Friday, October 08, 2004
Baltimore Ravens: Special teams singled out for praise
OWINGS MILLS -- One day after his usually-stingy defense was
manhandled by the Kansas City Chiefs in a 27- 24 loss, Baltimore
Ravens coach Brian Billick singled out one unit for praise: the
special teams.
Rookie return specialist B.J. Sams had a 58-yard punt return for a
touchdown and the Ravens' coverage teams contained Pro Bowl return man
Dante Hall. However, their banner night was overshadowed by multiple
defensive breakdowns.
"Special teams, probably one area, where we were as physical as the
Chiefs, keeping an excellent returner in check," Billick said.
Sams scooted right, then cut back to his left behind a convoy of
blockers for his first NFL touchdown. Then, the undrafted free agent
from McNeese State (La.) accepted congratulations from Deion Sanders,
who has quite a history of his own in the return game.
"It was a low kick and everybody was pursuing to the sideline," Sams
said. "I just cut it back and had some great blocks. What good is the
return if we lose?"
Sams was nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance.
Through four games, he's averaging 13.1 yards per punt return and 22.6
yards on kickoffs.
"He's got a knack," Billick said. "He's still learning to a certain
degree. He's got great vision, great speed. He was a real find for
us."
TRAINING ROOM: Sanders missed his second consecutive game with a
strained hamstring and was deactivated after warmups, but Billick
remains hopeful the nickel back will play Sunday night against his
former team: the Washington Redskins.
"He just hadn't come quite far enough," Billick said. "No setback.
Hopefully, this week he can go. We want to make sure he's totally
healed."
Running back Chester Taylor suffered an ankle contusion, but Billick
indicated he's likely to play Sunday. Linebacker T.J. Slaughter
(hamstring) is expected to return after missing the Chiefs game.
Receiver Travis Taylor (groin), tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and center
Mike Flynn (broken collarbone) are unlikely to play against the
Redskins and won't return until after the bye week Oct. 24 against the
Buffalo Bills.
TOO EXCITED: Kickoff specialist Wade Richey booted a kick out of
bounds for the second time this season against the Chiefs.
"I think he was overly hyped," Billick said. "He kicked beautifully
the rest of the game."
QUICK HITS: Quarterback Kyle Boller's interception to Eric Warfield
was negated due to a defensive holding penalty. However, Billick was
critical of the second-year passer's decision-making on the play.
â¦Senior consultant Jim Fassel was on the sidelines Monday because he
works with the coaching staff on Mondays and Tuesdays. He usually
doesn't attend the games after helping Boller prepare during the week.
⦠After the loss, the Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing and 21st
overall in total defense. ⦠Billick expressed respect for Redskins
coach Joe Gibbs' schemes. Billick also noted that he was part of the
Stanford staff that recruited Gibbs' son, Coy, to play linebacker for
the Cardinal. ... The secondary, which was picked apart by Chiefs
quarterback Trent Green without any deep passes surrendered, needs to
improve overall, Billick said.
Aaron Wilson writes for the Carroll County Times and RavensInsider.
By Aaron Wilson Date: Oct 6, 2004
manhandled by the Kansas City Chiefs in a 27- 24 loss, Baltimore
Ravens coach Brian Billick singled out one unit for praise: the
special teams.
Rookie return specialist B.J. Sams had a 58-yard punt return for a
touchdown and the Ravens' coverage teams contained Pro Bowl return man
Dante Hall. However, their banner night was overshadowed by multiple
defensive breakdowns.
"Special teams, probably one area, where we were as physical as the
Chiefs, keeping an excellent returner in check," Billick said.
Sams scooted right, then cut back to his left behind a convoy of
blockers for his first NFL touchdown. Then, the undrafted free agent
from McNeese State (La.) accepted congratulations from Deion Sanders,
who has quite a history of his own in the return game.
"It was a low kick and everybody was pursuing to the sideline," Sams
said. "I just cut it back and had some great blocks. What good is the
return if we lose?"
Sams was nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance.
Through four games, he's averaging 13.1 yards per punt return and 22.6
yards on kickoffs.
"He's got a knack," Billick said. "He's still learning to a certain
degree. He's got great vision, great speed. He was a real find for
us."
TRAINING ROOM: Sanders missed his second consecutive game with a
strained hamstring and was deactivated after warmups, but Billick
remains hopeful the nickel back will play Sunday night against his
former team: the Washington Redskins.
"He just hadn't come quite far enough," Billick said. "No setback.
Hopefully, this week he can go. We want to make sure he's totally
healed."
Running back Chester Taylor suffered an ankle contusion, but Billick
indicated he's likely to play Sunday. Linebacker T.J. Slaughter
(hamstring) is expected to return after missing the Chiefs game.
Receiver Travis Taylor (groin), tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and center
Mike Flynn (broken collarbone) are unlikely to play against the
Redskins and won't return until after the bye week Oct. 24 against the
Buffalo Bills.
TOO EXCITED: Kickoff specialist Wade Richey booted a kick out of
bounds for the second time this season against the Chiefs.
"I think he was overly hyped," Billick said. "He kicked beautifully
the rest of the game."
QUICK HITS: Quarterback Kyle Boller's interception to Eric Warfield
was negated due to a defensive holding penalty. However, Billick was
critical of the second-year passer's decision-making on the play.
â¦Senior consultant Jim Fassel was on the sidelines Monday because he
works with the coaching staff on Mondays and Tuesdays. He usually
doesn't attend the games after helping Boller prepare during the week.
⦠After the loss, the Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing and 21st
overall in total defense. ⦠Billick expressed respect for Redskins
coach Joe Gibbs' schemes. Billick also noted that he was part of the
Stanford staff that recruited Gibbs' son, Coy, to play linebacker for
the Cardinal. ... The secondary, which was picked apart by Chiefs
quarterback Trent Green without any deep passes surrendered, needs to
improve overall, Billick said.
Aaron Wilson writes for the Carroll County Times and RavensInsider.
By Aaron Wilson Date: Oct 6, 2004
