The Ravens picked up today where they left off last week against the Arizona Cardinals, with their secondary getting shredded. Instead of a former Super Bowl MVP named Kurt Warner doing the shredding, it was a third-year Ravens castoff named Derek Anderson.

The only difference is that the Browns went after Ed Reed and Chris McAlister rather than Corey Ivy.

It started right on the opening possession of the game. Reed got twisted up trying to cover Joe Jurevicius, who caught a 27-yard pass down to the Ravens' 8. Jurevicius then caught a bullet from Anderson for a 2-yard score in front of Derrick Martin, playing in place of Ronnie Prude as Baltimore’s nickel back.

Then it was McAlister’s turn. Not used to being thrown at, McAlister bit on a fake to Jamal Lewis on the first play of Cleveland’s next possession. It resulted in Anderson lobbing a ball over McAlister’s head to a wide-open Braylon Edwards for a 78-yard touchdown, the longest throw in Anderson’s brief career.

Just to show that they wouldn’t let the secondary be the only culprits, the defensive line had its problems against Lewis and backup Jason Wright. After a slow start, Lewis broke free for a 28-yard run and Wright for a 12-yard run to set up another Cleveland touchdown, a 1-yard run by Lewis.

The touchdown came after the Ravens were called offside on what had been a missed field goal attempt.

Just like his players, Brian Billick was a little slow in reacting. After Lewis tried to leap over from the 1-yard line, he held the ball in front of his body, and officials ruled it a touchdown. Billick didn’t throw his red flag in protest until after Phil Dawson had kicked the point after for the Browns to make it 24-3.

To make it a collective collapse, the Ravens also had trouble on offense and special teams.

Steve McNair appeared to still be having trouble making his throws because of a tender groin, often throwing flat-footed as he did on a pass that fell short of Todd Heap and was intercepted by Leigh Bodden. The normally automatic Matt Stover shanked a 46-yard field goal attempt and rookie Yamon Figurs, who ran back a punt 75 yards last week against the Cardinals, fumbled a return to set up the touchdown by Lewis.

When the Ravens had a chance to get back into the game -- this was the Browns after all -- with a first down at the Cleveland 11 with a little more than a minute left in the first half, McNair missed badly on three straight passes -- to backup tight end Daniel Wilcox, to wideout Demetrius Williams and to Heap that was nearly picked off. They had to settle for a field goal by Stover and a 24-6 halftime deficit.

That the Ravens were playing one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL -- next to last overall -- might have given Baltimore fans some hope of a big second-half comeback. But the Ravens would have to do something in the second half that they didn’t do in the first half. They would have to come out looking as if they were ready to play.

Posted by Don Markus at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
                    

It was interesting to watch Jamal Lewis warm up, although it took a little time getting used to him wearing those awful orange helmets.

While in the end zone, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti went up to him and they talked for a few minutes, ending the conversation by shaking hands.

When the Ravens came on the field, Lewis was standing near the one sideline and playfully bumped into the Ravens' linebacking corps. I wonder how the contact is going to go when the game actually starts.

Posted by Jamison Hensley at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

A transcript of Ravens tight end Todd Heap talking with the Baltimore media:

On how he is feeling after his mild concussion: “[I feel] a lot better today. In practice [I] felt fine, so I’m going to be ready to go Sunday.”

On whether he felt RB Jamal Lewis wasn’t happy in Baltimore: “No. Jamal is a guy who’s going to give you everything he’s got. When we see him over on the other side of the field, that’s what we’re expecting – everything he’s got. I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting for this game for awhile. So, we’re going to get Jamal’s best and I know our defense will be up to that challenge.”

On describing how he felt right after he was hit hard on Sunday: “Describe it? I don’t know too many guys who can really describe it. You get hit and you don’t remember much after that. I go back and look at it and I see that he hit me pretty dang good and high. I wouldn’t say it was the dirtiest hit I’ve ever seen. It was probably more vicious me hitting the ground than him hitting me, but obviously it was a brutal hit. He hit me good.”

On whether his wife was worried about him playing after the hit: “No. Luckily she doesn’t make football decisions for me. I’m sure she thought that. I made sure that I was aware of my surroundings before I talked to her. I didn’t talk to her right away. I wanted to make sure I had everything together before I went and saw her.”

On whether he worries about the effects of sustaining concussions: “I’ve never really had anything like that. That was really the first time I’ve experienced that. I’ve experienced hard hits before. I wouldn’t even say that was the hardest hit I’ve ever taken. But I haven’t experienced anything quite like that, so I didn’t have anything to go off of or to compare it to. I feel fine now, so I can’t really worry about that now.”

On whether he feels Cleveland is a dangerous team: “The thing about Cleveland [is that] they’re always dangerous. When we play them we know what type of game it’s going to be, especially at their place with their fans. We know what to expect. I don’t care what records are or what time of the year it is. You always know what type of game you’re going into [against Cleveland] and you can’t really look at how the game went last week or how their season is going. We know what to expect when we’re going into their place.”

On whether the identity of the Ravens has changed from a run-first team to a pass-first team: “I don’t know about that. I don’t know if you can really look at the first few games of the season and say what our identify is yet. Obviously, we’ve done some successful things throwing the ball and we’ve moved down the ball down the field and there are some things we can get better at. [Seeing] Willis [McGahee], the way he ran the other night, and getting a few guys going like that – that was positive to see. Now when we get up in games like that, we need to figure out a way to finish them off.”

Posted by Jamison Hensley at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Linebacker Ray Lewis (ankle) missed the early portion of Ravens practice today for the third straight day, though his absence has not caused concern about his availability for Sunday's game in Cleveland against the Browns. The other three players who had limited work yesterday – wide receiver Mark Clayton (calf), linebacker and special teams player Gary Stills (knee) and wide receiver Demetrius Williams (heel) were at the early portion of practice. Left tackle Jonathan Ogden (foot sprain and hyperextended toe) also looked to be moving better than he has in some time.

Posted by Don Markus at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Ravens coach Brian Billick has built a reputation for verbosity, among other things, during his nine seasons in Baltimore.

Billick certainly showed another side to the Cleveland media earlier this week.

On what he has seen from Browns RB Jamal Lewis this season: “He’s a strong, powerful running back that can make plays.”

Asked whether there is any animosity between Jamal Lewis and the Ravens, Billick said, “None, whatsoever.”

On how Browns QB Derek Anderson has looked this year: “I loved Derek when he was here. He’s a good, young man with great potential in this league.”

On former Ohio State star and Cleveland native Troy Smith’s progress this season: “Like most first-timers.”

On why the Ravens decided to keep three quarterbacks: “It was just that the roster cap was set at 53 and that seemed to be the thing to do at the time.”

On the injury status of Steve McNair and Jonathan Ogden: “I’ll let you know that later on in the day.”

On whether he expects Lewis to be more ‘fired up’ for this game: "That indicates that he’s not fired up for other games. I know Jamal is a very competitive person that gets fired up for every game he plays.”

On whether he got along with Lewis: “We got along great.”

End of interview.

Maybe Billick was trying to even the playing field for the Baltimore media who had just listened to Browns coach Romeo Crennel said virtually nothing as well.

Posted by Don Markus at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

David Pittman appears to be one unsuccessful draft pick that can come back to haunt the Ravens -- at least this year.

Pittman, a cornerback out of Northwestern State, was a third-round pick in the 2006 draft. The Ravens didn't use him at all last season, and he started two games in the 2007 preseason. Pittman played fairly well.

But with starting cornerback Samari Rolle out with an illness and injuries, the Ravens have started Corey Ivy in Rolle's spot. It has become apparent that Ivy isn't in that class, and should be just a nickel back. But Ivy's presence on the field also says the Ravens lack confidence in Pittman.

He came to the Ravens with a lot of promise, but has yet to live up to it. And the Ravens could really use him now.

Posted by Mike Preston at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

A transcript of what Jamal Lewis told Baltimore reporters on a conference call:

On how he likes Cleveland: “It feels like a fresh start since Day One. Just coming in here [with] everybody welcoming me and bringing me in, it’s a good feeling. [It feels] like a new beginning.”

On when he got the feeling that he wasn’t returning to Baltimore: “After the season. Sort of when the season was over with.”

On if it was because he did not want to return to the Ravens: “I really didn’t want to come back, honestly.

“I think it was more of a business move. The fact that it was like I really didn’t fit into that scheme anymore, because of what [head coach Brian] Billick was wanting to do and the kind of offense that he wanted to run. So [there were] no hard feelings, it was just the fact that I’m a runner and I like to be utilized in many different ways, and it wasn’t happening there.”

On his relationship with Ravens head coach Brian Billick: “I really have nothing against him. I have nothing against him, but when it comes to my career and the things that we’ve accomplished there and in the past, it kind of leaves a sour taste in your mouth a little bit. It’s kind of like you don’t really fit into this offensive scheme anymore and you try to do something else when you’ve established something already on that offense over the past seven years.”

On if he is determined to prove something on Sunday and show the Ravens that they made a mistake: “No, no. I think that everybody in that organization, from the top all the way to the players, know what I’m capable of and know what I can do. They know what I can do, so I feel like I have nothing really to prove to anybody.”

On if he has an advantage over other running backs in the league because he knows the Ravens’ defense: “I think I do, not just because I know scheme, but because I know personnel. I know the players, I know them individually. I know what they do best. I know what they don’t do best. I think that kind of gives me a little bit of edge, but at the same time, they’re still a hard-nosed defense. They’re going to play hard, they’re going to play fast. They’re going to rally behind Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and those guys and come hard. I think they’re going to play me a little different than they play any other running back.”

On if he still talks to any Ravens players: “I talk to Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Musa Smith. I talk to a couple of guys and stay in touch.”

On if he has talked to any of them this week: “Not this week, no I haven’t. I don’t plan to. I’ll see the guys on Sunday, so I think we can chit-chat then.”

On head coach Romeo Crennel’s statement that he could have a career-type game: “Wow. That would be great, if we can. If we can put it together, that would be great. But I just know it’s going to be a slugfest all day, and that’s why I’m looking forward to it.”

On if he expects there to be any extra emotion in this week’s game: “Oh yeah, because I grew up in this league with most of those guys over there. Of course it’s an emotional feeling, but at the same time, it’s still football. I still have a chance to go out and do [well], and that’s pretty much it.”

On what it will be like to play against LB Ray Lewis: “It will be great. He’s always said straight up that I’m probably one of the best backs in the league and he’s one of the best linebackers in the league, so it’ll be a great matchup.”

On what he remembers when he thinks of his time in Baltimore: “Just all of the good times, as far as the Super Bowl run and just a lot of the adversity that we got over as a team and things that we went through as a team. Basically, like I said, I grew up there as a professional player, so [there are] great memories of the fans. Just everything about it – the players, the coaches and everything that I went through when I was in Baltimore.”

On if he has grown a lot and matured as a person and a football player: “I think I’ve grown a lot as a football player. Not just physically, because I’m naturally talented, but at the same time just the things I’ve learned from the coaches to whatever’s there that’s kind of raised me and brought me up as a pro. So, I think I’m more patient in my game and study more now and just really learned to become a pro.”

On what it’s like to play with a young group of offensive players in Cleveland: “It’s a great, talented group. With Kellen [Winslow] and Braylon [Edwards] and those guys, they’re a great group of guys. I think that’s what they really needed – was the leadership – to come in and piece this team together, and I think that’s what’s going on. I’m proud to be playing with these guys. I kind of just have to flip my role over from where I was in Baltimore to just being the player and looking up to Ray Lewis and the older guys that were there because it was more of a mature team. So now, kind of the roles are flipped where I have to step up as a leader and kind of lead these young guys to where we’re trying to go.”

On if this year’s Ravens defense is as good as previous years: “Watching my film… I’ve been in Baltimore where there was, possibly it can be argued, the best defensive corps ever in the National Football League, in the history. So I can’t say they’re playing like that, because I’ve seen that, I know what they’re capable of.”

On the sequence of talks that led to his signing with Cleveland: “It wasn’t really a negotiating standpoint because me and my agent from the jump knew that I didn’t want to be back [to Baltimore] anyway. So what they were offering really didn’t matter. Coming here, it was kind of my first call after I did get released. It was really as soon as the season was over, before they released me, I kind of put my agent out on the feelers. As far as Cleveland, [the Browns] were really the first choice.”

On when things in Baltimore started to sour for him: “Basically, it wasn’t this past year, it was the year before. Because like I said, they kind of knew what kind of direction [Brian] Billick was trying to go with the offense, and I didn’t fit that scheme. So it was the year before when I was really ready to leave.”

On if he had to again, would he have resigned with the team in 2006: “Would I? Probably so. For $6 million? Yeah, I think I would’ve signed back with them. I think I would’ve signed back with them last year. But the fact of the matter is, me and my agent, when we talked about it, when they did make that offer, it was like, you kind of know what you’re going to get. You’re going to go back, you might get 1,100 – 1,200 yards, that’s exactly what he said, but you’re not going to have a standout, big season. So what do you do? Do you just go back and take that and take what they give you?”

On who contacted whom first – Lewis or the Browns: “I don’t know if I’m able to answer the question because of the timing that it was, so I’m just going to leave that blank.”

On his relationship with Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome: “He is a great guy and I appreciate what he did for me, bringing me into this league and taking a chance on me when nobody else did at that pick in that draft. I appreciate that. That’s all I can really say about him.”

On his first conversations with Browns Senior VP and GM Phil Savage as a Brown: “I could just tell that he wanted me here and he was going to utilize me in ways that he knew that he needed to. That was a great feeling – to be wanted. Because I felt like in Baltimore, I really wasn’t wanted there anymore.”

On how he feels he is running right now: “I’m running great, I’m running great. I owe that to not just myself and what I can do personally, but I have a great offensive line. I have good offensive linemen. That’s a key to my position and what I do.”

On if he ever felt that he would work things out with the Ravens and remain in Baltimore: “No, no I wasn’t really trying to work anything out. I was ready to go, I was ready to go. It was just really, ‘What team am I going to be with? Where am I going to be next year?’ That’s the question that me and my agent were asking at the time.”

On what it is like to see a couple of former teammates on the Browns: “It was great. It was great to see Darnell Dinkins and Gary Baxter and those guys, to see them again. They welcomed me with open arms, just like the rest of the city, so I’m happy to be here.”

Posted by Jamison Hensley at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

As a high school senior, Yamon Figurs smoked Devin Hester in the 100-meter dash at state championships.

As a college senior, Figurs watched Hester, a rookie with the Chicago Bears, smoke the rest of the league with his kickoff and punt returns.

As a rookie with the Ravens, Figurs has put both those experiences to use.

"It was always on TV,'' Figurs said of Hester's explosive debut a year ago. "It gave the opportunity for me (to get drafted in the third round) because it opened up a lot of eyes. That took the Bears to the Super Bowl.''

Since replacing the injured B.J. Sams against the New York Jets two weeks ago, Figurs is doing a pretty good imitation of what Hester did a year ago. He ran back a kickoff 61 yards against the Jets and then broke off a 75-yarder for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.

Figurs leads the NFL in kick return average (38.3 yards) and is second to Hester in punt returns (19.0). Each has returned a punt for a touchdown.

Asked if he expects the Cleveland Browns to try to kick away from this Sunday, Figurs said, "They're going to kick the ball, They ain't going to play no different. It's got to be something spectacular, you've got to do it 20 times in a row.''

Posted by Don Markus at 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

A defensive tackle by trade, Haloti Ngata has been known to hang out with the quarterbacks and catch passes before warming up for practice. Today, Ngata showed off another side of his versatility by completing the foot drills with the linebackers. If defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is lining up Ngata as a middle linebacker, why shouldn't he get in some of the drills?

With much of the team practicing on the field farthest from the team's training facility in Owings Mills, it was difficult taking role call today. But among some notable absences were linebacker Ray Lewis (ankle) and wide receiver Mark Clayton (calf). Cornerback Samari Rolle (illness) and defensive end Trevor Pryce (broken wrist) -- both of whom have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns -- also were not present.

Wide receiver Demetrius Williams (heel) and linebacker Gary Stills (knee), who were limited in practice yesterday, participated today.

Posted by Edward Lee at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Ravens returned to practice today at Owings Mills, and cornerback Samari Rolle still appears to be among the missing.

Rolle sat out the last two days of practice last week with what Ravens coach Brian Billick described as a "bug." It was a big enough bug to keep him out of his team's 26-23 victory Sunday over the Arizona Cardinals in Baltimore. Rolle's absence was noticeable, particularly when Anquan Boldin burned nickel back Ronnie Prude for one touchdown and caught another in front of Gerome Sapp.

Tight end Daniel Wilcox (ankle) also was not out during the part of practice the media was allowed to watch. (Actually, the Ravens did their special teams portion of practice on one of the fields furthest away from where the media is permitted to stand, and my binoculars were in the trunk of my car.)

For those who need to know EVERYTHING about the Ravens, defensive end Lee Vickers was added to the practice squad, taking the place of Jake Nordin. Vickers, if he ever makes it to the 53-man roster, has an interesting back story: he played cornerback in high school in Alabama, where he also backed up Philip Rivers, went to a local community college and walked on at North Alabama and obviously grew to his current 6 feet 6, 275 pounds.

Hopefully the Ravens will address the situation with Rolle after practice.

Posted by Don Markus at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Coach Brian Billick addressed the media the day after the Ravens edged the Arizona Cardinals, 26-23, on Matt Stover's game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired.

As expected, much ado was made about the decision to pull starter Steve McNair in favor of backup Kyle Boller in the fourth quarter. Unlike yesterday, Billick revealed that McNair had "tweaked" the sore groin that he injured in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Billick anticipated that McNair's groin would get stronger this week but made it clear that he would have no reservations pulling McNair for Boller again. Other notes:

• With the exception of offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (hyperextended toe and sprained foot) and defensive end Trevor Pryce (broken wrist), the team is fairly healthy. Tight end Todd Heap suffered a mild concussion but is expected to play this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, and the same can be said for cornerback Samari Rolle (illness).

• Despite the promising play of the offensive line, Billick said he had no regrets about Ogden trying to play in the season opener. Billick said the coaches adhered to a plan coordinated with Ogden and the medical staff.

• Billick agreed with the official's decision to flag Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson for unnecessary roughness for his hit on Heap on the final possession of the game. Pointing out that the Ravens would have to accept the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on wide receiver Devard Darling for jumping into the stands after Yamon Figurs' 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, Billick said the penalty on Wilson was justified.

• Billick lauded the play of Browns quarterback Derek Anderson but didn't go so far as to admit making a mistake in waiving the former Raven at the end of training camp in 2005. "We thought we'd get him on the developmental squad," Billick said. "But you make those decisions. It's tough. ... We'd love to have him here, but you can't keep them all."

• Quote of the conference: "I'm still here because Matt Stover's here."

Posted by Edward Lee at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Three weeks into the season, the Ravens look just as good and just as bad as most teams in the NFL. The Ravens have their issues, a lot of them the same as in previous years. They are ineffective in the red zone. The play-calling is suspect. So, what else is new? The secondary has problems in coverage, and there were times the group looked that way a year ago. But if you take a look around the league, a lot of teams have the same problems. Few teams can run an efficient two-minute drill. Overall, tackling has been poor because everybody wants to deliver the big hit instead of wrapping up.

Well, welcome to the NFL.

No, the Ravens don't look like a team that is going far in the playoffs, but few do at this point, with the exception of maybe New England and Indianapolis. Pittsburgh and Green Bay? I'm still not convinced they are real. Dallas? Hmm, the Cowboys have some issues on defense.

Just remember the Ravens are in the AFC North. They are better than Cleveland and Cincy, and the Ravens have no fear of the Steelers. One thing you know for sure is that the Ravens will improve during the season. They are still playing without a lot of starters. The Ravens have their problems, and it's good to dissect them, especially early in the season. But it's way too early to project where this team will finish even if the same problems exist as in previous years.

Posted by Mike Preston at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

The running joke in the press box after rookie Yamon Figurs’ 75-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter was that every step Figurs took was another foot out the door for B.J. Sams. Figurs has displayed the speed, the quick cuts and the field vision that convinced the Ravens to spend a third-round draft pick on him. On that return, Figurs broke four tackles en route to the end zone. A few other notes on the return:

* The return was the seventh longest in Ravens history.

* The touchdowns by Figurs and free safety Ed Reed in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals mark the fifth season the Ravens have returned two punts for scores.

* Reed appeared to be injured during Figurs' return, but he was back out on the ensuing defensive series.

Running back Willis McGahee has looked impressive in the first half, but he would’ve looked even better if he had some time to find lanes to run through. All three of his stops behind the line of scrimmage occurred when a defender ran unimpeded into the backfield. If you take out his 37-yard gain on the fourth play of the game, McGahee has carried the ball 10 times for 24 yards.

The Cardinals replaced Matt Leinart with Kurt Warner at quarterback on their second series of the second quarter, but it wasn’t injury-related as Leinart returned for the final possession before halftime. Maybe it had something to do with Leinart completing just five of 13 passes for 32 yards.

The Cardinals have not taken advantage of cornerback Samari Rolle’s absence. Leinart and Warner have not thrown the football in the direction of nickel back Corey Ivy the entire half. Ivy is one of the toughest players in the league, but I would’ve thought that someone wearing an Arizona uniform would take a shot at him. Also, with Ivy at corner, Ronnie Prude was the nickel back.

Stover’s second field goal of the game (a 28-yarder with 10:52 left in the second quarter) vaulted him past kicker Norm Johnson and into fifth place on the all-time scoring list. Stover now has 1,737 points in his career and trails John Carney, whose 1,756 points put him in fourth.

I know there’s a point of emphasis among the officiating crews about excessive celebrations after a play, but the delay of game penalty on Demetrius Williams was weak. The wide receiver barely spun the football after hauling in a 26-yard alley-oop from Steve McNair. The penalty had little impact as McNair hit wide receiver Derrick Mason on a 13-yard touchdown strike near the end of the half.

But there was no debating the call on wide receiver Devard Darling for jumping into the stands after Figurs’ touchdown. Two players are not allowed to jump into the stands, and Darling obviously forgot that this is not Green Bay, which is probably exempt from that penalty.

Posted by Edward Lee at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

We all knew that offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (hyperextended toe and sprained foot) and defensive end Trevor Pryce (broken wrist) wouldn't be suiting up for today's game against the Arizona Cardinals, but there was still some hope that cornerback Samari Rolle would be able to play despite an undisclosed illness.

That hope has been extinguished. Rolle, who missed practice on both Thursday and Friday, has been officially deactivated. The absence of Rolle means that nickel back Corey Ivy will start for the first time in two seasons. Ivy and starting cornerback Chris McAlister will be asked to limit Cardinals receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

In addition to Rolle, Ogden and Pryce, the Ravens deactivated running backs Mike Anderson and Cory Ross, tight end Daniel Wilcox and kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd. On a side note, Pryce stood along the sidelines, soaking in the sun during warm-ups. His left wrist was in a cast.

The most prominent name among the Cardinals' list of inactives is second-round pick defensive tackle Alan Branch, who is nursing a broken hand.

Posted by Edward Lee at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Jonathan Ogden's toe and foot injuries are not only keeping the Ravens' tackle from blocking for Willis McGahee and protecting Steve McNair, they're hurting his golf game.

As Ogden walked onto the practice field for the start of today's workout, Dennis Satyshur, the director of golf at Caves Valley who attends one practice a week at the invitation of Ravens owner and Caves member Steve Bisciotti asked Ogden how he was feeling.

"I can't swing,'' Ogden said with a smile.

Satyshur also was seen giving offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel an impromptu lesson as the players were warming up. "Putting,'' Satyshur said.

As for the portion of practice the media was allowed to watch, tight end Daniel Wilcox and cornerback Samari Rolle were not in attendance. It seems doubtful that Wilcox, nursing the second of two sprained ankles this season, will play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Rolle, who also missed a couple of days of practice last week because of a sore ankle, is expected to play.

Posted by Don Markus at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

When Daniel Wilcox walked off the practice field Wednesday afternoon after doing some running, the Ravens' tight end was asked if he was ready to get back to participating in full workouts.

"Close,'' said Wilcox, who is rehabbing a sprained right ankle after spraining his left in the preseason.

Unlike horseshoes, close isn't quite close enough. Wilcox was out for the early part of practice today that the media is allowed to watch, but in shorts without pads, he looked like he was ready more for flag football than playing against the Arizona Cardinals come Sunday.

Tackle Jonathan Ogden (hyperextended toe) wasn't even out for the early portion of practice. Steve McNair was, but a decision on his status for the Cardinals won't likely come until Friday despite the quarterback's insistence that he would return after missing last Sunday's game against the Jets with a groin injury.

Defensive end Dan Cody, who has been on the team's physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, was out running today.

Posted by Don Markus at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The biggest difference in the Ravens this season compared to last year is attitude. A year ago, there were no expectations. That team established a strong work ethic and worked hard to reach the playoffs. The Ravens finished 13-3, but failed to in their attempt to win a playoff game against the Colts.

The desire is there to get back to the playoffs, but I believe the Ravens think they can turn it on and off when they want. That doesn't work in the National Football League.

Consistency is hard to achieve, and then a team has to peak at the right time to win a championship. Against the Jets last week, the Ravens played hard for three quarters, and then toned it down in the fourth to let the Jets back in the game. Somewhere during the season, the Ravens are going to get a wake-up call that will turn them in the right direction. This is a good football team, but not as businesslike as a season ago.

I was glad to see former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis run for more than 200 yards against the Bengals last week. I had no problems with the Ravens parting ways with Lewis after last season. Both sides needed the break. Lewis and coach Brian Billick had a worn-out relationship, and Lewis is now on a mission to prove he is still a great runner. He reported to training camp about 15 pounds under his playing weight in Baltimore (245), and showed great acceleration and speed against the Bengals. He looked good.

Meanwhile, Willis McGahee hasn't lived up to advance billing, but he has shown steady improvement. He'll get better as the season goes on, and he gets more playing time. Also, more yards will come as he young offensive line gains more experience. It will be a win-win situation for the Ravens and Lewis.

I betcha the Cardinals are studying the game film of the fourth quarter of the Jets' game. The Cardinals don't have a good offensive line, so they'll take their shots downfield with receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Fitzgerald has hands as good as any receiver in the league.

Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister, look out. These guys are as good as the starters in Cincy.

Shame on Billick for trying to blame those false starts on the Jets' defenders, implying they were using a fake cadence. Through the years, the Ravens have been notorious for jumping offside. How about right offensive tackle Orlando Brown? And, of course, my favorite was Ethan Brooks, who was always good for one false start a game.

Word has it that Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, in the final year of his contract, is looking for a seven-year deal that will make him the highest paid at his position in the game. The Ravens are willing to give Suggs a long deal and big money, but not more than the $72 million Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is expected to make over the next six years.

Posted by Mike Preston at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

There's good news and bad news to report from the portion of Ravens practice open to reporters today. They both involve offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden.

First, the good news: Ogden (hyperextended toe) appeared and took part in stretches and individual drills. He even hit the sled with the rest of the offense, even though he lined up with the backup offensive line.

Now, the bad news: Ogden's presence lasted about 10 minutes. After hitting the sled a few times, Ogden walked over to trainer Bill Tessendorf and engaged in a discussion. The two then walked off the field and back into the team's training facility.

Quarterback Steve McNair (pulled groin) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (sprained ankle) also showed up. McNair threw the ball to receivers and seemed to move around decently. Wilcox was more limited, running along the sideline during practice.

Defensive end Trevor Pryce (broken wrist) did not practice, and linebacker Gary Stills also was absent. Stills has been bothered by a chest injury, but was not an injury concern after Sunday's win against the New York Jets.

Posted by Edward Lee at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

In his first start since 2005, backup quarterback Kyle Boller has been solid in the first half of today’s game against the New York Jets. Aside from a severely underthrown ball to wide receiver Derrick Mason that hit rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis in the helmet and an out to Mason that Revis nearly intercepted, Boller has been efficient and on-target with most of his throws.

Mason has been his favorite target (seven catches for 49 yards), but Boller has spread the wealth, throwing the football to eight different receivers. He looked in command during the team’s final drive of the first half when he helped the Ravens march 57 yards on 12 plays and ended the possession with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap.

Boller has completed 17 of 24 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns (one to running back Willis McGahee). Boller still needs to work on refraining from throwing while backpedaling, but he has looked decent. And Boller is tough as evidenced by his desire to stay in the game despite spitting blood after a two-yard sneak with less than two minutes left in the half.

Other notes:

• Mason looks like the receiver he was in 2005 when he set a franchise record with 86 receptions. He’s running precise routes, accelerating away from tacklers and even caught a pass while falling forward onto his face. Curiously, Mark Clayton did not make an appearance until the second quarter.

• The Ravens got away with one during rookie Yamon Figurs’ 61-yard kickoff return early in the second quarter. Replays showed tight end Quinn Sypniewski twisting Jets kicker Mike Nugent’s facemask during the return. Instead, the Ravens used the return to set up a 28-yard field goal from Matt Stover.

• The Ravens appeared to be rotating Chris Chester and rookie Ben Grubbs at right guard. Chester made his second straight start, but Grubbs was in the game for a good portion of the first half. Chester did have a wrap on his left elbow, which may be the reason for the switch.

• Stover’s streak of 11 consecutive field goals in the regular season (spanning since last season) ended when he pushed a 46-yard attempt wide right late in the second quarter.

Posted by Edward Lee at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)