OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Trevor Pryce hopes that his rare vow of silence speaks volumes. Days prior to the Baltimore Ravens’ Monday night game against the Denver Broncos, the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end declined to eviscerate his former team again or repeat the multiple critical comments he’s made since arriving in
Baltimore
.
“They’re more concerned with me if I don’t say anything,” Pryce said. "I’ll talk after the game."
After nine seasons with the Broncos, Pryce became a salary-cap casualty. Since signing a five-year, $25 million contract with Baltimore, he has repeatedly ripped Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer’s scheme and outlined an adversarial relationship between Denver coaches and players.
If there are any corresponding hard feelings, the Broncos aren’t going to express them.
“I love the guy, I truly do,” Coyer told
Denver
reporters. “I like his personality. If that were to be the truth, I would be very sorry for having wasted a talent like that. I wouldn’t think that would be what we intended to do, but he’s a great football player."
Pryce, who registered 64 sacks in
Denver with a career-low of four last season
, predicted after a 16-13 win over San Diego that the Chargers would win the AFC West over Denver. Through four games for
Baltimore
(4-0), he has recorded 2 ½ sacks and 19 tackles.
“He’s a bad man,” Broncos right tackle George Foster said.
Following a quiet preseason, Pryce has awoken from his slumber and emerged as a force on the defensive line. “Trevor Pryce is a double-team drawing machine,” linebacker Bart Scott said.
Running back Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Broncos last season before signing with
Baltimore
as a salary-cap casualty, was much more expansive about his exodus from
Denver
.
He acknowledged that it will feel awkward to return to Invesco Field at Mile High after six years on the home sideline. “Even to this day, I don’t recall ever being at the stadium in the visitors’ locker room,”
Anderson
said. “So that’s going to be strange going to that side, but it’s going to be exciting.”
Anderson, who signed a four-year, $8 million contract, and Pryce, who received $10 million in guaranteed money, represent two of the higher-profile free agent signings by the Ravens this offseason.
So far,
Anderson
has been fairly quiet on the field except for a 34-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in a reserve role behind starter Jamal Lewis.
“Both Mike and Trevor are class guys,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “To have the success we’ve had and to lose guys, it’s always tough. But that is the NFL right now with the salary cap. It’s not something you like, but, unfortunately, it’s sometimes for the player’s best interest.”
“You’ll have guys come up and ask, ‘What do you think about this linebacker?’ and, ‘What do you think about that linebacker or the safety?’”
Anderson
said. “I know quite a few of those guys, and I know their tendencies and things like that.”
TRAINING ROOM: The Ravens made two additions to their injury report Friday, listing tight end Todd Heap (thigh) and linebacker Mike Smith (hip) as questionable.
Other questionable listings include: fullback Justin Green (neck), cornerback Evan Oglesby (thigh), outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (thigh), outside linebacker Adalius Thomas (neck) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (thigh).
All missed a portion of team drills.
The Broncos have ruled out running back Cedric Cobbs (ankle) and defensive end Courtney Brown (knee) is doubtful with Kenard Lang is scheduled to start in his place.
QUICK HITS: Ravens coach Brian Billick didn’t sound entirely pleased after practice Friday, loudly lecturing the players. … Linebacker Gary Stills, who leads the Ravens with 11 special-teams tackles, has more than any other active player in the league over the past four seasons with 113. … Since
Dec. 18, 2005
, no other tight end has more receptions (34), yards (321) or touchdowns (6) than Todd Heap. … The Broncos have been installed as a 3 ½ point favorite. “All the experts said we were the worst 3-0 team in the NFL because the teams we beat had no wins,” wide receiver Derrick Mason said. “Now, we beat the team that was being called the best 2-0 team. So maybe we will get some respect now.” … Mason is likely to be covered by All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, whom New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady only threw two passes in his vicinity in a 17-7
Denver
win. … Quarterback Steve McNair shrugged it off when asked about how extensive a scouting report former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger could file as the Broncos’ assistant head coach. “Absolutely, he’s probably already filled them in,” McNair said.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times in Westminster, Maryland
