http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/ The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer. en Copyright 2009 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg was as amazed as everyone else that Mitch Berger's second punt of the game got past rushing Ed Reed last week. Reed came from the outside and was in the air when Berger seemingly launched the punt UNDERNEATH Reed. "I'm not exactly sure where it went," Rosburg said this week. "I think Harbs [John Harbaugh] said it well: 'We think the ball actually vaporized and went through his body and came out the other side, because we can't see any space in there.' But it got past him some way or another. We still haven't figured it out yet." Asked about Reed's technique blocking punts, Rosburg offered this assessment: "I coached against Ed for a long time at another club [the Browns] where he was rushing our edge, and I don't do a whole lot of coaching of Ed at that particular point in time. I've seen him get his hands on a lot of footballs. I'll let Ed coach himself on that. He'll figure it out, I'm confident." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/rosburg_no_advice_for_reed.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/rosburg_no_advice_for_reed.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500 Ravens wide-out Kelley Washington spent the first four years of his NFL career in Cincinnati, and it was a long, steady decline from prospect to disappointment. Washington has good memories of his former teammates, but not-so-good for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and owner Mike Brown. Washington said he had issues with "select" coaches in Cincinnati, although he liked offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski ("he was a great coordinator"). Washington said he didn't learn much from Lewis, and that there were double standards for certain players. "The only thing I learned how to do is not to do the right thing," he said. On Bengals' management: "I don't really favor the way they do things." On Brown: "He was the type owner [where] you'd sit down at the same table or pass right by him and he wouldn't speak to you. ... When you go to New England or come here, you have owners who speak to you, have a conversation, ask about your family, friends. It's a different mentality." In his conference call with Baltimore reporters this week, Lewis had nothing bad to say about Washington. "You know, when he left and had an opportunity, he wanted to play more and he went up to New England, and he did some things there and got an opportunity to paly on special teams," Lewis said. "Particularly, I don't think he was able to catch the balls that he quite wanted, but when Kelley was here with us, he always was a good contributor, and a guy that we could count on." Washinton caught 53 passes in his first two years with the Bengals, but only 19 the last two years, when he missed 20 games with injuries. He spent two years with the Patriots before signing with the Ravens in May as a free agent. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bad_memories_for_kelley_washington.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bad_memories_for_kelley_washington.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 Long snapper Matt Katula's sore elbow is not expected to prevent him from playing Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Katula practiced today after sitting out Wednesday's and Thursday's sessions, but he is listed as probable on the team's injury report. Coach John Harbaugh said when he was an assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bearcats in 1991, kicker David Rowe had to replace the usual long snapper. "We had to go into a game one time where the long snapper was the kicker," Harbaugh recalled. "He was the kicker for kicks and the long snapper for punts. They went after him. He survived. Dave Rowe. If you’re out there, Dave, this is a shout. You did good. I think it was against Penn State, too." After a pause, Harbaugh added, "That will not be the case in this game." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/katula_expected_to_play.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/katula_expected_to_play.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0500 Although Haloti Ngata did not practice this week, the defensive tackle is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ngata, who has made 55 consecutive starts in his four-year career, is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but expressed optimism earlier today that he could play Sunday. Safeties Haruki Nakamura (strained abdominal muscle) and Tom Zbikowski (illness) are also questionable. Nakamura was upgraded today to full participation after being limited Thursday. Zbikowski was limited for the second consecutive day. Linebackers Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) and Prescott Burgess (illness), tight end Todd Heap (ankle), fullback Le'Ron McClain (shoulder), cornerback Frank Walker (illness) and long snapper Matt Katula (sore elbow) participated fully in practice and are listed as probable. For the Bengals, strong safety Roy Williams (forearm) was limited in practice and is questionable for Sunday. Fullback Jeremi Johnson (sprained left knee) was upgraded from limited to full participation and is probable. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson (foot) was added to the injury report after being limited in practice, but he is also listed as probable. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/fridays_injury_report_1.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/fridays_injury_report_1.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:39:18 -0500 The gift basket of deodorant that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said he sent to Ravens linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and the secondary hasn't raised a stink with the Ravens players. In fact, Suggs was the only player I could get to comment on the delivery. "It’s all in fun," Suggs said. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/ochocincos_package_raises_few_eyebrows.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/ochocincos_package_raises_few_eyebrows.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500 Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata seemed confident that he would start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ngata, who sprained his right ankle last Sunday, hasn’t practiced all week. In his first comments to reporters this week, Ngata estimated Friday that his chances of playing at “8 or 9.” “It feels great. Actually, it feels pretty good,” he said. “There’s not much swelling or anything. Just stiffness and soreness. So hopefully, we can get it full to go, and I’ll go for it.” Having Ngata will be a big lift for the Ravens, who are going against Cedric Benson. The Bengals running back gained 120 yards against them earlier this season. Since being drafted in the first round in 2006, Ngata has been one of the most durable Ravens. He has never been sidelined in his 55-game career. Asked to rate Ngata’s chances of playing, coach John Harbaugh said, “I wouldn’t be interested in doing that. There is a chance.” http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/ngata_seems_confident_hell_start_sunday.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/ngata_seems_confident_hell_start_sunday.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:53:08 -0500 The Ravens practiced on the far field today, so it was difficult to take roll call. But it was clear that defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was not present during the portion of practice open to the media. Ngata, who is dealing with a sprained right ankel suffered in last Sunday's victory over the Denver Broncos, has started all 55 games of his four-year career, but NFL teams usually suscribe to the general rule of thumb that an injured player must practice at least once to be considered available for an upcoming game. Long snapper Matt Katula, who has sat out the past two days, took part in practice today. Katula, who has been bothered by a sore elbow, insists that he will play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Three starters in linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder), tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and fullback Le'Ron McClain were present at practice. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/practice_notes_42.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/practice_notes_42.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:53:48 -0500 Even though the Cincinnati Bengals won the first meeting and get to stay home and play host to the Ravens this Sunday, the Ravens are three-point favorites. Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said he was unaware of what could be perceived as a major slight. "Well, I didn’t know I was an underdog, so it doesn’t matter what we are," he said Wednesday. "We’ve just got to play. We have a nine-game season and our first week is this week against the Ravens, and what counts is this game. This one counts, and all the other stuff is peripheral. It’s good for people to talk about, but when you come out there on Sunday the team that executes, runs and tackles and takes care of the football will win the football game." Quarterback Carson Palmer pointed out that this current Bengals squad that is tied for the AFC North lead with a 5-2 record went 4-11-1 last season. "When you win four games the year before, people don’t expect you to be on top of your division, and to beat a team that went to the AFC Championship game last year, back-to-back times," Palmer said. "I’m sure that has something to do with it. But I could care less whether we’re overlooked or underlooked. At the end of the year, if you’re playing in the Super Bowl, people think you’re pretty good. And you are pretty good if you make it that far. That’s our goal." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bengals_not_worried_about_being_dogs_against_ravens.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bengals_not_worried_about_being_dogs_against_ravens.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:17:27 -0500 With four blocked punts in his career, free safety Ed Reed almost got his fifth blocked punt in the first quarter of Sunday's 30-7 thumping of the Denver Broncos. Somehow, Mitch Berger's punt escaped Reed's outstretched arms. "The ball went through my hands," Reed said Wednesday. "That was a rookie mistake. You’ve got to have those hands tight to take it off the foot." Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said he had never seen a punt squirt through Reed's hands. "We’re not exactly sure where it went," Rosburg said Thursday. "I think Harbs [coach John Harbaugh] said it well. We actually think the ball vaporized and went through his body and came out the other side. We can’t see any space in there, but it got past him somehow. We still haven’t figured it out yet." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/reed_nearly_gets_fifth_blocked_punt.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/reed_nearly_gets_fifth_blocked_punt.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 -- Jamison Hensley ]]> http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bengals_wr_wants_to_make_sure_ravens_dont_ochostinko.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/bengals_wr_wants_to_make_sure_ravens_dont_ochostinko.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:45:50 -0500 Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata did not practice for the second consecutive day. It's beginning to look increasingly doubtful that Ngata, who is dealing with a sprained right ankle and was absent from the the portion of practice open to the media, will be available Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Long snapper Matt Katula (sore elbow) also missed his second straight day of practice. As mentioned earlier, there is no backup to Katula listed on the team's depth chart. Cornerback Frank Walker (illness) and linebacker Prescott Burgess (illness) did not practice Wednesday, but returned to full participation today. Linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) also practiced fully. Safeties Haruki Nakamura (strained abdominal muscle) and Tom Zbikowski (illness) were upgraded to limited participation after sitting out Wednesday's session. Tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and fullback Le’Ron McClain (shoulder) were limited for the second consecutive day. .For the Bengals, strong safety Roy Williams (forearm) and fullback Jeremi Johnson (sprained left knee) were limited for the second straight day. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/thursdays_injury_report_2.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/thursdays_injury_report_2.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:52:18 -0500 Long snapper Matt Katula returned to practice today after sitting out Wednesday's session with an elbow injury. Katula's absence on Wednesday seemed to beg the question of who would handle long-snapping duties if Katula was unavailable for Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Well, the Ravens have not officially listed a backup to Katula on the team's depth chart. So special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg was asked about the glaring omission. "That's curious," Rosburg said before avoiding the subject. Pressed on his expectation for Katula, Rosburg said, "I have no information for you on that." Katula was slightly more forthcoming, saying that his elbow is sore, but he doesn't expect it to prevent him from playing against the Bengals. "It’s not a big deal," he said. "It’s kind of been brewing for a little bit, I guess. Just a repetitive-motion type of thing. Just have to be smart about reps and stuff right now." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/secrecy_shrouds_long_snapper_katula.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/secrecy_shrouds_long_snapper_katula.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:49:55 -0500 Five of the six Ravens players who did not practice Wednesday were back, but perhaps the most important one -- defensive tackle Haloti Ngata -- was not one of them. Ngata, who is dealing with a sprained right ankle, was not present during the portion of today's practice open to the media. He also did not make an appearance in the locker room prior to practice. The players who did return to practice included safeties Haruki Nakamura (strained abdominal muscle) and Tom Zbikowski (illness), cornerback Frank Walker (illness), linebacker Prescott Burgess (illness) and long snapper Matt Katula (sore elbow). Tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) -- both of whom were limited Wednesday -- participated as did linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder). Fresh off his performance last week playing the role of Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Justin Harper appeared to be mimicking the Cincinnati Bengals' Chad Ochocinco, wearing a No. 85 jersey. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/practice_notes_41.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/practice_notes_41.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:36:07 -0500 The coaches' decision to deactivate Frank Walker prior to Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos was surprising to some, including the cornerback himself. But Walker, who spoke today for the first time, said he wasn't angered oir disappointed by the decision. "Everybody wants to play, but I feel like our coaches are always going to put this team in the best situation to win," he said. "Obviously, I wasn’t a part of that. No big deal." http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/walker_unaffected_by_sundays_scratch.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/walker_unaffected_by_sundays_scratch.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:05:27 -0500 Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said Thursday that he feels “very good” about the chances of Haloti Ngata playing. Ngata, who sprained his right ankle Sunday, didn’t practice Wednesday. He is a big part of the Ravens’ run defense. “I think Haloti will do what he has to do to play,” said Mattison, who added that it would be a trainer’s decision. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/mattison_feels_very_good_about_ngata_playing.html http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/mattison_feels_very_good_about_ngata_playing.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:44:42 -0500