The burly runner gained only seven yards on four carries, a 1.8 average. His
longest run was six yards.
Smith, who entered the game as the NFL’s leading rusher with 116 yards, was a
somewhat surprising starter in place of Jamal Lewis as veteran Mike Anderson was
expected to see the first action.
Anderson didn’t fare any better, though, rushing for just seven yards on five
carries for a 1.4 average.
OGDEN RETURNS: Nine-time All-Pro offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden made his
preseason debut after missing the first two games for personal reasons following
his father’s death.
Ogden, who’s trying to shed 15 to 20 pounds before the Sept. 10 season opener
against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowed a sack and appeared to be somewhat
rusty. His normally agile movements weren’t quite as polished as usual and he
had trouble matching defensive end Erasmus James’ upfield explosiveness.
TRAINING ROOM: The Ravens held out Lewis (strained left hip flexor), wide
receiver Matt Cherry (shoulder), safety Gerome Sapp (illness) and offensive
guard Brain Rimpf (hamstring).
SCARY MOMENT: The Ravens’ charter plane had a bumpy ride Thursday into Minnesota
as their flight ran into major turbulence caused by tornadoes that struck the
region.
“There were a lot of pale faces,” said FOX-45 sports anchor Bruce Cunningham,
describing a scene where the turbulence lasted for several minutes to create
tense moments for players, coaches and team officials. “We landed fine, but it
was a rocky ride.”
QUICK HITS: In the first half, right guard Keydrick Vincent was bull-rushed by
big Vikings nose guard Pat Williams for an 8-yard sack of quarterback Steve McNair. Williams got position in the center-guard gap and rode Vincent into the
backfield ... Safety Jamaine Winborne was flagged for pass interference in the
third quarter. … The Vikings were without wide receiver Kevin Kasper, running
back Mewelde Moore and cornerback Charles Gordon. … Linebacker Bart Scott, who
grew up in Detroit along with Vikings running back Chester Taylor, may have
seized the bragging rights he was seeking. He decked Taylor when he tried to run
up the middle and stood over Taylor briefly, talking trash after the play. …
Linebacker Roderick Green, who’s battling to make the team, recorded a sack in
the second half. … The Ravens have until Tuesday afternoon to release nine
players to get down to the league-mandated limit of 75 players.
Aaron WIlson writes for the Carroll County Times