It took less than two minutes for Ravens coach John Harbaugh to address the media on Friday afternoon.
After discussing the impact of Hurricane Ike and the rescheduling of the team’s game in Houston to Sunday night at 8:30 on CBS, Harbaugh became annoyed with questions regarding the status of injured defensive backs, including Derrick Martin.
“No, why would I [answer] that?” he asked. “You guys going to keep asking about [injured players] all year, right? I’m going to keep telling you I am not going to answer it. I’m about done.”
Harbaugh asked if the reporters had any more questions and left the press conference at the team’s facility in Owings Mills by saying “nice to see you.”
Ravens kicker Matt Stover won’t be able to say the same to his family, however, in Houston this weekend. The team’s all-time leading scorer initially requested 15 tickets for family and friends to see the Ravens (1-0) play the Texans (0-1), but Hurricane Ike has forced evacuation of some of the Houston region.
Stover has several family members in the area, including his sister-in-law and her two children, who vacated earlier in the week. He owns a condo in the nearby community of Woodlands, but the Dallas native isn’t concerned about damage to his property.
“I know that the infrastructure of Houston is very, very good and they are prepared to handle hurricanes — they have done it before,” Stover said. “They have a tremendous water system and electrical system and they should be prepared.”
One Raven who already has a schedule conflict due to the game’s time change is safety Ed Reed, who was scheduled to make an appearance, ironically, for a fundraiser for his Eye of the Hurricane Foundation. The charity gives back to schools in the communities of Baltimore and Destrehan, La., his hometown.
But the players have stayed optimistic.
“You have to hope for the best,” Stover said. “I think that’s the right way to go about it.”
