Joe Flacco responds to Ed Reed

NFL32OT - Episode 64
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on Wednesday responded to teammate Ed Reed's comments that he was "rattled" in last Sunday's playoff game and "just didn't look like he had a hold on the offense," saying "it's not that big of a deal."
Hensley: Flacco Has to Step Up
In order for the Ravens to reach the Super Bowl, Joe Flacco has to take them there. It's time for the QB to squash his critics as well as a critical teammate, Jamison Hensley writes. Blog
Reed made his comments Tuesday in a interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. Flacco admitted he "was a little caught off guard" at first but that he has discussed the matter with Reed.
Flacco said he first saw Reed's comments on television while eating dinner.
"When I first saw it, I was like: 'What's going on?,' " Flacco said. "Like I said, we talked about it. We're a team around here. It's not that big of an issue. I really don't take things that bad. It's Ed. It is what it is."
Flacco was sacked five times and hurried by Texans defenders in an ugly 20-13 victory over Houston. The Ravens went three-and-out eight times Sunday, averaged 2.8 yards per rush and scored only three points over the final 46 minutes. Baltimore's lack of offense allowed the Texans -- led by rookie third-string quarterback T.J. Yates -- to stay close until the game's final possession.
Coach John Harbaugh and several of Flacco's teammates were asked about Reed's comments. Reed, however, did not address his remarks as he didn't come into the open locker room period.
The Doug Gottlieb Show
Ravens LB Jameel McClain downplayed the Ed Reed vs. Joe Flacco exchange, saying his QB doesn't get enough credit. McClain also talks about preparation for the Patriots' offense on Sunday.
He did, however, address his comments in an interview with ESPN's Chris Berman.
"There's always a method to the madness," Reed told ESPN. He said he didn't think his teammates would "take anything out of context that I said."
"If they do, it's got to be motivation to prove me wrong."
He confirmed that he has talked about his comments with Flacco and said there are no problems.
"I understand where Ed's heart is at," said Harbaugh, who spoke to Reed about the comments. "We're together all the time. We know each other. We know where each other is coming from. I'm sure there are some things he would have liked to have said better. The way you read them, I'm sure he's not real happy about that."
Ray Lewis said this won't become a distraction for the Ravens ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
"It's not an issue," he said. "The only issue we have as a team is going up and trying to get a win in Foxborough. Anything else anyone wants to bring up is irrelevant. Every person in our locker room is thinking the same way."
Lewis has always been a vocal supporter of Flacco, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first four seasons.
"I think I'm more shocked about how people speak about somebody who is just a flat-out winner," Lewis said. "There is no one side to anything. There is no one player that makes a team great. It takes a team effort."
ESPN.com AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.
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2011 NFL PLAYOFFS

- Playoff schedule | Road to Indy blog
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CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PICKS
HOT READ: Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz
RAVENS AT PATRIOTS, Sun., 3 p.m. ET
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- Walker: Has the Pats' D turned the corner?
- Hensley: Time for Flacco to step up
- Scouts Inc.: Ravens-Patriots preview

- Double Coverage: Defense is the key
- Joyner: New England's underrated D
- Playoff Predictor: Ravens' upset chances

- Outsiders: Patriots' TEs unstoppable?

- Clayton's AFC questions: Burden on Flacco
- ESPN Boston coverage
- Matchup page | Vote: Ravens-Patriots
GIANTS AT 49ERS, Sun., 6:30 p.m. ET
- Final Word: Giants at 49ers
- Reilly: Eli the best Manning?
- Chadiha: Why Alex Smith is succeeding
- Dilfer: Little things boost Giants

- Graziano: How Tuck bounced back
- Fox: Harbaugh's faith in Smith pays off
- Joyner: Smith makes case for elite status

- Scouts Inc.: Giants-49ers preview

- Graziano: Rolle talks, teammates listen
- Outsiders: Niners facing a 'new' Giants

- Double Coverage: Manning's tough test
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- Matchup page | Vote: Giants-49ers
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- Howard: Game plans still matter
- Sprow: The next Victor Cruz?

- Scouts: Most underrated players

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NFL DRAFT
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