Maybe now that his golf tournament is over and Ravens veterans are about to report to training camp, Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed will be quiet.
He has spent the past week babbling as if he were a game-show host. It's safe to assume that Reed was trying to get publicity for his football camp and golf tournament because most of his comments were ludicrous, self-serving and whiny.
For instance, despite having enough injuries to qualify for Red Cross donations, poor Ed complained about the three years remaining on his contract, which will pay him $19.7 million.
And he bellyached about having to fly to another city for surgery. A year ago, Reed said he might retire, but last week he said he could play six more years even though he didn't know whether he would play in the next six games.
Huh?
And on and on it went.
It was good for fans to hear Reed's rampage because they got a chance to see a side of him they don't on the field. Reed is a great player, and no one can question his heart for giving to charity and his passion for the game, but he also is moody and has trouble communicating.
It was amusing, and disturbing, listening to him recant his stories daily or criticize the media for taking his quotes out of context.
Earth to Reed: If you didn't talk so much, no one could take your quotes out of context.
We'll just chalk last week up as a bad one for Reed, like a bad hair day. He might want to consider some PR classes because with today's economy and high unemployment rate, no one wants to hear a multimillionaire complain about anything.
So when practice starts Friday morning, Reed should zip it up. No more whining, No. 20.
Kindle needs guidance
The Ravens might have to bring in Homeland Security to keep an eye on rookie outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
Kindle, 22, reportedly suffered a head injury at a house he was visiting Thursday night in Austin, Texas, when he fell down two flights of stairs.
Hmmmm.
The young linebacker out of Dallas seems to be a victim of bad luck and poor decision-making.
Kindle was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in July 2007. Two years later, he had a one-car accident in which he damaged a building and left the scene.
We've seen this act before in Baltimore with a Pro Bowl cornerback named Chris McAlister. Kindle, though, is young. We can hope the Ravens can give him the proper guidance.
Pressuring the QB
It was noble of starting quarterback Joe Flacco to defend Troy Smith, his backup the past two seasons, when the Ravens recently signed Marc Bulger, but Flacco should also look over his own shoulder.
He hasn't played well in the past two postseasons. When a team signs a backup of Bulger's caliber, they'll stay that backup if the starter gets hurt and the team gets hot in his absence. Regardless of what type of winning streak the Ravens might go on with Smith, he wouldn't remain the starter.
Signing Bulger was perfect because it not only gave the Ravens a great backup, but it also kept a little pressure on Flacco as well.
Sign of change needed
The Ravens need to rectify the problem of limiting autographs to kids ages 6 to 15 in training camp.
I've never been a big fan of adults wearing players' jerseys and standing in long lines for autographs, but I also understand that a lot of fans can't afford seat licenses or season tickets. Training camp is the only time they can get an up-close look at the players.
Ravens officials need to remember that kids don't buy tickets. It's the adults who put out the cash. They need to find a way to satisfy the clientele, not alienate them.
Shady dealings
Both the NFL and major college football have to do a better job of educating players about "runners."
"Runners" act as go-betweens for agents and college players, and they basically sell the services of agents to the players. The worst part is that the number of women "runners" is increasing, and some of them have become girlfriends of the players. Once they choose an agent, they move on to the next player.
"Basically, the guys are worthless, but they can get some of the players on the phone, or take them out to dinner," one prominent NFL agent said. "In some cases, they are related to the player but making money on their own. They are basically pimping the player and the agent.
"Colleges have to become more vigilant in making these players aware, and they have to take more control. They need to let the players know about the good agents and about the penalties involved. All you have to do is take a look around at what happened in Alabama and Florida recently, and you'll see this is getting out of hand."
Return for Walker?
The recent suspension of Ravens cornerback Cary Williams by the NFL for his violation of the personal-conduct policy will hurt the team more than some might think.
Williams wasn't going to be a starter, but he would at least have challenged for the starting nickel back position. With him briefly out of the picture, the Ravens might have to re-sign Frank Walker.
Oh, no.
Let's hope the Chicago Bears sign Walker before the Ravens get that desperate.
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