Suggs set to back up the talk

By Neal Coolong  |   Sunday, November 02, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Baltimore Ravens
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Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs got the team's franchise tag during the offseason instead of the extension he wanted.

The Ravens take on the improving Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and if Suggs wants to earn that big extension, a big game against stud left tackle Joe Thomas will have to be on his resume.

Suggs was instrumental in the Ravens' 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, not to mention in their 29-10 win over Oakland in Week 8. Neither team has a left tackle as polished as Thomas, though. With the Ravens' secondary depleted by injuries, the more Suggs can shorten the amount of time Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has the ball before he has to throw, the better off his team - and his contract situation - will be.

Commentary: The Ravens will be without cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle and strong safety Dawan Landry for the third consecutive game, and while this hasn't affected them much during their two-game winning streak, neither the Dolphins nor the Raiders have a receiver with the ability of Cleveland's Braylon Edwards.

Suggs can make an impact simply by getting penetration and forcing the Browns to keep a running back next to Anderson to help pass protection. That will draw less heat off LOLB Jarrett Johnson and Jameel McClain. But if Suggs can dominate the AFC North's best tackle, much like he did in the Ravens' 28-10 win over Cleveland in Week 3 (two sacks), the Ravens will win their third in a row.

Fan Pulse: One Winning Drive, a blog associated with the Extreme Ravens message board, discusses the key matchups in Baltimore's Week 9 game.

Fantasy Football Impact: The Browns haven't had a 100-yard rusher yet this season, and there's very little chance of breaking that streak against the Ravens - the NFL's second-ranked run defense. Look for Willis McGahee to break the century mark if he's given the carries (Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice each take about seven carries a game away from him). The Browns give up 141 rushing yards per game, 24th in the league.

Injury Watch: The Ravens also placed WR Demetrius Williams and CB Derrick Martin on injured reserve this week. TE Daniel Wilcox is doubtful (thigh) and McGahee is questionable, but is expected to play.

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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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