After Giants debacle, Ravens making run at redemption

November 21, 2008

The memories of last weekend won't go away easily. Those long runs by the New York Giants running backs are lodged in the heads of the Ravens like a nagging headache.

Recent columns

• Let's not kid ourselves: Losing to league's best team is no surprise

  November 18, 2008

  You didn't really think the Ravens were going to beat the New York Giants on Sunday, did you?

• Taking body shots, Ravens beaten at their own smash-mouth game

  November 17, 2008

  It wasn't surprising that the New York Giants beat the Ravens yesterday, but it was surprising how they beat them.

• Behind scenes, this assistant puts polish on quarterbacks

  November 14, 2008

  Hue Jackson is becoming one of the best-kept secrets in the AFC North.

• With record 6-3, 'playoffs' no longer a dirty word

  November 11, 2008

  At the beginning of the season, when the Ravens won two in a row, this town was already buzzing about playoffs.

• Knowing their Rolle, Ravens glad to get him back on field

  November 7, 2008

  Since the end of the 2006 season, Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle has wanted to establish a long streak of consecutive games played.

• Club cooking because of how it's being prepared

  November 4, 2008

  The Ravens aren't much better physically than the teams they are playing against, but they are better prepared.

• With Flacco and Rice, futures market already bringing return

  November 3, 2008

  The top two offensive players in the Ravens' future grew up yesterday.

• Ravens know how to turn out more than a few good linebackers

  October 31, 2008

  The trend started in 1996 when the Ravens drafted a middle linebacker late in the first round named Ray Lewis, who was, according to some draft experts, too short and too small to succeed in the NFL.

• Cameron works new wrinkles in as young offense begins to unfold

  October 28, 2008

  While the players were slapping high-fives and the city was buzzing about innovative play-calling, Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron seemed embarrassed by the attention.

• In beating Raiders, blowout replaces bye on schedule

  October 27, 2008

  The Ravens can't complain anymore about not having a bye because they received one yesterday against the Oakland Raiders.

• Ravens know this line of attack isn't working

  October 24, 2008

  The Ravens have 12 sacks in six games, which might be good for some teams, but not for the Ravens. Of the 12, just three have come from defensive linemen.

• When it comes to the running game, three isn't a crowd

  October 21, 2008

  The three-headed monster the Ravens use at running back must resurface for the remainder of the season, because if it doesn't, the Ravens might be in big trouble.

• Defensive back: McAlister in no mood to discuss not starting

  October 20, 2008

  It's always fun sparring with Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister, regardless of his mood.

• Against Miami, time to throw caution, passes to the wind

  October 17, 2008

  The Ravens have been very conservative in their handling of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. It has been a slow and gradual process, with the Ravens limiting Flacco's opportunities to throw downfield.

• Loss produces reality show — and it becomes a flop

  October 14, 2008

  Now that the smoke has cleared and the Ravens have brought the remains of the wreckage back to Baltimore, nothing has really changed except the Ravens got a taste of reality.

• Beep, beep. At start of tough road, Ravens get run over

  October 13, 2008

  To keep the Ravens focused in preparation for the Indianapolis Colts last week, coach John Harbaugh came up with a slogan: "We know where we are going, don't we?"

• Ravens' Lewis still going strong

  October 10, 2008

  Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson was having a conversation with several others about NFL veterans when linebacker Ray Lewis' name was mentioned.

• Make-or-break stretch for Ravens

  October 7, 2008

  It's only four games into the 2008 season, and the Ravens are at the crossroads.

• Not great yet: Defense doesn't come through in clutch

  October 6, 2008

  The Ravens have a good defense, but they haven't earned the title of great in 2008.

• Give 'O' time to catch up

  October 3, 2008

  In the first two games of the season, the Ravens' top three wide receivers made contributions. And then in Monday night's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Mason had eight catches and the other two receivers contributed just one each.

• Harbaugh got it right and wrong

  October 1, 2008

  A head coach is always second-guessed more after a close loss than the outcome of any other game, and the Ravens' John Harbaugh had his share of critics yesterday after the Ravens' 23-20 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• There's no doubt about it: These Ravens are the real thing

  September 30, 2008

  The Ravens are for real.

• Pressure environment for QBs Monday night

  September 27, 2008

  So, which quarterback will be left standing Monday night? Will it be Ravens rookie Joe Flacco or the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger?

• Look out: Here comes Suggs

  September 26, 2008

  On Sunday, nearly 71,000 watched Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs dance after he sacked Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. Was this jubilation over one play or the beginning of Suggs' coming-out party?

• New kids on blocks Ravens' hit so far

  September 23, 2008

  As they dressed near each other and filed out of the locker room, they had a sense of accomplishment, but not completion. It's only two games into the NFL season, but the unit with the most questions about it entering the 2008 season has performed well.

• Offense rushing to make extremely physical statement

  September 22, 2008

  Big plays on defense have become common in Baltimore since the 2000 Super Bowl season, but the Ravens finally have an offense that can complement it.

• A run committee right step forward

  September 20, 2008

  The more it keeps popping up, the better it seems. The Ravens' running back-by-committee approach is appealing and should be effective.

• R. Lewis vs. J. Lewis III

  September 19, 2008

  In 15 or 20 years, Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis will sit down and have dinner with Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis. They'll cherish the old days, particularly the Super Bowl run after the 2000 season.

• Two teams off to unexpected starts

  September 18, 2008

  The NFL season is only two weeks old and there are already surprises, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers not having a victory. And the Cleveland Browns are in that group, too.

• Neal provides building blocks

  September 12, 2008

  If you listen to Ravens fullback Lorenzo Neal for a few minutes, you get excited. He talks about trucking players and making them feel pain. And then he just smiles.

• Score one for the offense

  September 9, 2008

  It's only one game into the NFL season, but Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has already eased concerns about which direction the offense is heading.

• For adoring fans, Flacco looking like no average Joe

  September 8, 2008

  It's the kind of beginning that can start a love affair between a quarterback and a city.

• Chemistry examination

  September 6, 2008

  The Ravens have a rookie quarterback and a young offensive line. They have a mostly new coaching staff with a rookie head coach. And they have most of those unhappy veterans from a year ago who were happy to see the former coach leave.

• Injured Gregg hopes to be back in the middle of things Sunday

  September 5, 2008

  As the Ravens prepare for the season opener Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg can only watch the practices from inside the team's training complex or the sideline.

• Overthrown: Boller's time has passed

  September 4, 2008

  Goodbye, Kyle Boller.

• Flacco's future shouldn't be now

  September 2, 2008

  The Joe Flacco era is about to begin in Baltimore, but it's not the way the Ravens wanted it to work out.

• Not-so-golden oldies

  August 30, 2008

  After the collapse last season, the Ravens hired coach John Harbaugh to change the culture and breathe some life into the team. Instead, the Ravens have gotten worse and are limping to the starting line for the 2008 season.

• Flacco still not ready, but offensive line shows promise

  August 29, 2008

  Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco continues to make progress, but he should be the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept.7 only if Troy Smith and KyleBoller aren't healthy enough to play.

• Gaither back, ready to prove himself

  August 26, 2008

  The Ravens received good news about their quarterback situation yesterday. No, they didn't sign Aaron Brooks or Daunte Culpepper, but they did announce that starting left offensive tackle Jared Gaither would begin practicing.

• Boller unable to break his bad habits

  August 8, 2008

  For almost a half, Kyle Boller almost turned me into a believer. I was about to forgive him for his five previous years of bad football. I was going to forgive him for his fumble nearly midway through the first quarter and give praise to new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron for possibly turning Boller around in a short time.

• Sorry R. Lewis, but Ogden is best Raven ever

  June 14, 2008

  It has been the source of a major debate for years. Who is the best Raven - Jonathan Ogden or Ray Lewis?

• Zimmerman sticking it out at UMBC

  June 11, 2008

  The first time I met Don Zimmerman was in 1987 when he was the coach at Johns Hopkins. He was as intense then as he is now. He would leave a trail after the game from pacing the sideline. He would run a fast break with his team going down the field.

• No fairy-tale atmosphere at Castle

  January 20, 2008

  Maybe in a week or so, owner Steve Bisciotti will huddle with his top officials and make sure the Ravens' front office is headed in the same direction again.

• In end, Billick couldn't overcome offensive struggles

  January 1, 2008

  The Ravens' Brian Billick became like the emperor with no clothes on, with his greatest weaknesses as a head coach becoming exposed more and more every year.

• Modell has waited long enough to get into Hall

  November 26, 2005

  Maybe this year the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee will invoke a statute of limitation on the Ravens' move from Cleveland to Baltimore after the 1995 season and vote former majority owner Art Modell in as a member.

• Williams now has wisdom to complement his speed

  May 5, 2004

  WITH THE U.S. Olympic trials about two months away, sprinter Bernard Williams is no longer running from his past or struggling with his future.

• Modell stands first in league for heart, generosity, spirit

  December 27, 2003

  OUR FIRST MEETING didn't go well. On Feb. 9, 1996, only minutes after he announced that his Cleveland Browns were moving to Baltimore, Art Modell was whisked away by bodyguards to a limousine about 100 feet from the stage.

• Star deserved far better than treatment he got

  July 27, 2003

  WHEN Eddie Murray is inducted into the Hall of Fame today, Major League Baseball will show an appreciation of the superstar that he didn't receive as a player, either nationally or in Baltimore.

• There's nothing marketable about the Bryant situation

  July 10, 2003

  ACCORDING TO some of the nation's top marketing directors, a lot more Kobe Bryant sneakers should have been sold this week. Maybe we can expect other promotions and sales soon, like "Free Kobe" T-shirts, or a new sitcom, Kobe Comes to the 'Hood.

• Lacy was a grand champion for biggest of sports' causes

  May 17, 2003

  WASHINGTON - As the letters from senators and congressmen were read, and tributes came from athletes, peers and family, maybe the most touching words came from former Colts and Hall of Fame running back Lenny Moore.

• Pro Football Hall fumbles in shunning of Modell

  January 9, 2003

  THE ABSENCE OF Ravens owner Art Modell's name from the list of 15 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 was expected. There is still too much passion and, in some cases, disdain when his name is mentioned.

• An era passes, leaving Baltimore a different place

  September 12, 2002

  When former Baltimore Colts great and Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas died yesterday of an apparent heart attack, so did an era in Baltimore when a professional athlete embodied the spirit and passion of a city.

• Other champions probably greater, but few teams have ever been tougher

  April 7, 2002

  THE PUNDITS and basketball junkies are already discussing the University of Maryland's place among college basketball's elite. But for those who engage in such dialogue, they might miss the story line of Maryland's 2002 national championship run.

• Take bow, champs, for all Terps who didn't

  April 2, 2002

  ATLANTA - The University of Maryland put its name in the history books and brought a championship banner to College Park last night as the Terps officially became an elite member of college basketball.

• Lifelong service to pro football should land Modell spot in Hall

  January 31, 2002

  NEW ORLEANS -- If Ravens owner Art Modell is not selected for Hall of Fame induction on Saturday, it would be an affront to the man, the game and the NFL.

• Gibbons' Muhammad faces different test

  September 21, 2001

  CARDINAL Gibbons running back Hassan Muhammad II should be concerned about pimples, dates and coming opponents, but instead he and his family have been educators and teachers about their Muslim faith during the past 10 days.

• Williams has goals beyond the finish line

  June 28, 2001

  THE LAST TIME I had seen U.S. Olympic sprinter Bernard Williams was eight months ago when he was delivering a speech about staying in school and away from drugs to youngsters at the Union Street United Methodist Church in Westminster.

• For Goodman, it's good to be common man

  March 5, 2001

  Towson University freshman point guard Tamir Goodman is close to becoming a regular student-athlete again.

• At home, Williams cuts a dashing figure

  October 7, 2000

  FORMER CARVER High School and U.S. Olympic track and field star Bernard Williams apologized Thursday about his posing, preening and flexing during the 400-meter relay team's gold medal celebration in Sydney last week, and said he is ready to move on with the rest of his life.

• Sure-shot D.C. officer Callahan takes aim at medal

  July 26, 1992

  BARCELONA, Spain -- Someone is always looking for a blood-and-guts story, the kind where Libby Callahan, her cap backward, sits atop a 20-story building and snipes a felon 200 yards away.