reporters preview Rams vs. Ravens

Ravens seem near breaking point

Mike Preston

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-1117-20151121-column.html

This is when players question coaches and coaches question players. It’s the breaking point for the Ravens.

There are various stages for a team during an NFL season, and the Ravens are at their breaking point.

If they had beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday to win a second consecutive game, maybe that could have served as a turning point. But they are past that stage now.

In the 22-20 loss, there were signs of a team falling apart, including numerous penalties, a lack of discipline and poor coaching, all of which led to a very quiet and frustrated locker room after the game.

The Ravens have lost a lot of games this season, but this one was devastating because it came in the final seconds against one of the NFL’s perennial losers.

NFL admits officials erred in final seconds of Ravens’ loss to Jaguars
NFL admits officials erred in final seconds of Ravens’ loss to Jaguars
“It’s a tough loss, man. I’ve never lost one like this before,” said Ravens running back Justin Forsett, a former Jaguar.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil said.

To a man, the Ravens said they would bounce back and play hard like they’ve done every game this season, but these types of losses don’t just hurt. They eat at your soul and fester for a while. Some teams recover, but a lot don’t, especially when they fall out of playoff contention.

Will the Ravens become the 2015 version of the Cleveland Browns, a team that folds early every season? Or have they hit the proverbial rock bottom, which means the only way to go is up?

“That’s one thing I’m not worried about. Throughout this whole year, the adversity we’ve faced, we’ve always come to work and practiced harder than any other team I’ve played with,” Forsett said. “The guys are involved in trying to grow each week. We’re going to stay together; we’re going to fight. We’re Ravens. We’re going to be relentless, and we’re going to go out every game and prepare to win.”

Five up, five down after the Ravens’ 22-20 loss to Jacksonville
Five up, five down after the Ravens’ 22-20 loss to Jacksonville
That sounds good in theory, but the Ravens are struggling for answers and not finding any. With every loss there is more doubt about the schemes and the players, as well as the coaches. You can sense there is frustration about the offense.

When some players are asked about the offense now, you are getting answers like: “I don’t call plays, I just do my job,” or “those types of decisions are above my pay grade.”

Really. That’s a bad sign.

So was the Ravens’ decision to throw a 4-yard pass into the right flat to running back Buck Allen with two minutes left in the game instead of trying to get nine yards for a first down that would have sealed the victory.

That is a loser’s mentality. It was so unlike Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who always stays in attack mode. It was a sign of panic, of a team in desperation.

Mike Preston grades the Ravens in their loss to the Jaguars
Mike Preston grades the Ravens in their loss to the Jaguars
Against Arizona a couple of weeks ago, we saw an offense that lacked direction in the final two minutes against the Cardinals. And Sunday, we saw a defense that started to celebrate one play too early.

You have to question some coaching at this point. Why does offensive coordinator Marc Trestman continue to run pass plays where the receiver consistently comes up four-to-five yards short of the first down marker?

Are the Ravens so desperate on defense now that they need to play untested linebacker Arthur Brown and try cornerback Lardarius Webb at safety? Or are they making plans for the future?

Some of these things are puzzling, but not as baffling as the Ravens having nine men on the field to return a punt with about four minutes left in the game Sunday.

Let’s face it, this Ravens team is historically bad
Let’s face it, this Ravens team is historically bad
These things shouldn’t be happening in game No. 9. So, this is a time when coaches question players and players question coaches. It always happens with losing teams, especially after close losses.

The Ravens have some leaders on this team, but not enough to fill the void left by injured players Steve Smith Sr. and Terrell Suggs. Maybe Smith would have told fullback Kyle Juszczyk to stay in bounds after his catch late in the game, or maybe Suggs would have told his teammates to keep hustling until the final whistle.

The NFL acknowledged Monday that officials blew the call on the play before the field goal because the Jaguars weren’t set. They should have been penalized, which would have resulted in a 10-second runoff and ended the game.

But those things happen to losing teams. Good teams make plays and don’t allow themselves to be put in that position at the end of games against bad teams like Jacksonville. Harbaugh has done a good job of getting his team mentally ready to play every week, but that was to be expected as long as the Ravens could possibly make the playoffs.

Jeremy Ross’ ball security issues forcing Ravens to make decision
Jeremy Ross’ ball security issues forcing Ravens to make decision
But those dreams faded a lot Sunday. When that goal is gone, sometimes veteran players stop playing hard and assistant coaches don’t put as much into the game plan.

This team has always had a strong work ethic, going back to the days of coach Ted Marchibroda from 1996 to 1998, but those teams had a breaking point, too.

This is uncharted territory for Harbaugh, who is in his eighth season as Ravens coach. He better get them redirected soon, because a lot of teams don’t survive their breaking point.

They just break.

Now starting in Baltimore, Givens faces old team

Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/now-starting-in-baltimore-givens-faces-old-team/article_052419f3-829d-5af4-b348-83cadbfab5b1.html

Jeff Fisher’s Rams teams have always been a tight-knit group. So just because a teammate leaves and goes elsewhere, doesn’t mean the friendship ends.

And so it is with wide receiver Chris Givens. After three-plus seasons running routes against Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson on the practice field at Rams Park, he will now be trying to beat them as a Baltimore Raven on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

“That was my buddy when he was here,” Jenkins said. “We hung out a little bit. We got to know each other. I’m glad to see anybody that leaves here go somewhere and be successful.”

So Jenkins will exchange pleasantries before the game; maybe a man-hug afterwards. But in between?

“Between the white lines, it’s business,” Jenkins said. “I’ve got no words for him but Clamps. That’s all.”

“Clamps” is Jenkins’ term to describe his playing style — as in clamping down on a receiver.

Givens is expecting the trash-talking to start immediately if he’s lined up over Jenkins or Johnson.

“Nothing’s gonna change,” Givens said. “It’s gonna be the same that it’s been when I played against those guys in practice.”

Traded to Baltimore on Oct. 3 for a seventh-round draft pick, Givens faces his old friends seven weeks later.

“It’s gonna be exciting,” Givens told the Post-Dispatch. “I just can’t wait to play. It’s one of those games you look forward to.”

Givens still talks to Rams wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey about once a week, and touches base with Rams wide receivers coach Ray Sherman “every now and then.” He sent Case Keenum a congratulatory text earlier this week after Keenum was promoted to starting quarterback.

“That’s a good thing for him,” Givens said. “Case is a good guy, man. He’s a good quarterback; he just needed an opportunity.”

So did Givens.

He had that impressive rookie season with the Rams in 2012, when he caught 42 passes for a team-high 698 yards. He had a reception of 50 or more yards in five consecutive games that season, which set an NFL rookie record.

But Givens’ playing time and productivity dropped with each successive season — to 34 catches in 2013 and just 11 in 2014. He had just one catch for 7 yards as a Ram this season before the trade.

“It was very frustrating,” Givens said. “You put in a lot of work in the offseason … and you don’t get that opportunity. It just makes you frustrated. It makes you that much more hungry.”

As to why his playing time decreased, Givens said, “I never really got a clear explanation. We started the season and it was like I was just another guy.”

The trade to Baltimore has given him a chance to revive his career.

“I was praying for something like this to happen, and then the day I got the call like all my prayers were answered,” he said.

A week or so before the trade, Givens got a hint that something might be in the works. He got a text from Baltimore wide receiver Michael Campanaro, a former college teammate at Wake Forest, telling him the Ravens coaches had been asking about him.

“And it kinda made sense because of everything that as going on,” Givens said.

Ironically enough, after a season-ending back injury to Campanaro, Baltimore made the trade for Givens.

In five games with the Ravens, Givens has 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. His playing time has increased to the point where he moved into the starting lineup last week against Jacksonville, and he’s scheduled to start this Sunday against his old team.

“He’s fit in well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said via conference call Wednesday. “He’s a hard-working guy and that’s a credit to how he’s been brought up in the league. Got some talent, and we like him.”

Givens made what looked like the game-winning reception last week against Jacksonville, a 14-yard reception on a corner route. But what proved to be a controversial field goal as time expired gave the Jaguars a 22-20 victory.

Givens said he and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco already have a pretty good rapport, but work to build it every day in practice.

“He’s one of the better quarterbacks in this league; he’s gonna be like that for a long time,” Givens said. “He will get you the ball at any different time, so you’ve always got to be ready for it. He makes things easier because of how good he is.”

When they made the trade, the Ravens inherited what was left of Givens’ original Rams contract — a contract that expires after this season. Givens hopes the Ravens see enough that they’ll re-sign him beyond the 2015 campaign.

“I’m loving where I’m at,” Givens said. “I love everything about it. And it’s just one of those things that feels right. From the first day I got here everything just felt right.”

Come Sunday he’ll have some kind words for his former teammates, before and after the game. But when all is said and done he’ll be trying to beat them, and vice versa.

“No one on either side, neither one of us wants to walk away saying we lost,” Givens said. “So it’s gonna be a high-intensity game.”

“I’m not gonna go out there and kill him,” Johnson said. “We’re brothers still. He’s with the Ravens now, though, so we’re both playing for the win.”

No matter what, Givens won’t leave the stadium empty-handed. How so?

“I’m gonna take him his socks,” Austin said Wednesday, pointing to a box near his locker stall. “He left his socks here, so I’m gonna take him his socks. Just a little bit of memories.”

Yes, nothing says old times like a box full of old socks.

Rams notes: Welker getting more comfortable with each practice

Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notes-welker-getting-more-comfortable-with-each-practice/article_772019d1-5af0-5bb4-a058-53cb1ed27aa6.html

Just a few days after signing with the Rams, veteran receiver Wes Welker made his debut Sunday. The 34-year-old was on the field for 11 offensive snaps, targeted six times and finished with three catches for 32 yards.

“It felt good,’’ Welker said following his first game action since a Denver Broncos playoff loss Jan. 11. “It felt good just kind of getting my feet wet a little bit; just trying to get accustomed to everything.’’

Signed after Stedman Bailey was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse, Welker entered the game on the Rams’ second series and was open when a third-down pass from Nick Foles missed the mark. On the next possession, Welker made a 6-yard reception on a third-and-7 play.

“Obviously I want to get my depth on that third down and make sure I get the first down,” said Welker, who was open and overthrown on a second-half pass from Foles. “It’s a tough situation but at the same time you still have to make those plays for the team.’’

Welker hopes to play an even bigger role in Sunday’s game against the Ravens in Baltimore.

“This being my 12th year, you kind pick it up and go,’’ he said. “Obviously not the outcome we wanted, but I felt comfortable. Every day, you’re learning more and more. I’m trying to study, getting in a lot of mental reps, watching the other guys. I’m standing next to ‘Sherm’ (wide receivers coach Ray Sherman) and (offensive assistant Jeff) Garcia and getting the play calls, and figuring out what’s what. It’s coming along.’’

Rams coach Jeff Fisher likes what he has seen from Welker.

“He was exact in his play,’’ Fisher said. “He ran the routes appropriately. He got open. We hit him a few times and missed him a few times. He looked like he’d been doing it for a long time, which is good to see.’’

A five-time Pro Bowl selection who led the NFL in receptions in 2007, 2011 and 2013, Welker must now adjust to a new quarterback. On Monday, Fisher announced that Case Keenum would replace Foles.

“In Miami, I think we had six or seven QB’s, but it’s been a long time for me to deal with that,’’ said Welker, who has caught passes from future Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Tom Brady during the last eight seasons of his NFL career. “I think you just go out there and try to do your job and do whatever you can to help your team win. I’m kind of focused on myself and playing how I need to play.’’

NEW GUY IN TOWN

The newest Ram, center Eric Kush, has had an eventful fall, spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans — all since early September.“I’ve been running around, making the rounds, touring the country a little bit, grinding, grinding, grinding, doing whatever I need to do,’’ he said.

On Monday, just 10 days after signing a two-year contract, the 26-year-old Kush was waived by Houston. He was claimed by the Rams on Tuesday. Wednesday, he took part in his first practice at Rams Park.

“I’m coming in here to work my butt off,’’ he said. “I’m going to work hard, bring some energy, have fun and help out in any way I can.’’

Kush, who stands 6 feet 4 and weighs 313 pounds, played in 49 games and made 32 starts for the Division II California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans and was selected by Kansas City in the sixth round of the 2013 draft. He spent the next two seasons with the Chiefs, playing in three games and making one start.

With the University of Missouri’s Mitch Morse, a second-round draft choice in the spring, winning the starting job in Kansas City, Kush was cut at the end of training camp.

“It’s nice to still have a job, to know somebody wants you,’’ he said. “I want to move forward. I’m excited to be here, the playbook’s very similar, which helps. I’m primarily a center, but I’m here to play some football and I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do.’’

RAM-BLINGS

The Rams’ first injury report of the week includes just four players. Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip) and tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not practice, center Tim Barnes (concussion) was limited and Chris Long (knee) was a full participant. Long was hurt on a knee-to-knee hit against Green Bay on Oct. 11 and hasn’t played since.For the Ravens, linebacker Elvis Dumervil (knee), and guard Kelechi Osemele (knee) and tight end Nick Boyle (foot) did not practice Wednesday. Dumervil and Osemele have started all nine games this season for Baltimore.

• Not long the 3 p.m. waiver deadline Wednesday, defensive tackle Doug Worthington ran out of the locker room at Rams Park and rejoined the team. Worthington was waived on Tuesday and re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

• After receiving contributions from everyone in the locker room, the Rams will partner with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis for the 21st consecutive year of distributing turkeys and fixings to approximately 2,000 families. Players, cheerleaders and team mascot Rampage will pass out the turkeys Thursday at locations throughout the region.

• The Denver Broncos released guard Shelley Smith on Wednesday. Smith was with the Rams in 2012 and 2013.

Intriguing Matchup: Case Keenum vs. Baltimore Blitz

Posted by: Bernie Miklasz i

http://www.101sports.com/2015/11/20/intriguing-matchup-casey-keenum-vs-baltimore-blitz/

OK, so it isn’t exactly Dan Marino taking aim at the infamous 1985 Chicago Bears defense. This isn’t Kurt Warner and the “Greatest Show” Rams cast taking their performance art into Baltimore to challenge Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs.

But with the Rams changing their starting quarterback, trying to wrestle their way back to .500 and revive their faint playoff hopes in Sunday’s game in Baltimore offers a little something extra to go with the Chesapeake Bay-style crab cakes and Maryland crab soup I plan to make in time for kickoff.

Before we get into it, let’s set the premise:

— New Rams quarterback Case Keenum has made 10 NFL starts, all with Houston. Keenum hasn’t distinguished himself. He’s no long-time starter or lasting solution. But with the Rams passing game in a torpor under somnolent quarterback Nick Foles, a shakeup makes sense. Keenum can be a string of firecrackers. He can jar the Rams’ passivity on offense. He can extend plays by roaming to his left or right. He likes to heave the long ball, and can make some connections. That string of firecrackers makes noise, draws some attention, then quickly burns out. But the Rams don’t need Keenum to be Johnny Unitas. They just need him to make some plays.

— Torn by injuries, the Baltimore defense is no longer the Baltimore defense. The Ravens have allowed an average of 25.4 points on offense per game, ranking 28th among the 32 teams. They’ve been stung by 34 completions of 20+ yards. They rank 30th in third-down defense, yielding for a conversion rate of 45.1 percent. Opposing quarterbacks have pitched their way to a 101.4 passer rating (2They’ve given up 35 “quick-strike” points this season — scores that come on possessions that last fewer than four plays. And the league average for quick-strike points is 25. The Ravens have allowed opponents to put points up on 44 percent of their offensive possessions; that ranks 30th. This defense has only five takeaways. This defense has been seared for 18 touchdown passes and made only four interceptions. (Where have you gone, Bobby Boyd? Where’s Rick Volk? Has anyone in Bawlmer seen Mike Curtis?)

In other words: you can make plays against this Baltimore defense.

Big plays at that. And while there’s no reason to expect sharp consistency from Keenum, he does have that helter-skelter style that you’d find on a playground. It’s oddly threatening to a defense that prefers going after the stationary Foles. But Keenum could be running around so much, we may see him fling a few passes from the adjacent Camden Yards.

To compensate for their loose pass defense, the Ravens have cranked up the blitz. You know: mug the quarterback before he can lock in on a downfield target. Only seven NFL defenses have blitzed more frequently on passing downs than Baltimore this season. And the blitzkrieg can inflict some damage; the Ravens have 15 of their 24 sacks when sending extra pass rushers.

But if the opposing QB can see through the heat waves and deliver the ball, it’s party time.

The Ravens have blitzed on 114 passing downs. Let’s look through the rubble:

Quarterbacks have completed 74 of 114 passes against the Baltimore blitz, or 65 percent.

The QBs have 1,173 “blitz” passing yards vs. the Ravens — the most allowed by an NFL defense.

Their yards per passing attempt vs. the Baltimore blitz is an inflated 10.29 yards; that ranks 31st.

When give time to throw, the QBs have beaten this blitz for 12 completions of 25+ yards.

Quarterbacks have charred the Baltimore blitz for 11 touchdown passes (tied for most in the NFL) with just one INT.

When the Ravens blitz, opponents have counterattacked for a 127.6 passer rating.

Yeah. I’d say you can make some plays when the Ravens send extra rushers after your QB.

Now, there’s no guarantee the Ravens will release the hounds on Keenum. After looking at the Rams’ pass-protection issues, the Ravens’ defensive coaches may conclude that it makes sense to go with a four-man pass rush. Keenum isn’t the most accurate passer, so it makes sense to put the emphasis on coverage and reduce the number of blitzes. Why give Keenum a chance to wriggle or scamper from your blitz to find an uncovered receiver downfield?

On the other hand …

For all of his Run Rabbit Run! moments, Keenum doesn’t have killer career numbers vs. the blitz. He’s completed 48 of 105 passes (45.7%), been sacked 11 times, thrown two touchdown passes with one INT, and a 68.8 rating. Keenum has banged the blitz for nine passes of 25+ yards, so the playmaking threat is there.

So we’ll have to see how this all goes down if the Ravens choose to aggressively attack the Rams’ vulnerable O-line with blitzes.

But you have to think that Fisher had the Baltimore blitz in mind when he decided to go with Keenum over Foles. Early in the season Foles was very effective when blitz, but that performance deteriorated over his last five starts. Beginning with the game at Green Bay on Oct. 11, Foles has completed only 15 of 36 passes when blitzed (42%) with a passer rating of 51.7.

As Nick Wagoner pointed out in his Rams’ coverage at ESPN.com, Keenum is superior to Foles on throws attempted outside the pocket. In his nine games Foles hit on 14 of 35 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions for a passer rating of 51.8. And in his 10 NFL starts, Keenum has completed 21 of 43 for 398 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 86.5.

I don’t think Fisher made the switch without studying the numbers and the video. There were plenty of reasons for benching Foles, but the matchup with Baltimore is also a matter of good timing.

Rams notebook: Austin, Gurley return home for game in Baltimore

Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notebook-austin-gurley-return-home-for-game-in-baltimore/article_e0b51a46-e731-5521-922b-cb25ccf402a7.html

The last time Rams receiver Tavon Austin played in front of the hometown fans in Baltimore, he scored on a two-point play in the final seconds to lead his Dunbar Poets to a 20-19 victory over Fort Hill to close out his prep football career with back-to-back-to-back state titles.

“Lots of great memories,’’ said Austin, who hopes to make a few more Sunday when the 4-5 Rams take on the 2-7 Baltimore Ravens in a noon game at M&T Bank Stadium. I’m “definitely looking forward to it. Just to go home and play in front of my family, a lot of people that don’t get to come and see me play out here. Growing up in Baltimore, I was Ravens fan, (so) playing one of my favorite teams growing up, that’s a blessing, too.’’

After starring at West Virginia University, the 5-foot-8, 176-pound Austin was selected eighth overall by the Rams in the 2013 draft. But he also had some pre-draft talks with the hometown team.

“They were definitely staying in touch,’’ Austin recalled. “I had a great meeting with them. The GM (Ozzie Newsome) is an awesome guy. I thought they were going to pull the trigger, but Coach Fisher did. I’m proud he did and I’m happy to be a Ram.’’

Austin will enter Sunday’s action as the Rams’ top receiver (30 catches, 305 yards, four TDs) and No. 2 rusher (28 carries, 255 yards, two TDs). He’s one of the top punt-return men in the league, averaging 9.4 yards on 19 returns, and also leads the squad with seven touchdowns, including one as a punt returner.

“The plan is to go in and try to have a good game, don’t do too much, just play my game and try to come out with a win,’’ said Austin, who grew up about 15 minutes from M&T Bank Stadium but never attended a Ravens game.

The Rams’ other top offensive threat, rookie running back Todd Gurley, also grew up in Baltimore as a Ravens fan. Gurley moved to North Carolina during high school but said he still has family in Baltimore.

Gurley, selected by the Rams with 10th pick in the draft last spring, has rushed for 709 yards on 130 carries and has scored five touchdowns. When asked about ticket requests from family and friends early in the week, the former University of Georgia star had his answer ready: “Stubhub.com. That’s all I have to say.’’

Austin is taking a slightly different approach.

“I don’t try to do too many people like that,’’ he said. “I’ve got my selected few (but) I just don’t answer my phone. That’s how I do it.’’

LONG, QUINN QUESTIONABLE

“I feel good, very happy with where I am,’’ Rams defensive end Chris Long said Friday after his second full workout of the week. “Other than being rusty, I feel like I’m in shape, so now it’s just a matter of being in football shape. I feel good.’’But will he play Sunday in Baltimore?

“I don’t know, we’ll see,’’ the eighth-year pro said after Friday’s workout. “You gotta ask … it’s not my call. It’s whatever’s best for the team on Sunday.’’

Long suffered a fracture in a knee-to-knee collision Oct. 11 in Green Bay and has sat out the last four games.

“Like I said before, it’s not a ligament… The bone just had to heal from fracture,’’ he said. “It’s not going to be like last year when I came back and I was terrible. I was awful. So when I’m back, I’m back. I’m really excited to help the team however I can. And I just missed being out there.’’

Long, who returned to practice Nov. 13, played in just six games a year ago after suffering a foot injury in the season opener that required surgery to repair two torn tendons.

“I’m not the first guy to get hurt, injured. It’s frustrating,’’ he said. “It’s out of your control. When you’re hurt, you feel like you’re letting people down. You’re on the sideline watching your buddies play football.

“I want to do what I can to help us win. I just want to be out there supporting my brothers.’’

Coach Jeff Fisher sounded optimistic after Friday’s practice, listing Long, defensive end Robert Quinn (hip) and tight end Justice Cunningham (finger) as questionable for the game in Baltimore. Center Tim Barnes (concussion) is probable and rookie tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) is doubtful.

Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was limited Friday. He was on the field for just 14 plays a week ago against Chicago and sat out the Ram’s overtime loss in Minnesota with a knee issue. Havenstein, who did not practice this week, missed the Minnesota game with an ankle injury and did not finish the game against Chicago.

Long “was full practice today, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,’’ the coach said. “But it’s good. Yeah, he’s had a good week.’’

For Baltimore, rookie tight end Nick Boyle (foot) is doubtful and guard Kelechi Osemele (knee) is questionable after both sat out Friday’s workout. Linebacker Elvis Dumervil (knee) practiced Friday and is probable. The Ravens also listed defensive end Chris Canty and linebacker Daryl Smith probable after practicing Friday. Both sat out Thursday for non-injury reasons.

RAM-BLINGS

At halftime Sunday, Ed Reed will become the ninth player inducted into the Ravens’ Ring of Honor. Reed, 37, was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection who was named first-team All-Pro five times. He forged a legacy as perhaps the most feared big-play safety in NFL history.

“Anytime you’re honored in any degree, you think about the people who helped you get there,’’ Reed said in a Baltimore Sun story that ran Friday. “That’s the best thing about it. You reflect on the people who held you together when things were rough and on the good times as well. There were a lot of good times.’’

The NFL defensive player of the year in 2004, Reed was with the Ravens from 2002 through 2012.

• Bears linebacker Willie Young, who came up with a fourth-quarter interception in last week’s 37-13 win over the Rams, also picked up a $17,363 fine for a roughing QB Nick Foles earlier in the game.