October 23, 1998|By Mike Preston | Mike Preston,SUN STAFF
Ravens owner Art Modell said Williams was a top off-season priority after last season, and then the team backed out of the negotiations close to training camp. Brown, a free agent after this season, has been around long enough to see a number of former offensive linemen, such as center Jay Hilgenberg, guard Bob Dahl, center Everitt and now Williams become disgruntled with the Browns/Ravens front office.
Brown denied future negotiations interfered with his play on the field.
"Forget the money. This is about the game and being a team," said Brown, who has struggled with his pass blocking. "It's everybody. We're all in this together from Day One of training camp. I've always tried to go out, play hard and be physical.
"I know, everyone is looking at me now because my contract is up," said Brown. "When I first got here, I was just some offensive lineman named Orlando Brown. Now, I got people screaming 'Zeus' when I run out of the tunnel. Nobody knew me before, but I haven't changed. We all get beat once in a while, or we'll miss a block. It happens. But I won't accept that. I'll work harder to have the perfect game."
Pulling their weight
While Brown, Williams and Mitchell play catch-up, Blackshear and Ogden have been models of consistency. There is nothing pretty about Blackshear's game. He is a brute, a mauler, who has provided a lot of short-yardage room at right guard.
Ogden is still playing at a Pro Bowl level. He is a combination of strength and finesse who still has the ability to take his game to another level.
"I've played adequate football, but there is always room to improve. You never want to stay at the same level," said Ogden. "If you ask me, the offensive line is where the offense starts. I think we're really close to turning this around right now, and it might happen Sunday if we go out and play like we're capable of playing. It's not the offensive line's fault, but we definitely play a part."
The offensive line has been hurt by some predictable play calling, especially in the first three games, when the Ravens ran on almost every first down. The Ravens also need a greater assortment of running plays, like traps and counters. Facing a young quarterback in Eric Zeier, a lot of teams have blitzed often. Several of the sacks against Pittsburgh were because the running backs failed to pick up blitzes.
On Sunday, Green Bay won't blitz as much as the Bengals, Oilers or Steelers, but the Packers have one of the better defensive lines in the league in ends Reggie White and Vonnie Holliday and tackles Santana Dotson and Gilbert Brown.
"I feel right now that the chemistry is not there," said Blackshear. "As a group, we've played OK and hard, but we still have to get better. We're not getting it done, because we're 2-4."
"I still have confidence in the group," said Zeier. "There's not a better group I would like to play behind in this league."
Next for Ravens
Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Site: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
When: Sunday, 1: 01 p.m.
TV/Radio: Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WLIF (101.9 FM)
Line: Packers by 10 1/2
A look at the offensive line
Johnathan Ogden
Position: Left tackle
Height: 6-8
Weight: 318
Salary: $2.2 million
Wally Williams
Position: Left guard
Height: 6-2
Weight: 315
Salary: $3.1 million
