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Ravens rate No. 1

CBS is sending its top announcing team, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, to Indianapolis to call the Ravens-Colts game Sunday. The network passed along Simms' thoughts on the matchup:

"Can the Indianapolis defense stand in there and stop Baltimore’s running game? If it does not, it is going to be fast and Peyton Manning is going to get fewer chances with the football. It will be rough for the Indianapolis offense because the Baltimore defense is so good and has had success against them the past couple of years.  The two big story lines by far are to see if Indy’s defense strengthens up and stops the run.  And what will they do against Ray Lewis and everyone else on the defensive side? It is early in season with two teams with 2-2 records, so it’s not make-or-break for either. One thing that really comes to mind about this game -- we just expect the Indianapolis Colts to come out every year and win their 12-or-more games and be the favorite in the AFC.  This year, there is doubt around the league.  And it is real doubt.  People are wondering if this is where the team starts to fall apart and whether they will have to start making major changes going forward in the next few years.  It is a legitimate question.   It always helps to see the team with my own eyes and to study them a little deeper to get a better understanding about them.  That way I also have a better understanding of the long-range prospects.  So there are a lot of questions about the Colts, especially with them playing a team like the Ravens.  If they really play well, then Indianapolis will have answered all these questions.  And, they will be in there for the rest of the year."

Comments

Nantz and Simms are covering the Ravens this week? That'll teach the NFL to schedule the Patriots for a Sunday Night game. I wonder if Nantz will be able to hide his love and affection for Tom Brady and the Pats for three hours and call the game he is supposed to be calling.

Lets not kid ourselves. The only reason that the No. 1 team is calling this game is Peyton Manning. Last week's game was the best on the AFC schedule an the No. 1 team called the Bengals and Cowboys game for one reason -- the Cowboys.

It will be fun watching Joe Flacco playing against the old Colts.McClain through the line should be interesting, too. Hug your referees on Sunday.

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About Ray Frager
Ray Frager joined The Baltimore Sun’s sports department in 1985 and has been an assistant sports editor for more than 15 years. This is his second stint writing a sports media column for The Baltimore Sun. Most sequels aren't as good as the original, but then, the original wasn't all that great either.

Frager, born in 1957, grew up in northern Delaware (graduating from a high school that since has shut down) and received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Rider College in Lawrenceville, N.J. He worked as a reporter and copy editor at The Trenton Times and The Dallas Morning News before coming to Baltimore.

Surprisingly, if you look at his accompanying photo, Frager is married and has a son and daughter. He enjoys playing basketball and has organized pickup games among members of The Baltimore Sun staff for many years, which means they don't get too mad at him for shooting way too much.

He has a good beat and is easy to dance to. I'd give him an 85.
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