Forget Banks, Dilfer

give Redman a chance Forget this...

Forget Banks, Dilfer; give Redman a chance

Forget this year. The Ravens aren't going anywhere with Tony Banks or Trent Dilfer at quarterback. Neither could hit an 18-wheeler on a crossing pattern.

Even if the Ravens somehow manage to luck into the playoffs because of a soft second-half schedule, it'll be one game and out. In the playoffs, the Ravens will be facing good defenses. Neither Banks nor Dilfer is capable of defeating a good defense.

It's time for Chris Redman. Coach Brian Billick says he won't go with an inexperienced rookie. Why not? He was drafted as the quarterback of the future. Maybe the future is now.

He can't be worse than Dilfer or Banks. He has to get experience sometime. The Ravens have seven games left, five of which - Cincinnati, Dallas, Cleveland, San Diego, Arizona - are winnable with any production at all from quarterback.

It's the perfect schedule on which to let Redman cut his teeth.

Ron Holstein

Baltimore

Banks bad, but coaches must share Ravens' blame

Since I consider Brian Billick in the top five of NFL coaches, it is inconceivable that he opted to wait two games - too long - before changing quarterbacks.

By players' standards in the NFL today, Tony Banks appears to be an upstanding individual. However, on the football field, he exhibits all the traits of that deadly quarterback disease combination - fumblitis and solid bone above the shoulders.

In fairness to all, though, some very unimaginative play-calling from the sidelines remains suspect. Therefore, the coaching staff must shoulder some blame.

Ted Hickman

Millersville

Ravens' travails traced to Billick, Cavanaugh

Brian Billick is overrated as the Ravens' coach. Five games without a touchdown, punctuated by several questionable coaching decisions, leads to me think that the players are not all to blame.

Wasn't he supposed to be an offensive guru? With three new impact players on offense, both he and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh should be scrutinized. On the national level, we're becoming a laughingstock.

Timothy Parker

Pikesville

Ravens' playbooks would make good mulch

No surprise in last week's Ravens outcome or performance, only disappointment in the lack of offense. I guess my question is, just who is calling these ridiculous offensive plays? Is it Brian Billick or Matt Cavanaugh?

Regardless of who is making these sad decisions, I need some mulch around a few bushes, so send me the playbooks and I'll shred them. At least that way, something would be gained.

Andy Zinkand

Baltimore

Maryland football games deserve Page 1 treatment

The University of Maryland at College Park is our state university, something it appears The Sun has not figured out. In the Oct. 29 sports section, the Maryland football game report appeared on Page 7, while Oklahoma-Nebraska was on Page 1.

Do you think this would happen in Ohio or Pennsylvania? Of course not. Then why in Maryland?

Recruiting home-grown talent might be easier if the school received the recognition in your sports pages that the state university deserves.

Joe Brown

Elkridge

Horse racing coverage breeds contentment

Love all the good articles on horse racing and breeding lately. Keep it up!

Karen Hoffman

York, Pa.