OWINGS MILLS – Baltimore Ravens left offensive guard Ben Grubbs boosted the offensive line as he returned to the lineup Sunday night after convalescence from a right turf toe injury that sidelined him for six games.
Grubbs dealt with soreness and stiffness, but didn’t aggravate the toe during the Ravens’ 23-20 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
“So far, so good as far as that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “No negative report on the toe. I think he played well. It looks like he was very solid. And you’d like to think that he’s only going to continue to improve as he gets healthier and healthier and gets back into game shape.”
Grubbs took a pain-killing injection prior to kickoff, starting and making it through the entire game.
"It did all right," Grubbs said. "It was sore a little bit, but with the pain shots I took I was able to play. I guess you can call it pushing off. I did all right. Yeah, I don’t think it’s any worse, but the shots haven’t worn off. Talk to me Wednesday."
Grubbs said that the injury was extremely difficult to deal with over the past several weeks after straining ligaments in his toe against the Steelers in a 35-7 win to launch the season.
Five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode had been starting in Grubbs’ place.
"It was the first actual injury where I couldn’t go even if I wanted to," Grubbs said. "I didn’t know what the future held for me. I prayed and my family prayed.
"With the help of our trainers and the help of time, the No. 1 healer, I was able to go this week. I really wasn’t sure how I was going to make it through this game.”
Grubbs’ presence seemed to give the offensive line a lift.
“Obviously, Ben is a proven player,” offensive tackle Michael Oher said. “We’ve been missing him, and to have him back is always good.”
The Ravens are now 2-0 against the Steelers with Grubbs in the lineup this year.
"It’s a lot of responsibility to put on one person," Grubbs said. "We got the win. I’m 2-0 right now, both against Pittsburgh. It’s a great win. It was a collective effort. My teammates came through. No man was too small or too big. Everybody did their jobs.”
PITTA POWER: As the Ravens converted a franchise-record 14 of 21 third-down opportunities, tight end Dennis Pitta emerged as a key figure in that success.
Pitta caught five passes for 46 yards from quarterback Joe Flacco with each one moving the chains on third down.
“It’s all about making money on third down,” Pitta said. “Those are critical plays. Joe did a great job of seeing the field and delivering the ball right on the money. We were able to take advantage of some mismatches out there.”
Pitta is not the starting tight end. That distinction belongs to Ed Dickson, but Pitta is becoming a more important part of the offense now.
Pitta has caught 21 passes for 195 yards, ranking behind Dickson’s 30 receptions for 277 yards and a touchdown.
“Dennis has a knack for getting open,” Harbaugh said. “I think he and Joe have really built a chemistry with timing and anticipation, because some of those routes are routes that you have to kind of run on the fly based on what the defense gives you. For those two guys to be on the same page like that it says a lot, and it bodes well for our offense going forward.”
Pitta’s longest reception was a 23-yarder on the Ravens’ opening drive on 3rd-and-6.
"Dennis is great," Flacco said. "Both those young tight ends are going to be a huge asset for us. It’s like putting three wide receivers out there. They know how to run routes. They know how to get open. And he was big on a couple third downs tonight.”
The Ravens envisioned both Dickson and Pitta operating as the replacements for former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, who was cut before training camp due to age and a $4.6 million salary-cap figure.
“I think they are doing great,” Harbaugh said. “Both those two tight ends, Ed and Dennis, are really making progress. Couldn’t be more pleased with them. I think it validates drafting those two guys, obviously. They are big targets. They are athletic guys, and they are going to be a big part of what we are doing going forward.”
AYANBADEJO UPDATE: Pro Bowl special-teams ace and reserve linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo suffered a mild concussion, but is likely to be able to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks
“I’m sure we’ll do all the testing, as far as Brendon’s issue,” Harbaugh said. “But it doesn’t appear that there is anything serious there.”
Ayanbadejo seemed alert after the game.
"I think my brain should be all right," Ayanbadejo said. "I don’t think I did too much damage."
HELMET TO HELMET: Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward left the game with a stinger after absorbing a punishing helmet-to-helmet hit from All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis in the first half.
Ward didn’t return, and Lewis could draw a fine for the collision.
And Steelers safety Ryan Clark might be fined for his hit on Ravens tight end Ed Dickson.
How tough is it to avoid such hits considering the speed of the game?
“I am probably not going to get into that conversation right now,” Harbaugh said. “It’s tough. There is no doubt about it, it’s tough. It’s fast, and it’s physical and all that, but the rules are in place for a reason. So, that’s the way it works.”
CUNDIFF COMEBACK: Pro Bowl kicker Billy Cundiff connected on three of four field goals, booting a 51-yard kick through the uprights before halftime after a miss from 40 yards wide right in the first quarter.
All of Cundiff’s misses this season have been wide right with previous errant kicks from 52, 51 and 51 yards.
Cundiff had hit 32 field goals in a row from under 50 yards prior to Sunday night.
For the season, Cundiff has made 20 of 24 attempts
“The one at the end of the half was probably the biggest one,” Harbaugh said. “That was huge for us, because it was a 51-yarder, and I think there’s only been four 50-yarders kicked there in history at Heinz Field. That tells you how tough it is.
“The footing was really tough. The first kick, I think, his dry foot slipped a little bit, and that contributed to the push. It was obviously huge.”
COPY CATS?: The Ravens have no intentions of imitating the Steelers, at least Harbaugh doesn’t.
Despite the Steelers’ six Super Bowl championships to the Ravens’ one and owner Steve Bisciotti acknowledging after last season that the franchise is trying to reach the Steelers’ level, Harbaugh said the Ravens will maintain their own identity.
“No way, you have never heard me say that,” Harbaugh said. “I would never say that. We are going to be like us. With all respect to the question, that premise I would reject. We are going to be like us.”
QUICK HIT: At the end of the Ravens’ win Sunday night, the Ravens contemplating having Cundiff squib his kickoff after Torrey Smith’s touchdown pass with eight seconds left.
Cundiff booted a touchback, though.
“Yes, there was consideration,” Harbaugh said. “We talked about doing that, and Billy felt very strongly that he could hit the touchback there, which on that footing, was tough to do. He had been doing it throughout the game. We had a little bit of wind at our back, so that’s what we decided to do.”
