In fact, their consistent repetition of the standard lines about one game not being more important than another and not turning games into statements was played for laughs, by Harbaugh and, when reminded that he had just mimicked his coach, Flacco.
"Oh, really? Well, it's the truth," Flacco said. "We're not worried about impressing people. It's all about wins."
"Everybody can make out of any game what they want to make out of it," Harbaugh said. "It might be interesting for some people or some fans more than other fans, but nonetheless, every single one of them counts the same. It's a win or it's a loss depending on how you play."
It's very interesting for a lot of people, actually, particularly the ones outside Baltimore. Whether the Ravens admit it or not, if they win today, the rest of America will really get its wake-up call.
Listen to David Steele on Fridays at 9 a.m. on WNST (1570 AM).
points after
* Maybe the best news for the Ravens about the rise of Joe Flacco: They won't have to face the inevitable Michael Vick question when he's released from prison.
* Speaking of which, they have to be equally relieved that they don't now, and will not later, have to answer the inevitable Brett Favre questions. Good for the Jets right now ... and good luck in the offseason.
* Plenty of fans at the new-uniform unveiling at The Gallery last week were just as happy to see the Orioles players in town in the offseason as they were to see "Baltimore" on the road jerseys. The theme: It's about time for that, too.
* Once again, does any metropolitan area have as much depth in the major men's college basketball coaching ranks as this one does?
* Football Bowl Subdivision (former I-A) programs: 119. Black coaches leading them: four. That theory about sports paving the way for Barack Obama to be elected president - how does that work, again?
