coaches say nothing, because they don't respect or trust the reporters. Listen to some of the press conferences where the sun guys are trying to get coaches and players to reveal strategy and injury information. Life must have been easy under Billick, who I liked, but would just go on and on about what happened, and how so and so was playing. All the sun guys had to do was quote him.

Now the reporters have to work.

I understand that the media has to get the scoop and all that, but you do it cultivate good relationships with the team by reporting with knowledge and integrity. Not empty controversy and insults of the coaches and players. Today on the radio I believe Preston called Todd Heap "a wimp" or "a sissy" or some similar name while criticizing the tight end's play in year's past. This is what I am talking about. Say he played poorly... Say that Ed Reed tried to do too much by lateralling that ball...don't call him selfish and stupid.... You sit in an office and type on a computer... these guys are professional ATHLETES, show them some respect and maybe they will show you some, and then we the fans can get better access to the team.

Mike in New Jersey

Just to clarify something earlier, that was not me posting as Mencken before, as JC figured out. My comments will always appear in bold.

Daniel, I think if you met me, or Mike, you probably wouldn't think we were "snotty." Goof-lookingy? Should eat more salads instead of steaks? Bit of a smart-aleck? Yes to all of those. But I'm not sure anyone thinks we're snotty. My point, which perhaps I didn't make well enough, was to ask whether Ray Lewis and Ed Reed should be speaking to so that YOU can hear what they have to say, not the members of the media. And whether they should be doing it so their teammates don't have to be the ones to take all the heat. That's where the issue of leadership enters in. As I said, try to remove the messenger here for a minute when you think about this. I know some professional athletes and coaches try to convince you that the media is always the enemy, that they're always out to cause trouble. But it isn't true. It's a tired song and dance that plays out in every city across the country. We're actually more like your advocates in the locker room. The NFL would not be a multi-billion dollar business with packed stadiums and huge TV ratings if we didn't know anything about the men who wear those helmets. That doesn't mean my job is important, because in the grand scheme, it's not. But the media has played a role fan's interest and the growth of the game.

Mike in New Jersey, I find it hard to believe Preston phrased it like you said. I don't think anyone thinks Todd Heap is a "wimp." I would have to hear the tape. I would say your characterization of locker room/media relationships is incorrect as well. Jamison and Ed Lee and Ken Murray all have good relationships with a number of players. When Ed Reed said he was still playing with serious pain this year, it was Ken who he talked to about it. Why? Because Ken has covered the NFL for 30 years and he and Ed have a good, respectful relationship. Heck, even I have a good relationship with a few of them, even though I've only been around the team just this year. It's not as black and white as some people want to believe it is. I would say most of them understand that, while we can't be their friends, we're not out to screw them either. Harbaugh is guarded, sure. But he understands what our job is, and that we're not PR flacks. I thought he was fairly candid about some of the Stover stuff last week.

Anyway, I think it makes for an interesting discussion, whether you agree or disagree. As always, thanks for reading.

It most definitely matters!

Ray Lewis is supposed to be the heart and soul leader of the team. What kind of leader cowers in the face of adversity?! What kind of leader runs out of the room rather than face the music of his team's failure. It takes more than hitting hard on the field to be a leader. Even if the defense played well, Ray is not just the anointed leader of our D, his is often the voice for the entire team. What kind of inspiration can he provide his teammates when he sends the message, "I'll stand up for you only when we win. Otherwise, I'm outta here!"

If I were his teammates, I'd want to know my leader had my back whether we win or lose. I'd want to hear him say, by his words and ACTIONS, "I'm here for you, man. No matter what." That's the kind of leader who I would follow into battle. That's that kind of leader who would ignite my spirit." Not someone who is sneaking out the back leaving his mates behind to accept the heat alone.

I don't think anyone expects a dissertation from Ray breaking down every aspect of what went wrong on the field-- that's the coach's job. But the media and fans do want hear his general perspective of what our team could have done differently to win the game. Not to mention, some words that will help us fans keep the faith.

Ray-Ray wants the accolades that come with being a star. He likes the bright lights and attention. But he ought to be man enough to face the bright lights and attention, win or LOSE.

Sheesh, I am extremely disappointed in Ray's behavior. And this isn't the first time I've heard about his teammates grumbling about it too.

Careful, Ray. Your character flaws are showing.

Man we have now scraped the bottom of the barrel for useless blogs. WHO CARES?? Anyone with with half a brain cell or a life doesn't hang on every word uttered by players or coaches before or after a game. You get all the same boring canned responses 95% of the time.

Players are obligated in their contracts to allow a certain number of responses or press conferences. Ed never says much and Ray doesn't say much when we lose thats not news or a controversy - geeze.

I am so tired of these people with the murder nonsense - grow up!!

I think you did a better job of clarifying yourself in the last post.

Reed and Lewis are seen as the faces of the franchise and it terms of leadership they should speak for the team. They are certainly happy to do so when things are going well.

But my initial reaction was that it didn't bother me. If the question that Lewis has to answer after playing 60 minutes on a sprained ankle is "Ray how do you feel about today's loss?" then what does anyone really think the answer will be? It's questions like those that make me question the worth of some media members.

I understand that the media has a job to do and with Harbaugh at the helm its much tougher to do that job. He just doesn't give you very much.

I also understand that with print media being challenged by the internet, blogging and various other sources many times the only real advantage that some have is the fact that they have access to the team. You want to be able to maximize that advantage.

I've blogged about the Ravens for the last two years and I realize that I'm not unlike anyone else. Just a guy with an opinion who happens to type it up and post it on a website. But I can't call Ray Lewis on the phone or even go into the locker room. That's the real difference between some media and me. I don't feel that's arrogant or even putting down writers and media members. If you write well,have an informed opinion on a topic and have some background on the topic you write about then people will read what you have to say and respond to it.

Hey Ray Ray and Ed...you guys are in this together as in team, come on man !!! face the music like the rest of the fellas, come on man !! ya both made a stupid mistake and so did COACH, face the music and we all move on together, good luck Sunday night....time to ring Big Ben's Bell. Ravens by the way will come back and WIN the AFC North, really. Cinn will drops their shorts and Pitts will fold like an old army tent. have a nice day !

Win or Lose the media can be pretty smart and pretty dumb when it comes down to asking questions.

Maybe they don't want to say the wrong thing. Take a look at the sports pages. The quotes are headlines. I was pissed on Sunday afternoon. How do you think they feel? Popping off and pointing fingers at a teammate might not be the best thing for the team, only the media.

It really doesn't matter. However, Ray has no problem talking when things are going well - usually talking too much. Whereas Reed seldom talks anyway. Reed is a quiet guy so i wouldn't expect much from him. But Ray is as boisterous as they come, so I think it does reflect negatively on him to a certain degree.

KVV, Mike Preston was on the Bruce Cunningham show on 105.7 The Fan 12pm - 2pm on 11/23/09. While talking about Todd Heap's performance in the past few years he referred to him as a "'sissy". He said Harbaugh had to sit him down last year and tell him if you don't block you wont play. The conversation was centered around Mike Preston's belief that fans were wrong for beeling that Todd Heap had taken a lot of punishment in his career because of Kyle Boller's poor passing ability. As a fan, I believe Todd Heap gets injured a lot now because of all of the hits he took while catching passes from Kyle Boller. As a reporter, Mike Preston said that Todd Heap was being a "sissy". You can probably listen yesterday's show at the stations website, or you can call Bruce Cunningham, or you can simply ask Mike Preston. I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing.

they're not required to talk to you. I wouldn't talk to the media especially somebody like mike preston. It sounds to me like the media either needs to be more aggressive or get over it.

I agree with MikeB on this one. I would much rather see a player get his emotions in check and talk to the media at some other point in the week. They're damned if they do, damned if they don't in the eyes of the media.

I'm glad to see some posters think that Lewis and Reed's charity events are stupid and not worthy of media promotion.

How can you take the "MEDIA" out of the conversation or debate? The "MEDIA" is the the center of ALL DISCUSSION. They are the "less than knowledgeable factor" in ALL ARTICLES. Be it Trueth or Fiction, they deliver the dribble this spew to the masses. MEDIA ARE THE CAUSE!

I really don't care if they speak after a game because some reporters ask dumb questions. Seems like every team answers them the same way anyway. The D played a good game. The O didn't. What do u really think Ray was going to say, "if we score a TD on any of those drives we win, hands down". No need for him to say it when we already know this man.

I didn't even notice Reed and Lewis didn't talk to the media after the game. That's because I did not want to listen to them anymore than they wanted to talk. They both had bad games with nothing to say. One is over the hill and the other is right behind him. Plus the MASN show after the game is tough to watch. Wally is nice, handsome, and has good knowledge, but he loses something. Most of all it's the nit-wit next to him reading boring useless stats over and over. Amber and Wally maybe, and get rid of that fat white cat that probably can't even play a game of cards.

no offense to the sun staff, but media in every city across the world look for a word slip to turn to their next story.

reed & lewis are professionals who just finished a tough game in which they played pretty darn hard. whether you are in a highschool locker room or even after the end of a pop warner game, a lot of the players on the losing end, [in every sport] are not interested in delivering commentary. a lot of them get to that level by being a harder judge of themselves than anyone else. you can trust and believe that they were internalizing that game, same as any game-- whether it be a loss or a win. it isn't about celebrity or reaching superstardom or a person's personal flaws. after i lose a game i seriously might want to break something. sometimes there is no mythical 'high-road'. there is only one road. in a lot of ways, those two as well as many other athletes see the best option, take it, yet still get criticized for it. in reality, what are we talking about here? an interview? everyone who saw the game didn't need an additional commentary from a frustrated player who lost. being a leader is not about making a statement to the press. the only person completely obligated to speak is the head coach and that happens every week. period. the rest is extra.

randy is dead on. they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. if ray lewis starting talking after the game the headline would have read that he was trying to boost his own status and get in the spotlight. and to all the 'face the music' comments- the ravens or any other team or player do not answer to the media. at the end of the day it comes from the fans, the management and the players themselves. the fans who watched the game should know that they honestly don't need post game commentary from a player explaining what they just saw on tv or in the stands.
give your players more credit and respect. those guys are jumping and crashing and hitting and hurting and screaming and thinking and flexing and running all game long. mute robots? who writes this stuff?

would it have made everyone feel better if ray said: 'we missed on a few plays, we didn't execute and our offense didn't capitalize?' am i upset that ray or ed didn't provide clip material for sportscenter? of course not.

my response? --my compliments to ray, ed and all of the baltimore ravens for playing hard. the loss wasn't what any of us wanted but the heart and drive was there. this commentary is frustrating.
go ravens.

To be honest, I would like to hear how Ray felt and feels about the loss to the Colts, however it was written all over his face. Let the man have a moment without the criticizing and he may be the "leader",but he is on the defensive end. We have had some tough breaks but he can't be held responsible for it all.

I'd prefer if Harbaugh wasn't interviewed after the game win or lose. He doesn't say anything ever that's worth quoting. If I wanted tired cliche's, I'd do a google search.

I wish the media would just ignore these guys. When they are winning they are mouthy, when they lose they don't give the media the time of the day. They remind me of Kyle Busch in NASCAR, when he does not win (he could finish 2nd) he walks away from the media and "declines to comment". When he wins, it is all smiles. I would love to see the press not show up to victory lane the next time he wins, and I would love to see the press head to thier cars right after the next Ravens win, probably in 2010!

Ravens fans we all love our RAVENS. It's just a game. How much does it really matter if Ed or Ray speak to the media after a game, win or lose? People have lost their jobs, homes, wealth and health care and you're worried if they give the media the time of day. If that's important to you, you truly need to get over it and get on with your life.
And, finally why are some people so mean spirited? Ray is not a thug.

answer: no.

who cares what they have to say, reed never says anything interesting and ray uses some combination of 5 words (god, team, emotion, warrior, leadership) in varying orders with incorrectly placed conjunctions and prepositions occassionally thrown in and then yells loud to make it seem like hes actually saying something that matters.

let billy cundiff talk, at least it would be interesting in that everybody would wonder why billy cundiff thinks that we care about anything he says or does. good job by billy tho... 5/6 is a good day, almost exactly stover's career average of ~82-83%...not that i care about anything having to do with billy cundiff.

No, it does not matter to me that Ray and Ed do not do post-game interviews after a loss. You could see the support Ray gave Ed after the fumble and how badly Ed felt. THAT interaction says it all. You know the players talk to and support each other on the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room. In terms of leadership, that is where it happens - not in post-game interviews.

I HATE the on the field Q & A. I think field belongs to the players. I think the photographers and camera should NOT be on the field post-game. The players and coaches should be able to exchange greetings without being chased by photographers and cameramen with cameras and mics shoved in their faces. As evidence by the game coverage, cameras can get very close from the sidelines and the overhead cameras. I do love how accessible the game is to the fans, but i think lines are crossed.

I like the Harbaugh interviews. I think he handles himself well and "represents", as they say, the team.

Thanks to Ray, Ed and Harbaugh for their leadership, their dedication, and efforts.

Go Ravens!

It seems Drew Forrester of WNST and were mulling similar things yesterday. He put it a bit more forcefully than I did.

http://wnst.net/wordpress/drewforrester/2009/11/23/in-the-case-of-ray-and-reed-silence-is-not-golden/

Opinions on the Sun's Raven Message Board are a little more mixed than they are here. A lot of people here emphasize the point that, if you're the face of the franchise, you should talk, whether it's meaningless or not. And whether you played well or not. It's part of your job. But a lot of people also arguing that they simply don't care what is said, just how they play.

http://talk.baltimoresun.com/showthread.php?t=226325

I should point out that Casey Willett and Scott and Anita were also making this point on the radio as I was driving home.

Anyway, thanks for an interesting debate.

Frankly, I don't care if the players talk or not after a loss. What bugs me more than anything is when they do talk - some players, our local sports analysts (WBAL radio in particular) and Coach H make excuses for mistakes. There are no excuses for not scoring on the One yard line or blatant personal fouls or missing the ball when it's thrown directly at you or calling two time outs in a row or lateraling the ball during the crucial last seconds of the game.

That said, I look forward to the game on Sunday night minus some of the costly mistakes.

I'll tell you what- honesty- it pisses me off that Ray Lewis doesn't speak after tough losses.
Last year after the AFC Championship- I was devastated, as Im sure most Ravens fans were- and I watched the post game show waiting to hear from him.

There's a sense of closure and assurance when you hear your team leader speak out after a loss. You want to hear him speak, and hear the emotion that you can relate too.

Pretty sad he doesn't feel the need to do that.. but, if he does feel he'll say something he'll regret, I guess I can understand it.

I don't think the Founding Fathers passed the First Amendment to protect the Freedom of the Press so that NFL players would be obliged to grant post-game interviews with sports reporters.

I agree with smellytramp: as far as I'm concerned, the media doesn't even belong in the locker rooms....as long as they are, everything they say with regards to what players say or don't say is colored with the media's arrogance and biases...

Kevin, your 11:47 post was the most self-serving piece of garbage I've read in a while...and that's saying something...

"Haloti's late hit was very damaging, Joe's interception pass was a stupid decision, Coach Harbaugh's double-timeout was as idiotic as it gets, and Ed's forward lateral was another of his typical hot-dogging mistakes. We would've won if it weren't for these morons."

Those guys are paid big money and with that comes the responsibility to man up and deal with media. Period.

It's cowardly of both to slink off without talking when they lose.You know they both run their mouths fine when they win.

Let's face it -- Ed Reed is a loose cannon, and I'm tired of everyone giving him a pass and saying 'he was just trying to make a play.' That's hardly the first hare-brained lateral he's tried, and I doubt it will be the last. I wish he or Harbaugh would just come out and say, 'Yeah, that was a stupid move.'

Granted, even if he doesn't lateral, the ball is at the Ravens' 35 or so with 17 seconds left. They need to go 30 or 40 yards to have any chance, but still ...
That wasn't the reason they lost, but it was dumb ... Man up and admit it.

Kevin, your 11:47 post was the most self-serving piece of garbage I've read in a while...and that's saying something...

Oh, Keith. As Doc Holiday said in Tombstone, "Does this mean we can't be friends? You know, if I didn't think you were my friend, Keith, why ... I don't think I could bear it."

Happy Thanksgiving week to all, however -- whether you believe the media is evil and biased, or just evil.

I do believe Coach H said Ed Reed had his best game this past Sunday? Heard that on WBAL this morning. I nearly fell off my chair.

Well,Kevin,you certainly did a lot of writing here.Why don't ask them to text you some things when they are ready to calm down some?Haha,yeh,right.I don't know what to tell you except boycott them after a V or they make some outstanding plays in a game.I don't feel offended as a fan but I do appreciate comments/quotes from Ravens that do offer some opinions to you reporters.I'd hate to be in Hardball's shoes right now at press conferences during the hard losses.Hey,does Cameron talk right after games?Now there's somebody with a target on them!

Kevin,

Maybe my characterization of the media/player relationship is generalized to some degree, but Preston said what he said... (thanks for the clarification TC.)

Space, your post was great also.

I want the media to be our advocates, but even in losses, i have an incredible amount of respect for the team. I don't need to read someone telling me that Ngata's play was boneheaded or that Ed Reed is selfish. I want a sports writer to know the game better than me, watch the film and tell me whether or not Ed Reed did have one of his better overall games last sunday, as Harbaugh said, despite the lateral at the end. Give me some analysis on whether or not Washington,Clayton and Heap were open and Flacco was rushing his reads or was going to Rice all the Colts were giving him. Was Demetrius Williams in the game in a desperate attempt to spark the offense or did Cam see a match up he liked? Find that out for me. Take your relationships with the players, if they are good, along with your ability to view and analyze the game, if this is true, and give me some intelligent insight.

Mike in Jersey

it seems to me that today's sports media is pretty lazy. They just ask the same stupid questions that we all know the coach isn't really going to answer. They never do any in depth reporting or analysis on the players or the game itself anymore.

They'd rather talk about who Tony Romo is dating or what Chad JOHNSON mailed to the other team.

The blog posts are often childish in nature with the attempts at humor are bad

ATTN: you're writers not stand up comics.

Who wants to go listen to some dumb,meaningless questions after a tough loss..."Hey Ray, how does it feel to be on the wrong end of such a tough loss"....3/4 of the questions at these things are just plain stupid.