NOTEBOOK: Media Training

As many of the Ravens' veterans know, the media - whether local or national - can be used to their advantage. As public figures, there are various outlets for promoting special projects, addressing issues, or championing certain causes.

Coming off a franchise-best 13-3 season in 2006 and a slew of solid offseason additions, the Ravens have even higher expectations entering 2007, making the media blitz as formidable as a Rex Ryan scheme.

That is why an NFL-mandated media training session, held at Ravens headquarters Monday afternoon, will greatly benefit the young players on the roster.

Led by Lisa Levine, who worked as Baltimore's director of broadcasting from 1997-99, the class used video examples and audience participation to drive the key points home. The videos ranged from Allen Iverson's (then with the Philadelphia 76ers) notorious "practice?" press conference to a very public outburst from New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

"Every time these guys are in the public eye, they can control the image they portray," said Levine. "It's not just what you say, but how you say it."

That approach has worked for many of the veterans on the squad. This season, five different players and head coach Brian Billick have turned their positive personas into weekly radio shows.

Ray Lewis, Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Jonathan Ogden and Bart Scott will be reaching fans over the airwaves.

Scott, who logged his inaugural show Tuesday night (with guest Trevor Pryce), was looking forward to the challenge.

"We live in a fishbowl, and if you make one bad comment, it can live with you for the rest of your career," said the host of The Hot Sauce with Bart Scott. "I'm excited to do the show, and I really have respect for how tough the media's job is and how to put together a program that is interesting and fun."

The highlight of the session had to be when Scott took the podium and had an impromptu press conference, with his teammates doing the quizzing and Terrell Suggs snapping flashbulbs as a photographer.

One rookie that has already been under the microscope is quarterback Troy Smith. After a sensational senior campaign that earned him the Heisman Trophy, Smith is already a veteran when tackling the tough questions.

Levine made a point to call attention to that with a clip of the fifth-round draft choice meeting the press during the Ravens' organizes team activities (OTAs). Smith was asked about his college credentials and how they would translate into his professional career.

Genuinely, he talked about putting the team first and learning under Steve McNair and Kyle Boller. While Smith got his share of razzing from his teammates in the meeting, the message was clear.

How ‘Bout Them Mountaineers?

Rookie linebacker Prescott Burgess had a rough weekend. The Ravens' sixth-round draft pick not only had to sweat through a Saturday morning waiting to hear if he made the active roster, he also had to watch his beloved Michigan Wolverines - then ranked fifth in the nation - lose 34-32 to Daniel Wilcox's Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The fact that ASU is in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA, didn't help matters.

After perhaps the biggest upset in college football history, despite the fact that the Mountaineers are coming off two consecutive I-AA championships, Burgess was trying to block the loss out of his mind.

"What happened this weekend? I'm not there anymore, so don't know," he said with a chuckle. "I can tell you that wasn't a Michigan team that I ever saw play. They didn't play like a Michigan team on Saturday. They have to get better."

Wilcox, who was a standout wide receiver and tight end in Boone, N.C., made sure Burgess knew what happened as soon as the rookie walked in the locker room.

"I came in and [Daniel put] his [college] jersey in my locker, but I had to throw it back in there," he said. "It's football - somebody had to win. You have to come ready to play. I don't think they came ready to play."

Ngata Tackles Diabetes

In an effort to raise the awareness and contributions to diabetes research, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata announced a partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Ngata experienced the affliction first-hand, as his mother, Olga, passed away from kidney failure in January of 2006. She was also battling diabetes.

"Diabetes is a disease that affects many individuals and has struck my family personally," he said. "I am passionate about working with JDRF to educate kids all over the world about what diabetes is."

As part of his work, Ngata threw out the first pitch for the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, Monday. He then signed autographs for $20 each, donating all of the proceeds to the foundation.

Notable

There were some other collegiate rivalries in the locker room, and friendly bets had to be settled early this week. Linebacker Dennis Haley's Virginia Cavaliers lost 23-3 against loquacious cornerback Derrick Martin's Wyoming Cowboys. "He won't let me forget it," said Haley. Also, running back P.J. Daniels, formerly of Georgia Tech, was asking for the phone number of free agent tight end Marcus Freeman, who was picked up by the Carolina Panthers after being released by the Ravens. Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish got surprised 33-3 by the Yellow Jackets…Cornerback Evan Oglesby, who was also waived, signed with the Dallas Cowboys.