NFL Notebook
Harbaugh Starts Out With a Win for Ravens
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Friday, August 8, 2008
John Harbaugh's career as a head coach got off to a good start last night with the Baltimore Ravens' 16-15 preseason victory over the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.
"It counts. There's the excitement of the players coming up here and getting a victory in this stadium against this team," Harbaugh said. "It was a real thrill to be here."
Harbaugh got a look at the quarterbacks competing to succeed the retired Steve McNair. Kyle Boller started for Baltimore, Troy Smith replaced him and both played decently, but first-round pick Joe Flacco lost a fumble on his second play.
Boller "was impressive," Smith "was very poised" and will start the next game Aug. 16 at home against Minnesota, and Flacco "will learn very fast," Harbaugh said.
The Ravens got key plays from Yamon Figurs: a 52-yard punt return to set up a touchdown and a 48-yard kickoff return to set up one of Matt Stover's two field goals.
Fabian Washington had two interceptions for the Ravens.
Tom Brady had the night off for New England. Among the quarterbacks competing to be his backup, third-round choice Kevin O'Connell led the team to its only touchdown on a 31-yard march after Flacco's fumble.
Another newcomer to New England, LaMont Jordan, rushed for 76 yards and scored on a one-yard run.
Ravens running back Willis McGahee sat out with a knee injury.
ยท LIONS 13, GIANTS 10: Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning struggled, completing 2 of 6 passes for 19 yards in his only two series, as New York lost in Detroit.
Eddie Johnson's 31-yard field goal with 2 minutes 47 seconds to play gave Detroit the win.
