Falcons Confidential
Three downs with Warrick Dunn
1. On whether Ray Lewis’ absence will invite more running plays: “No, we’re not going to let one guy dictate what we do, but we know that he’s a big factor. He’s a key for those guys, and without him, I don’t really think a lot changes. They still have a lot of talented players. They are still a top-ranked defense. So, it’s going to be tough, no matter if Ray is on the field or he is off. They still have a lot of guys who can make plays, who have been Pro Bowl players and MVPs. It’s going to be tough sledding for us."
2. On the Falcons’ morale during a losing streak: “We just know right now that the NFC is tough. We’re in the middle of the pack. You have to try to find a way to climb your way out of this hole. When you lose two in a row, you can get down on yourself. Guys are staying positive right now. We realize there’s still a long way to go before the season is over with. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out a way to beat the Ravens."
3. On how much longer he plans to play in the wake of Tiki Barber’s announcement: “Since he has come out and definitely said that he’s retiring at the end fo the season, I have been asked that question. I guess, for me, when my love for the game is done, then I’m done. I don’t want to play another five years, let’s just say that. I’m going to make a decision after this year. If I want to play another year, I’ll play another year and I’ll just take it one year at a time."
Ravens Confidential
Three downs with Bart Scott
1. On the number of yards allowed recently: "The yards we have given up over the last three games, well, it wasn’t Ravens football. We have to come out faster and really establish ourselves early in the game. Guys got dinged-up against Tennessee and we were making adjustments on the fly. Once we got to sit down and draw it up in the dirt, we were fine."
2. On what makes Michael Vick so dangerous: "I think one of his strengths is being able to buy time with his feet. It’s tough to plaster a receiver for five or 10 seconds when he is creating time and moving around and running left and right and receivers are breaking off routes. It’s like playing in the sand. He’ll just break off and do anything. You can’t defend that."
3. On the challenge of playing without Ray Lewis: "Everybody else has to take a little bit more on themselves because he commands so much respect from the opposing team. He is like our quarterback out there. When he’s not out there, you lose a voice and you lose a coach. When he’s out there, he’s yelling plays out and you keep quiet because you know you only need one guy talking."
INSIDE SLANT
Since the bye week, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line has allowed only two sacks in the past three games. They have surrendered just 14 this season, which puts them on pace to allow just under 25 for the season, well below their record-low of 35 allowed during the 2004 campaign. In the last three games, the offense has averaged 362.6 yards, up from a 271.6 average in the first six weeks.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times inWestminster, Maryland.
