Ravens Notebook
Ogden Is Likely a Game-Time Decision
Friday, January 12, 2007; Page E05
OWINGS MILLS, Md., Jan. 11 -- Left tackle Jonathan Ogden practiced again Thursday, but Ravens Coach Brian Billick hinted that the decision to play Ogden, who has a hyperextended left big toe, could be made at game time on Saturday.
Ogden was confident earlier this week that he will play. Billick said that mobility, not pain, is Ogden's main issue. Ogden is listed as questionable on the team's injury report, and the Ravens are hoping he can contain Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.
Ravens Playoff Run Despite keeping the Colts' offense in check, the Ravens still see their season come to an end, falling 15-6 to Indianapolis.
Wilbon: The Colts' defense makes a timely debut in the postseason.
Boswell: Colts leave Baltimore feeling empty again.
Adam Vinatieri becomes the most prolific kicker in NFL postseason history, scoring all of Indianapolis' points in a 15-6 win.
The Ravens offense squanders several key opportunities.
Not Welcome
Vendors did a brisk business in all manner of anti-Colts gear, including several T-shirts that referenced the franchise's unceremonious departure from Baltimore.
One shirt used the Colts' U-shaped horseshoe logo on the front in conjunction with another letter to create a phrase of displeasure; the back of the shirt read "and the Mayflower you left in." "I'm gonna wear it to work," fan Bonnie Honchar said before the game. "I hope I don't get fired." Fans also displayed signs and placards touting the championship history of the Baltimore franchise. Rooting Interest
Curious how high-ranking team executives act during pressure-packed playoff games? If yesterday was any indication, they act very much like fans.
Watching from the press box, Colts President Bill Polian and his son Chris, the team's vice president of football operations, pounded the table in frustration after calls with which they didn't agree. They pumped their fists and jubilantly shoved each other when the Colts came up with a goal-line interception. And after the first quarter, Chris stepped away from his seat before returning with a tray of tortilla chips, complete with neon yellow cheese dip. Iron Man Flips
Less than a week since his election into baseball's Hall of Fame, Cal Ripken served as an honorary captain yesterday, delivering the coin for the pregame toss while dressed in black slacks and a purple fleece.
"Representing all that is the best of Baltimore" the public address announcer proclaimed, as Ripken received a massive ovation. Then the Orioles legend performed a mini-version of his famous handshake-heavy victory lap, shaking hands with the Colts captains, the Ravens' captains, the game officials and at least one of the Ravens' bird-shaped mascots. Quotable
"I think there has to be some kind of accountability there. There was a lot of talk, but if they win, they kind of say, 'I told you so.' Where's the accountability?" -- Colts QB Peyton Manning, on the Ravens' confident talk. Ravens Basics |
"It's a matter of can he do his job out there," Billick said, "and that's only for J.O. to tell us at game time."
O'Malley Speaks
Maryland Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley attended practice Thursday and delivered a motivational speech. He also booted a 15-yard field goal as part of a bet with Billick, which he also did in 2001 during the Ravens' Super Bowl run.
"Our city was never lower than we were the day the Colts left town," O'Malley told the team after practice. "And our city was never more pumped up and proud of herself than the day you guys won that Super Bowl."
After speaking, O'Malley met Billick's challenge of kicking a football through the uprights while wearing loafers and dress slacks. O'Malley tucked his red tie inside his shirt and, with Ravens backup quarterback Kyle Boller holding, approached the ball straight on and kicked a low line drive through the uprights to the players' delight.
Billick said he would give $1,000 to a local charity for losing the bet.
Subplots Abound
Out-of-town reporters have descended on Owings Mills this week in anticipation of one of the most intriguing games in the NFL this season. The matchup between the NFL's top-ranked defense and the Colts' high-powered offense, coupled with the added story line of the Colts returning to Baltimore, has team officials expecting more media personnel than M&T Bank Stadium normally holds.
The stadium press box comfortably seats 158, but team officials are expecting about 450 media members and have set up an auxiliary press box in an adjacent suite. . . .
Billick and Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy coached together with the Minnesota Vikings from 1992 to '95; Billick was the offensive coordinator and Dungy the defensive coordinator for three of those seasons, and they regularly faced each other in practice.
"Watching the way Tony Dungy prepared for an offense -- the things he was looking for and the tells that he was working with -- created a lot of the fundamental beliefs I have now in terms of the way we prepare knowing what a defense is looking at," Billick said. . . .
Cal Ripken, the former Baltimore Orioles shortstop who was elected Tuesday for induction into the Hall of Fame, will be an honorary captain Saturday.
