For those wondering what in the world Jeff Blake saw on the Ravens' final offensive play in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran quarterback provided a more thorough explanation yesterday.
With 18 seconds left and at the Steelers' 11-yard line, Blake lobbed the ball in the end zone for Randy Hymes, but the rookie receiver was double-covered and the pass was intercepted by Steelers cornerback Dewayne Washington. The Ravens were in sure field-goal range after moving the ball 69 yards in just over two minutes.
Blake defended the decision.
"[Hymes] wasn't double-covered [initially]. Lee Flowers ran over and made a play from the other side," Blake said. "Initially, the free safety ran over to cover [Todd] Heap. But the other safety saw my eyes, and he came over from the other side of the field. That's the guy I didn't see. It's impossible to see two guys like that unless you go from one side, back to the other side, then come back and see him running that way."
The play soiled what was statistically one of Blake's best outings as a Raven. Blake went 19-for-26 for 336 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. But both of his interceptions came in the red zone.
Blake was intercepted on the Ravens' opening possession attempting to throw a jump ball to a double-covered Heap.
"I can't change it," Blake said. "If I come back, we'll look at it and assess it then. But right now, there's nothing I can do about it.
"If you want to say that [last interception] cost us the game, I don't think that one play cost us the game. When we are up 31-20 with eight minutes left to go in the fourth quarter, the game is supposed to be over with. ... Everybody has their own opinion, but I'll keep smiling and going and pressing on because when it's all over and said and done, all I've got is my family left, and I'm going home to them."
Coaching staff to return
Ravens coach Brian Billick expects to have his complete coaching staff return next year, which would be the first time since after the 1999 season.
The only change could come if former Ravens and current Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis lands a head coaching job and lures away secondary coach Donnie Henderson to be the defensive coordinator.
"I'm excited about my staff," Billick said. "My staff will return in full. They've done an incredible job. I've got some outstanding coaches, and with the changes going on in the league, there could be a couple approached as far as moving up in regards to coordinator spots. I've always been whatever help I could in that regard, and I will support them best I can.
"Notwithstanding that type of movement, my staff will be back intact, and I'm excited about the continuity that brings as well."
Hunter update
Receiver Javin Hunter returned to the Ravens' Owings Mills facility after serving an NFL-mandated four-game suspension.
Hunter was suspended for violating the league's policy on banned substances after testing positive for ephedrine, a drug found in dietary supplements. He had moved into the starting lineup in place of an injured Brandon Stokley before the suspension.
"I just kept working out because if we were going to the playoffs, I wanted to come back and contribute," Hunter said. "It was hard being away, and I wish we had some games left to play.
"I still am confused about the whole thing, what I did and what's in my system. They still haven't filled me in. I don't think they even know."
Road warriors
With road trips to Arizona, Oakland and San Diego, the Ravens will log more miles next regular season than any of the previous seven.
The Ravens also will play St. Louis and Miami, along with divisional rivals Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati on the road. Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle, Jacksonville and the divisional opponents come to Baltimore.
"When the schedule comes out as to when you are going to play, surf the Internet and you'll find the same response on 32 teams - demanding schedule, toughest in the NFL, boy they screwed us on this road game," Billick said.
"The West Coast run and how that pans out, I fully anticipate having to go to the West Coast three weeks in a row. I'm sure that's the way that is going to pan out. The West Coast runs that we are going to have to make are probably the most challenging aspect of it as I see now."
End zone
Billick gave the coaches the rest of the week off. ... Sam Gash won the Ravens players' chess tournament and also an enclosed knife with a warrior inscribed. ... Guard Bennie Anderson and former Raven Harry Swayne spoke to 100 kids in the Edmondson Village area yesterday as part of Kwanzaa. Anderson, who left Sunday's game with a sprained ankle, was walking without a cast. ... Ravens safety Ed Reed will be on the sideline during Friday's national championship game between Miami and Ohio State in Tempe, Ariz. Reed helped lead Miami to a national title last season.