Sponsor




Columns

The Beat with Aaron Wilson - RAVENS NOTEBOOK: Ravens pursuing undefeated home record

Written By:  
RAVENS NOTEBOOK: Ravens pursuing undefeated home record

OWINGS MILLS – Little has eluded the Baltimore Ravens’ grasp since their inaugural season in 1996, including the Super Bowl trophy displayed in their trophy case at team headquarters.

However, they’ve never gone undefeated at home in franchise history.

And the Ravens (10-4) have the opportunity to do so this season provided they defeat the Cleveland Browns (4-10) at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The Ravens already beat the Browns handily earlier this season in Cleveland, winning 24-10 as running back Ray Rice rushed for a career-high 204 yards.

The Ravens are 7-0 at home this season and have won seven consecutive games against the Browns, 17 of their past 18 home games and have won six consecutive AFC North games.

“Even in our 13-3 year, I didn’t go undefeated at home,” Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said, referring to the Ravens’ 2006 season. “Even last year, I didn’t go undefeated at home. So it would be a great accomplishment. I get to feel something that I’ve never accomplished as a football player before.

“It’ll be good. Our home fans got to see us win every game. They came to see us play. It also gets us one step closer to where we want to go. I think it’ll be huge. It’ll be monumental. So, we’ve definitely got to do it.”

The Browns have lost four consecutive games, seven of their past eight games and are 1-6 on the road and 0-4 in division games this season.

“It’s going to be a great accomplishment if we get it done,” Rice said. “The fans get to say look, ‘The Ravens gave us a sight to see at home this year.’ But I’m sure they would even appreciate it more if the playoffs were here as well. We’re doing it for a lot of people, for ourselves, our pride, everything that goes along with being a Raven is on the line.”

GRAHAM TO KICK SATURDAY: Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed that former Pro Bowl kicker Shayne Graham will handle kicking duties against the Browns after being signed Wednesday.

Struggling kicker Billy Cundiff hasn’t practiced this week due to a left calf injury and has missed 3 of 5 kicks this month.

“We anticipate Shayne being the kicker this week,” Harbaugh said. “Even if Billy was ready to go, which I still think he’s nursing that thing back, he’s still not 100 percent, Shayne got the week of practice. So, we’re going to go with Shayne.”

REDDING SIDELINED: Defensive end Cory Redding missed his second consecutive practice with a right ankle injury, but has been adamant that he’ll play.

Redding was hobbled a bit against the San Diego Chargers, but only missed a few snaps.

He’s expected to be a game-time decision.

“I think he’s very similar to last week,” Harbaugh said. “It went to game day last week, so we’ll see where he’s at. But he’s progressing.”

Meanwhile, the Browns placed safety T.J. Ward on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Quarterback Colt McCoy and wide receiver Jordan Norwood won’t make the trip to Baltimore due to concussions.

The following players were limited Thursday: wide receiver Josh Cribbs (groin), cornerback Joe Haden (thigh), linebacker Ben Jacobs (concussion), fullback Owen Marecic (concussion, ankle), wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), offensive tackle Tony Pashos (ankle), defensive tackle Scott Paxson (hand, calf) and safety Usama Young (shoulder).

Running back Montario Hardesty (calf), offensive guard Shawn Lauvao (ankle) and defensive tackle Brian Schaefering (ankle) all participated fully.

J. LEWIS FILES LAWSUIT: Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis filed a lawsuit against the NFL and NFL Properties in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

Joining former NFL player Dorsey Levens and others in the legal action, Lewis alleges that the NFL has known about the potential long-term harm caused by concussions for many years.

"The NFL has done everything in its power to hide the issue and mislead players concerning the risks associated with concussions," the lawsuit states. “While athletes in other professional sports who had suffered concussions were being effectively 'shut down' for long periods of time or full seasons, NFL protocol was to return players who had suffered concussions to the very game in which the injury occurred.”

Lewis was at the Ravens’ training complex Thursday for business reasons unrelated to the lawsuit and met with players and coaches on the field at practice.

QUICK HIT: The Browns have a tendency to target imposing rookie wide receiver Greg Little. He leads the Browns with 57 receptions for 669 yards and two touchdowns, but has been prone to drops.

“They’ve been really pushing the ball to Greg,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve got a number of guys that are really emerging, young wide receivers. Greg is a guy we thought a lot of, talent-wise, in the draft and everything. So, he’s definitely a factor.”

 

Post your comment

Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Comment:
There are no comments. be the first to post a comment.


«Go back to the previous page.
Written By:  

Polls

Who will sign a long term deal/extension first?


Twitter

Check us out on Twitter
  • 5/24/12: Give 100% of what you've got everyday in every way...except of course if you are at the blood bank...
  • 5/24/12: @ThundercatJay Way too soon to tell. Practices are in shorts and far from game speed.
  • 5/24/12: For now, the Ravens are primarily having Paul Kruger lined up at Suggs' rush outside linebacker spot.
  • 5/24/12: Rookie 2nd round pick Kelechi Osemele took the majority of the first-string repetitions at left guard with Jah Reid rotating in at tackle.

View all tweets & follow us!