The Ravens defeated the Arizona Cardinals Sunday thanks in part to a punt return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a two-minute drive executed by a quarterback to set up a game-winning field goal.
Those key moments were not produced by one of the team?s numerous Pro Bowlers, but by one of the Ravens? reserves?a group the team has relied heavily on over the last two weeks.
“You?re not going to go 16 regular season games without anyone getting hurt,” Ravens starting wide receiver Derrick Mason said. “If you do, that?s a blessing. But every team is going to have somebody get nicked up and miss a game or two. You have to rely on your next man, and that?s our motto: ?Next man up.?”
Against the Cardinals, the Ravens had plenty of opportunities to follow that mantra. First, rookie return specialist Yamon Figurs, who took over last week after starter B.J. Sams suffered a season-ending injury during the first game of the year, returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown late in the first half.
“The guys told me you?ve got to keep ready because anything can happen,” Figurs said. It?s part of pro football. People get hurt, people go down and you?ve got to step up.”
After Figurs? play, it was cornerback CoreyIvy?s turn. Playing for a sick Samari Rolle, Ivy forced Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald to fumble after making a 27-yard reception in the third quarter.
Finally, quarterback Kyle Boller, who replaced an injured Steve McNair in the fourth quarter, drove the Ravens 52 yards to the Arizona 28-yard line. It positioned Matt Stover to kick the game-winning, 46-yard field goal as time expired. Boller has now appeared in each game this season for the Ravens (2-1), who play at Cleveland Sunday afternoon at 1.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn?t stressful,” said Boller, who completed 8-of-10 passes for 83 yards against the Cardinals. “But it isn?t really that big of a deal because I feel like I prepare myself during the week.”
Those moments?combined with the play of reserves such as defensive tackle Dwan Edwards, rookie linebacker fourth-round pick Antwan Barnes and wide receiver Devard Darling?proved the Ravens have reliable options if they lose one of their stars for an extended period of time.
“To be a pretty good team, the backup has to be as good as the starter,” said Barnes, who along with Edwards replaced defensive end Trevor Pryce, who broke his wrist in last week?s win over the New York Jets. “Being the first player from [Florida International] to get drafted, I?m trying to put myself on the map, my school on the map and prove to everybody why I got drafted.”
TAKING ADVANTAGE
» Return specialist Yamon Figurs became the third Raven rookie to record a touchdown on a punt return. B.J. Sams returned two for scores in 2004, and Lamont Brightful scored on a 95-yard return in 2002.
» Cornerback Corey Ivy?s sack of Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart Sunday gave the Ravens at least on sack in 24 straight games, the longest current streak in the NFL.
