Washington Mayor Anthony Williams has balked at Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's offer to wager on the outcome of tomorrow's Ravens-Redskins game.
In an effort to hype the game, O'Malley offered to put up a bushel of Baltimore steamed crabs against anything Williams offered to put on the line. But Williams told him to talk to Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry, who presides over the county where the Redskins now call home.
The Washington mayor, who recently toured Berlin and Australia with O'Malley, appears to still be smarting from the Redskins' move from RFK Stadium in Washington three years ago to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover.
That hasn't prevented OMalley from trying to boost interest in the game. At his weekly news conference on Thursday, O'Malley said he wants the Ravens to annihilate the Redskins.
"He's afraid to bet me," O'Malley said of Williams. "I don't just want a victory, I want them to crush them. This is not just a football game, this is business."
O'Malley said he did not extend the offer to Curry.
Modell calls Snyder
Ravens owner Art Modell phoned Redskins owner Daniel Snyder on Thursday night to resolve a dispute over where Ravens buses can drop off staff members for tomorrow's game at FedEx Field.
The Ravens were originally told by Redskins officials that only the four buses carrying players and coaching staff would be allowed to park at FedEx - that three buses carrying staff personnel would not be allowed to make a drop-off, according to Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne.
When lower-level discussions failed to resolve the issue, Modell called Snyder and ensured that the three other buses would be allowed to make the drop-off.
End zone
Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware has been fined $7,500 for his ejection after a fight with Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Zach Wiegert last Sunday night. Wiegert, also disqualified, drew the same fine. ... Ravens coach Brian Billick said left tackle Jonathan Ogden's availability for tomorrow will be a game-time decision. Ogden, nursing a sprained ankle, showed some improvement in practice yesterday, but trainer Bill Tessendorf said Ogden has abandoned the protective brace. If Ogden can't play, Spencer Folau would face defensive end Bruce Smith one week after he got Jacksonville's Tony Brackens. ...
Center Jeff Mitchell (ankle) was one of four players declared inactive this week, along with linebacker Brad Jackson, cornerback Clarence Love and wide receiver Brandon Stokley. Mitchell will be replaced by guard Mike Flynn, and former Redskin Kipp Vickers will move in at right guard. ... Asked if he sensed any frustration on the part of an offensive unit that hasn't scored a touchdown in nine quarters, Billick had this reply: "You're the only one frustrated. It's tiresome that you all keep talking about it. Did we win the games? We're supposed to win games. We could score a ton of touchdowns. I've been there. I've been fired at San Diego State, where we were fifth in total offense, sixth in scoring, and I got fired because we lost games. Let's win games and if numbers come with it, great." Then, after a brief pause, he fairly shouted, "No, I'm not frustrated."
