PEOPLE ARE TALKING…
“We can’t dismiss or forget about the way we played in Minnesota. We can’t slough it off and say, ‘It’s only preseason.’ It was a miserable performance across the board. We should have played at a higher level in the third preseason game. We had physical and mental mistakes that are unacceptable.
We – coaches and players – had to look at each other hard after that game. We’ve addressed the players, spoken individually to a few, and plan to play better against the Redskins. How much the veterans play is planned, but won’t be discussed.” ~ Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick
“I think Steve McNair changes everything for Baltimore, and it’s going to make a huge difference in the complexion of the AFC North. Steve gives Brian Billick someone he can count on in the fourth quarter, someone capable of winning the game with a two-minute drill.” ~ ESPN COMMENTATOR JOE THEISMANN ON QB STEVE MCNAIR
"Kelly might be as natural and as good a defensive tackle as I’ve ever seen with the things he can do with leverage and his wrestling background. He does things that my past coaches have tried to get me to do for years.” ~ TREVOR PRYCE ON NT KELLY GREGG
“When I was on the operating table, and they said it was a 50-50 chance of me coming back, I knew I had to set my mind to get beyond that. This has been a long road and a lot of hard work, but it’s definitely paying off.” ~ RB MUSA SMITH ON HIS COMEBACK FROM A LEG INJURY
“I want to become a solid, consistent starter and a piece of the puzzle here. I want to try and move up and become respected by my peers. I came into this league with a chip on my shoulder because I came from a small school and wasn’t drafted. They call me ‘The Mad Backer’ because they’re always trying to stop me from cussing, fighting and trying to choke somebody. When you play football, you have no friends. I talk because I play with emotion. I can only play one way.” ~ LB BART SCOTT ON HIS STYLE OF PLAY
“Haloti is like a clean slate. He’s got a great football IQ. He’s a proud kid. He knows the deal. He’s a first-round pick, and he knows all the eyes are on him. He’s very aware of that. Health-wise, I think he’s so much better. I think he was a little apprehensive [at first] and now I think he’s ready to go.” ~ DL COACH CLARENCE BROOKS ON DT HALOTI NGATA
TALE OF THE TAPE…
37.9: Miles along the “Beltway” separating the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium and the Redskins’ FedEx Field. The State of Maryland houses both venues, with M&T located in Baltimore City and FedEx in Landover.
66: Yards for which former Ravens QB Derek Anderson and WR Randy Hymes hooked up to score the game-winning TD in overtime last year against Washington, giving the Ravens a 26-20 victory.
77.4: Percentage Steve McNair’s 31 completions that Mark Clayton (9), Derrick Mason (9) and Todd Heap (6) have combined to produce in roughly 5 preseason quarters of action.
243: Combined yards (141 KOR, 50 PR and 47 rush) Ravens rookie free agent RB/RS Cory Ross has compiled on 24 preseason touches, tied for 9th most in the NFL (8/26).
90,287: Largest crowd to view a Ravens’ game in their 11-year history. This occured when Baltimore battled Washington at FedEx Field in 2004 (10/10) when the Ravens won 17-10.
DID YOU KNOW…
Ravens T Tony Pashos and Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El have always been on opposite sides of the ball from high school to college, and now, even in the NFL. Pashos and Randle El, both natives of Illinois, regularly played against each other in high school. Pashos was a standout with Lockport Township, while Randle El attended Thornton. Continuing their healthy rivalry in the Big Ten Conference, Randle El played football for Indiana, as Pashos went on to play for the University of Illinois. After their college days, the 2 found themselves on NFL teams with a deep-seated rivalry.
Pashos has played with the Ravens since he was selected as a 5th-round draft pick in 2003, and Randle El was picked in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft by the Steelers. Now the rivalry continues in a Beltway battle, as Randle El signed this offseason with the Redskins.
Pashos and Redskins WR Brandon Lloyd fought their way into 2 College Bowl games during their time at Illinois. The pair dominated the University of Virginia, 63-21, in the 1999 MicronPC.com Bowl and then went on to clinch the Big Ten title their senior year. However, that season, the Fighting Illini lost in a hard-fought battle (47-34) against LSU during the 2002 Sugar Bowl.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR…
Tuesday, August 29: Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players
Thursday, August 31: Preseason game #4 — Ravens at Redskins (8:00 PM)
Saturday, September 2: Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players
Sunday, September 3: Practice squad established
Sunday, September 10: NFL Week 1 — Ravens at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM)
