Sunday, September 24, 2000
Who's got the edge?
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Quarterback: RAVENS
Akili Smith has the second lowest quarterback rating, 40.4, after Week 3, ahead of only San Diego's Ryan Leaf. Smith hasn't had much help. The line has allowed 12 sacks. There is no running game. His receivers are dropping passes. That's not to say Smith hasn't missed or seen some open receivers.
Quarterbacks are judged by how many games they win. Tony Banks in 6-1 in his last seven starts. He has 23 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in his last 13 starts. His teammates have growing confidence in Banks, who has completed 58 percent of his passes this season.
Running backs: RAVENS
Don't look for Corey Dillon's 2.5-yard average to improve much today against one of the game's front sevens. Production is down from 128 yards to 91 yards a game since last season, and coaches apparently will continue to run same type of plays to Dillon between the tackles.
Rookie Jamal Lewis gets his first NFL start on the strength of 5.2-yard average. Then there's always Bengals-killer Priest Holmes in reserve. He has 459 yards and three touchdowns in five games against the Bengals. The Ravens average 116 yards rushing a game.
Wide receivers/tight ends: RAVENS
Three rookie receivers will start today, including Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans for the Bengals. Warrick has had six drops in two games but says he has corrected the problem, which is trying to do too much on every play. Dugans is improving, too. TE Tony Mcgee is an under-rated, steady pro.
Qadry Ismail is still questionable with a knee injury. But rookie starter Travis Taylor starts and has 10 receptions and two touchdowns. Veteran Jermaine Lewis is a threat. Tight end is deep with Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates.
Offensive line: RAVENS
Starting center Rich Braham is out. Brock Gutierrez will make his first start. Left tackle Rod Jones has a bad shoulder. The line was whistled for five holding penalties last week in Jacksonville and allowed five sacks.
The Ravens are averaging 310 yards a game. It all starts up front with LT Jonathan Ogden. The line has given up 10 sacks but gets the nod for its run blocking, which has led to a 116-yard average.
Special teams: RAVENS
Kicker Neil Rackers hasn't made a field goal in three tries and has only one point in two games. Kickoff returner Tremain Mack and punt returner Craig Yeast have each fumbled deep in Bengals territory to lead to easy scores. Kickoff coverage team starting opponents at 25.7-yard line, better than last year.
Veteran Matt Stover thrives against Cincinnati, beating the Bengals on a 50-yard field goal as time expired last season at Cinergy Field. So far this season he has 23 points and in 6 for 7 on field goals.
Defensive line: RAVENS
Solid tackle play by Oliver Gibson and Tom Barndt are anchoring line. The loss of end Vaugh Booker hurts. Michael Bankston will get more playing time. Rush defense is ninth best in the NFL.
The right side is especially strong with end Michael McCrary and tackle Tony Siragusa. Add free agent tackle Sam Adams to the mix for a line that has stopped opponents for 60 yards rushing a game, second best in the league.
Linebackers: RAVENS
Middle linebacker Armegis Spearman had an excellent debut subbing for the injured Brian Simmons in Jacksonville. Takeo Spikes looking like a Pro Bowler. Ravens tight ends will be a challenge. Bengals have edge here against almost any other team.
The heart, soul and personality of this team. Ray Lewis plays in a perfect defense to maximize his ball-hawking skills. Peter Boulware, another Pro Bowler, can rush passer. Jamie Sharper is third on team with 15 tackles. Line strength gives LBs a lot of freedom.
Defensive backs: BENGALS
Bengals looked good in the rain against a conservative Jacksonville game plan. This much is a fact: Even of cornerback Tom Carter and safety Darryl Williams are castoffs, they are in upgrade in Cincinnati. Another good game in good weather will begin to win believers.
Yeah, Rod Woodson is back there playing safety like a cornerback. And, yeah, Jimmy Smith accounted for 291 of the 582 yards they've given up. But the Ravens are 26th against the pass in the league.
Coaching: RAVENS
Subtract what Bruce Coslet did with Dave Shula's team at the end 1996 (7-2) and Coslet is 14-36 since 1997 (.280). To his credit, he hasn't pushed the panic button on QB Smith and is committed to getting the running game untracked.
Brian Billick has the players and the vision to make the Ravens a perennial playoff team. The offense is slowly beginning to catch up to Baltimore's defense, and much of the reason is Billick's handling of QB Banks.
The winner: RAVENS
The Ravens are a team on the rise. Players know anything less than the playoffs is a failure. They'll run the ball and control possession clock. Ravens defense will force a couple of turnovers, as it did against Jacksonville, for easy scores on short drives.
Prediction: RAVENS 24, BENGALS 7
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Who's got the edge?
