For those worried that some Ravens? veterans will coast in the last preseason game out of fear of injury, take comfort in knowing there?s no off switch with receiver Mark Clayton. Tonight?s final preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover will be business as usual for the second-year player.
“When you step out on the field and put a product out there, you want it to be the best,” Clayton said. “You?re not going to step on the field and do whatever. Nah. This stuff goes on film. I know I can speak for everybody in here: When you?re on the field, you want to compete and beat whoever you?re supposed to beat, whether it?s a running play, a quarter or a full game. Just be proud of your work.”
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Clayton?s opinion basically flies in the face of accepted practice for teams in the NFL, who routinely rest players in the final preseason game, as the Ravens will with running back Jamal Lewis. Ravens? starters saw about a half of action in the last preseason games.
“I look for a certain amount of efficiency, a certain amount of passion for what they?re doing,” said head coach Brian Billick. “It is hard to judge sometimes, given the limited reps.”
The Ravens (1-2), who have looked rough around the edges during their preseason games, will face a team that has looked far worse so far. The Redskins were predicted in the offseason to be a contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
So far, however, they have stumbled badly, scoring 17 points in three games. Star running back Clinton Portis injured his shoulder in the preseason opener, and the offensive line has struggled in nearly every way.
The New England Patriots blew out the Redskins, 41-0, last weekend, dropping Washington to 0-3 in the preseason.
Clayton said the Redskins, who have been one of the NFL?s top defensive units in recent seasons, present some unique challenges.
“They?re real aggressive,” Clayton said. “They show you a whole different lineup ? blitzes, schemes, it?s crazy. Going into this, I?m excited to go against one of the better defenses in the league.”
Billick said preparation for the season opener in Tampa Bay remains a priority, as well.
“They are very much aware that the regular season is right around the corner,” Billick said.
Clayton said his mind has not drifted to Sept. 10. It?s on the here and now.
“We?re excited to get to the season, but at the same time, there?s still steps that we have to go through to get to that,” Clayton said. “So we?re taking it one day at a time, knowing that we?ve got a really good team down in Washington.
“Their fans are going to be crazy. They have one of the best stadiums I?ve ever seen, too. I?m just excited about that.”
Five questions
» Will the Ravens? first-team offense put the ball in the end zone?
» Is Mike Anderson still the team?s No. 2 running back after the preseason?
» Who will save himself from being cut with a big performance?
» Will this be anything more than a glorified scrimmage?
» How will corners Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister play against Washington?s talented receiving corps?
