Calling the next round of cuts to the team “the most distasteful thing that I do,” Ravens head coach Brian Billick said Wednesday that he anguishes over trimming potential players.
The team has to get down to 53 players by Sept. 2, and Billick was asked if cutting was the toughest part of his job.
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“The hardest,” he said. “I?ve been told ? it?s not easy ? that ?You?re done. Your career is done. You?re just not good enough to play,? and that?s a hard thing to take, and I?m always very, very mindful of that, having gone through it myself.”
At the same time, Billick feels good about the group assembled. “We?re going to put some good athletes on the street,” Billick said. “There?s going to be some players, I think, that can play in this league that we?re going to have to push out the door, and that?s a good thing because it means we have somebody that we think is better.”
JAMAL LEWIS WON?T GO: After Jamal Lewis returned to practice this week, there was speculation that the running back might suit up against the Redskins. But Billick shot down that notion, choosing to rest Lewis? injured hip.
“He had a solid week,” Billick said. “That puts us a week ahead of the curve, but I don?t think it would be prudent for him to go.”
SYPNIEWSKI GOES LONG: Rookie tight end Quinn Sypniewski worked out with the special teams unit at the long snapper position to begin practice Wednesday. When the Ravens drafted Sypniewski in April, management said they could envision him playing the offensive line, as well.
Coaches have been impressed with Sypniewski?s diversity. “He?s a smart young man for expanding on those skills because it?s an easy way to stay [on] our roster,” Billick said.
SI HAS RAVENS IN PLAYOFFS: The Ravens will be able to slide into the playoffs with a 9-7 record, according to Sports Illustrated this week.
The magazine said the Ravens would lose in the first round to the Miami Dolphins, whom it predicted will be the AFC?s representative in the Super Bowl.
RAVENS (1-2) AT REDSKINS (0-3)
» Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
» When: Today, 8 p.m.
» TV: FOX 45/MASN
» Radio: 97.9 FM/1090 AM
