If the Ravens want to be football?s kings, they first have to claim the Queen City.
In six days, the team will open its season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals hoping it?s healthy enough to defeat the AFC North Division rival at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Ravens missed a bevy of starters during the preseason, including offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, receiver Mark Clayton, cornerback Samari Rolle and tight end Daniel Wilcox.
The team used yesterday?s practice, in addition to this afternoon?s workout, to test injured players. The Ravens are scheduled to have off Wednesday.
“Without it, I don?t know that we would be able to evaluate them and say that they?d be ready to go after three days practice,” Coach Brian Billick said. “After five days practice? Yeah. We?ll know whether they can go or not.”
Billick said he was careful not to implement too much of the team?s game plan for Monday?s season opener.
“If you start too early, it gets stale, so we?re not starting on Cincinnati,” Billick said. “Not until Thursday. Certainly, some of the things we?re doing will apply, but right now they?re working to get back into a rhythm so we can go to work in earnest on Thursday.”
The team is uncertain if Ogden, a 10-time Pro Bowler, will start against the Bengals. Ogden missed the entire preseason as he continued to recover from a hyper-extended left big toe suffered last December. He missed the final two games of the 2006 regular season, but played in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts during the playoffs.
Ogden quickly addressed the media in the team?s locker room, saying he wouldn?t know if he was ready to play until “I put some pads on and hit somebody.”
Rookie left tackle Jared Gaither started in place of Ogden in three of the four preseason games. In last weekend?s preseason finale loss the Atlanta Falcons, starter Adam Terry was moved from right tackle to Ogden?s spot. Both Clayton and Rolle sprained their ankles during the team?s second preseason game, a 13-12 loss to the Giants?and neither practiced heavily Monday.
“I?m supposed to practice,” Rolle said. “I?ll be out there Monday night.”
Clayton was a little more non-committal when he was asked about his status for Monday?s game.
“I was running around today,” he said. “It felt pretty good. I?ve got soreness.”
Clayton said he was working to decrease the swelling on his ankle.
Wilcox, the team?s second-best tight end behind two-time Pro Bowler Todd Heap, was on the team?s practice field during media availability, but saw light action.
Notes
A report by Yahoo.com Sunday claimed the Ravens had discussions with the agent of former Jacksonville Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich, who was released Saturday.
Leftwich?s agent, Tom Condon, indicated six teams have shown interest in Leftwich. The Ravens have three quarterbacks on the roster: starter Steve McNair, Kyle Boller and rookie Troy Smith.
Calls to Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and Condon to confirm the report were not returned.
