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Coming off a few extra days of rest following Thursday night's game against the 49ers, the Ravens only had one player - linebacker Ray Lewis (toe) - miss practice. Cornerback Chris Carr (back) was limited, while running back Anthony Allen (hamstring), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) and defensive tackle Art Jones (head) all had a full practice. That's the extent of the Ravens' injury report. Cleveland's
This comes as no surprise, but head coach John Harbaugh said today that special teams were the main reason why the Ravens claimed defensive back Emanuel Cook off waivers from the Jets yesterday. Cook, a second-year man out of South Carolina, appeared in 12 games for the Jets over the last two seasons, and recorded six special teams tackles in that time. "Emaunel Cook will
The only Ravens player not present during the open media portion of practice today was linebacker Ray Lewis (turf toe). Lewis was limited in practices leading up to last Thursday's game against the 49ers, but did not play in the Thanksgiving night contest. That marked his second straight game missed due to the toe injury. Cornerback Chris Carr (back) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring), both
One very simple way to put yourself in position for a playoff spot is to perform well against your division rivals. That's an area in which the Ravens have excelled under John Harbaugh. Since Harbaugh took over the Ravens' head coaching reigns in 2008, his team is 14-7 against division foes. Those numbers have been even stronger of late, as the Ravens have won five
Fresh off his three-sack performance in a primetime win over the 49ers on Thanksgiving night, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. I've been told winning the award gets you extra credit at Ball So Hard University. Suggs not only sacked 49ers quarterback Alex Smith three times Sunday night, he also forced a fumble. The nine-year veteran has
The Ravens added another body to their defensive backfield today, claiming Emanuel Cook off waivers from the Jets. To make room for Cook, the team waived undrafted rookie linebacker Josh Bynes, who was added to the 53-man roster prior to last Thursday's game against the 49ers. After going undrafted out of South Carolina in 2009, Cook bounced around, seeing time with the Jets and Buccaneers
When you think about it on a basic level, the Ravens could have been in big trouble Thursday night with Ray Lewis on the sidelines. They were facing a 49ers team with a strong running game and a tough offensive line. They were missing both Lewis and fellow inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe because of injuries. They needed to turn to first-year linebacker Albert McClellan -
Three big wins, each of which was immediately followed by a disappointing road loss. Stop me if you've heard this before. In fact, I almost feel silly talking about it again. But until the Ravens can prove that they're able to beat an inferior opponent the week after a big win, this is a topic which, unfortunately, has to be discussed. All three of the
The Ravens had previously expressed some hope that if linebacker Ray Lewis wasn't going to be able to play in last Thursday night's game against the 49ers because of a toe injury, he might be able to benefit from an extended rest period and then be able to suit up this Sunday at Cleveland. That's the message that head coach John Harbaugh was sticking with
If you've been losing sleep while waiting for the Ravens to fill two vacancies on their practice squad, your wait is finally over. Two offensive linemen have been signed to fill out the eight-man developmental unit: center Cecil Newton (Tennessee State) and tackle Kenny Wiggins (Fresno State). Newton apparently has football in his blood; the 25-year-old is the older brother of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
The Ravens haven't had a home playoff game in six seasons. Over the course of the next five weeks, they'll set out to end that drought. Sporting an 8-3 record and with two big wins over Pittsburgh and a Thanksgiving night victory over the previously one-win 49ers in their rearview mirror, the Ravens have set themselves up for their fourth postseason birth in as many
As much as I enjoy covering the Ravens and watching their games on Sundays, I love the rare times when I get to kick back and enjoy the RedZone channel and a relaxing day of flipping through games. As a matter of fact, I'm going to go ahead and put the RedZone channel up there with electricity and the telephone as one of the greatest
You know how you can tell Thursday games come far too early in the week? They haven't even handed out the awards for the previous week's games by the time the Thursday matchup is over. The NFL has announced that Ravens rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith was named the Pepsi Rookie of the Week ... for last Sunday's game against the Bengals. In that game,
I know, "skipper" is a baseball term. But c'mon, that's a pretty nifty headline, huh? The Harbaugh brothers tried to make yesterday's game as little about them as possible, but they were fighting a losing battle. It was John vs. Jim. Older brother vs. Younger brother. The Harbaugh Bowl. The Harbowl (personally my least-favorite "clever" term used to hype the Thanksgiving night game.) That's why
When Joe Flacco took the field for warm-ups prior to last night's game against the 49ers, something was different. The Ravens' quarterback had something on his face. Flacco, who had gotten a ridiculous Jersey Shore-themed haircut last Halloween, now had a new ridiculous look - he was sporting a Fu Manchu. Normally reserved and unwilling to create a lot of attention for himself, Flacco, along
Coming into tonight, the 49ers had allowed just 21 sacks on the season. Their offensive line had been performing at an incredibly high level, and quarterback Alex Smith had done a great job of avoiding pressure, staying on his feet and making plays when they were there. "Not tonight," linebacker Paul Kruger said. "We got him." The Ravens tormented Smith tonight, sacking him nine times,
Round one of the Harbaugh Bowl goes to John. The Ravens' head coach would hate that lead, but I had to go there. On the backs of a dominating defense and an efficient second-half offense, the Ravens earned a big 16-6 win over the 49ers, and John Harbaugh scored a victory over his younger brother Jim in the first NFL game that featured two brothers
Some people might love a 27-24 first half, but I love games like this. Games where the play is physical, every hit is delivered with a thud and every point is well-earned. Here are a few quick-hit notes on the first half of play with the Ravens holding a 6-3 lead at the break: - This game is the epitome of a defensive struggle. The
During a pregame interview with the NFL Network, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said that his injured toe is still hurting him, and he felt it was best to rest up in the hopes of being able to play next Sunday against the Browns. Lewis estimated his current health at about "80-85 percent", and said he was concerned that if he played tonight, he could injure
The Ravens have not yet announced their inactives for tonight's game against the 49ers, but I'm hearing that linebacker Ray Lewis will not play tonight because of a toe injury. UPDATE: Lewis is officially one of the Ravens' seven inactives tonight, meaning he will not suit up. Lewis missed last Sunday's game against the Bengals, but he returned to practice in a limited capacity each
John and Jim Harbaugh are brothers, but the two NFL head coaches are more than just that. They're also best friends. When you listen to the Harbaughs speak, there are times when the fact that they come from the same blood is clearly evident. They sound the same. Their football ideology - expressed both to their players and to the fans - is often the
After being limited in practice all week because of a toe injury, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is listed as questionable for tomorrow night's game against the 49ers. Lewis missed last Sunday's game against the Bengals, but he participated in every practice over the last three days. Head coach John Harbaugh essentially said earlier today that Lewis will be a gametime decision. Also listed as questionable
With inside linebackers Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe battling injuries, the Ravens have made a roster move to give themselves more depth at the position. The Ravens signed undrafted rookie linebacker Josh Bynes from their practice squad to their 53-man roster this afternoon. To make space for Bynes, the team waived offensive lineman Bryan Mattison. Bynes, an Auburn product, was with the Ravens in training
Speaking after practice today, Ravens coach John Harbaugh essentially said he considers linebacker Ray Lewis a gametime decision for Thursday night's game against the 49ers. Lewis missed last Sunday's game against the Bengals because of a toe injury, but he returned to practice this week. Asked how it's been to get Lewis back on the field the last few days, Harbaugh simply replied: "It's been
Through 10 games, the 49ers have forced 26 turnovers, best in the NFL. Through 10 games, the 49ers have turned the ball over nine times, fewest in the NFL. That's how you win football games. It all adds up to a plus-17 turnover ratio, by far the top mark in the league, and a 9-1 record for Jim Harbaugh's team. It's been said that of
If it feels like just days ago I was asking for your predictions on how a Ravens game would turn out, well, it's because it was. By the time tomorrow night's game is over, both the Ravens and 49ers will have played two games in five days, which really is remarkable given the physical toll that these players get put through each time they step
Both the Ravens' and 49ers' injury reports look exactly the same today as they did yesterday. I was considering just copying and pasting the text from my entry last night into this one, but I'll not be a slacker and re-type the information in an original way. Don't say I've never done anything nice for you. Linebacker Ray Lewis (foot) is listed as limited for
Another year will go by without Art Modell getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 26 semifinalists being considered for the Hall of Fame's Class of 2012 have been announced, and Modell, the former Ravens and Browns owner, is not on the list. Modell was selected as a semifinalist last year, but he did not make that list this time around. Beloved by
Four times already this season, the 49ers have had to fly from the West Coast out east to play a Sunday game. Tomorrow, they'll have to head out to the East Coast again, only this time it will be on a dramatically shortened week. That's something which irritates 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who feels that his team is at a significant disadvantage having to leave
For the second time this season, the Ravens will break out their black jerseys for a primetime game. After sporting the all-black look in a Sunday night clash with the Jets back in Week 4, the Ravens will be wearing their black jerseys and white pants Thursday night when they take on the 49ers. It's a look which most of the fan base seems to
Linebacker Ray Lewis, who missed his first game since 2007 on Sunday because of a foot injury, is still hopeful that he can play Thursday night, when the Ravens host the 49ers. Lewis is undergoing treatment and was not available to the media Tuesday, but the Ravens released this statement from him: "I apologize for not being available as I normally am on a day
It's been billed as the Harbaugh Bowl. John vs. Jim. Older brother vs. younger brother. Thursday night's Thanksgiving battle between the Ravens and 49ers has already gotten plenty of media attention, but much of it isn't because it pits a 9-1 San Francisco team against a 7-3 Baltimore squad, both of whom lead their respective divisions. Instead, the bulk of the buildup to this game
After missing practice all last week and sitting out yesterday's game with a foot injury, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis returned to the practice field today. Lewis was a limited participant today, which doesn't really say much given the practice was merely a walk-through, but still is an indication that Lewis is progressing from his injury. As I mentioned earlier, Lewis walked off the field without
While Ray Lewis was not out at today's practice during the portion open to the media, the veteran linebacker did walk off the field with his team at the conclusion of the session. Lewis did not have a boot on his injured foot, and he didn't appear to be limping, either. The 12-time Pro Bowler, who missed yesterday's game because of the injury, later declined
Earlier this afternoon, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh took part in a conference call with national reporters and members of the San Francisco media. Once a lot of the Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh discussion had faded (I'll have much more on this later), naturally, one of the reporters on the call asked the Ravens' head coach if he had any thoughts about Ray Lewis' status for
The Ravens' most recent divisional tilt was so dramatic, I guess the NFL decided it wanted to bump Baltimore's next AFC North game into a more prominent time slot. The Dec. 4 Ravens-Browns game at Cleveland Browns Stadium has been flexed from its originally scheduled 1 p.m. start time to a 4:05 p.m. start. This decision was made as part of the NFL's flex scheduling,
How weird was yesterday's Ravens-Bengals AFC North battle? So weird that even though Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith was tackled by his hair in the second quarter, he wasn't the player who had a couple of his dreadlocks ripped out of his head. The clumps of hair left on the M&T Bank Stadium turf yesterday apparently belonged to one of the Bengals' running backs. So
There are a couple ways to look at the Ravens' three setbacks this season. The mindset which most of us have chosen is that the Ravens have frustratingly dropped three games to teams who, in all likelihood, will not make the playoffs. These teams currently have a combined record of 11-19, and it'd be tough to argue with the stance that each squad is inferior
A Ravens defensive back had three tackles and a crucial second-half interception which resulted in seven points and jump-started a Ravens run. But that player wasn't Ed Reed. A wide receiver recorded six catches for 165 yards (the third most in a game in franchise history) and the game's decisive touchdown. But that player wasn't Anquan Boldin. A defensive end had three tackles, two quarterbacks
Whew. Everyone still breathing? At one point there, it all was looking so promising. The Ravens were up 31-14 with 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and were poised to run away with a crucial divisional game against a feisty Bengals team. Only, no one told the Bengals they were supposed to quietly fade away. Led by a rookie quarterback who didn't play at
Those in attendance at M&T Bank Stadium today sure got their money's worth. Those of you at home got a pretty sweet deal, yourselves. The Ravens scored a huge divisional win over the Bengals today, coming away with a dramatic 31-24 win. But it sure wasn't easy. Leading by just three points late in the third quarter, the Ravens turned to a defense which had
After a slow start, the Ravens responded with 14 unanswered second-quarter points, and they take a 14-7 lead over the Bengals into halftime. Here are a few quick-hit notes on the first 30 minutes of play: - The Ravens came out looking to establish the run, and while it didn't produce big numbers - they averaged just 1.3 yards per carry in the first half
For the first time since 2007, linebacker Ray Lewis will miss a game. For the first time since Week 2, wide receiver Lee Evans will play in a game. Lewis has been declared one of the Ravens' seven inactives, ending speculation that he might try and play despite a foot injury which kept him out of practice all week. The Ravens have announced that third-year
For much of this afternoon, all eyes at M&T Bank Stadium will be completely focused on the guys currently in Ravens uniforms. But at halftime, for a short while, we'll all get a chance to celebrate the lengthy career of one of the top players to ever throw on that Ravens uni. Matt Stover will be inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor at halftime
There's an AFC North quarterback who in his rookie season has helped turned a previously struggling team into a playoff contender. This quarterback came from a fairly unheralded collegiate football program, but he started every game since Week 1 of his rookie campaign. He's been assisted by a strong running game and a top-notch defense, but has calmly managed his offense and has minimized turnovers
After sitting out a full month's worth of practices, Lee Evans has now participated in six straight sessions dating back to last week. Still, it's tough to gauge how close the Ravens wide receiver is to returning from his lingering ankle injury. Evans is listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week, which indicates there's a 50/50 chance of him playing. Head
Despite not practicing all week because of a toe injury, linebacker Ray Lewis is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals. It doesn't appear likely that Lewis will play Sunday, but head coach John Harbaugh said today that he won't rule Lewis out. Also listed as questionable are wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring). Evans was limited in practice
Despite a report that linebacker Ray Lewis will miss Sunday's game because of a toe injury, head coach John Harbaugh is not willing to rule his 12-time Pro Bowler out for the Ravens' upcoming game against the Bengals. Harbaugh said that Lewis has played through serious injuries in the past, and there's a chance he does it again this weekend. "Ray is Ray. You can't
Chuck Pagano has been lauded as an aggressive defensive coordinator, one that isn't afraid to bring pressure from any angle at any time. Thanks in part to his let's-get-after-the-quarterback mentality, the Ravens have racked up 27 sacks this season, the third-most in the NFL. The usual pass rushing specialists - Terrell Suggs, Jarret Johnson, etc. - have gotten the job done, while a few younger
Here's the good news: The Ravens are playing at home, where they've won 14 of their last 15 games, and they're playing a team with a winning record, so a letdown performance isn't a possibility. Here's the bad news: The Bengals are a pretty darn good football team. The Ravens will be looking to bounce back from last Sunday's frustrating performance in Seattle with a
When Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis showed up to his Wednesday afternoon session with reporters, he didn't appear to be limping or be in any sort of noticeable pain. Since that press conference, Lewis has missed two practices, and now he reportedly will be forced to sit out Sunday's game against the Bengals. Lewis will miss at least the Cincinnati game and possibly more because of
The same three Ravens that did not practice yesterday - linebacker Ray Lewis, defensive tackle Art Jones and running back Anthony Allen - did not participate again today. Lewis (foot), Jones (concussion) and Allen (thigh) all sat out Thursday's afternoon session. Wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) was limited for the fifth straight day, while linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) had a full practice. For the Bengals,
We've talked a ton about the Ravens' increased reliance on the pass this season, and I mean it when I say that I don't want to beat that topic to death. But I did want to pass along some pretty interesting statistics which show just how much the Ravens have adjusted their traditional run-first mentality and become a pass-happy team. Get this: If you project
For the second straight day, linebacker Ray Lewis was not out at practice. Lewis missed yesterday's session with a foot injury, and the 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker was absent yet again this afternoon. Even though he's yet to practice this week, Lewis' injury is not thought to be serious. Also missing a second straight day of practice were defensive tackle Art Jones (concussion) and running
Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg announced today that David Reed will not be handling the Ravens' kickoff returns this Sunday, following Reed's two-fumble performance against Seattle last week. "He will not be returning kicks for us on Sunday," Rosburg said. Including a fumble against Pittsburgh, Reed now has put the ball on the turf three times in the Ravens' last two games, causing him to
The Ravens' offense has gotten a lot of heat for Ray Rice's lack of carries Sunday and the balance - or lack thereof - in the offensive play-calling. The special teams also haven't been immune to criticism, as fumbles, missed field goals and subpar efforts from the return and coverage teams have played a key factor in losses. But the guys on the defensive side
I told you earlier that linebacker Ray Lewis was not out at practice during the open media portion of today's session. Turns out, Lewis didn't practice at all today, and it was a foot injury which kept him out. Lewis didn't seem to be walking with a noticeable limp when he came to and from the podium for his session with reporters this afternoon, and
John Harbaugh has said he doesn't think the Ravens erred by giving Ray Rice just five carries Sunday against the Seahawks, claiming that an early deficit and the looks Seattle's defense presented made it so that the Ravens needed to lean heavily on their passing game. Today, Rice and other Ravens players chimed in on the topic. Perhaps not surprisingly, there was some debate on
While the vast majority of the Ravens' roster was present at practice today, linebacker Ray Lewis was one guy who was not on the field during the portion of the session open to the media. No injury to Lewis has been disclosed. The All-Pro linebacker spoke to the media today and didn't display any signs of a major injury. Also absent today were defensive tackle
After seven weeks of sitting and watching Ravens games from the sidelines, wide receiver Lee Evans says he hopes to return to the field this Sunday against the Bengals. "We'll make a determination late in the week," Evans said today. "Last week was real positive. So, this week could be even better and I'll have a real shot. You can see how it responds throughout
Entering the 2011 season, the three-game stretch that the Ravens find themselves in the middle of right now looked like by far the softest portion of their schedule. Games against the Seahawks, Bengals and 49ers? No problem. After all, those three teams finished with a combined 17-29 record in 2010. Before this season began, many thought that if the Ravens could get through their first
The Ravens' decision to give running back Ray Rice just five carries in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks has received a lot of criticism. In a broader sense, their decision to run the ball just 12 times on 66 offensive plays has also come under fire. But head coach John Harbaugh stood by the Ravens' play-calling during his Monday press conference, saying that he felt
Fans of the Baltimore Ravens are getting frustrated with the inconsistent effort put forth by their team this season. Based on the tone of John Harbaugh's press conference late yesterday afternoon, you can tell the Ravens' head coach is starting to share those emotions, as well. It was a tense scene yesterday at Ravens headquarters in Owings Mills, a scene unlike any other this season
A day after David Reed lost two fumbles on kick returns and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on a third run-back, head coach John Harbaugh implied that Reed may have lost his job on the Ravens' kickoff return unit. "I think we're looking for a kick returner," Harbaugh said today, during his Monday press conference. Harbaugh then flatly admitted that while Reed has handled kick
After the first fumble, David Reed looked like he was sick to his stomach. After the second, he looked like he wanted to find a way to crawl inside the Ravens' bench and hide. Yesterday was by far the roughest day of Reed's two-year NFL career, as the wide receiver coughed up the ball on two kickoff returns over a 21-minute span. Also in that
There's an old saying around football circles, and it's one that John Harbaugh repeated to reporters on Friday as his team was preparing to head out west to take on the Seahawks: To win on the road, be sure to pack your running game, your defense and your special teams. I think those three things might have gotten left on the tarmac at San Francisco
This is becoming a disturbing trend. Not the road losses to sub-par teams; we've touched on that already, and will continue to discuss that plenty going forward. I'm talking about the lack of carries for Ray Rice. There is not one member of the Ravens' roster or coaching staff who would argue with the notion that Rice is the Ravens' best offensive player. It's just
It happens once, shame on them. It happens twice, shame on us. It happens thrice, shame on ... well, shame on everyone. The Ravens thought they had learned their lesson. I thought they'd learned their lesson. Apparently, they hadn't. For the third time this season, the Ravens have earned a big, potentially momentum-starting win over a quality conference opponent and then gone on the road
The Ravens pick up a big win. They head on the road the next week. They struggle early and fall behind against an inferior opponent. Stop me if you've heard this before. The same old script keeps on repeating itself for this Ravens team. For whatever reason, they just keep playing up to quality competition and down to sub-.500 competition. And I don't want to
Lee Evans' streak of consecutive games missed continues to grow. Call it the anti-Cal Ripken Jr. Evans is inactive today, meaning the Ravens' wide receiver will miss his seventh straight game because of a left ankle injury. The hope is that Evans will be able to play next Sunday against the Bengals. He practiced every day this week, but the team opted to give him
Here's why I love 4 p.m. start times: We can all kick back and relax this afternoon, watch the early games and then have the Ravens carry us through the early part of the evening. And with the Bengals and Steelers playing at 1 p.m. today, we'll all get to enjoy that key AFC North battle before the Ravens hit the field. If the Steelers
Just a handful of weeks ago, the Ravens were lauded as a team that excelled against the teams they were supposed to beat, or, more specifically, sub-.500 opponents. Entering their Week 2 matchup with Tennessee, the Ravens were 18-1 against teams with losing records in John Harbaugh's tenure as head coach. Since that time, the Ravens have twice lost to teams with losing records. Both
And here it is: The Ravens have ruled out running back Anthony Allen for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after the rookie missed the last two practices with a thigh injury. Wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (thigh) are listed as doubtful, while linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (concussion) is questionable. Ayanbadejo will take his concussion test tomorrow, and if he passes, he'll be
Joe Flacco earned the admiration of Ravens fans everywhere when he led his team on a game-winning 92-yard touchdown drive last Sunday night against the Steelers. It turns out, Flacco received something else as a result of that drive, as well. Flacco's late-game heroics have earned him the GMC "Never Say Never Moment of the Week" for Week 9. The Ravens quarterback beat out Giants
Less than a week after suffering what he called a "mild" concussion, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo said he expects to play Sunday against the Seahawks. The only obstacle in his way is a test which will determine whether his brain has recovered enough for him to be cleared for contact. "I feel fine," Ayanbadejo said. "The main thing is I've just got to pass my test.
Despite participating in practice this whole week, wide receiver Lee Evans is unlikely to play Sunday against the Seahawks, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Evans has missed the Ravens' last six games with an ankle injury. "I think it's an outside chance right now for that," Harbaugh said. "He's still working through it. If we had a situation where we needed him, he could
On Wednesday, linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety Ed Reed both had a full practice, and neither was listed on the injury report. On Thursday, Suggs (knee) and Reed (shoulder) both missed practice. Today, the two Pro Bowl defenders were back on the practice field. Both Suggs and Reed returned to practice today, indicating they likely will be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks. Also
It seems a little unfair to have the Ravens play the Seahawks this week coming off Sunday night's super-dramatic game against the Steelers. We have to transition from arguably the best rivalry in the NFL and a thrilling game played between two Super Bowl contenders, to a game pitting a 6-2 team against a 2-6 team in a matchup with minimal historical significance. I guess
Neither safety Ed Reed nor linebacker Terrell Suggs was on the injury report yesterday. Today, both Pro Bowlers missed practice. Reed (shoulder) and Suggs (knee) did not take part in today's afternoon after participating in full on Wednesday. Also missing practice today was running back Anthony Allen (thigh), who was limited yesterday. Four Ravens were limited today: wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle), linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo
Speaking with reporters this afternoon, Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said that Seattle's stadium - which is now called CenturyLink Field - is the loudest he's ever been in. A few seconds later, Cameron corrected himself. "I take that back," he said. "The loudest I've ever been in are our practices." The 2-6 Seahawks and their 29th-ranked offense might not present many matchup problems for
As promised, wide receiver Lee Evans was back at practice today for a second straight day. Center Matt Birk also was out on the field this afternoon after he had missed Wednesday's practice with a neck injury. Birk's injury isn't anything major; the Ravens just like to give the 14-year veteran a Wednesday off every now and then to allow his neck and surgically repaired
Often, the first big hurdle an NFL player needs to clear in rehab from an injury is not experiencing any soreness the day after he takes part in practice. If you look at Lee Evans' recovery in those terms, the wide receiver could be closing in on a return. Evans, who has missed the Ravens' last six games with a left ankle injury, took part
The first eight games of Torrey Smith's NFL career have been far from perfect. The Ravens' 2011 second-round pick has dropped passes, run incorrect routes and made the type of mistakes you would expect out of a rookie wide receiver. There has been some bad along the way, but imagine for a second where the Ravens would be without the good. When Lee Evans was
After promoting undrafted free agent linebacker Chavis Williams from the practice squad to their active roster last weekend, the Ravens signed another undrafted free agent linebacker to take Williams' place on the eight-man developmental unit. Enter Josh Bynes, a rookie out of Auburn who was with the Ravens during training camp. The Ravens signed Bynes to their practice squad earlier today, reuniting the 22-year-old with
As expected, Ray Lewis has been fined by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward on Sunday night. Lewis did not divulge the amount he was fined during his session with reporters today, but according to multiple reports, he was docked $20,000 for the hit. "Yeah, I heard from the league," Lewis said. "They fined me whatever they was going
It had been a month since we'd last seen wide receiver Lee Evans on the Ravens' practice field. But there Evans was, sporting his No. 83 jersey during the team's afternoon session here in Owings Mills. Evans is still battling a left ankle injury which has kept him out of the Ravens' last six games, but he says he's made significant progress the last handful
When NFL players are asked to say their name and college during the pregame introductions on Sunday Night Football, most do just that. "Ray Rice, Rutgers University." "Joe Flacco, Delaware." Terrell Suggs is not most players. So when Suggs was asked to say his name and college prior to last Sunday night's game against the Steelers, the fun-loving Pro Bowl linebacker went with the following:
Hey, Bart Scott, what's the difference between the Ravens-Redskins rivalry and the Jets-Giants rivalry? "When I was in Baltimore I could remember with the Redskins you had guys fighting over strippers and all kind of stuff," Scott told 1050 ESPN New York, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I don't sense that here. I think it is a mutual respect." Wait, what? Bart, can you explain that in a
If you would, please allow me to vent for a bit this morning. There's a topic which has been bugging me lately and I'd like to take a few minutes - or paragraphs, rather - to address it and finally put it behind me. For whatever reason, one of the big talking points both nationally and locally coming out of the Ravens' dramatic 23-20 win
I'm back at The Castle after another lovely drive down I-70, and with about 10 minutes to go until John Harbaugh's press conference, I thought I'd share some extra notes on what we witnessed last night. * I don't think I've ever seen head coach John Harbaugh that excited following a regular season win. Harbaugh was fired up from the moment he stepped into the
PITTSBURGH - As I pack up my things and prepare to make the drive back to Owings Mills for John Harbaugh's afternoon press conference, I wanted to quickly pass along some notes on Ben Grubbs, who returned to action yesterday after missing the last six games with a toe injury. While he's still not near 100 percent healthy, Grubbs gutted it out last night and
PITTSBURGH - It hadn't been the smoothest game for Torrey Smith. Actually, that's a massive understatement. It was set to go down as the roughest game of the rookie wide receiver's young career. On the very first play from scrimmage last night, Smith was called for a holding penalty which wiped out a 76-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice. Replays showed Smith's block was a
PITTSBURGH - As Joe Flacco was poised to trot onto the field trailing by four with 2:24 to go, a song started pumping through the speakers at Heinz Field. It started quietly, then gained volume as the TV timeout went on. The tune dialed up by the stadium operations crew? Lynyrd Skynyrd's "What's Your Name". You know the one. Its chorus goes, "What's your name,
PITTSBURGH - Yet again, it looked like the Ravens had let a second-half lead against the Steelers slip away. Up by 10 with 20 minutes left, the Ravens allowed 14 unanswered Steelers points, the final seven of which came when Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made something out of nothing, scrambling out of the pocket and finding wide receiver Mike Wallace for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
PITTSBURGH - It is me, or has this AFC North battle looked eerily similar to the SEC tussle between Alabama and LSU last night? Both primetime showdowns have been defensively dominated, low-scoring and have featured a missed field goal or two. In this one, the Ravens lead the Steelers 9-6 at the half. Here are a few quick-hit notes on the first 30 minutes of
PITTSBURGH - Through 15 minutes of play, the Ravens have had possession for 11:23, and picked up 120 total yards of offense on 22 plays. The Steelers have managed just 57 yards on six plays. Despite those lopsided numbers, Baltimore has just a three-point lead. The Ravens caught an awful break on the first play from scrimmage when Torrey Smith was whistled for a nonexistent
PITTSBURGH - Ben Grubbs has missed the Ravens' last six games with a toe injury, but the fifth-year guard appears on track to play tonight against the Steelers. Grubbs is not listed among the Ravens' seven inactives for tonight's game. He will suit up, and looks likely to start. That's obviously great news for a Ravens offensive line which has struggled mightily of late. Also
PITTSBURGH - I've arrived in Pittsburgh after a long but relaxing drive up I-70 and a then not-so-relaxing half-hour search for my surprisingly hidden hotel. My GPS couldn't help me and the Google Maps app on my iPhone couldn't help me. Had to use the good old-fashioned method of blindly driving around and asking strangers for directions to get me where I needed to go.
When you've got a nickname like "The Bonecrusher", chances are you're going to fit in well on the Ravens' defense. Bernard Pollard sure hasn't disappointed. Since signing a two-year contract with the Ravens this offseason, Pollard (who earned his football moniker during his college days at Purdue by de-cleating more than a few wide receivers) has delivered big hits, become a threat around the line
"Slim" is getting bumped up to the 53-man roster. The Ravens have waived cornerback/kick returner Bryan McCann, and activated outside linebacker Chavis Williams - known as "Slim" around the locker room - from their practice squad. Williams (6-3, 227-lbs.) is an undrafted free agent out of Alabama. He appeared in 33 career games for the Crimson Tide, producing 17 tackles in four seasons. If you
Last season, David Reed led the NFL in kickoff return average, putting up 29.3 yards per return. This year, Reed's kick return numbers are almost identical to those he put up in his rookie campaign - he's averaging 29.2 yards per kickoff return, good for fourth-best in the league - but those returns are failing to give the Ravens quality field position. Of Reed's four
After missing two practices this week, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is listed as probable for this Sunday night's game against the Steelers. Ngata sat out Wednesday and Thursday's practices with a thigh injury, but he returned in a limited capacity today. Head coach John Harbaugh said today that Ngata's injury isn't anything that should impact the defensive tackle long-term, and he was optimistic
Wide receiver Lee Evans has missed the Ravens' last five games with an ankle injury, and that streak will reach six games when Evans does not suit up Sunday night against the Steelers. But despite the veteran wide receiver's lingering injury and lack of progress in his rehab over the last couple months, head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens have not thought about putting
Breathe easy, Ravens fans. Haloti Ngata has returned to practice. After missing the last two days of practice because of a thigh injury, Ngata was back out there this afternoon, taking part in drills with the rest of the Ravens' defensive lineman. Ngata appeared to be moving well, and it looks like the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is good to go for Sunday night's game
Is this really the last regular season matchup between the Ravens and Steelers this season? We're less than a week into November, for cryin' out loud. It'll be a little strange seeing these two teams square off for the second time in 2011 while the Ravens have yet to face either the Browns or the Bengals once, but even though this game is too early
Thursday's injury report has been released, and it looks much as we might expect it to. As I mentioned earlier, three Ravens did not practice today: defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (thigh), wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (thigh). For the second straight day, left guard Ben Grubbs (toe) was listed as limited. Joining him in that category were center Matt Birk (neck),
Maybe Haloti Ngata's thigh injury is more serious than we first thought. After sitting out yesterday's practice because of the injury, the Ravens' Pro Bowl defensive tackle was not out at practice again today. From what I've been told, Ngata had a significant bruise on his thigh following Sunday's win over the Cardinals. He declined requests to be interviewed after the game. It's hard to
When Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown Sunday, it marked the second special teams touchdown that the Ravens' coverage units have allowed this season. The two returns were different from a schematic standpoint; the obvious distinction is that Peterson's touchdown came on a punt, while Jets running back Joe McKnight took a kickoff back 102 yards for a touchdown
At first, we were told that three of the Steelers' four starting linebackers - Pro Bowlers James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior - will not play this Sunday night against the Ravens because of injury. Then, all three returned to practice yesterday in a limited capacity. Then, Harrison (who just two days earlier had tweeted that he won't be able to play against Baltimore)
While starting left guard Ben Grubbs returned to practice today after an extended absence, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was held out of today's session because of a thigh injury. The extent of Ngata's injury is not yet known. Also missing practice for the Ravens today were wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle), wide receiver/kick returner David Reed (knee) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring). Grubbs
He didn't wear a t-shirt that read, "You bet your sweet ass I hate Pittsburgh" or one that said, "Hey Pittsburgh" with a Raven giving the middle finger on it. But it is Steelers Week, after all, and so Terrell Suggs obviously brought his A-game during today's session with reporters. The last time these two teams met, Suggs sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger three times
The Ravens have signed a familiar face, bringing back outside linebacker Edgar Jones to fill the open roster spot created when linebacker Prescott Burgess was put on injured reserve yesterday. Jones previously played four seasons with the Ravens, appearing in 31 games between 2007 and 2010. He spent training camp with the Redskins, but now returns to Baltimore to bring special teams experience and depth
Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, and is third in the league in yards per catch among receivers with over 20 catches. But Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb says he doesn't think Wallace is the best receiver on Pittsburgh's roster. Asked today about the issues that come with defending Wallace - the third-year burner out of Ole Miss -
When we last saw the Pittsburgh Steelers in person, they were walking out of M&T Bank Stadium an admittedly embarrassed football team. They'd just gotten stomped by their arch rivals 35-7, beaten soundly in all three phases. Within days, analysts were saying their days of contending for Super Bowls with their current roster might be over. They were too old, too slow and were battling
The Ravens made a roster move this afternoon, placing linebacker Prescott Burgess on injured reserve due to a thigh injury. For now, this leaves the Ravens with one open spot on their 53-man roster. A corresponding move has not yet been announced. Burgess has been through quite a ride with the Ravens this season. The five-year veteran came to camp with Baltimore before being cut
It took eight weeks, but the Ravens look like they finally have close to a healthy secondary. Cornerbacks Chris Carr, Jimmy Smith and Danny Gorrer, and safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski all have battled injuries through the season's first two months, but with the exception of Gorrer, all of the once-banged up DBs are now fully healthy and able to contribute. Carr and Zbikowski
I've just now decided to hold my own Halloween costume contest, and I've found a winner. Check out this picture, courtesy of Brendon Ayanbadejo's Twitter account. That, my friends, is Ravens cornerback Chris Carr dressed up as nose tackle Terrence Cody. As you may or may not be able to tell, Carr is wearing a Jabba the Hut outfit with Cody's No. 62 jersey over
