NOTABLES AND QUOTABLES: The Ravens open the season at home for the 5th time in 13 years. Baltimore has played just 2 of its last 9 openers at home. The Ravens are 4-8 in season openers and 2-3 in those contests played in Baltimore…The Ravens have reached the postseason 3 out of the 4 years they’ve won their season opener. The only time they didn’t make the playoffs was after winning their 1st game in 1996.

Baltimore is 13-11 all time against the Bengals, including a 9-3 mark at home. However, Cincy has won 3 of the last 4 games played at M&T Bank Stadium.

No team in the NFL had a farther drop than the Ravens did in 2007 when they finished 5-11 after winning the AFC North by 5 games in 2006 with a 13-3 record. Among the 11 losses a year ago were 2 to Cincinnati, which completed a 7-9 campaign. In 2007, the Bengals won, 27-20, in the Monday night (9/10) opener.

Baltimore dropped a 21-7 contest to the Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on 11/10. That was the 3rd defeat during a 9-game losing streak for the ’07 Ravens. The Bengals have dominated the recent series with the Ravens, winning 6 of the last 7 games played between these 2 teams. The last Ravens’ victory (26-20) came in Baltimore on 11/5/06.

In 2007, the Ravens lost 31 games to defensive starters, all of whom are Pro Bowlers: Trevor Pryce (11), Samari Rolle (10), Chris McAlister (8) and Ray Lewis (2). Amazingly enough, the unit still finished ranked 6th in the NFL. In 2006, Baltimore lost only 2 games by a defensive starter the entire season – both by Ray Lewis. The Ravens’ 10 other “D” starters were available all 16 games during the 13-3 season when they finished first in total defense.

Ravens QBs coach Hue Jackson recruited and helped develop Bengals Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer while serving as USC’s O.C. from 1997-2000. Jackson was also the WRs coach for the Bengals from 2004-06. Under Jackson’s tutelage, Cincy WRs Chad Johnson (1,369) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the 1st pair of Bengals to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark in the same season (2006)...Ravens’ DT Kelly Gregg was originally a Bengals’ 6th-round draft choice in 1999. After being cut from Cincy’s roster, he had a brief stint with the Eagles, before being signed to the Ravens’ practice squad in 2000…

In 34 career games vs. Cincinnati, Matt Stover is 63-of-71 on FG attempts (88.7%) and has hit all 80 of his PATs. His 63 FGs against the Bengals are the most he has connected on against any team (2nd is 47 against the Steelers). He has 269 career points vs. the Bengals, his most against any team in the NFL (2nd is 200 against the Steelers). Stover also has 3 end-of-game FGs to beat the Bengals.

Derrick Mason on Chad Johnson legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco…“I don’t know. I think that’s a slap to your mother’s face when you try to legally change your name. My mother gave me the name Derrick Mason for a reason, so I’m going to keep it. But I know that he does it all in fun. In this business, the more attention you get, the more money you get paid, especially the way he plays. The guy is unbelievable at that position. He garners the attention on the field. He’s not just talking the talk.”

Haloti Ngata on how the Ravens can duplicate the team’s success of 2006 ~ “Be more of a team.  I think last year we kind of separated a little bit.  This year we’re a lot closer.  I feel that from our coaching staff and with the players being around each other, staying at the hotel, hanging out.  Our veterans [are] helping out our rookies a lot more, so the team is just a lot closer this year.”

BY THE RULES: A number of 2008 playing-rules changes were adopted by NFL owners at the Annual Meeting in March. The following are the changes, with comments from head coaches and executives:

Defensive Helmet Radios

Teams will now be permitted to have one defensive player on the field with a radio in his helmet. This gives the defense the same ability to communicate its signals as the offense.

Incidental Facemask

The foul for incidental grasp and release of the facemask has been eliminated. Twisting, turning or pulling the facemask will remain a 15-yard personal foul.

Forceout Rule

The force-out rule has been eliminated. A player who receives or intercepts a ball must land with both feet inbounds. This affords the receiver and defender equal opportunity to complete the play. “We feel that with so many levels of judgment that go into the force-out call it creates a more consistent play when either you get your feet down for a complete pass or you do not,” says co-chairman of the Competition Committee Rich McKay.

Reviewable Plays

Instant replay will expand to include field-goal and extra-point attempts as well as illegal forward handoffs. This provides a mechanism for correcting an obvious on-field officiating error.

Second Half Coin Toss

Clubs will now have the option to defer the opportunity to kick or receive the kickoff to the second half. “It now gives coaches a third option,” says Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans head coach and co-chairman of the NFL Competition Committee.

Muffed Snap