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 Keep an eye on the Ravens’ RB situation. RB Willis McGahee’s injury problems are well known; he’s battled knee, eye and rib injuries already this season. Backup Le’Ron McClain has been one of the surprises of the season to date, but we’re told the Ravens have some lingering concerns about his conditioning, and he is receiving a far heavier workload than he’s ever had in his professional or collegiate career.
One of the bigger surprises in Baltimore in the week leading up to the Oct. 5 game with Tennessee, the way we hear it, was Ravens head coach John Harbaugh indicating backup QB Troy Smith would “be on the field for us this year in some form or fashion.” Smith looked like the favorite to win the starting job before a tonsil infection kept him out of Baltimore’s final two preseason games. Rookie Joe Flacco has performed relatively well as the Ravens’ starter, leading to speculation that Smith might be used in a special package of plays, or perhaps even at a different position.
Ravens ILB Ray Lewis’ play in coverage has been significantly better this season, notes a source close to the team. Entering Week Five, Lewis was on pace to defend far more passes than he ever had in any NFL season.
It will be interesting to see if the Browns use FB Lawrence Vickers more as a lead blocker in the weeks to come after he thrived in that role in the Week Four win at Cincinnati.
A source close to the Bengals notes that QB Carson Palmer’s right elbow injury does not appear to be serious, but rest is the best treatment, and Palmer has said he will defer to the advice of doctors.
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