Tom Zbikowski News

Four of the Ravens' nine penalties and 45 of the 80 penalty yards were assessed to special teams, which drew the attention of coach John Harbaugh today during his weekly news conference.

Tom Zbikowski understands the lack of appreciation for special-teams players. "I still go home and get asked if I'm still playing football," the former Buffalo Grove High School and Notre Dame star and second-year pro with the Baltimore Ravens said with a laugh.

We know for a fact that Ed Reed's neck injury of two seasons ago caused him to consider retirement.

Baltimore Ravens DT Haloti Ngata sat out his third straight practice of the week on Friday with an ankle injury, and was officially listed as questionable by the team.

On the day the Ravens rediscovered the joy of victory, everything came together for Jerry Rosburg's schizophrenic special teams.

You wouldn't know it by listening to Connor Arlia, but the kid is really special.

Jeff: Who do the Ravens miss the most this season: Rex Ryan, Chris McAlister , Jim Leonhard , Bart Scott or Matt Stover ? Mike Preston: No contest here, Jeff.

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison knows there are things to fix in the Ravens' defense, but he is not panicking.

With the Notre Dame-USC showdown just days away, it is always fun to reflect back on some of the classic showdowns in this rivalry.

Buffalo Grove at Hersey When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: Arlington Heights Last meeting: Buffalo Grove won 27-14 on Oct.

Head coach John Harbaugh On how the toughness of S Tom Zbikowski, a former boxer, brings to the Ravens and how does it fit into the special teams: "Tom has done well in special teams, really, since he's gotten here.

The Ravens had three starters -- offensive tackle Jared Gaither , linebacker Jarret Johnson and cornerback Fabian Washington -- missed Wednesdaya s practice, the team announced on its injury report.

Don't sound the alarm just yet, but a pair of starters in linebacker Jarret Johnson and offensive tackle Jared Gaither were not present during the portion of practice open to the media this afternoon.

As star middle linebacker Ray Lewis reached the sidelines Sunday following his dramatic, game-preserving tackle on San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh delivered an enthusiastic message to the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

San Diego's high-powered offense took a double hit Friday when the Chargers said both running back LaDainian Tomlinson and center Nick Hardwick will miss Sunday's game against the Ravens with ankle injuries.

The Ravens got a spot of good news as Terrell Suggs appeared to practice Thursday without any hesitation or reservation after sitting out Wednesdaya s session with a chest injury.

Concussions caused three Ravens to miss parts of practice Wednesday. Linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs and safety Tom Zbikowski both missed all of practice with head injuries.

Naysayers during the offseason questioned whether the Ravens defense could compete in '09 with the losses of Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard and Rex Ryan.

When the Ravens went about reshaping their roster in the 2008 draft, one of the priorities -- after a quarterback, anyway -- was to improve special teams.

Mike Pagliaro headed west in search of better weather as he saw the Windy City, Chicago, in his rear view mirror.