Ravens head coach Brian Billick said he was not worried that his former defensive coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, might have extra insight into the Baltimore offense Sunday.
“I don?t have a grasp on what we?re trying to do offensively,” Billick joked Wednesday.
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“I don?t know how the hell he would have an idea what we?re doing offensively. It?s been a long time. He?s having to take care of his team. I?m sure that?s what he?s focused on.”
Billick assumed the coordinator?s position two weeks ago. When asked to assess the differences between Billick the head coach and Billick the offensive coordinator, Lewis said, “I think, obviously, what Brian was feeling is just the fact that if the players we?re looking to him ? the buck stops here,” Lewis said. “And I think that sense of direction is really what the guys were clamoring about or looking for, and he?s given that sense of drive and direction.”
Lewis and Billick say Palmer is still on top: Speculation around the NFL recently has been that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is not quite back to his 2005 form, when he threw for 3,836 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Palmer suffered two ligament tears in his left knee during a wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in January.
So far, Palmer has completed 63 percent of his passes, nearly five percent lower than last year, but has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 1,684 yards this season.
Lewis said Palmer remains at a Pro Bowl level and is the leader of the team?s offense.
“I think every week, we get better as a football team,” Lewis said. “We?ve got keep getting better, but there is no difference in Carson?s style from then until now.”
Billick said he has not compared 2005 Palmer to this year?s version, but he said Palmer is on top of his game.
“[It?s] hard to say comparison-wise,” Billick said. “He looks awful good. He?s throwing the ball well.”
Injury report: After missing the last two games, Corey Ivy (kidney) has been listed as questionable for the Bengals game, as well as receiver Clarence Moore (foot) and tight end Quinn Sypniewski (neck). Safeties Dawan Landry (knee) and Gerome Sapp (thigh) are probable, as is linebacker Adalius Thomas (neck).
