Ravens Q&A with Mike Preston

Baltimoresun.com staff

9:46 AM EST, January 14, 2009

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Editor's note: Ravens questions for Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston can be submitted on game days from halftime until three hours after the game. Selected questions are published in a Q&A on baltimoresun.com later in the week. Listen to Mike Preston every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fox 1370 (AM) Sports.

John, Westminster: Do you think the Ravens are going to take the reins off of quarterback Joe Flacco a little bit in the AFC championship game? I know the Ravens are attempting to limit his mistakes but I don't think we are going to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers unless we open it up a bit. The offense seemed more imaginative earlier in the year and that opened up the running game.

Mike Preston: The offense was more imaginative because the Ravens weren't afraid to take chances against bad teams. I don't see the Ravens opening up the offense unless they fall behind. They'll take their shots against Pittsburgh downfield, but that will be more or less to open up the field. I don't think Flacco will be throwing the ball 30 to 35 times a game unless needed.

Bill: I read about how things seem to be breaking just right for the Ravens during this playoff run. Do you really believe they are going to the Super Bowl -- and will beat the Steelers -- or were you just making a point about the win over the Tennessee Titans?

Mike Preston: My beer mug is empty. I have drunk the purple Kool-Aid. See ya in Tampa, Bill.

Stephen: What are the main keys for the Ravens to make it a long day for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger?

Mike Preston: The Ravens have to keep Roethlisberger in the pocket and not let him outside. Also, they have to bring him down, which is tough because Roethlisberger is so big. The Ravens' defensive backs and linebackers have to stick with their men all over the field until the whistle sounds. Roethlisberger is good at escaping and making plays downfield.

Ryan: OK, here's the scenario: The Ravens are driving for the game-winning or game-tying field goal against the Steelers and have time for one more play (the field-goal attempt). Assuming it's a long attempt, at what distance would you have Steve Hauschka take the kick over Matt Stover? Or would the Ravens stick with Stover in that type of pressure situation?

Mike Preston: Matt Stover is an honest and straight up guy. I would walk up to him and ask, regardless of the distance, "Matt, can you hit it from here?"

If Stover says no, I go with Hauschka. If he says yes, I got with Stover. Stover is Mr. Clutch. In that situation, I use his experience and let him make the call.

If he makes it, I pat myself on the back about the great decision I made. If he misses it, I blame it all on Stover (just joking).

Seriously, Stover should make the call.

Jeremiah: If the Ravens manage to win Sunday and advance to the Super Bowl, do you think they match up better against the Arizona Cardinals or Philadelphia Eagles?

Mike Preston: The Ravens match up better against the Eagles. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner could put up big numbers against the Ravens because he has quality receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, who has excellent hands. That would be a scary scenario.

We've already seen what the Ravens would do against Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb, and his lack of big-play receivers. The Ravens want to see the Eagles, not the Cardinals.

Matthew: Why have the Ravens struggled to run the ball in the two playoff games after having success during the regular season?

Mike Preston: The Ravens have struggled because they are playing against better quality teams, instead of the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans had one of the better defensive lines in the league. A lot of teams struggle running against Tennessee, and the Dolphins had really active linebackers.

Remember, the Ravens' offensive line is still young. This group is far from reaching its peak.

Mike, Crofton: What's the deal with Ray Rice? He's been active the past two games but they're not using him.The screen passes to him on third downs were really effective earlier in the year.

Mike Preston: Sorry Mike, I don't have an answer for you. I thought they would use Rice more last week against the Titans, especially on short swing passes out of the backfield. But since they didn't use him early in the game, I didn't think he would play late in the game. No use throwing him out there in crunch time when he hasn't touched the ball in weeks.

Rice's disappearance from the offense has been a mystery, and disappointing. The Ravens need to use him to breathe some life into the offense. He can make something out of nothing when he is one on one with a linebacker in the open field.

Jim: Mike, I have two related questions:

1. How much better would the Ravens be if Jonathan Ogden hadn't retired?

2. Given the Ravens' success this year, does J.O. regret his decision to retire?

Mike Preston: Of course, the Ravens would be better with Ogden. He is the best offensive tackle to ever play the game. But given the circumstances, I like seeing Jared Gaither develop with the other young offensive linemen. It's a nice group, a bunch of guys that get along well.

As for your second question, I don't think Ogden regrets his decision. He played well during his time, and if Ogden couldn't be at 100 percent, he really had no desire to play. I bet J.O. is playing a lot of golf, and running the casino tables in Vegas. He doesn't miss having a sore body on Monday mornings.

Ed, Arlington, Va.: In my opinion, the unsung hero of the Ravens' defense has been Jim Leonhard. Will the Ravens make it a priority to re-sign him in the offseason?

Mike Preston: I won't say he is a priority. Ray Lewis is a priority. Terrell Suggs is a priority. Bart Scott is a priority. I think Leonhard has found a home in Baltimore and is a product of the system. I don't see him going anywhere during the offseason.

Zach: I go to the University of Michigan and one of my roommates is a die-hard Steelers fan while I'm a die-hard Ravens fan. What do you think is the best way I can get into his head?

Mike Preston: Shave his head bald when he goes to sleep at night, or paint his Terrible Towel purple.

Personally, I like Steelers fans, especially the old ones. They remind me a lot of the old Baltimore Colts fans, who were very passionate about their home team.