Unified Ravens - NFL News And Picks

Unified Ravens
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 6:00 am PDT 2006-09-25

Brian Billick is one of the NFL's more emphatic, dramatic coaches. On the sideline, in press conferences, you name it.

Billick is loud, he's blunt, and he always sports that look as if he's just never satisfied.

A funny thing happened along his road to 2-0 this season. His players, for a change, started showing the same look.

"It means we can shoot for 3-0," linebacker Adalius Thomas said of defeating the Raiders and Buccaneers by a combined 55-6 to open the year. "It gives us a chance to go out and win a game on the road at Cleveland. We're going back to the drawing board."

So the underwhelming-no-more Ravens, 7-point favorites against the Browns on Sunday at WagerWeb.com, are saying all the right things. They're not getting ahead of themselves, and they're not making February plans for Miami.

But it's quickly becoming clear that flight down south may be an option. After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, Billick's crew looks every bit a challenger, even in the ultra-talented AFC North.

"I think we have great chemistry," linebacker Bart Scott said.

"We're taking the next step. And it's just a credit to our coaching staff."

A few quality offseason transactions haven't hurt, either. Namely, quarterback Steve McNair, who may not have the astronomical numbers Baltimore fans were expecting, but he has delivered victories, and maybe more important, a new attitude.

"It's great to be 2-0. The way the offense has played and the defense has stepped up, this is a great team," said McNair, who has 324 yards and two touchdowns. "We've just got to put it all together on all three phases. It's still early."

Billick concurs. After all, he's coached a Super Bowl team already. And he's smart enough to know that was six long years ago for a frustrated franchise.

"What have you done for me lately," Billick said. "That's what life in the NFL is all about."

Lately, it's been just fine, thank you. And with the 0-2 Browns waiting today, it appears as if it'll only get better. But, remember, there are still two dates with the Steelers on tap. Two with the Bengals. The road will most certainly toughen.

"Right now, we're 2-0 and that's all that matters," running back Jamal Lewis said. "Our offense is balanced, and I think that's key and the way the defense is playing, that's big. We have something to build on."

Sounds just like his coach.

BUMMIN' BIRDS: The Eagles seemed well on their way to a 2-0 start before a collapse at Lincoln Financial Field left everyone scratching their heads. Up 24-7 against the rival Giants, quarterback Donovan McNabb looked like a league MVP, wide receiver Donte' Stallworth looked like the comeback player of the year, and tight end L.J. Smith looked like a Pro Bowler.

Twenty-three New York points later, and the Eagles were swept up in the same mediocrity storm that trapped them last year.

So, when Philadelphia (1-1) plays at San Francisco today (the Eagles are -6 at WagerWeb.com), which team will we see?

"For all of us, it's important that we continue to stay on top of things and focus in on what we did positive," McNabb said.

"Experience shows up this week."

That may be well and good, but if the defense chooses not to tackle again down the stretch, will experience even matter?

"We need to take advantage of our opportunities, knowing that when we get a team down, we need to put our foot on their throat," linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said. "We have a bad taste in our mouth, and hopefully we'll put it behind us."

The improved 49ers (1-1) might not let them.

PACKING IT IN: Green Bay first-year coach Mike McCarthy, staring down the barrel of a possible 0-3 start, called on his veterans this week to lead the Packers out of this mess. Not just the obvious name -- quarterback Brett Favre -- but wide receiver Donald Driver, tight end Bubba Franks, running back Ahman Green and the like.

McCarthy, flat out, needs help. And fast.

"Clearly the veterans will decide and be the major part of how well we play. That is truly the case," McCarthy said. "I know there's been a lot said about our youth. Our veterans need to show the younger players the way in a lot of ways -- in the locker room, on the practice field and particularly on gameday. We need to get better production."

The good news is that today's opponent -- Detroit (0-2) -- hasn't had much production, either. Still, the Lions are -7 at WagerWeb.com.

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