Being even-keeled is so important for an owner with the microscope of public opinion always percolating. Being steady is being smart. Fans tend to fly off the handle and make no mistake about it Steve Bisciotti is, at heart, a super fan. He was a vested, passionate, season ticket holder before he was an NFL franchise owner. Ask anyone who ever watched him blister the College Park floor at a Maryland Terps game and you’d see there’s plenty of fire for victory and competition from Steve Bisciotti. But he also knows he can’t be the owner flying off the handle.
And sometimes being the leader isn’t always being a nice guy and making decisions that are judged by NFL fans won’t always win in the court of public perception or popularity.
Bisciotti, it’s quite clear, is a new age owner who reads the temperature of his fan base on the internet more than most. In January 2011, less than 72 hours removed from a brutal second-round playoff loss in Pittsburgh after squandering a 21-7 halftime lead, Bisciotti gave one of the more legendary press conference stand-up acts in Baltimore sports history.
Not only did he acknowledge hearing the fans complaints and frustrations with not going to the Super Bowl in the third consecutive trip to the playoffs under the Harbaugh/Flacco era. He also pledged a 100% effort from his staff and a commitment to winning every year and making Baltimore proud.
“You all (in the media) are accurate when assessing the team and so are our fans. They’re committed and they’re knowledgeable. We’re trying to put a good product on the field for you and it requires all of our employees here who give their heart and soul to it.”
Bisciotti said that he read 30 minutes worth of suggestions, observations and complaints in the ensuing hours after the sudden end to the Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes for Dallas.
He then itemized the “recommendations”:
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“Re-sign Ngata, Bulger, Wilson, Koch, Cundiff, McClain, Yanda, Carr and T.J. Change the offense. Sign or draft a big left tackle and a fast wide receiver. Get a big shutdown corner and a dominant edge rusher for the defense. Get faster players. Get smarter players. Get more veterans, but get younger. Fire Ozzie, Cam, Mattison and Flacco. And don’t be a tool, Bisciotti — or ‘Biscotti’ as they said — get a deal done with the union!
“And finally, don’t be meddlesome owner!”
And then, after a long pregnant pause and the laughter from the media died down, Bisciotti lowered his reading glasses, looked up from his sheet and deadpanned while mockingly thumping his fist on the table:
“I promise you we’ll get as many of those things done in the offseason as we possibly can!”
Clearly, Bisciotti also has a sense of humor to go along with his shiny new Super Bowl ring and Lombardi Trophy.
