Notebook: Revis' skills a Ravens worry

By Joe Platania
CSNBaltimore.com/PressBoxOnline.com

OWINGS MILLS -- Standout players such as New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis are seen as the cure-all for any problem.

When Jets head coach Rex Ryan was asked about Ravens rookie Torrey Smith's three-touchdown quarter last week, he said, "We could just put Revis on him."

If a supposedly non-descript, 5-foot-11, 198-pound fifth-year corner is referred to in such quick-passing terms, then maybe it's not a good idea to throw a quick pass -- or, for that matter, any pass -- in his direction.

The Ravens didn't mess with Revis last year when the two teams met in a Week One Monday-night showcase, not throwing his way very often at all. As a result, opposite-side corner Antonio Cromartie registered two tackles and an interception during a game the Ravens would go on to win, 10-9.

But with Cromartie questionable for Sunday's game because of bruised ribs and a bruised lung, then the Ravens -- in order to continue their newfound downfield assault and open up running lanes -- just might have to occasionally pick on backup Kyle Wilson as well as Revis, the three-time Pro Bowl selectee and 2009 AFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Notebook: Offenses lighting up league

By Joe Platania
CSNBaltimore.com/PressBoxOnline.com

OWINGS MILLS -- Remember the opening theme from the old "Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show"?

It was a splashy, grandiose number that promised big thrills, with lyrics like: "Overture/ Cut the lights/ This is it/ The night of nights/ No more rehearsing, rehearsing our part/ We know every part by heart."

The Ravens, at long last, may finally know that feeling as they prepare to take to the national-television stage against the New York Jets (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., WBAL-TV, WIYY-FM) for the first of five prime-time games this year.

It's a team that has changed its offensive "modus operandi," taking to the air at about the same time the league as a whole has done the same.

Currently, the Ravens' run-pass ratio is -41 (74 runs, 115 passes, including sacks allowed), a figure that used to be symptomatic of a team that couldn't get its desired run-first approach pointed in the desired direction.

Week Four opponent preview: New York Jets

By Joe Platania
CSNBaltimore.com/PressBoxOnline.com

What: Week Four
When: 8:20 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (71,008)
Records: Jets, 2-1; Ravens, 2-1
TV: WBAL-TV, Channel 11 (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
Radio: WIYY-FM, 97.9 (Gerry Sandusky, Qadry Ismail, Stan White)

ABOUT THE JETS

- Down the stretch last year, New York lost three of five games to obliterate memories of a gaudy 9-2 start before going on the road as the sixth seed and beating Indianapolis and New England in the wild-card and divisional playoff rounds. Pittsburgh then beat the Jets, 24-19, during the AFC title game.

- The Jets have made the playoffs six times during the past decade (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010) and accumulated a 6-6 postseason record. Before that stretch, their 1998 run to the conference championship game against Denver was their only playoff berth during the previous nine seasons.

- The half-century-old franchise is now in its second year in its fourth home stadium, following the Polo Grounds (1960-63), Shea Stadium (1964-83) and Giants Stadium (1984-2009).

- New York's game Sunday at Baltimore is the second of three straight road contests. The Jets lost at Oakland last week, 34-24, and will travel to New England next Sunday. The Jets are one of 10 teams around the league to have a three-game road stretch; the list includes Cleveland, Miami, New Orleans and San Diego.

This week in Baltimore football history

By Joe Platania
CSNBaltimore.com/PressBoxOnline.com

1941 -- Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey was born in Queens, N.Y.

1953 -- Bert Rechichar's NFL-record 56-yard field goal (a league record that stood for 17 years) helped the Baltimore Colts beat the Chicago Bears, 13-9, during the season opener. ... Ravens strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki was born in Clarksburg, W.Va.

1954 -- Colts head coach Weeb Ewbank, who would eventually win two championships for Baltimore, lost his first game on the job to the Los Angeles Rams, 48-0.

1957 -- The Colts wore horseshoes on their helmets for the first time during the season opener, a 34-14 win against the Detroit Lions.