More challenges for the Ravens’ offense

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, October 06, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Baltimore Ravens
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So far, the Baltimore Ravens have been doing it with mirrors -- and defense.

But a couple of developments earlier this week might put even more pressure on the sputtering Raven offense entering a Monday night game with Denver.

For one thing, left guard Edwin Mulitalo -- second only to Jonathan Ogden in career starts on the team -- suffered a torn left triceps muscle that will shelve him for the rest of the season. The general mood of his coaches and teammates seemed more sympathetic than dismayed.

"Edwin deserves better, given what's he's been through," said Ravens coach Brian Billick. "But one of the strengths of this team is its depth."

What Mulitalo, a University of Arizona product, went through in 2005 included bouts with gout, a bad knee and the death of his father.

"It stinks," said center Mike Flynn, "because I look forward to playing with that guy every week."

Instead, he'll be playing with second-year man Jason Brown, a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina.

"I feel prepared," said Brown, a 6-foot-3, 320-pounder. "It will be a test, but I'm ready for it."

The Ravens also signed guard Ikechuku Ndukwe, a 6-4, 338-pound rookie out of Northwestern, off the Washington Redskins' practice squad.

Defense back/kick returner B.J. Sams, meanwhile, was more concerned about another test -- one performed with a breathalyzer.

Sams got his second DUI arrest early Tuesday morning when his SUV was spotted swerving between lanes on the outer belt loop around Baltimore, nearly hitting another vehicle. According to the State Police, Sams smelled strongly of alcohol when he was pulled over.

In August 2005, he had been charged with a similar offense after being clocked at 89 MPH in a 55 MPH zone on I-83. If he's convicted of the second violation, it would probably earn him a four-game suspension from the NFL.

Why is this a big deal for the Ravens? Because Sams, who amassed a franchise-record 1,826 return yards as an undrafted rookie (McNeese State) in 2004, currently ranks second in the league with a 30.88-yard average on kickoff returns. And for an offense that hasn't demonstrated a lot of quick-strike ability, the field position Sams has given it has been invaluable.

There has been no word yet on whether Sams will play against Denver. If not, his replacement could be either wide receiver Mark Clayton (who returned six punts last season) or rookie Cory Ross from Nebraska, a human fireplug at 5-6, 201.

Sams is also sixth in the AFC in punt return average.
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