Tony Pashos will likely start at right tackle, and second-round draft pick Adam Terry could be activated as the top reserve at tackle.
“You’ll adapt to it,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said. “Right now, it looks like
Pashos will take the load.”
Brown, 34, who has been rotating with Pashos, spends at least half the game
riding an exercise bike on the sidelines.
“My back just tightened up on me,” Brown said. “I ain’t going to say I’m
definitely out. I’ll see how I feel Sunday when I wake up.”
As for his rear-ended Mercedes-Benz, Brown said it’s in need of a new bumper and
a muffler and might be scrapped.
“She’s handicapped,” said Brown, a car aficionado who owns a Rolls-Royce and a
modified Hummer. “It’s time to go buy something else.”
ROUGH PERIOD: There are a few parallels between Billick and Steelers coach Bill
Cowher with the exception of Billick owning a Super Bowl ring.
The Steelers were absent from the playoffs under Cowher from 1998 to 2000.
However, Steelers owner Dan Rooney chose to extend Cowher’s contract.
Billick is set to miss the postseason for the second year in a row and there is
rampant speculation about whether he'll be fired despite being under contract
through 2007.
“I take a lot of strength from what the Steelers’ organization went through in
Bill’s seventh, eighth and ninth year,” Billick said. “I remember what was
written.
"I remember how tough a time it had to be for Bill. That doesn’t make it easier
to go through it, but it is part of the challenge of the job and you have to be
energized by it.”
Picked by many to win the AFC North because of a roster dotted with 15 former
Pro Bowl selections, the Ravens (2-7) instead are off to the worst start in
franchise history and are likely to finish with Billick’s worst record in his
seven-year tenure.
“I have to go home on a regular basis and go up to my room and open up my
jewelry box and look at my Super Bowl ring to remind myself that maybe I am not
the village idiot,” Billick said.
READY TO GO: Rookie center Jason Brown has only played in one NFL game, and that
was restricted to blocking for extra points. He’s slated to be the seventh
offensive lineman as the top backup at center and both guard spots against
Pittsburgh.
“I’ve never taken any real snaps in a regular-season game, so I’m excited about
this,” said Brown, a fourth-round pick. “It’s one of those situation where it’s,
‘Next man up,’ and you have to be ready.”
TRAINING ROOM: The Ravens added wide receiver Derrick Mason (thigh) to the
injury report as probable.
The Steelers downgraded linebacker James Farrior (knee) and offensive tackle
Marvel Smith (ankle) from questionable to doubtful, upgrading tight end Jerame Tuman (ankle) to probable.
QUICK HITS: It’s a case of mutual dislike and respect when it comes to the
rivalry between Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister and Steelers wide receiver
Hines Ward. “I don’t think that McAlister and myself are best friends,” Ward
said. “He is an excellent corner, but I don’t think we will go out to eat after
the game or anything. He is one of the best corners in the NFL.” … The Frederick
Douglass High football team attended practice and met with Billick and
linebackers Ray Lewis and Tommy Polley. Douglass was suspended from the state
playoffs when the state association ruled it used an academically ineligible
player. The school disputes that ruling. “Talk about getting screwed by the
ofificials,” Billick said. “Poor kids.” … The Ravens will host their 10th annual
Family Food & Funds Drive at Sunday’s game. The Lady Ravens Association and team
family members will be stationed outside stadium gates to collect non-perishable
food items and money to benefit the Maryland Food Bank.
In addition to being a long time contributor to RavensInsider, Aaron Wilson writes for the Carroll County Times in Westminster Maryland.
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