AFC Central

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Dyson finally gets his chance

Thus far in his NFL career, Kevin Dyson is known only as the sole receiver taken before Randy Moss (page 14) in the 1998 draft. While Moss has been grabbing headlines with acrobatic catches, Dyson did not catch his first pass until Week 7 and has caught only nine in the Oilers' first nine games.

Nevertheless, Dyson has scored two touchdowns, tying him for the team lead among receivers even though he has played roughly one-fifth the number of plays racked up by Frank Wycheck, Yancey Thigpen and Willie Davis, all of whom have two TD receptions.

"But Kevin's going to play more; he needs to play more," Oilers coach Jeff Fisher says, "He's doing what we expect of him, but we have to find a way to get him on the field more. He's worked hard."

Dyson has learned the two outside receiver spots in the offense in an effort to get more time. With a knee injury expected to keep Thigpen out at least until November 22, Dyson will get the majority of his work over the next few weeks in Thigpen's spot.

He will be teamed with Davis, who has been a consistent playmaker. Dyson's increased playing time will come mostly at the expense of Chris Sanders, who has not made a reception in seven of nine games.

"It's simple: Kevin's going to play more," Fisher says. "We're in this for the long term and we think he's going to be a good player for us for a long time. People shouldn't make judgments about the pick in half a season; it's five years from now."

Jeff Legwold

Baltimore

3-6: 4th

Offense will get boost with Green's return

After missing last week's game against the Raiders with a severely dislocated left pinkie, TE Eric Green is expected to start Sunday against the Chargers. The injury was initially diagnosed as a jammed pinkie, but Green eventually had surgery to repair extensive tissue damage. It has been a frustrating season for Green, who reported to training camp in great shape and had an excellent start with 30 catches for 297 yards before missing two games with a ruptured air sack. His blocking was missed against the Raiders, but Brian Kinchen, his replacement, managed an adequate performance.... If the team fires Ted Marchibroda at the end of the season, don't expect it to replace him with assistant head coach/offense Kirk Ferentz or defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. If Art Modell thought either were head coaching material, he would have replaced Marchibroda by now.

SECONDARY TROUBLE: The team likely has lost S Kim Herring for next week's game after he dislocated his left shoulder for the second time this season. He will be replaced by Corey Harris, who plays the pass better than Herring but is weaker at run support.... Rookie CB Duane Starks made his starting debut against the Raiders and was burned repeatedly by WR James Jett, who made five catches for 92 yards. But Starks will be a good cover guy in the future. He needs to play with the same aggressiveness in games as he does in practice and as the former nickel back.... DE Michael McCrary has to be a serious contender for the Pro Bowl. McCrary had four sacks against the Raiders and now has 12 1/2 to lead the AFC. McCrary isn't overpowering but is a relentless rusher who may be having a career season.... Jermaine Lewis suffered a concussion against the Raiders but is expected to be ready for the Chargers.... Jim Harbaugh played part of the game with a braised lower spine, but he looked sluggish in the pocket before the injury. He didn't move well and at times held the ball way too long. The performance was a letdown after a good game against the Jaguars two weeks ago.

GOAL-LINE STAND: The team can salvage some respectability with its upcoming games against the Chargers, Bengals and Colts. Indianapolis and Cincinnati have allowed more than 240 points and San Diego has scored a lowly 113. The Chargers and Colts are starting rookie cornerbacks, which should make them easy targets. --Mike Preston

GRADING OUT
vs. Oakland

OFFENSE C-

Need to get the receivers
more involved in routes over
the middle.

DEFENSE C+

Even with good performance
against Raiders, secondary
must improve.

SPECIAL TEAMS B

No costly penalties or major
blunders for one of the few
times this season.

STRATEGY C

Smart to blitz a struggling
Oakland offensive line;
offense begs for creativity.
RAVENS

PASSING           Att.    Comp.   Pct.    Yds.    Long

Zeier             181     107     59.1    1312    73t
Harbaugh          103      59     57.3     647    56

PASSING           TD      Int.    Rate    Sacks

Zeier              4       3       82.0    18
Harbaugh           4       6       64.7     8

RUSHING           Att.    Yds.    Avg.    TD

Holmes           111      454     4.1     2
Rhett             34      155     4.6     0
Graham            35      109     3.1     0

RECEIVING         No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

J. Lewis          29      565     19.5    5
Holmes            29      181      6.2    0
Jackson           23      334     14.5    0

SCORING           XPM     XPA     FGM     FGA     Pts.

Stover            12      12      12      18      48

PUNTING           No.     Yds.    Avg.    Blk.

K. Richardson     53      2355    44.4    2

KO RETURNS        No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

Johnson           12      236     19.7    0

PUNT RETURNS      No.     Yds.    Avg.    TD

J. Lewis          22      297     13.5    2