doug martin football coach

With injuries to four linemen, Ravens have been plugging holes on defense

The reason should be pretty obvious for anyone who watched the Ravens' 44-16 preseason-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. If Smith, who started at the middle linebacker spot that Ray Lewis had locked down for 17 years, wasn't the defense's most effective player, he certainly was its most active.

When training camp launches later this month at team headquarters, a faster, more assured Pierce could pay significant dividends for the Ravens as they attempt to defend their Super Bowl title. As the primary backup to Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, Pierce is looking to emerge as a bigger scoring threat by finishing off long runs after scoring one touchdown last season when he occasionally flashed breakaway skills.

The Baltimore sports scene is blessed with a bunch of talented bloggers who bring their unique perspective to the conversation. This week, we exchanged emails with Dan Ciarrocchi, a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association who writes about fantasy football for Pro Football Focus and the Redskins for Hogs Haven.

As the Ravens and 49ers prepare to meet at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII, Bernard Pierce and LaMichael James have emerged as potential key players

As the Ravens enter their final game of the regular season today against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ravens rookie Bernard Pierce is giving the organization a glimpse of what he can do with a little experience and a healthy body.

Running back didn't touch the football in the fourth quarter of loss to Pittsburgh

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers a selection of reader questions after the Ravens' 55-20 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

After surrendering 251 yards and four touchdowns to Doug Martin, Oakland expected to fortify unit vs. Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce

Every week, I hope to bring you a quick Q&A with someone who covers the Ravens' opponent that week. On Sunday, the Ravens play the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Thanks to Jerry McDonald, the Raiders beat writer for the Oakland Tribune and the Bay Area Newspaper Group, for giving us the lowdown this week.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.