Ogden Is Likely a Game-Time Decision

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.

"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.