Ravens defensive tackle Larry Webster likes the idea of his former Maryland teammate, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Neil O'Donnell, being invited to his coming-out party.
"You always like to hassle old teammates," Webster said. "Maybe when I knock him on the ground, I'll lay on top of him and get a chance to say hello. He'll appreciate that. I haven't talked to him in a while."
Webster missed the grand opening of the Ravens' $223 million stadium at Camden Yards on Sept. 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a pulled right hamstring. But with starter Tony Siragusa questionable because of a neck injury, Webster may start Sunday against the Bengals (1-2).
Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda said a lot of the tingling in Siragusa's arms had subsided and his status would be determined Sunday. Siragusa missed his second straight practice yesterday.
But either way, Webster, a native of Elkton, will get a chance to be on display at home for the first time.
"I was most definitely disappointed about not playing in the opener," Webster said. "I had practiced the entire week leading up to the opener, but they didn't feel I was ready. Now, I'm just fine-tuning, getting my timing down. I think I'm ready to go."
Webster, 6 feet 5 and 288 pounds, injured his hamstring while running extra sprints after practice and missed the final three preseason games and the opener. He finally played about 17 plays in each of the past two games against the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Only now is he rounding into decent shape.
"I definitely could have played better against Jacksonville, but it was better than the last game," said Webster, who had two tackles against the Jaguars. "The first week you come back from an injury you're kind of hesitant, and then it's the second week you go all out. The injury really slowed me down. It set me back."
Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis agreed.
"Larry is the kind of player that needs his time on the practice field," Lewis said. "He is an improved player from a year ago, but the injury was quite a setback."
Lewis has contingency plans. He has already gotten defensive end Mike Frederick some work at tackle this week and the Ravens (1-2) could put rookie Lional Dalton on the active roster for the first game this season. But Webster has his own plans as well. He wants to greet O'Donnell, Bengals running back Corey Dillon, center Darrick Brilz, and guards Rich Braham and Ken Blackman.
"Corey Dillon is a great back and he runs hard," Webster said. "He can break your back if he gets into the open field. Neil has been doing a good job of getting the ball down the field to the receivers. We've got to put some pressure on him."
There is pressure on Webster. The 6-3, 320-pound Siragusa was off to his best start in recent years. He was the team's sixth-leading tackler with 13, but more importantly he was getting penetration into the other team's backfield or keeping offensive linemen off middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who won't play this Sunday because of a dislocated left elbow.
Webster, who is part of a regular rotation with Siragusa and James Jones, is just as imposing, just as strong. Siragusa probably has more athletic talent.
"Goose was coming off the ball, playing in vintage style," Webster said. "Whether I start or not, I'll be prepared to play. I'm taking all of this in stride. I want to make sure the other 10 guys will be comfortable with me when I'm out there. I can't be Goose, so I've got to relax, be myself."
Next for Ravens
Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
Site: Ravens stadium
When: Sunday, 8: 20 p.m.
TV/Radio: Ch. 2, ESPN/WJFK (1300 AM), WLIF (101.9 FM)
Tickets: Sold out
Line: Ravens by 5 1/2
'
Sun staff selections
Week 4
Bengals at Ravens (-5 1/2 )
John Eisenberg .. Bengals
Gary Lambrecht .. Bengals
Mike Preston .... Bengals
Ken Rosenthal ... Bengals
Vito Stellino ... Bengals
Cardinals at Rams (-3)
John Eisenberg .. Rams
Gary Lambrecht .. Rams
Mike Preston .... Cardinals
Ken Rosenthal ... Rams
Vito Stellino ... Rams
Redskins at Broncos (off)
John Eisenberg .. Broncos
Gary Lambrecht .. Broncos
Mike Preston .... Redskins
Ken Rosenthal ... Broncos
Vito Stellino ... Broncos
Packers (-6 1/2 ) at Panthers
John Eisenberg .. Packers
Gary Lambrecht .... Packers
Mike Preston .... Packers
Ken Rosenthal ... Panthers
Vito Stellino ... Packers
Jaguars (-3) at Oilers
John Eisenberg .. Oilers
Gary Lambrecht .. Oilers
Mike Preston .... Jaguars
Ken Rosenthal ... Jaguars
Vito Stellino ... Jaguars
@Chiefs (-8) at Eagles
John Eisenberg .. Chiefs
Gary Lambrecht .. Chiefs
Mike Preston .... Chiefs
Ken Rosenthal ... Eagles
Vito Stellino ... Eagles
Saints at Colts (pick)
John Eisenberg .. Saints
Gary Lambrecht .. Colts
Mike Preston .... Saints
Ken Rosenthal ... Saints
Vito Stellino ... Saints
Raiders at Cowboys (-5)
John Eisenberg .. Cowboys
Gary Lambrecht .. Raiders
Mike Preston .... Cowboys
Ken Rosenthal ... Cowboys
Vito Stellino ... Cowboys
Seahawks at Steelers (-3)
John Eisenberg .. Steelers
Gary Lambrecht .. Steelers
Mike Preston .... Steelers
Ken Rosenthal ... Steelers
Vito Stellino ... Steelers
Giants (-1) at Chargers
John Eisenberg .. Giants
Gary Lambrecht .. Chargers
Mike Preston .... Chargers
Ken Rosenthal ... Chargers
Vito Stellino ... Giants
Falcons at 49ers (-10 1/2 )
John Eisenberg .. Falcons
Gary Lambrecht .. Falcons
Mike Preston .... Falcons
Ken Rosenthal ... Falcons
Vito Stellino ... 49ers
Vikings (-6 1/2 ) at Bears
John Eisenberg .. Vikings
Gary Lambrecht .. Bears
Mike Preston .... Vikings
Ken Rosenthal ... Vikings
Vito Stellino ... Vikings
Bucs (-1 1/2 ) at Lions
John Eisenberg .. Bucs
Gary Lambrecht .. Bucs
Mike Preston .... Bucs
Ken Rosenthal ... Bucs
Vito Stellino ... Bucs
Last week's record
John Eisenberg .. 7-5
Gary Lambrecht .. 8-4
Mike Preston .... 8-4
Ken Rosenthal ... 5-7
Vito Stellino ... 6-6
Season record
John Eisenberg .. 23-19
Gary Lambrecht .... 23-19
Mike Preston .... 26-16
Ken Rosenthal ... 22-20
Vito Stellino ... 23-19
Note: Selections made against the spread; off-the-board game considered pick'em.
Pub Date: 9/25/98