Ravens Q&A with Mike Preston

Jerome: We've seen very little of Willis McGahee since he got off to a great start with seven touchdowns. Is he hurt or what's the deal?

Mike Preston: Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has said that he will stick with the hot hand throughout the season, and Ray Rice is about as hot as they come since taking the leading role in the backfield. Cameron wants an all-around back -- one who can catch the ball out of the backfield -- and Rice is the best receiver of the three. McGahee will continue to get his touches around the goal line and will be a factor as the season progresses.

I wouldn't read any more into it except that Rice is hot. Scratch that. Rice is sizzling.

Aaron: Do you really think that 10 wins will get the Ravens into the playoffs? Looking at the records of other teams in the AFC, I'm doubtful 10 wins will do it.

Mike Preston: Ten wins is usually the magic number for getting into the playoffs. There are no guarantees, but 10 is the barometer. I believe the Ravens can get to 10 if they continue to show the desire and execution they did this week against Denver. The No. 1 priority is to get more consistent play out of the secondary. To get to the playoffs, the Ravens have to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at least once and need to win one other tough game against a team such as the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals or Green Bay Packers. The Ravens also need to avoid a letdown against a team like the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions or Oakland Raiders.

This Sunday's game against Cincy is a must win for the Ravens, especially since the Ravens lost to the Bengals in Baltimore earlier this season.

John: It seemed like Dannell Ellerbe played the majority of the snaps alongside Ray Lewis Sunday. Has he started to separate himself from Jameel McClain and Tavares Gooden for the other inside linebacker position or did he just fit into the game plan best to stop the Denver Broncos?

Mike Preston: The linebacker position will continue to be handled by committee for the time being. Gooden is a draft pick with potential and is playing well on special teams right now. McClain and Ellerbe will continue to rotate with Gooden until one clearly separates from the other two. Ellerbe's weakness was dropping into pass coverage, but he has improved the past two games, making one-on-one tackles on running backs in the flats. He could become special.

Brian: Mike, T-Sizzle doesn't seem to be getting to the quarterback like he did in previous seasons. What's the difference in his game this year?

Mike Preston: T-Sizzle is still a force on defense. I believe the injury in the preseason caused him to get off to a slow start. Has he showed that he is worth $60 million? No. I don't see teams going out of their way to game plan for him, and he doesn't take over a game like a Dwight Freeney or Jared Allen. But he still has had a solid season, and he plays hard. I'd like to see the Ravens move him around more often and also see him develop more moves. There is more to getting to a quarterback than a bull rush or sheer speed to the outside.

Mike: Who's your pick right now to win the AFC North?

Mike Preston: Pittsburgh. They are the defending champs, and actually starting to play like it.

Rian: What were the main factors that led to the improved defensive performance against the Broncos, or was this just a good matchup/temporary high point for a unit that will continue to struggle?

Mike Preston: During the bye week, the Ravens went back to basic fundamentals and discipline. We heard from a lot of the local talking heads about trading for a receiver or initiating new schemes on defense, but that wasn't going to happen. You go back to coaching and figure out how to hide weaknesses. There is no magic formula or magic wand. You coach them up. Plus, the Ravens came out with a sense of urgency and were ready to play.

Denver also failed to challenge the Ravens' cornerbacks with long passes. I still find that hard to believe because the Ravens had given up a lot of big passing plays this season. Also, Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton became the Kyle Orton we've seen play when he was with the Chicago Bears.

Joe: It appeared that Denver's defense knew the snap count. They were getting off faster than the Ravens' offensive lineman. Did you observe this also?

Mike Preston: Nope, I just believe the Ravens are giving up too much ground initially off the snap in pass protection. It might be a technique problem because all of them seem to take too deep of a first step. I also believe the middle of the Ravens' offensive line needs to step up. Chris Chester was beat several times up the middle and subsequently was called for several penalties. Center Matt Birk struggled at times as well. Overall, I thought the Ravens did a decent job of keeping the Denver off balance by using the no-huddle offense.

Rob: I am really enjoying watching this new generation of Ravens ( Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Lardarius Webb). Which of the veterans (McGahee, Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg, etc.) do you see the Ravens letting go in the offseason to free up cap space and fill some holes with younger players?

Mike Preston: Wow, Bob, you're a tough man. You could at least wait until we got deeper into the season before you asked that question, but you're already on to it. You got the Big Three already, and tight end Todd Heap will probably be a fourth.

Woody: I saw Jamal Lewis said he's retiring after the season? Can you share your memories of Jamal or a story that stands out?

Mike Preston: I always liked when Lewis blew up the Bengals and Browns. When Lewis would take a toss and get to the corner with his pads square at full speed, he was like a tractor trailer going down hill. I loved watching the big eyes of those cornerbacks when Lewis was running at full-tilt. I haven't seen a big back run so fast since Jim Brown and Earl Campbell.

I used to love when Jamal and Ray Lewis trucked players. Jamal Lewis could change the tempo of a game with a 9-yard run, especially when he pounded players. Afterward, he would come to the sideline and say to Ray, "Your turn."

And Ray would then go out and blew up some player, and then come to Jamal and say, "Your turn."

The Lewis Boys, as they called themselves, were great, great warriors. Jamal Lewis carried that offense on his back during the 2000 Super Bowl season.

A lot of people don't know this, but Jamal Lewis is a very smart young man, and a good business man. He has done well with his trucking business and made some sound investments. He should do well in life after football. He always had a good smile, but behind that smile was a man who grew up and matured while playing in the NFL. There is a big difference in him now compared to when he first got into the league. If you asked him a question, he gave you an honest answer. And he always respected you as long as you told the truth.

I used to love talking with him after games. He was like a Shannon Sharpe to me. If he thought he should have gotten the ball more, he told you so. If he thought his quarterback played poorly, he would say it. If he was ticked off at the head coach, he'd go after him. There were no pretenses with Jamal Lewis.

You miss strong players and characters like Jamal Lewis in the locker room. There is no doubt that he belongs in the Ravens Ring of Honor.

Garret: Where have the trick plays been this year? Last year there was a new trick almost every week, and it was always exciting to see Troy Smith come into the game.

Mike Preston: Trick plays are for teams who need them. Flacco and Rice have matured to the point where they don't need the cheap stuff to manufacture points. With a quarterback as good as Flacco, why would you want to take the ball out of his hands? You put it in his hands as much as possible.