OWINGS MILLS — There’s a fire sale going on as Baltimore Ravens’ fans are expressing disapproval and disinterest in their football team by slashing prices on tickets for Sunday’s season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, selling them in large quantities to Steelers fans.
With heavy ticket sales by Baltimore fans via the Internet, a black-and-gold invasion is anticipated at M&T Bank Stadium with the Ravens (4-11) entering the game on a franchise-record nine-game losing streak and the Steelers (10-5) having already clinched the AFC North.
"Wow, that’s a slap in the face," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "I thought we still belonged to the city of Baltimore. We don’t belong to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If they’re selling their tickets to Steelers fans, maybe they should be Steelers fans. I don’t know what to say to that."
Reaction in the Ravens’ locker room has run the gamut from disappointment, to mild anger to understanding the situation.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Steelers fans have a reputation for buying up tickets at NFL road stadiums throughout the country.
"We haven’t given the team and the fans what they deserve, which is high-quality football on a consistent basis," linebacker Bart Scott said. "We have some of the best fans in the world. You don’t want to see a lot of Steelers fans out there, but I can understand. You can understand, come on now.
"Nobody wants to sit out there and freeze their butt off when they already have an idea of how the outcome is going to come. If they want to make some money on the side, spike the prices up. I just hope the NFL attacks them the same way they attack us and prosecute them like they did Mike Tyson."
If the Steelers’ faithful are still looking for tickets, don’t ask wide receiver Derrick Mason for his allotment.
He’s counting on strong support and loyalty as the Ravens conclude this last-place season.
"I’m not selling them any, they’re not getting any from me," Mason said. "I’m not even going to think about it because I know our fans will come out in multitudes. They’ve gotten on our backs in the end, but our fans have supported us through this trying season.
"So all you Ravens fans, if Pittsburgh fans ask you for tickets, say no. Say you don’t have anymore. Say we’re all sold out. They’re going to have their fans obviously, but our fans outweigh their fans."
INJURY UPDATE: Six Ravens didn’t practice, including middle linebacker Ray Lewis (back, dislocated finger), tight ends Todd Heap (strained hamstring) and Quinn Sypniewski (concussion), running back Willis McGahee (fractured ribs), quarterback Kyle Boller (concussion) and safety Gerome Sapp (hamstring).
Ravens coach Brian Billick acknowledged that there’s a "pretty good" chance that Nick Greisen will start his second consecutive game in place of Lewis.
Although Daniel Wilcox (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis, undrafted rookie Lee Vickers is the lone healthy tight end and will likely receive his first NFL start.
The former North Alabama standout began the season as a defensive end on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
"The possibility that I could be the main guy is kind of surreal when you think about where I came from," Vickers said. "It’s nothing but an opportunity for me. I’m going to be a free agent again, so I just hope I can prove my worth to them and get signed."
Just in case Wilcox is out again, the Ravens had backup offensive tackle Adam Terry practicing at tight end Thursday.
"You know we’re down to it," Billick said. "You always wondered about what we’d do if we ran out of tight ends. Now, you know."
Wide receiver Mark Clayton (back) returned to practice, but was limited.
For the Steelers, safety Troy Polamalu (knee) didn’t practice and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) was limited for the second day in a row. Both could be held out Sunday.
SUGGS UPDATE: Scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March, Suggs expressed confidence that he’ll be retained by the organization. The Ravens have been trying to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Suggs’ agent, Gary Wichard, since April. They also have the option of controlling Suggs’ rights by assigning him the franchise tag.
"I think our front office is amazing, they do a good job of signing the guys they want to be here," Suggs said. "So, I think that we’ll get a deal done. It might slip in my mind, but I never looked at this like it would be my last season or this upcoming Sunday is going to be my last game. I never thought about it like that, but the reality is you never know."
QUICK HITS: The ascension of Steelers linebacker James Harrison into a Pro Bowl selection and a team MVP has come years after being cut by Baltimore following a brief stint on the roster. "I’m like, ‘Oh, too bad he wasn’t with us!’" defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "I think he made it to a special-teams meeting or something like that. I don’t believe he ever made the defensive practice field. Obviously, he’s turned into a heck of a football player." Harrison has recorded 73 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks, including 3 1/2 along with an interception in a 38-7 victory over Baltimore earlier this season. "Talented young man, raw, very raw when we had him," Billick said. "It was at a time when we had very, very good depth at the defensive line and linebacker position. It’s fabulous to see him. He’s grown into a Pro Bowl caliber player, but very young, very raw at the time." … The Ravens aren’t bound to underestimate the Steelers’ running game in the wake of Pro Bowl runner Willie Parker being out for the season with a broken leg. Najeh Davenport appears more than capable, albeit not as fast. "They’ve got a good stable of backs," Ryan said. "Davenport is a veteran in the league, a big powerful runner who obviously is an outstanding short-yardage back. We know we have to do a great job holding our edges like always and knock the line of scrimmage back." Added Suggs: "If we approach this game lightly, then it will be the same story as this nine-game skid." … Wide receiver Devard Darling returned to practice after being excused from Wednesday’s workout as his wife gave birth to a son named Devard Darling Jr. … Asked to pick a movie that best describes this bad season, Suggs replied: "Necessary Roughness."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
Photo by Sabina Moran
