AFC Central

Sporting News, The, Dec 14, 1998 by Pett Prisco, Mike Preston

The book on ... Donovin Darius

Jaguars S, 6-1/213, 1st year

It's not often a future Hall of Fame quarterback winks at a rookie safety. But that's exactly what happened to Donovin Darius in Week 8. As the Broncos' offense lined up for a play during the game in Denver, Darius pointed to where he thought the play would be run. As he did, he says, John Elway looked across the line and winked at him, as if to indicate "nice work, rookie."

"It made me know that I knew what I was doing," says Darius. "And they ran the play there, too. It made me feel good to know that all the film work is paying off."

It is, in a big way. Darius' play has been vital to the Jaguars' defense; last week, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. In five November games, Darius had 42 tackles and returned a fumble 83 yards for a touchdown against the Ravens. For the season, Darius is the Jaguars' second-leading tackler behind linebacker Kevin Hardy. As defensive coordinator Dick Jauron predicted after the team selected Darius in the first round of last April's draft, Darius has brought a "violence" to the defense.

"He does add a physical presence," defensive tackle John Jurkovic says. "He makes a running back realize that, `Hey, there's somebody back there looking for me.' He's going to lay a lick on him."

"Coming in, I didn't want anyone to say, `Beat the rookie,' "says Darius. "I never wanted to hear that. I felt that I didn't want a label on me that was a handicap. I wanted to perform to the level I knew I could perform."

Darius sometimes has been a little too aggressive on play-action, getting beat a couple of times for scores. But he's more comfortable now reading keys. With that, his coverage skills have improved. --Pett Prisco

Baltimore

5-8: 4th

Rhett is playing well in role as a special teamer

RB Errict Rhett came to the Ravens with the reputation of being a selfish player. But this season, he hasn't criticized the coaching staff for his limited playing time. Rhett is playing on special teams for the first time in his career and is playing extremely well. At least the Ravens are getting some production out of Rhett. Second-year player Jay Graham--who was expected to be the starting running back--lost his starting job to Rhett and later Priest Holmes. Graham has not played in the last nine games because of a knee injury.... Last Sunday, the Ravens lost four starting offensive linemen to injuries. Center Wally Williams suffered a neck sprain in the first half, OTs Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Brown suffered multiple ligament strains in their ankles and RG Jeff Blackshear was kicked in the groin early in the fourth quarter. Blackshear had to return for the final drive because Ogden left with the ankle injury. Ogden, Brown and Blackshear should play this weekend. It's likely the club will activate reserve OT Spencer Folau and G/C Mike Flynn as more of a precaution than a necessity.... Assistant head coach Kirk Ferentz was wise to take the Iowa job. The offensive coaching staff has been criticized because of poor production and most of the criticism was directed at the offensive line, the unit Ferentz coached. If Ferentz had stayed, he or quarterbacks coach Don Strock likely would have been fired, whether Ted Marchibroda was retained or not.

LOSING A SAFETY: The Ravens have placed FS Kim Herring on injured reserve because of a left shoulder separation he suffered vs. the Raiders November 8. Herring had 23 tackles in seven games but missed five games because of the injury. Corey Harris, his replacement, has performed well and is one of the AFC's top kickoff returners.... It's too bad the Ravens didn't get WR Floyd Turner into the lineup sooner. Turner, starting for the injured Jermaine Lewis, has three touchdown receptions in the past two games.

GOAL-LINE STAND: Randy Moss may have another big day this Sunday. The Ravens' secondary has been the club's Achilles' heel for the past three seasons, and it hasn't made any progress in '98. CB Rod Woodson has slowed up in the past three games and CB Duane Starks is having rookie problems. That leaves DeRon Jenkins to slow Moss, and he was benched earlier this season when Starks was inserted into the lineup. The Ravens better get pressure on Randall Cunningham or Moss will have a big day. --Mike Preston

GRADING OUT vs. Tennessee

OFFENSE C-

The Ravens' front line couldn't handle the Oilers' blitz packages.

DEFENSE C

Rebounded in second half, but slow starts have hurt the team in last two games.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

No penalties for third straight week, but P Kyle Richardson had weak effort.

STRATEGY C-

Ravens were lucky the Oilers became conservative and let them back in the game.

RAVENS

PASSING          Att.      Comp.      Pct.      Yds.      Long

Zeier             181        107      59.1      1312       73t
Harbaugh          207        111      53.6      1301       66t

PASSING            TD        Int.      Rate      Sacks

Zeier               4          3      82.0        18
Harbaugh           10          9      70.9        21

RUSHING           Att.       Yds.       Avg.      TD

Holmes            186        820       4.4         5
Rhett              37        164       4.4         0
Harbaugh           32        162       5.1         0

RECEIVING         No.        Yds.       Avg.      TD

Holmes             38        242        6.4        0
J. Lewis           36        744       20.7        6
Green              30        375       12.5        1

SCORING           XPM        XPA       FGM       FGA      Pts.

Stover             20         20       19         25        77

PUNTING            No.       Yds.      Avg.      Blk.

K. Richardson      76       3358       44.2        2

KO RETURNS         No.       Yds.       Avg.      TD

C. Harris          20        551       27.6        0

PUNT RETURNS       No.       Yds.       Avg.      TD

J. Lewis           29        371       12.8        2