Thursday, November 23, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sunday won't be a game between two teams that just don't like each other. Hate is more like it when the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens get together twice annually.
"The coaches hate each other, the players hate each other," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said, almost gleefully.
"There's no calling each other after the game and inviting each other out to dinner. But the feeling's mutual: They don't like us, and we don't like them. There's no need to hide it, they know it, and we know it. It's going to be one of those black and blue games."
Ward said Baltimore is the only team in the NFL he hates. Not even Cincinnati evokes such a strong emotion. "No, I like those guys," Ward said.
Ravens coach Brian Billick thinks Ward went too far to describe the rivalry.
"Hatred is a little strong," Billick said. "I think there is a huge amount of respect that I have alluded to many times. As heated as this game gets -- and it gets heated -- two seconds after it is over and once the players come together, watch them interact with one another.
"I think hate is a little strong of a word, but it is a pretty strong emotion from the kickoff to the last down."
The chairmen of the emotional boards have been linebackers Joey Porter of the Steelers and Ray Lewis of the Ravens. It reached a pinnacle in the 2003 opener at Heinz Field, even though Porter did not play after he was shot in the rear end the previous week. Lewis mocked Porter's famous boot after making a play in a 34-15 Steelers victory. Porter was so incensed he tried to call Lewis off the Ravens' bus afterward.
The two have made up.
"Whatever happens out there happens, but afterward I have no problem with him," Porter said. "We buried the hatchet awhile back. On game day, I don't know what might happen."
Lewis missed the past two games with a back injury and is listed as questionable for the Sunday game against the Steelers.
"I know he had that planned, to sit out so he would be ready for this one," Porter said. "If there's one game you want to be back for, you want to be back for this rivalry game because it's always a close game and it means a lot when us two hook up."
Ward feels better
Ward said he won't try to practice until tomorrow, but that he felt good yesterday. He's listed as questionable with a hyperextended knee.
"I'm walking, so that's better."
Ward was injured when Cleveland Browns safety Sean Jones fell on him after he caught a 21-yard pass on the Steelers' winning touchdown drive in Cleveland. He finished the game, then was helped off the field and into the locker room.
"Adrenaline," he explained. "Just a will to keep going, keep fighting."
He has that kind of will, he said, to play Sunday. Ward has missed just one game in his career, last year because of a hamstring injury.
"It's Baltimore, man. I'm going to do whatever it takes."
Running back Najeh Davenport (groin, questionable) and cornerback Deshea Townsend (ankle, probable) also did not practice. Wide receiver Willie Reid (foot, doubtful) practiced a little for the first time since his injury Oct. 8.
Lots of significance
The Ravens (8-2) can virtually eliminate the Steelers (4-6) from playoff contention with a victory, and the visitors know that.
"No question," Porter said. "So it's a desperate game for us, it's a must-win, a have-to-have game. Guys know it's a state of emergency."
Honor for Holmes
Santonio Holmes won the NFL rookie of the week award after catching five passes for 75 yards and his first pro touchdown against the Browns Sunday. He leads all AFC rookies with 29 receptions. Fans vote for the award online.
Late-breaking statistics
Backup defensive end Travis Kirschke earned his third sack and second forced fumble yesterday from the league statisticians at Elias. The stats crew in Cleveland ruled it a team sack and gave the forced fumble to no one on what was an obvious play by Kirschke, who stripped the ball from quarterback Charlie Frye
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