If I had to guess, I would say that coach John Harbaugh knew he was going to be peppered with questions about his decision not to challenge the officials’ ruling that wide receiver Derrick Mason was either A) out of bounds or B) did not have possession in the end zone near the end of the first quarter of the Ravens’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last night.

That’s why he hardly seemed surprised that the first seven questions of his weekly conference revolved around that decision. The most significant reason? There was no indication from either the coaches on the turf at Heinz Field, the staff in the box overlooking the field or Mason himself that the red flag should have been thrown.

"If we would’ve had any kind of picture that we thought was close, we would’ve challenged it for sure," Harbaugh said. "But we didn’t have any indication, and me looking at it from across the field and [his assistants] from up top, it looked to the naked eye like he was out. That’s what I thought. But as soon as we saw the thing this morning off the TV copy and when our guys saw it later, they thought he was in. It was too late."

Harbaugh said another factor was a 40-second play clock that was running down to zero and might have turned a Matt Stover 33-yard field-goal attempt into a 38-yarder into a brisk wind at Heinz Field.

"It was 'bang-bang,' and we didn’t get it and we just felt like we had to go play," Harbaugh said. "The 40-second clock was running. We call a play and we go."

Harbaugh also said that Mason didn’t lobby the coach to issue a challenge. Then again, Harbaugh said listening to a player has its limitations.

"Generally speaking, I would say no, you don’t really rely on a player because players for the most part feel like they make most every play," he said. "But I guess it depends on the player."

Other notes:

• While Harbaugh called the holding penalty assessed to linebacker Antwan Barnes on the kickoff return to start the overtime period “avoidable,” Harbaugh seemed to defend the unnecessary call on linebacker Jarret Johnson, who was spotted shoving Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward at the conclusion of a play.

"There are foolish penalties and there are penalties that are just gray-area penalties that go with the game," Harbaugh said. "The holding penalty on the kickoff return was, we think, avoidable. The personal foul out of bounds, that’s gray in my mind. That’s a guy playing hard and you like to see a better decision made, but that’s a heat-of-battle penalty. So those things, you’re in the heat of battle, you compete, and you try to learn from them."

• Harbaugh said the objective now is to put the loss to the Steelers in the past and begin preparing for the undefeated Tennessee Titans (4-0).

"The big picture is we’ve got a game next week against Tennessee. I think that’s our big picture," he said. "All of the other big-picture stuff, that’s kind of for fans and media to look at and figure all that out. But until you start winning a whole lot of games, it’s really pointless to look at the big picture. The big picture is Tennessee six days from now, and that’s a really good football team coming in here. We’ve got our hands full, but we’re looking forward to it."

Posted by Edward Lee at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
                    

The Ravens presented the Pittsburgh Steelers with a gift last night, but I don't see Pittsburgh holding up for the rest of the season.

They have a brutal schedule and lost two more key players last night with injuries against the Ravens. I have a hard time seeing Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger playing the rest of the season without an injury.

I can't see the Cincinnati Bengals challenging for the AFC North title, so that leaves only the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.

It should be interesting.

Posted by Mike Preston at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)
                    

When the Ravens resume practice this week, the first thing they should do is grab all the defensive backs and some tackling dummies, and teach these players how to tackle. It's one of the most basic things in the game, yet the Ravens missed a lot of tackles in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. I know the Ravens are banged up in the secondary, but if players can't make tackles, they shouldn't be on the field.

We can all debate play-calling and other forms of strategy, but there is no excuse for missed tackles. Absolutely none.

Posted by Mike Preston at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco got welcomed to the NFL last night. No, these weren't the Bengals or the Browns, but a team built like the Ravens with a defense just as good. Flacco got bounced around in the third period against the Steelers, and for the first time this season, you could see him lose his composure.

He started short-arming passes and throwing too quickly because he didn't want to get hit. He forgot to secure the ball. Flacco has played so well at times that we often forget he is a rookie. But last night, he got rattled even though he regained his composure in the fourth period.

And he missed connecting on two touchdown passes during the game, which shows he still needs to improve his accuracy. This will be a season of growing pains for Flacco, and he went through some Monday night.

Posted by Mike Preston at 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
                    

The ESPN Monday Night Countdown crew was split 4-4 on who would win between the Ravens and Steelers. Picking the Steelers: Cris Carter, Tom Jackson, Chris Berman and Steve Young. For the Ravens: Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Emmitt Smith and Stuart Scott.

Posted by Ron Fritz at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

We might see how much of a hold new coach John Harbaugh actually has on the Ravens tonight. In the recent past, the Ravens have embarrassed themselves in nationally televised games. But I'm not just talking about their play. I'm talking about their behavior -- the taunting, ref baiting, dancing -- all the things that contribute to a bad image. When Harbaugh became the head coach, he talked about changing that type of behavior. Well, we'll find out in a couple of hours, on national TV in a game against a heated rival. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens can control themselves.

Posted by Mike Preston at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

Two rookies will play major parts in tonight's game between the Ravens and Steelers, and it couldn't have worked out worse. If you're the Ravens, the worst place to start rookie quarterback Joe Flacco on the road is in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have won six of the past seven games against the Ravens at Heinz Field, and the Steelers have won 13 consecutive home games on Monday night.

The Steelers will start rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall in place of Willie Parker. Parker has been a non-factor against the Ravens, having rushed for 215 yards on 78 carries in five previous games between the two teams. Mendenhall had a fumbling problem in the preseason and now will have to take on the Ravens, who have the No. 1 defense in the league. The Ravens will do a lot of ball hawking tonight.

Posted by Mike Preston at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

I just got on the elevator with running back Willis McGahee at the team hotel this morning. The swelling in his eye looks like it is completely gone, but it's still dark red. McGahee seemed to be in great spirits, and I assume he will try to play. At least he didn't have on sunglasses like last week when the eye was swollen and nearly shut. On the 17 floors up, McGahee was laughing and joking around with teammates.

Posted by Mike Preston at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

In addition to defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (left knee) and strong safety Dawan Landry (spinal cord concussion), the Ravens ruled out cornerback Samari Rolle (right shoulder) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection).

Rolle confirmed to The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston yesterday that he might not play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Rolle did not practice today. The prognosis on cornerback Fabian Washington (bulging disc in neck) seems better as he practiced fully for the third consecutive day and is listed as probable.

Despite sounding non-committal about his availability for Monday's contest, running back Willis McGahee (lacerated right eyelid) practiced fully today and is probable. Fullback Le'Ron McClain, who sat out yesterday's practice with a migraine, also practiced and is probable.

Right offensive tackle Adam Terry made a sudden appearance on the team’s injury report, as an ankle injury limited him in practice. Terry, wide receiver/return specialist Yamon Figurs (hamstring) and linebacker Nick Greisen (quad) are listed as questionable.

Linebacker Ray Lewis (foot), tight end Daniel Wilcox (shoulder) and rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden (hip) are probable.

Posted by Edward Lee at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

I understand fans being excited about the Ravens and they have played well considering the circumstances.

But I hope people don't get caught up in all this premature playoff talk. No one expected the Ravens to do well this season, so it's just fun sitting back and watching this team play.

They play smash-mouth football, great defense and are well coached. They aren't doing a lot of trash talking in the locker room and they are buying into the team concept.

I say sit back, watch the games, have some fun and see where this all goes.

Posted by Mike Preston at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
                    

Doesn't Lorenzo Neal remind you of the Juggernaut character in the X-Men?

Apparently, when he runs on the field with that semi-flexed look, it's a signal for the Ravens' "jumbo package." Kinda cool.

"I can't tell you what the formation is called, but I do give them the Conan look," said Neal, laughing.

The Ravens have been impressed with Neal's work ethic and his power to simply run through or over people.

"I came in here Monday after the game, and he was in the weight room doing rows with 100 pound dumb bells," said Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. "I said, 'Man, what are you doing? We just had a game yesterday.'"

"I didn't get a chance to play against Sam Gash, but I heard he was a beast," Suggs added. "I've only been hit by two real, legitimate fullbacks. One was Mack Strong, out of Seattle. The other was Zo [Lorenzo]. He hit me so hard one time he knocked my helmet off. We talk about that all the time. I don't know how this guy lasted on the free-agent market."

Posted by Mike Preston at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Cornerback Samari Rolle was absent from today’s portion of practice open to the media. Rolle, who confirmed to The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston that he may not play Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, is dealing with a sore right shoulder that he injured in Sunday’s 28-10 win against the Cleveland Browns.

Cornerback Fabian Washington took part in practice, but assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Rex Ryan did not sound optimistic that Washington could make his first appearance of the season. "That would be a bonus," Ryan said before practice.

If Rolle and Washington cannot play, Frank Walker and Corey Ivy would likely rotate in at cornerback opposite starter Chris McAlister.

Like Rolle, linebacker Nick Greisen (quad) was not present during practice.

After sitting out practice on Thursday, fullback Le’Ron McClain (migraine) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (shoulder) took part in practice today. Running back Willis McGahee (lacerated right eyelid), wide receiver/return specialist Yamon Figurs (hamstring), quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) and rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden (hip) also practiced.

Other notes:

* Orioles pitcher Lance Cormier attended practice as a guest of linebacker Jarret Johnson’s. Johnson and Cormier both attended the University of Alabama.

* Center Chris Chester was wearing a No. 48 jersey instead of his usual No. 65. But Chester did not work out with the tight ends, staying with the other offensive linemen.

* Hanging in defensive tackle Dwan Edwards’ locker was an Oregon State t-shirt. My guess is that Edwards, a former Beaver, was celebrating Oregon State’s 27-21 upset of No. 1 USC last night.

Posted by Edward Lee at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

If, as expected, cornerback Samari Rolle does not play Monday against the Steelers, Fabian Washington will replace him. According to defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Washington has had a good week of practice despite some nagging injuries. Rolle is having a good season, and has performed well in man-to-man coverage. Washington isn't as good in press coverage, but he is better in run support. Washington comes up and tackles well, and that will be helpful against a team like Pittsburgh because the Steelers like to run the ball.

Posted by Mike Preston at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

Linebacker Bart Scott knew what was coming before the question was even asked: was he looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward on Monday night?

"What are you talking about?" Scott asked rhetorically. "I don’t have a rivalry with anybody. Just trying to get a football game and get a dub [win]. Need a dub."

In the Ravens' last visit to Heinz Field, Ward decked free safety Ed Reed and Scott with crushing blocks. Scott admitted to threatening to "kill" Ward during the game and pledged to even the score. But Ward did not play in the season finale at M&T Bank Stadium.

Asked if he would seek out Ward and exchange pleasantries before the game, Scott said. "Why would I tell you something like that? You just had to ask the question, huh? No, I’m going out there to try and win a football game. All of that other stuff is whatever."

A reporter then told Scott that Ward said he likes the Ravens linebacker. Scott returned the favor, saying, "I think he did some tremendous things. I was really impressed with what he did with bringing those kids over from Asia. I watched the special. I think that was heartfelt. Football is a totally different thing. Like I said, I don’t care if my mother was out there. I’d smack her around, too. That’s just football. It doesn’t matter. If she’s got a different jersey on, she’s got to get dealt with."

Posted by Edward Lee at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

The Ravens could have as many as three defensive starters out Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Safety Dawan Landry and Kelly Gregg have already been ruled out, and there is a good chance cornerback Samari Rolle will miss the game because of neck and shoulder problems.

When asked in the locker room if he was out for the game, Rolle said he had not been declared out yet. He asked me what I had heard, and I said, "a source says you are out."

Rolle replied: "I would say your source is pretty good."

Posted by Mike Preston at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Several starters -- cornerback Chris McAlister (right knee), fullback Le'Ron McClain (back/ankle) and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (left knee) -- were not present during the portion of today's practice open to the media.

Tight end Daniel Wilcox (reason undisclosed) and linebacker Nick Greisen (quad) were also absent.

Dressed in a purple sweatshirt, cornerback Samari Rolle (right shoulder) took part in a few individual drills on an adjacent field.

Running back Willis McGahee (lacerated eyelid), cornerback Fabian Washington (bulging disc in neck), wide receiver/return specialist Yamon Figurs (hamstring), quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) and rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden (hip) were present and active.

Other notes:

* To simulate the field conditions at Heinz Field, the Ravens practiced on a far field composed of Kentucky bluegrass.

* Rookie safety Haruki Nakamura wore a black wig under his helmet. The resemblance to Steelers Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who also wears No. 43, was uncanny.

Posted by Edward Lee at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

One of the key reasons for the Ravens' early season offensive success is the hard hitting the team went through in training camp. Despite criticism, coach John Harbaugh had to get his young guys ready on offense, and what better way than to learn against the Ravens' defense. It seems to have paid off.

Some skeptics will say that the Ravens will wear down in November and December. Maybe, but it won't be because of training camp. Older guys like Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle and Ed Reed missed most of training camp with injuries. Most of the guys on offense are too young to wear down at this point in their careers.

Posted by Mike Preston at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
                    

The Bart Scott vs. Hines Ward saga got off to another rousing start today when Ward was questioned by Baltimore reporters on a conference call.

On if he remembers the threat he received from Scott last season, Ward said: "Yeah, he threatened to kill me after the game. I got a big laugh out of it."

On if he's excited to see Scott in Monday's game: "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. He's a great ballplayer, and any time you get competitive, it's always great to go out there and compete. I'll go out there and smile at him a couple of times on the field."

On if it's hard to not take what Scott says personally: "No, not really. I mean, out on the field you're going to have a war of words. Guys are going to talk about your mother, talk about anything to try to get up under your skin. We played with one of the best of them in the league -- Joey Porter. It's just words. Words don't hurt me, or whatever. I'm pretty sure if I see Bart out in the street, outside of football, I'm pretty sure he's not going to kill me."

Nah, but he would punch you in the face.

Posted by Mike Preston at 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (38)
                    

There was concern that second-year quarterback Troy Smith would be unhappy backing up rookie Joe Flacco and might undermine him because Smith was a favorite of the players.

If that's happening, I didn't see it today. Smith seemed comfortable with his role and was very supportive of Flacco.

In fact, Smith said he was pulling for Flacco because he was the starter. Smith seemed very honest and genuine in his statements.

Posted by Mike Preston at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)
                    

Due to the abbreviated nature of today's practice, the media viewing session was short.

Of what we could see, cornerback Samari Rolle and linebacker Nick Greisen were not dressed in their jerseys, wearing long-sleeve black T-shirts. Rolle is dealing with an injured right shoulder suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 28-10 win against the Cleveland Browns. Greisen sat out Sunday's game due to an injured quad. Both players have said that they intend to play on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (left knee), strong safety Dawan Landry (spinal cord concussion) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) were not present.

Posted by Edward Lee at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Coach John Harbaugh and Samari Rolle both agreed that the cornerback could be available for Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite injuring his right shoulder.

"Samari’s fairly sore," Harbaugh said during his weekly conference today. "He’s got the shoulder right now, but he should be fine."

Rolle admitted that the shoulder hurts, but said he plans to practice on Wednesday. "If they let me," Rolle said. "As long as they let me, yeah, I plan to be there."

Wide receiver/return specialist Yamon Figurs (hamstring) and linebacker Nick Greisen (quad) both were deactivated for yesterday's 28-10 win against the Cleveland Browns and acknowledged that they couldn't have played. But they said they expected to play against the Steelers.

Other notes from Harbaugh's conference:

• Harbaugh said he is more than comfortable with employing a rotation of tailbacks in Willis McGahee, rookie Ray Rice and fullback Le'Ron McClain. "I don’t know if you can have too many good players, and that goes for any position," Harbaugh said. "... If you have three running backs that you’re comfortable with, that helps you. ... We don’t necessarily subscribe to the fact that one guy’s got to carry it 35 or 40 times. If that was what you had and that was your strength, that’s what you’d go with, but we feel fortunate to have three guys that can do it, and we’re going to use all three guys."

• Harbaugh said he was impressed by the solidarity among both Ravens and Browns players as medical personnel worked on strong safety Dawan Landry's spinal cord concussion. "There’s a strong bond down there," Harbaugh said. "I guess I was impressed with the Browns, too. Their attitude and the respect they had for him as a player and for the Ravens as a team was pretty obvious. These guys care about each other in this league, and you could see that. Guys were kneeling and praying, and that was a strong statement."

• Harbaugh said there was no need to remind the players of the challenge ahead in the reigning AFC North division champion Steelers (2-1). "I don’t think we have to bring our guys back down to earth," he said. "Our guys are grounded. They’re going to work on the next football game. They’ve already started. That’s their focus."

• Harbaugh said there was little distinction between playing on Sunday and Monday night. "Just like we’ve approached it as an assistant, and these guys have all played Monday night before," he said. "It’s going to be Monday night at 8:30, and we’ll be there. We’ll be on time."

Posted by Edward Lee at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said one of the reasons he nailed Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis so hard on a swing pass late in the third quarter was because he owed Lewis one.

According to Scott, Lewis dissed on him when Scott was in his second year with the Ravens. Scott said it occurred on a running play in practice, when he came up to make a tackle on Lewis. He stopped, but Lewis looked at him like "he would have run over me in a real game. I never forgot that."

"I owed him that one," said Scott after the game Sunday.

It was a nice hit, and both players went down and bounced up easily. Scott has played well in the first two games.

Lewis ran extremely hard Sunday. He was one of the few Browns skilled players that actually played hard for the entire game.

***

Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has good pocket presence. He moves well, and has that ability to evade tackles by stepping up, or stepping aside in the pocket.

***

Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson is developing into a pretty good pass rusher. He made Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson move a couple of times Sunday. He is underrated because he plays with several Pro Bowlers, but Johnson earns his money.

Posted by Mike Preston at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)