OWINGS MILLS – The scrutiny that accompanies the Baltimore Ravens’ downward spiral on offense hasn’t gone unnoticed by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.  

During the Ravens’ two consecutive losses, the offense has skidded to a halt with an average of just 10.5 points and 310 yards per contest after racking up 34-3 points and 430.3 yards of total offense to open the season with three victories.  

So, Cameron came prepared at his weekly press conference for the second-guessing that traditionally goes with that kind of dramatic negative trend.  

"There are going to be game situations where if things don’t work out, you can always look back because we all know how it works," Cameron said. "Anything you didn’t do would have worked, but we all know that’s not true either. But that’s what makes this game so great. That’s why I love being a play-caller. I love being in the situation that I’m in because everybody wants to be a play-caller and everybody has the call that you need to have made, and I’m no different.   

“I’m just fortunate to have been doing this since I was 15 years old, and I’ve experienced all these things after you get beat, what you didn’t do, you should’ve done. You’ve got to look and say, ‘Whatever the circumstances and the plays that were called, could we have executed at a higher level to help us win that game?’ The players here are saying, ‘Absolutely.’ And the coaches are sitting there saying, ‘We could’ve given them some better opportunities.’ And that’s why we’ll eventually pull out of this thing."  

Beyond the general unrest that goes with the Ravens’ offensive swoon, it’s still hard to comprehend that veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason didn’t catch a pass during a 17-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.  

And Mason only had one pass thrown in his direction.  

What happened?   

One day after Mason said it was his fault, Cameron shouldered the blame.  

“It falls squarely right here,” Cameron said. “It’s unacceptable for that to happen. It’s my responsibility, period. And we’ll do everything we can, and I guarantee it’s not going to happen again.   

“I know Derrick, he doesn’t really care as long as we win the game and he’s sincere about that. But I don’t blame him. We’ve got to get that guy involved. He’s one of our best players, if not our best player.”  

Continuing his lengthy explanation for the Ravens’ offensive breakdowns and curious decisions, which has included phasing out running back Willis McGahee, Cameron said that he relishes the attention that’s paid to his game plans.  

“I love the fact that everybody’s that interested in what we’re doing,” Cameron said. “But well all know and we’ve got to remember that everything you didn’t do is not always the answer to solving whatever happened in the game. I love it because if you live in my world or the NFL quarterback world, it’s 365 days a year.  

 “If I go to Five Guys, somebody is telling me what a great call or why didn’t you make this call. And I go there usually every Friday afternoon or Saturday. And now they know I’m coming. I think the minute you can’t handle that criticism at this position, it’s time to move on. I love it personally.”  

THE BART EFFECT: With Bart Scott gone from the defense after signing a $48 million contract this offseason with the New York Jets, the Ravens have shuffled several players at his old inside linebacker position with mixed results.  

Whether it has been Tavares Gooden, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Dannell Ellerbe or Jameel McClain, it hasn’t been the same impact from the linebacker who lines up next to All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis.  

Gooden has battled injuries, increasing concerns about his durability.  

“There’s no pressure,” Gooden said when asked about stepping in for Scott. “I’ve been playing football since I was younger. They bring in guys for a reason. Guys can’t play forever.   

“The next guy in line has to be ready to play. There comes a time when the young guys step in. We look at it like it’s our time to play. It’s our time to step up.”  

For the season, Gooden has been credited with 17 tackles.  

“He played here and started for a number of years,” Gooden said of Scott. “It’s up to us to have fun. I don’t look at it as me trying to be Bart. It’s more about me playing my game. I set my own standard. You can’t try to be like somebody else.”  

With Scott, the Ravens had the benefit of versatility, athleticism and aggressiveness.  

He was capable of blitzing, covering or taking on the isolation block to free up Lewis to make the tackle.  

Ellerbe had a solid game against the New England Patriots with six tackles, but didn’t play much against the Bengals.  

The Ravens allowed running back Cedric Benson to rush for 120 yards and a touchdown.  

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said there’s no correlation between Scott being gone and the Ravens’ struggles to stop the run against the Bengals.  

“If you’re alluding to the fact that they ran the football, there were a lot of things in there,” Mattison said. “It didn’t come down to not having Bart Scott right there. The biggest thing in that game was we wanted it so much that some guys tried to make plays out of their gaps and then what ended up happening was you losing your gap integrity. I don’t know that it was about Bart Scott was there or Tavares Gooden was there.”  

Mattison praised the work of Gooden, McClain and Ellerbe.  

“I think they’re doing a great job,” he said. “All I can go by is when they’re in the game, how do they play and what are they doing during the week to prepare. They’ve worked tremendously hard. They always know they’re a step away from being in there full-time just like Ellerbe was against the Patriots. I think they’re working very hard.”  

INJURY UPDATE: Offensive tackle Jared Gaither didn’t practice for the second consecutive day due to his neck injury, a development that boosts the chances that he’ll be sidelined Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings with rookie Michael Oher taking on Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen.  

Meanwhile, linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (back) were upgraded to limited participation in practice after being held out Wednesday.  

Tight end Edgar Jones (hamstring) was limited again.  

Wide receiver David Tyree (hamstring) appeared on the injury report after just one practice with his new team. However, he was able to participate fully.  

Vikings rookie wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin (shoulder) was upgrade to limited work in practice.  

Also limited in practice: offensive guard Steve Hutchinson (back), offensive tackle Phil Loadholt (ankle), fullback Naufahu Tafi (ankle), defensive end Ray Edwards (hamstring) and wide receiver Darius Reynaud (hamstring).  

Cornerback Cedric Griffin (hand) participated fully.  

WHERE’S DEMETRIUS?: Demetrius Williams has yet to catch a pass this season as the fourth wide receiver behind Kelley Washington, rarely seeing action since being demoted behind Kelley Washington.  

“Our receivers are playing well and they practice well,” Cameron said. “There’s not always opportunities to get the fourth guy in the game, especially when you have a Todd Heap, a Ray Rice, a Willis McGahee and a Le’Ron McClain. You’re pushing those guys out there, and Kelley Washington is playing lights out.”  

Williams said he hasn’t been given an explanation about his status by the coaching staff.  

He said he’s trying to remain patient.  

“It’s nothing I can’t deal with,” Williams said Thursday. “It’s a situation where I have to stay ready. I just come out and work.”  

When asked if he expected to be deactivated Sunday with Tyree joining the team this week, Williams replied, “I don’t know. They’ll do whatever they’re going to do. I can’t worry about anything besides doing my job.”  

QUICK HITS: The Ravens have never played a regular-season game at the Metrodome. … Quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight consecutive road games. … Running back Ray Rice is averaging 114.4 yards from scrimmage per game, ranking second in the NFL behind Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. Rice has posted 364 rushing yards and 208 receiving yards. … It has been a few games since kicker Steve Hauschka has attempted a field goal. He has converted four of five kicks this season. “It really doesn’t change how you prepare for it,” special-teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said. “That’s the life of a kicker. The opportunities come and you try to make the most of them.” … Tyree’s addition adds experience and savvy to the special-teams units much like Pro Bowl special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, who’s out for the season with a torn quadriceps tendon. “He brings the same body of knowledge to our club that Brendon has,” Rosburg said. “He’s been a performer on special teams at a very high level for a long time. As he gets more indoctrinated into our system, I think those talents and those qualities that David has will certainly come out.” … The Ravens are impressed with the work of reserve defensive lineman Dwan Edwards, who missed last season after undergoing back surgery. Edwards has eight tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. “He continually improves,” Mattison said. “Every game he’s gone in there, he’s made plays. He’s done what he’s supposed to do and has been very, very physical.”

Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.