To ease his adjustment to being the backup this season, Ravens quarterback Chris Redman discussed his status with someone who has been there.
Redman talked with offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, who was primarily a backup throughout his 14-year playing career.
"It is tough, but that is just part of being a backup. You've got to be ready to go," Redman said. "Matt tells me constantly he had to do that this whole career. You just have to be ready."
Redman looked anything but when he took over for Kyle Boller in the third quarter of Sunday's 33-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. The ball slipped out of his hands while he attempted a pass on his first play from scrimmage (which the Browns recovered). He then short-armed a 5-yard pass attempt to Todd Heap in the end zone in the fourth quarter, his only throw of the day.
"I wasn't nervous or anything. It's just little things," Redman said.
"You have to be comfortable. All I can do is wait until I get an opportunity, and I got an opportunity last week and put the ball on the ground. It was just a real slick ball. It happened on Monday night the other day."
Boller practiced yesterday and is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers with a knee sprain. But Redman knows his chance will likely come again.
Asked whether he has lost confidence after his performance and losing his job to Boller, Redman said, "That's just part of being the quarterback."
Mulitalo hurting
Left guard Edwin Mulitalo did not practice yesterday and looks as though he will miss Sunday's game. Mulitalo, who is doubtful with a knee and ankle injury, would be replaced by Casey Rabach.
"He's probably the one we are most concerned about," coach Brian Billick said.
Fullback Harold Morrow injured his elbow against the Browns and will not play Sunday. Safety Gerome Sapp (knee, doubtful) did not practice, and cornerback Alvin Porter is questionable with a strained groin. Cornerback Corey Fuller, who missed the fourth quarter Sunday after aggravating his quadriceps, is not on the injury report.
The Ravens are also hoping to get Musa Smith back by the bye week. The rookie running back out of Georgia has been sidelined since training camp with an injured knee.
Billick said if Smith is unable to return soon, the team will consider making a move.
Sunny choice
Though it made for a rather hectic day, the players were pleased about hopping on a bus to catch a plane out to San Diego less than an hour after practice.
The Ravens left to avoid any possible complications with Hurricane Isabel.
"It's not a lot of options because that is what we are doing," Billick said. "We're going, and they will be fine. They know that this is what we have to do. I put it on the board, `Hurricane, cold, windy, stay here.' `Sunny and 77 in San Diego.' You choose. They all chose San Diego."
Sanders getting healthy
Frank Sanders nearly scored a touchdown on his first and only reception as a Raven against the Browns.
Sanders hauled in a 25-yard reception from Boller with four minutes left in the first quarter and nearly got into the end zone before Robert Griffith forced him out of bounds at the 2.
He split time with Marcus Robinson last week but could play more in the base offense against the Chargers.
"This week I feel pretty healthy, though the toe is still not 100 percent," Sanders said. "But at the same time, I feel pretty healthy."
J. Lewis honored
Jamal Lewis is the NFL Player of the Week. Lewis rushed for 295 yards, an NFL record, against the Browns.
