Baltimore Sports Post

The Baltimore Ravens prospects looked bleak going into week one with rookies starting at QB and RB and many defensive starters still nursing injuries.  The Ravens managed to get all of their defensive starters except DT Kelly Gregg healthy enough to start the game, and then they took matters into their own hands by smothering the high powered Bengals offense en route to a 17-10 victory.  The Bengals offense only managed 154 total yards and put 3 points on the board (the other TD was scored on a fumble return by their defense).  Cam Cameron was forced to call a conservative game to protect his young backfield, but he was able to do enough in cranking up the running game for over 200 yards rushing and pulling out some of his tricks at the right time which produced a 42 TD yard on a reverse by Mark Clayton.  The Ravens other offensive touchdown was scored on a 38 yard run by Flacco on what appeared to be a broken play.  Flacco, the Ravens rookie QB didn’t have it easy in his debut, but he had no turnovers and was able to extend some drives with some clutch throws.   

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals.com and the Baltimore Sun four time pro-bowl right tackle Willie Anderson will sign a three year $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday.  By signing Anderson, the Ravens will have solved their uncertainty at the right tackle position though it is not clear when Anderson will be able to take over full time.  Currently Adam Terry occupies the right tackle position and barring a surprise announcement he figures to start week one against the Anderson’s former team the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Contrary to previous reports the Ravens have not acquired Joey Harrington or Chris Simms.  Instead they have signed Todd Bouman to serve as a backup QB to Joe Flacco for the Ravens week one matchup against the Bengals.  Eventually he will probably serve as the 3rd QB when Troy Smith has recovered from his illness.  Bouman has been a career backup playing for several teams having only started six games. 

Former Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson was contacted by Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newson and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to line up a visit to Owings Mills on Tuesday.  Willie Anderson is a five time pro bowler and could help solidify the Ravens offensive line issues.  Five other teams have also contacted Willie Anderson including the Chargers, Bears, Giants, Bucs and Rams. 

According to profootballtalk.com, the Ravens signing of Joey harrington reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortenson might have been reported prematurely.  Joey Harrington has not yet signed with the Ravens officially and has aparently lined up visits with other teams for Tuesday.  We’ll find out more tomorrow (or beyond?) who will be the Ravens backup QB for week one. 

It was only a few weeks ago that Joe Flacco was eliminated from the QB competition, but today John Harbaugh has officially named rookie QB Joe Flacco as the starter for the Ravens week one matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.  In reality he didn’t have much choice with Kyle Boller going on IR and Troy Smith still fighting an illness.  The Ravens added Casey Bramlet to their practice squad and Joey Harrington to their active roster, but neither is familiar enough with the offense to start against the Bengals. 

Reports from earlier this afternoon had the Ravens interested in signing Chris Simms who had just been cut by the Tampa Bay Bucs.  Simms had come to Baltimore for a physical and workout, but what we didn’t know was that a few other QB’s had also come to Baltimore for workouts.  Joey Harrington who was recently cut by the Atlanta Falcons was one of the other QBs working out for the Ravens this afternoon and he has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens according to espn.  Harrington was chosen over Simms and Todd Bouman because of his playing experience.

Chris Simms who was recently cut by the Tampa Bay Bucs, is in Baltimore meeting with Ravens front office officials according to various reports.  With Troy Smith’s illness and Kyle Boller’s injured shoulder, Simms would give the Ravens another healthy QB on the active roster to backup Joe Flacco the first few weeks of the season.  It is expected that Boller would be placed on IR to make room for Simms.

• Defensive lineman J’Vonne Parker was cut and defensive lineman Lamar Divens who had recently been cut by the San Diego Chargers was signed to replace him.  Parker had impressed coaches this preseason so he might return.
• Kicker Steve Hauschka was signed to get the roster to a full 53.  He would probably fill in as a kickoff specialist week one if he is still on the roster and active.
• Four players were added to the practice squad: QB Casey Bramlet, WR Justin Harper, WR Ernie Wheelwright and OL Joe Reitz. 
• Although it hasn’t been announced by the Ravens yet, Marcus Mason who led the NFL in rushing yards gained for the Washington Redskins during the preseason has also been added to the practice squad according to the washington post.  With only two regular running backs on the 53 man roster in McGahee and Rice (with McGahee coming off surgery only four weeks ago), Mason’s agent explained that it was beneficial for Mason to sign with the Ravens over the Redskins.  The Redskins have Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright at running back who would have been ahead of him on the depth chart.
• Troy Smith is still battling sickness and rumors are growing louder that Kyle Boller may land on the IR in the coming days to make room for the Ravens to sign another QB.  As it stands now, they only have one healthy QB on the active roster. 
• Two players are suspended for week one (Fabian Washington and Derrick Martin) which will force two roster moves once they become active for week two.  Martin might go on IR if his shoulder injury persists.