Sunday, November 21, 1999Players to watch
• Speedy wide receiver Jermaine Lewis is struggling in Brian Billick's new offense after leading the NFL last season with six 50-yard or longer touchdown catches. He has no touchdowns this season and his longest catch is 28 yards as Billick tries to use him in a variety of ways, much like he did last season with running back David Palmer in Minnesota.
Last week Lewis dropped three balls, had a false start and went in motion at the wrong time to force a timeout. Billick responded, “I evidently can't find a way to get him consistently in the offense. From this point on, any question about Jermaine Lewis is, "no comment.' ”
It will be interesting to see how Lewis responds to the public flogging. He lit up the Bengals Sept. 27, 1998 with four catches for 122 yards, including a career-high 73-yard touchdown catch. His speed can wreak havoc in the Bengals' undermanned secondary. And doesn't everybody break out against the Bengals?
• Middle linebacker Ray Lewis has some fans in the Bengals locker room as he leads the NFL with 127 tackles.
Right tackle Willie Anderson: “He's like a magnet. The ball carriers just come to him no matter where he is on the field.” Center Rich Braham: “He's everywhere, every play. He's amazing. He's one of those guys you just can't let him get his hands on you.”
Lewis has been at the center of a season the Ravens have set a franchise record three times for fewest yards allowed. And he doesn't just make tackles, he makes plays.
He knocked Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani out of a game on a delayed blitz, returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown against St. Louis and has 3.5 sacks. He's got four sacks and two interceptions against the Bengals.
• Running back Corey Dillon leads the NFL in frustration, but he gives the Bengals the best chance to win with and without the ball.
Don't look for Dillon's first 100-yard game since Oct. 10 against a defense that has allowed 98 rushing yards the past two games. But he's got to run it just enough to give the offensive line a chance against a devastating pass rush.
And Dillon will have to help there, too. The Ravens will try to match Dillon and fullback Clif Groce on their blitzing linebackers and their combined 14 sacks. Most of the time it will be outside backers Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper, but middle backer Ray Lewis is also a rush factor.
There will also be those rare moments Dillons finds himself “chipping,” helping one of the tackles on end Michael McCrary in a double-team. But the Ravens like to line up Boulware and his 7.5 sacks outside of McCrary on the same side, forcing a one-on-one situation for the tackle and Dillon.
• The Ravens figure to run behind Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden, a 6-foot-8, 318-pounder, which means 6-2, 245-pound outside linebacker Adrian Ross has to be on top of his game. Baltimore isn't going to beat you passing, but the Ravens can control the clock with their offensive line and defense.
Last week, 17 of Tennessee running back Eddie George's 29 carries for 123 yards went to the Bengals right side. But sometimes outside backer Steve Fole y will be on that side and if he is, he has to make sure he doesn't get washed inside as the Bengals have been doing the past five weeks, when they've allowed four 100-yard games.
Ravens running back Errict Rhett won't run away from them, but he can po und away for four yards per pop and did get away for a 52-yarder against the Browns.
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