Dear Sports Media,

What is the big deal? As a Ravens fan I am disturbed and I have finally come to the point where I have to say something. Perhaps you guys have lost track of something you mention all the time…parity. Due to your position your mind is probably already running down how the salary cap has resulted in parity, blah, blah, blah. With this being the case it would be nice if you injected some parity into your reporting. Getting to the heart of the manner…in a league defined by parity how can you still pay more attention to the “classic” teams? People love to throw out that stat about the last place team in the NFC south taking first place the next year. Yet, even if they haven’t done anything, there is still more reporting on teams that were strong before the salary cap came about. Meaning that I have to watch reports all week about if McNabb is on his way out of Philly instead of about how the Ravens actually won the game. In addition I get passing references to how Ed Reed broke his record for the longest interception return for a TD. That acheivement is reduced to “one of Philly’s turnovers”. How is it that when Carolina, Baltimore and Atlanta win in week 10 I still see more coverage about the Cowboys…who were on a bye week!!!! Despite the fact that the only one of these teams that isn’t in a better position in their division is currently tied with the Cowboys. Certain phrases are bandied about that should be abolished. “Flying under the radar” is one…you’re the media, if someone is under the radar it’s because you are not talking about them. I understand history and it’s importance, however we watch because of what’s happening now. I watch sports news because in addition to my team…I want to know what’s going on with the league as a whole. I don’t mind at the end of the season when there isn’t any focus on teams that are not in the playoffs. I understand that. When the playoff picture is still unclear, however, I want to hear about everything equally. Who thought the Giants would be the Champions last season? Who thought when Drew Bledsoe went down that Tom Brady would be this good? Who thought that when Tommy Maddox went down the Steelers would go on to win the Superbowl? Who that the Ravens would go on to win the Superbowl after not scoring any offensive touchdowns for four games? We never know what may happen in any given game or season. That’s why I rely on you to tell me what’s going on. I don’t rely on you to tell me more about teams that have done better historically then they are doing in the current season. Because there is no parity in reporting…Baltimore, Philly and all fans of football spent all day hearing about McNabb and how the eagles lost…being from Baltimore I’d rather hear about how the Ravens won. Did I mention that Ed Reed broke a record? Yes, it happened on an interception of Kevin Kolb…but one end of that play is going to contribute something to the Football Hall of Fame. The Giants are playing great this year…but their record does not excuse them from playing other teams in the playoffs. The Panthers and Buccaneers, at this point, are in the playoffs, it would be nice to hear more about them (because as of now the Cowboys are out). The Ravens are one game out of the Division lead and still have to face the Steelers. All I ask is that reporting reflects the league as it is. To use a quote that’s used alot in coverage of the NFL…you are what your record is. It would be nice to at least hear about the teams that are playoff contenders. I understand at the beginning of the year, the building of drama and so forth. Once the wins and losses start to add up…that’s what you need to go with. We already have to deal with the fact that some teams play in bigger markets then others, but the national sports media has a responsibilty to be what it is…national. I’m sure that when I’m 45 (unless there are more expansion teams) more attention will be paid to some of the “newer” teams. Despite the fact that some of these teams have been to Superbowls…and even won some, this isn’t the case now. I think back to the Patriots, they weren’t a traditionally dominant team. Now, I always hear about them and they get great coverage, but I do have to consider the fact that by winning 3 out 4 Superbowls in less then 8 years they forced you to. I hope that’s not what it takes to get reported on.

Yours Truly,