Suggs and Rice MIA for Interviews After the Loss

[ratedr]

Rice was on his way but got bumped on the way and went down :(

hahahaha

[ravensdfan]

I am aware of what it is. And yes that is a fair comparison, but they are not obligated to do it and receive no royalties for it. It is not semantics in the fact that it is a TEAM responsibility to ensure people with media demand are at the podium. In most locker rooms the coach will leave it to the players. Apparently though on these boards the team concept is kind of an unfamiliar term. The group, collectively, as a unit, cohesively, has to produce two people for interviews. Not Suggs every time.

 

I am a Flacco fan so I am not sure where the it only applies to Flacco thing is from. I love Joe so if he wants to do it great, if not Torrey, Webb, Suggs, Ngata, Ray, Yanda, Vonta, and a few other cats can do it. There is no reason for them to bare the sole responsibility of dealing with media hacks. I think Suggs has dealt with Skip more than enough times to warrant at least one break from the media and just go home.

 

Those young players need to be worrying about playing the game, NOT what interviews should look like. 

 

I wasn't actually pinpointing you in the Flacco comparison. Just take a look around this forum and you'd be well aware what would happen if Flacco were to ever act in this manner.

 

Again, I don't have any issue just agreeing to disagree. Under the current circumstances I don't see this behavior as very leader-like. No the young guys aren't watching them to see how they conduct an interview, that isn't what I meant. They are watching them to see how they conduct themselves under adversity and this does not set a good example IMO.

[Guest Omerta]

I wasn't actually pinpointing you in the Flacco comparison. Just take a look around this forum and you'd be well aware what would happen if Flacco were to ever act in this manner.

 

Again, I don't have any issue just agreeing to disagree. Under the current circumstances I don't see this behavior as very leader-like. No the young guys aren't watching them to see how they conduct an interview, that isn't what I meant. They are watching them to see how they conduct themselves under adversity and this does not set a good example IMO.

 

 

'If we are talking about leadership than I think it is important to note that it is very plausible to argue that leaders can never be made, they are born.  There are some that if put into the right position can become a leadership figure, but as to a true leader of  men that is rare. Ed wasn't, J.O. wasn't, Ngata isn't, Suggs isn't, Ray Rice really isn't, and this is not meant to put them down. I was a fan of all of them at some point in time and all but two now. 

 

Finding a Ray lewis type leader is VERY rare. Look around the league how many bona fide leaders can you point too ? It is a little parochial to say that just because someone can stand in front of a camera that they are a leader. Prime Example is TO. He was very talented at a lot of things, but a leader he was not. However, he rarely missed an opportunity to take some of the limelight. 

 

As to the adversity you bring the argument full circle for me. When media is the test for how a leader handles adversity we really need to step back and assess how much influence we as fans have given the media. I guarantee you most players would love to have the media out of the locker room. And yet because of our passion for football we have made these players all but circus attractions after the game to see how many times we can poke them before we get a sound bit to arm chair QB. You want to prove to me you are a leader who can handle adversity, make a play. Prime example and I will remember till the day I die. The chargers game on 4th down to really seal the game, the greatest leader in sports did no talking, he diagnosed the play and stuffed it in the backfield for a 3 yard loss. That is the test of adversity, that is when a man steps up and says, " Not me, not my teammates, not here, not now" and then puts it on the line and delivers. That is a test of adversity.

 

Was the media after the game all up in arms ? Of course ? Was him navigating the question without self-aggrandizing refreshing ? Sure. That said the test of the leader was given and sent back with a resounding, "Not on my watch."

 

That is what people remember Ray for, not the sound bite.

[ravensdfan]

'If we are talking about leadership than I think it is important to note that it is very plausible to argue that leaders can never be made, they are born.  There are some that if put into the right position can become a leadership figure, but as to a true leader of  men that is rare. Ed wasn't, J.O. wasn't, Ngata isn't, Suggs isn't, Ray Rice really isn't, and this is not meant to put them down. I was a fan of all of them at some point in time and all but two now. 

 

Finding a Ray lewis type leader is VERY rare. Look around the league how many bona fide leaders can you point too ? It is a little parochial to say that just because someone can stand in front of a camera that they are a leader. Prime Example is TO. He was very talented at a lot of things, but a leader he was not. However, he rarely missed an opportunity to take some of the limelight. 

 

As to the adversity you bring the argument full circle for me. When media is the test for how a leader handles adversity we really need to step back and assess how much influence we as fans have given the media. I guarantee you most players would love to have the media out of the locker room. And yet because of our passion for football we have made these players all but circus attractions after the game to see how many times we can poke them before we get a sound bit to arm chair QB. You want to prove to me you are a leader who can handle adversity, make a play. Prime example and I will remember till the day I die. The chargers game on 4th down to really seal the game, the greatest leader in sports did no talking, he diagnosed the play and stuffed it in the backfield for a 3 yard loss. That is the test of adversity, that is when a man steps up and says, " Not me, not my teammates, not here, not now" and then puts it on the line and delivers. That is a test of adversity.

 

Was the media after the game all up in arms ? Of course ? Was him navigating the question without self-aggrandizing refreshing ? Sure. That said the test of the leader was given and sent back with a resounding, "Not on my watch."

 

That is what people remember Ray for, not the sound bite.

 

I'm sorry, I don't mean to beat it to death but the example you give is not adversity, it is success.

 

You're missing the point entirely.

 

It isn't about the interview or standing in front of a camera. It is the act of skipping out to avoid it after such a loss. Avoidance of something difficult, whatever that thing may be, is not a quality you find in a leader.

You might be right and they are not leaders, which was kind of my point. They are supposed to be veteran leaders on this team, they make such a claim of themselves, so they need to walk the walk or stop talking the talk.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Rice & Suggs. Just that if you are going to lay claim to leadership, then you have to step up and lead when it is difficult, not run and hide because you're upset after a loss or a tough season.

[pep_meister]

Rice did this before when we lost to Seattle two years ago and he got the ball only 5 times. It was obvious he was upset and wouldn't have said anything helpful to the media. I think this is the case here. I think I like this better than the alternative of them going on camera and making headlines with a negative statement. Would you rather have a headline [b]"Rice doesn't talk to the media after the game" or "Rice bashes Castillo and the playcalling in postgame press conference"?[/b]

i would actually laugh and love that

[Alexir]

Captain's go down with the ship. Not take the lifeboat and paddle away.

 

I gave Ray Lewis crap for saying our Lockerroom lacked leadership, I wouldn't know one way or another but this doesn't help...

[flaccopoe]

Suggs is still the leader of the locker room.

[Inqui]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to beat it to death but the example you give is not adversity, it is success.

 

You're missing the point entirely.

 

It isn't about the interview or standing in front of a camera. It is the act of skipping out to avoid it after such a loss. Avoidance of something difficult, whatever that thing may be, is not a quality you find in a leader.

You might be right and they are not leaders, which was kind of my point. They are supposed to be veteran leaders on this team, they make such a claim of themselves, so they need to walk the walk or stop talking the talk.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Rice & Suggs. Just that if you are going to lay claim to leadership, then you have to step up and lead when it is difficult, not run and hide because you're upset after a loss or a tough season.

I came into this thread with an open mind, but I agree with this. I think the most recent case of real adversity we faced as a team was the 2012 AFCCG, and it was Ray Lewis who clearly stepped up afterwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22tZRpsOyo

 

Not only that, but he took the leap for the team in the media. I think he got a bit too preachy, but he was still our front guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMniMvH9vbk

 

Here's an interesting question, who takes over as our true leader now? Guys like Suggs, Joe, Rice, Ed, they were all good supplemental leaders of what Ray provided, but none of them took charge of the lockerroom (none of them had to, tbf). Atm, no-one really seems to be taking the role on like Ray did, and the guys I'd back to replace his voice long-term are a while off taking charge of the team. If only Joe had a stronger personality. 

[T3hRaven]

I came into this thread with an open mind, but I agree with this. I think the most recent case of real adversity we faced as a team was the 2012 AFCCG, and it was Ray Lewis who clearly stepped up afterwards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22tZRpsOyo

Not only that, but he took the leap for the team in the media. I think he got a bit too preachy, but he was still our front guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMniMvH9vbk

Here's an interesting question, who takes over as our true leader now? Guys like Suggs, Joe, Rice, Ed, they were all good supplemental leaders of what Ray provided, but none of them took charge of the lockerroom (none of them had to, tbf). Atm, no-one really seems to be taking the role on like Ray did, and the guys I'd back to replace his voice long-term are a while off taking charge of the team. If only Joe had a stronger personality.

Joe has more personality than Manning the lesser, and that guy won another Super Bowl after their emotional leader Strahan retired. I don't remember hearing this leadership nonsense about the Giants back then.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Captain's go down with the ship. Not take the lifeboat and paddle away.

I agree with this, as leader you go out and take it all upon your shoulders, defend or (helpful) criticise your men and make everybody respect and fear you with every word you say

[berad]

If you're looking for another Ray Lewis, you're going to be disappointed. He was unique in that he brought the unquestioned leadership and for so many years was a dominant player. Those combinations are very rare.

[Guest Omerta]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to beat it to death but the example you give is not adversity, it is success.

 

You're missing the point entirely.

 

It isn't about the interview or standing in front of a camera. It is the act of skipping out to avoid it after such a loss. Avoidance of something difficult, whatever that thing may be, is not a quality you find in a leader.

You might be right and they are not leaders, which was kind of my point. They are supposed to be veteran leaders on this team, they make such a claim of themselves, so they need to walk the walk or stop talking the talk.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Rice & Suggs. Just that if you are going to lay claim to leadership, then you have to step up and lead when it is difficult, not run and hide because you're upset after a loss or a tough season.

 

We will agree to disagree about the on field leadership just being called success, because I see neither of us softening our stances on whether a leader is all the time or just in font of a camera. 

 

The bold part has got me thinking. Who appointed them leaders ? Can you really be a leader by appointment ? I have heard those guys say veterans have to step up, but step up how. In terms of play Suggs has, but did he really mean leadership ? Or did we just assume it ? Or did we hear Harbaugh say they are leaders and take what he said at face value ?