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Sneak Preview - SNEAK PREVIEW: Ravens @ Browns

Posted On: 9/30/07
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi
SNEAK PREVIEW: Ravens @ Browns SNEAK PREVIEW: Ravens @ Browns
FROM THE INFIRMARY
 
BALTIMORE RAVENS - Safety Ed Reed (9/26, wrist) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Wide receiver Derrick Mason (9/26, back) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Running back Justin Green (9/26, thigh) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. *Wide receiver Demetrius Williams (9/28, heel) is questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Linebacker Gary Stills (9/27, knee) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Linebacker Ray Lewis (9/26, ankle) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. *Wide receiver Mark Clayton (9/28, calf) is questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Tight end Todd Heap (9/26, calf) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Cornerback Samari Rolle (9/26, illness) will miss Sunday's game against Cleveland. Defensive tackle Trevor Pryce (9/26, wrist) will miss Sunday's game against Cleveland. *Tight end Daniel Wilcox (9/28, ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Defensive Back B.J. Sams (9/12, knee) is on injured reserve. Quarterback Steve McNair (9/26, groin) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Tackle Jonathan Ogden (9/26, toe) is questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Running back P.J. Daniels (8/28, hamstring) is on injured reserve.
 
CLEVELAND BROWNS - Defensive end Orpheus Roye (9/26, knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Linebacker Antwan Peek (9/26, foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. *Wide receiver Tim Carter (9/28, knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. *Tight end Kellen Winslow (9/28, shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Punter Dave Zastudil (9/26, back) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Linebacker Willie McGinest (9/26, back) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Linebacker Mason Unck (9/1, undisclosed) is on injured reserve. *Safety Gary Baxter (9/28, knees) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Linebacker Matt Stewart (8/9, shoulder) is on injured reserve. Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker (8/3, four-game suspension) will be eligible to return on 10/7 against New England. Center LeCharles Bentley (8/28, knee) is on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
 
RECENT HISTORY
 
Baltimore looks for its 1st road win of the 2007 season and its 7th victory in the last 10 games away from home...The Ravens own an 11-5 record against the Browns, all games coached under Brian Billick. The Ravens are 5-3 at Cleveland in those contests...Baltimore owns a 2-game winning streak over the Browns and aims to beat Cleveland for the 3rd-straight time since sweeping the Browns in both 1999 and 2000...The Ravens are looking to earn their 3rd consecutive win and open the season 3-1 for the 1st time since 2001. Baltimore has been 3-1 3 times in its history (2001, 2000 and 1997). The best start in franchise history came last year when the Ravens opened 4-0.
 
NUMBERS TO RAVE ABOUT
 
4: All-time shutouts the Ravens have posted on the road, with 2 of those occuring against the Browns in Cleveland (12-0, 10/1/00 and 35-0, 12/21/03). The Ravens have registered 9 shutouts since Brian Billick took the team’s reins in 1999.
 
13: Combined sacks the Ravens produced in their 2 games vs.the Browns last season, 7 of which came in the 15-14 win at Cleveland on 9/24/06. The 7 QB drops tied for the 2nd most in Ravens franchise history.
 
GOOD TO SEE YOU…
 
Ravens RB Willis McGahee and S Ed Reed and Browns QB Ken Dorsey and TE Kellen Winslow played together on the 2001 University of Miami national championship team. Current Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski directed the Hurricanes’ powerful offense in 2001…
 
MOVE THOSE CHAINS
 
Over the past 2 games, Baltimore has converted an NFL-best 20 3rd downs. Going 20-of-36 on 3rd down, Baltimore’s 55.6% success rate ranks as the 2nd best (Steelers, 64.3%) in the league from Weeks 2 through 3. In last Sunday’s win vs. Arizona, the Ravens converted 12 3rd downs, tying for the most in single-game franchise history. Baltimore’s mark against the Cardinals matched the 12 vs. Cincinnati in a 37-0 victory on 9/24/00. Going 12-for-18 on 3rd down against the Cards, Baltimore’s 66.7% success rate tied to produce the 3rd best mark in Ravens single-game history.
 
BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE
 
Against the Browns: Of the Ravens’ 33 D-TDs since 1996, 4 have come against Cleveland. That is the most Baltimore has produced against 1 team in its history. Here are the scores:
 
RAVENS ALL-TIME DEFENSIVE TDS
(vs. Cleveland)
 
Adalius Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 FR-TD (1/1/06)
Ed Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 INT-TD (11/7/04)
Chad Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 INT-TD (12/21/03)
Rod Woodson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 INT-TD (11/7/99)
 
NOTABLES & QUOTABLES
 
QB Steve McNair
 
In 10 games against the Browns, McNair has completed 177 of 230 passes for 1,586 yards, 9 TDs and 6 INTs. In his only game (9/24/06) as a Raven at Cleveland, McNair posted an 83.8 QB rating, going 23-of-41 for 264 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs en route to leading the Ravens to a 15-14 come-from-behind victory. In 6 career games at Cleveland, McNair boasts a 5-1 record, going 53-of-80 for 1,001 yards, 5 TDs and 2 INTs. In his last 6 games against the Browns, McNair has thrown for 1,124 yards, 9 TDs and just 1 INT.
 
WR Derrick Mason
 
In his 10 games against the Browns, Mason has 39 receptions for 694 yards (17.8 avg.) with 3 TDs. Mason has 2 100-yard receiving games vs. the Browns, including his 2006 season-high 132-yard, 7-catch performance at Cleveland (9/24). He also posted a career-long 71-yard grab against the Browns on 12/2/01.
 
TE Todd Heap
 
In his 10 games against the Browns, Heap has 41 receptions for 440 yards (10.7 avg.) with 3 TDs. His 3 scores are tied for his most against any NFL team (Cincinnati and Jacksonville). Heap has also converted 26 of his 41 receptions (63.9%) against the Browns for either a 1st down or TD.
 
RB Willis McGahee
 
In his only game against the Browns (12/12/04), McGahee toted the ball 27 times for 105 yards and 2 TDs. In that contest he picked up 9 1st downs and broke off 3 runs of 10-plus yards.
 
K Matt Stover
 
In 16 games against Cleveland, Stover has connected on 92.7% of his FGAs (38 of 41) and is perfect on all 31 PATs. His FG success rate against Cleveland is his highest vs. any NFL team he has faced more than 10 times.
 
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR REX RYAN ON COACHING TO PLAYERS’ STRENGTHS: “My dad always taught us to ‘not let the only limitations your players have be you.’ If you can do multiple things with them, don’t limit them. Of course, you have to have the athletes. Look at your players strengths and weaknesses, but don’t harp on their weaknesses because you really can become creative if you play to their strengths. You’re always trying to do things to help the player.”
 
ASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE COACH GREG ROMAN ON RAVENS T/G MARSHAL YANDA: “I’ve coached a number of positions, and quarterback and offensive line are the toughest positions for a rookie to come in and fully master. There are so many adjustments that happen and you have to experience it on game day to fully grasp the speed. Marshal is a very mature young man. He is very serious about doing his job and being accountable to his teammates. He works extremely hard, and exhibits just about all of the qualities we look for.”
 
TALE OF THE TAPE
 
RAVENS
CATEGORY
BROWNS
2-1
2007 Record
1-2
W2
Current Streak
L1
W 26-23 v. Cardinals
Last game
L 24-26 @ Raiders
66
Points Scored
82
6
Touchdowns Scored
10
1
Rushing Touchdowns Scored
2
3
Passing Touchdowns Scored
7
2
Touchdowns on Returns
1
63
Points Against
82
6
Touchdowns Allowed
12
0
Rushing Touchdowns Allowed
1
5
Passing Touchdowns Allowed
11
1
TDs Allowed by Return
0
-2
Turnover Ratio
-2
40%
Red Zone TD Pct. For
66.7%
50%
Red Zone TD Pct. Against
53.8%
32.6
KOR Avg. For
31.1
21.8
KOR Avg. Against
22.9
17.1
PR Avg. For
11.0
9.3
PR Avg. Against
2.7

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Posted On: 9/30/07
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi

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