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We're doing a story on how Ravens fans feel today. We know you're probably disappointed after being a heartbeat away from the Super Bowl. Or are you hopeful because not too many folks dreamed the Ravens would be playing in the AFC Championship Game. Please email your thoughts and contact information to reporter Michael Dresser, who is working on a story for Tuesday's Baltimore Sun.
Email him at michael.dresser@baltsun.com
Word around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys are very interested in obtaining Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis if he becomes a free agent. The speculation is that the Cowboys are willing to give Lewis a three-year deal worth between $27 and $30 million, with $25 million guaranteed.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room.
The Ravens are expected to begin negotiations with Lewis, who is in the last year of his contract, as soon as the season is over. Fellow linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are also in the final years of their contracts.
Suggs' decision to play against the Steelers was a courageous one. Oh, and by the way, he happened to come up with two big sacks.
If the Ravens lose today to Pittsburgh, don't be surprised if defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is named head coach of the New York Jets Monday or Tuesday. Ryan and the Jets are reportedly close to a deal, but nothing is definite.
If Ryan leaves, look for him to take several Ravens coaches with him, including linebackers coach Mike Pettine, who would become the Jets' defensive coordinator. Ryan also likes Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who would become the Jets' offensive coordinator. The only problem is that Jackson is also being approached by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis to become Cincinnati's offensive coordinator.
Jackson was once the Bengals' wide receivers coach, and tutored Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer in college.
-Mike Preston
Some notes from chilly, snow-covered Pittsburgh:
Hines Ward was smiling again today when asked about being voted the Most Hated Steeler in Baltimore.
"I guess it’s a great honor," Ward said beaming. "I don’t know why Baltimore dislikes me [so] much. I love the crab cakes there. I love the view in Baltimore. I’m a likable guy, I don’t know what there is not to like about me. I smile all the time and I give 110 percent every time I step on the field."
Then, Ward made it clear he wasn't particularly stung.
"But I could care less if they dislike me. As long as my teammates and the city of Pittsburgh know what I give each and every Sunday I step on that field. That’s all the really matters to me."
Ward also talked about how he enjoys getting on the Ravens' nerves and how he tries to break Baltimore's concentration. Ward is a tenacious blocker and he is occasionally criticized for taking cheap shots. Earlier in the season, he broke the jaw of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. Ward was not penalized on the play.
"You’re hearing the guys, ‘Oh you’re not going to break my jaw.’ Or you’re running around and they’re looking at you," Ward said referring to how he distracts the Ravens. "I kind of get a big smile on my face when I hear guys talking about that because they’re more worried about me than they are about stopping [running back] Willie Parker or trying to stop [tight end] Heath Miller and those guys.
"So I take pride in trying to get up under their skin because I guess they’re trying to knock the smile off my face. But to have that impact on the field ... they were trying to fight me, literally, rather than try to stop our offense from running plays. I’m just going to do whatever it takes to win ball games."
The St. Louis Rams said they won't name a new head coach until after the AFC championship game, but they haven't had a second interview with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.
We caught Ryan walking off the practice field this afternoon, and Ryan said he had heard nothing from the Rams except for their first conversation last Sunday.
Ryan has been interviewed for the Jets and Rams head coaching positions.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs, cornerback Samari Rolle and wide receiver Derrick Mason were not present at the portion of this morning's practice open to the media. Suggs (strained right shoulder), Rolle (groin) and Mason (knee/dislocated left shoulder/trapezius muscle) have yet to practice prior to Sunday's AFC title contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Linebacker Jarret Johnson (left calf) stood on the sideline in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, but he was not wearing his usual No. 95 jersey. Johnson had practiced on a limited basis yesterday after sitting out Wednesday's session.
The good news is that defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot) and wide receiver Mark Clayton (thigh) made appearances today after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Practice this morning was closed for about the first 30 minutes as the team participated in a walkthrough, but when the doors to the indoor facility at the Ravens training complex were opened, linebacker Terrell Suggs and cornerback Samari Rolle were two of the players who made their way from the field to the locker room.
Suggs wore a gray sweatshirt and did not appear to be wearing a shoulder harness or brace of any sort. Rolle was also dressed in a gray hoodie. Both players did not practice yesterday, and their availability for Sunday's AFC championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is uncertain.
Others who did not practice yesterday but made an appearance at the walkthrough included wide receivers Derrick Mason (knee/dislocated left shoulder/sore trapezius muscle) and Mark Clayton (thigh); fullback Le'Ron McClain (right ankle); linebacker Jarret Johnson (left calf); and defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot).
Former Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker/defensive end Peter Boulware said if current Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs wears a shoulder harness similar to the one Boulware wore when he had shoulder problems, he will have some restrictions Sunday when he steps on the field against the Steelers in the AFC championship game.
Boulware, the top pass rusher in Ravens history with 70 career sacks, wore a harness or brace in his final two years as a Raven after dislocating his shoulder. The Ravens said that Suggs has a sprain. Suggs first injured the shoulder in the game against the Titans Saturday while tackling quarterback Kerry Collins.
Soon after the game, Suggs said he would play against the Steelers. But after an MRI on Monday, Suggs wasn't as optimistic, and said that if he played, he would have to wear a brace on his shoulder, possibly similar to the one worn by Boulware.
"At first, it's very difficult to play in," Boulware said this morning. "It's restricts your movement with that one arm. It takes time to adjust. It took me about three or four games to figure out what I can, and what I can't do. If you tighten the harness down tight, the less movement you have.
"Because my shoulder was really in bad shape, I had to tie it down tight to keep my shoulder from popping out. It's difficult to use your hands, difficult to push off. When you drop back in pass coverage, you can't get your arms fully extended to know down passes.
"With all of that said, and with pass rushers like Suggs, mostly everything comes from your legs anyway," Boulware said. "As long as he can get up the field and around the corner, he can still be effective as a pass rusher. The only problem is that when you get there and try to tackle the quarterback, it can be difficult to grab him."
Boulware played two seasons with the bad shoulder and harness. There were times when the shoulder would pop out of place, and Boulware would go to the sideline screaming in pain. Trainer Bill Tessendorf would pop it back in place while kicker Matt Stover would talk to Boulware trying to distract him from the pain.
"There were times when I felt absolutely miserable," said Boulware, who played nine seasons for the Ravens before he retired in 2005. "It still hurts a little bit now, I'm not going to lie to you. After my last season, I had surgery and it hasn't popped out since then. It still hurts, and it will probably hurt for the rest of my life. But hey, it's something I can live with."
The right shoulder of Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs seemed tender and sore today in the locker room.
When taking off his shirt, Suggs used only his left arm. He basically kept the right arm at his side. He has been taking treatment, but you can still see he is in a lot of discomfort.
Suggs injured his shoulder in Saturday's playoff victory over the Titans. He sacked Kerry Collins in the second quarter and did not return the rest of the game.
I thought for sure Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs would play against the Steelers Sunday night, but not after the interview we conducted with him on Fox Sports 1370-AM Monday.
Suggs said with confidence after the Titans game that his sprained shoulder would not keep him out of the AFC championship game, but wasn't as certain during the interview. Suggs also said he might have to wear a brace or harness -- similar to the one former Raven Peter Boulware used to wear -- if he played. He also said he had confidence in his replacement, Edgar Jones.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, you can't replace a Suggs. Not only is he the best pass rusher on the team, but he brings a lot of energy to the huddle and to the team.
I like these stories circulating now that the Ravens and Steelers really want to play each other again. No they don't. They don't want to play each other a third time.
When the Ravens were playing the Cowboys, the Steelers were hoping the Cowboys would win to knock the Ravens out of the playoffs. And yesterday, when the Steelers were playing the Chargers, the Ravens wanted the Chargers to win.
These two teams beat the snot out of each other. If a final collision could have been avoided, that would have been fine with both sides. Fans want to see Game 3. The Steelers and the Ravens were happy with playing two.
Are you making plans to head to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship game? If you are, we'd like to hear from you. How much did you have to pay for tickets, hotel, etc.? And will you be wearing body armor at Heinz Field? Please email stephen.kiehl@baltsun.com with your contact information.
The Ravens got off to a slow start on challenging officials' call at the beginning of the season. It probably was an organizational problem with the team having a first-year coach and a new coaching staff.
But the best challenge of the season was Ravens coach John Harbaugh challenging the catch of Bo Scaife in the third quarter. That catch would have put the Titans on the Ravens' 28 instead of the 33. The Ravens won, and the Titans ended up missing a 51-yard attempt instead of one that would have been 46. The Titans also had the wind at their back.
One of the major keys to the Ravens' defensive success is their overall hustle. Two of the turnovers they created yesterday against the Titans were hustle plays where either a Ravens defender was beaten or blocked, and they still tracked the ballcarrier down the field to get a hand on the ball and force a fumbe.
Even the big defensive linemen like Haloti Ngata or Justin Bannan are relentless in their pursuit.
The weather could wind up being a factor tomorrow for the Ravens-Titans playoff game. The forecast is for rain tomorrow morning but then it's supposed to move off to the east.
Temperatures are supposed to be in the low 40s by kickoff and drop throughout the game. Light precipitation is a possibility for game time but the chances may be lessening. Wind is supposed to be 10 to 15 miles per hour.
For the Ravens to win tomorrow, they are going to need another offensive player to step up other than quarterback Joe Flacco and receiver Derrick Mason.
Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is going to throw a lot at Flacco, and he will also probably try to take Mason out of the game. Schwartz was in Tennessee when Mason was there, so they are familiar with each other. The Ravens will try to pound the ball, but the Titans have a big, strong defensive line. Pounding a big back like Le'Ron McClain won't be enough.
Between tight end Todd Heap, receiver Mark Clayton or running backs Willis McGahee or Ray Rice, one of them has to have a big game.
It wasn't easy picking the Titans over the Ravens, but it just boiled down to simple logic. When the Ravens step on the field Saturday, they will be playing their 17th consecutive game on a short week of preparation. They are playing a team that they have already lost to once this season, and the Ravens are on the road with a rookie quarterback against one of the better-coached teams in the NFL.
With all of that said, would it surprise me if the Ravens won? No.
These two teams are similarly built and evenly matched. I expect it to be a brawl, and I think the game will go down to the last three to six minutes. Someone has to make a big play for either side. I'm not a fan of the Ravens or a fan of the Titans, but a fan of football. This is a game to get excited about, and the other AFC playoff game also should be a major heavyweight fight.
There are times when Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan should be happy that he can't get a head coaching job, like when the Cleveland Browns or Oakland Raiders are in the market for a head coach.
The Browns hired Eric Mangini as their new head coach without even giving Ryan an interview. How stupid are the Browns? Here is their chance to take away a major weapon from a team in their own division, and they can't wait a week to give Ryan an interview.
Maybe Mangini is the answer for the Browns, but he certainly wasn't that impressive during his three-year run as the head coach of the Jets. Ravens fans should be delighted Cleveland is in the AFC North with the Ravens. As long as they keep making clueless decisions, the Browns will never catch the Ravens.
How can you not give one of the best defensive coordinators in your division, in the NFL, an interview?
In Today’s Sun, we wrote about how Baltimore native Vincent Fuller, now a fourth-year safety with the Titans, could have a crucial role Saturday because he’ll be the nickel defensive back taking on the slot receiver, often Derrick Mason, on obvious passing downs. Fuller, a Woodlawn High grad, also said that as a teenager, he was a huge Ravens fan.
During the conversation, it was easy to tell that even though Fuller is a Titan these days, the “fan” in anyone who really is a true fan stays strong.
Fuller was reflecting on the enthusiasm the Baltimore region has for the Purple-and-Black and made this small slip: “My family and friends tell me (about the excitement over the game). … Baltimore is excited, that’s how we get …”
Fuller immediately realized a “we” had slipped out and quickly corrected himself.
“That’s how they get about Ravens football,” he finished the sentence.
“Any time the Ravens make a playoff push, Baltimore goes crazy,” he continued, “so being from there, I know how big of a weekend this is.”
Fuller becomes an unrestricted agent after this season so it will be interesting to see how much interest there is in him around the league. He broke his leg in the second game of his rookie season, against the Ravens and didn’t get his career going until his third year.
Over the last two seasons, his stats have been very good for a backup. He had 43 tackles this year and 35 in 2007. He’s a nickel back as a safety so that would seem to indicate he has better-than-average cover skills for his position and he has been a gunner on special teams.
When the subject of Ravens running back Le’Ron McClain comes up among other teams, it’s fairly common to hear coaches and players make the point that McClain is far from the typical fullback because of his productivity as a ball carrier.
Although he has fullback size, the 260-pound McClain went on to lead the Ravens with 902 rushing yards on 232 carries. Actually, Lorenzo Neal, whose career-long forte has been blocking, has often been McClain’s lead blocker.
“I would classify him maybe as a running back rather than a fullback,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday of McClain. “Either that or they’re handing the ball off to the fullback 200 times a year. He’s a real good player. He pushes the pile, he’s a north-south runner, he’s got good vision and he’s tough. That’s what you need if you’re going to take the approach they take with their run game. They create a lot of third-and-ones and third-and-twos which makes it hard to get off the field.”
Sounds innocuous enough, even complimentary, until you travel the Titans locker room and then Fisher’s comment that McClain is a running back rather than a fullback or else the Ravens are “handing the ball off to the fullback 200 times a year” takes on more meaning.
There seems to be a feeling that just maybe McClain was misclassified for the purpose of Pro Bowl voting and that Tennessee’s own fullback, Ahmard Hall, was short-changed in the process.
Hall, basically a starter at fullback, had just eight carries all season but did the dirty work as the lead blocker for Chris Johnson (1,228 yards) and LenDale White (773 yards).
Hall gave McClain his props for answering the bell as the featured running back when Willis McGahee struggled, but ...
“It’s hard for me to take that because it takes away my spot from going to the Pro Bowl but at the same time he does have that title. When Willis [and others] were playing he did play fullback. It just is what it is,” Hall said.
“I think he’s definitely a tailback,” the Tennessee fullback added. “He carries the ball the majority of the time for them and they probably misclassified him.”
There have been a lot of comparisons between Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth finished fourth in the balloting for Defensive Player of the Year behind Pittsburgh outside linebacker James Harrison, Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and Ravens safety Ed Reed.
Both Ngata and Haynesworth are great run stoppers but what makes Haynesworth better is what separates former Ravens DT Sam Adams from Ngata. Both Adams and Haynesworth could collapse a pocket during pass rush. They didn't always make a sack, but they provided consistent pressure up the middle. Both Adams and Haynesworth had great "get offs" on the snap of the ball, and got penetration which caused a lot of problems.
For Ngata to take the next step, he has to have more impact on the opposition's passing game.
Editor's note: A previous version of this blog post incorrectly stated Haynesworth's finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.
One thing I have always liked about Titans coach Jeff Fisher is his honesty, and how blunt he is. He is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he gets people's attention.
Two things that stuck out about his conference call the other day was the way he complimented Ravens coach John Harbaugh, and how he stayed away from the debate on whether the present Ravens defense is as good as the one in 2000.
The debate is getting kind of silly now. Every time the Ravens have a good season, there is always the same comparison to 2000.
"You could see early on just the element of discipline," said Fisher about what Harbaugh brought to the Ravens. "When a new coach comes into a program and you're able to keep your defense intact and your defensive staff together, that helps as far as continuity is concerned and stability is concerned.
"And then you put your stamp on the offense and Cam [Cameron] is doing a great job with the offense. He understands the strengths and weaknesses of his team, and he puts game plans together and directs his team accordingly."
Of the defensive comparisons, Fisher said: "I think there are some similarities, but I think you'll have to wait a couple of weeks to see what happens."
Nice point, coach. Before any comparisons are made, win the championship first.
One of the best things you learn to like about Joe Flacco is his honesty. He didn't play well yesterday, and of course people pointed out how he managed the game well.
Huh?
"I'm not going out there and trying to just manage the football, I'm going out there and trying to make plays," Flacco said.
Thanks Joe. He gets it. Great quarterbacks make plays, and Flacco has made them during the final stretch of the regular season. After every game he has struggled this season, he has always come back with a good performance.
Rookie running back Ray Rice said he is about 95 percent healthy and is expecting to play Saturday against the Titans. Rice was activated for the Miami game but didn't see any action. His absence is noticeable because the Ravens don't throw as many screen passes or flares when he isn't in the lineup. The Ravens will need him on third downs against the Titans, especially if they don't get a good game from their receivers.
I'm always amazed that more teams don't use short passes to beat the Ravens. The formula for beating this defense is fairly easy. You spread the Ravens out and throw short, quick timing patterns. The Steelers and Titans did it earlier this season to stage comeback victories over the Ravens, and Miami had some success with it Sunday. Plus, the Ravens' cornerbacks, especially Fabian Washington, can't tackle in the open field.
- Mike Preston
The Ravens breathed a sigh of relief over the weekend. Not only did they beat Miami, but Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning was eliminated from postseason play. He was the one quarterback in the AFC that could have carved up the Ravens' secondary with his great receivers. The remaining quarterbacks -- Ben Roethlisberger, Kerry Collins and Philip Rivers -- are good, but nothing the Ravens can't handle.
The Ravens have just as good a chance as any of the four remaining teams to get to the Super Bowl, even though the Titans and Steelers are clear favorites and have home-field advantage.
- Mike Preston
One of the reasons the Ravens coaching staff jumped safety Ed Reed after he came off the field following the laterals Sunday is because they know Reed's lack of discipline hurts defensive coordinator Rex Ryan's chance of becoming a head coach. One of the reasons that Ryan didn't get a job last season is because some owners and general managers thought the Ravens were undisciplined on defense.
Remember Bart Scott throwing the flag at the official? Remember Samari Rolle screaming at the same official? There have been times when both cornerback Chris McAlister and Reed were caught out of position because they were gambling and trying to make a play. Those kind of things hurt Ryan, and head coach John Harbaugh addressed some of those issues with some of these players in the offseason.
Hopefully, for Ryan's sake, there won't be any more clowning around this Sunday since Ryan's name has been mentioned as the possible new head coach with the New York Jets, Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams.
Good news first: cornerback Samari Rolle, who is battling an ankle/foot injury, returned to practice this morning.
Bad news now: wide receiver Derrick Mason and kicker Matt Stover were not present during the portion of practice open to the media. That's not terribly alarming since the coaching staff has been careful to protect Mason's dislocated left shoulder/sore trapezius muscle and Stover's sprained right ankle. And both players are expected to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
The thing I remember most about the last time the Ravens played Miami was the way the Ravens pushed the Dolphins around. Miami has gotten better since then, and so have the Ravens. But the major difference is that the Ravens have more tough guys. Miami is a tough team wannabe, but the Ravens are more of a Bill Parcells type team than the current Dolphins.
Ray Lewis is a tough guy. Haloti Ngata is a tough guy. Justin Bannan is a tough guy. Ed Reed is a tough guy. Marshal Yanda, despite not playing because of an injury, is a tough guy, and left offensive tackle Jared Gaither will become a tough guy down the road.
That's why the Ravens will beat the Dolphins. They are bigger, stronger and tougher.
Cornerback Samari Rolle was the only Ravens player to sit out a second straight day of practice. Rolle is dealing with an ankle/foot injury, but he is expected to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
The five players who missed practice yesterday– free safety Ed Reed (hamstring), wide receiver Derrick Mason (sore trapezius muscle/dislocated left shoulder), cornerback Fabian Washington (hyperextended toe), linebacker Jarret Johnson (left calf) and defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot) – were upgraded to limited participation.
Also limited were wide receiver Mark Clayton (knee), right guard Chris Chester (back), linebacker Antwan Barnes (strained pectoral muscle), running back Ray Rice (left shin contusion), safety Tom Zbikowski (thigh) and kicker Matt Stover (sprained right ankle).
For the Dolphins, defensive end Randy Starks (ankle) and tight end David Martin (head/neck) were upgraded to limited participation after sitting out Wednesday’s practice.
Of the six players who missed yesterday's practice, only cornerback Samari Rolle was absent from the portion of this morning's practice open to the media. Rolle is dealing with an ankle/foot injury, but is expected to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Also, linebacker Antwan Barnes (strained pectoral muscle) also was not present. Barnes was limited yesterday.
Free safety Ed Reed (hamstring), wide receiver Derrick Mason (sore trapezius muscle/dislocated left shoulder), cornerback Fabian Washington (hyperextended toe), linebacker Jarret Johnson (left calf) and defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot) took part in a walkthrough and practice.
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