Typically, they help with equipment, do laundry, work the mailrooms, run errands all across the city. At practice, they move the first-down markers, and on game days, they do whatever's asked of them.
"I like to tell people I'm a certified hydration specialist," says Steve Janowich, a retired captain from Baltimore County.
Every task, though, is treated with the utmost importance.
"The team's emergencies to us, we kind of find humor in," says Bud Reinecke, a fire captain for Baltimore County. "Our emergencies are life and death. ... At the fire department, we're essential employees. We have to be there. That's the same hat we're wearing here. We're essential employees. We have to be here. We can't call up and tell John Harbaugh that we can't make it today because it's raining."
Like most teams, the Ravens have always done a walk-through of practice. But the second-string players are usually the ones who assume the defensive roles. In the early stages of this season, though, Matsko spotted the eager extra bodies around.
"When they brought us out here for the first time, everyone was so excited. 'I can't believe this.' Now it's routine, and we're all still pumped," Reinecke says. "Guys can't wait to come in here just to do this. How many guys - how many nonfootball guys - get to line up opposite of National Football League players?"
The second-string linemen stand behind the starters, mimicking their motions and plays. "This way, we can develop and prepare a larger amount of guys," Matsko says.
They're all held to a high standard, and Matsko doesn't hesitate to get on their case if a firefighter is slow or not paying attention. Repetition is key, and the coach doesn't mind running the same play over and over.
At the recent practice, the ball was hiked and everyone walked through the play. "I don't know why we can't get this," Matsko said. "Start from the top. Let's make sure we get this right. Yellow-four! Yellow-four! Hut!"
Just a few minutes later, he used his scout defense to inspire his linemen, pointing to Ed Carroll, the team's 62-year-old equipment manager. He helps organize the firefighters and participates in the walk-through practices. Carroll has been with the franchise since it was in Cleveland. In all that time, his job has never been quite like this. On this morning, he's Albert Haynesworth, the Titans' talented 320-pound defensive tackle. Carroll doesn't quite look the part.
"Eddie just had his knee drained yesterday," Matsko tells his linemen. "But look at him. He didn't miss no practice time. You see how he is?"
This week, as the Ravens and firefighters prepare for Saturday's playoff game, the firefighters have been called into the team's offensive line meetings, where each has been given a trophy, honoring them as "First-team, Walk Through."
"We wanted to reward those guys for what they do," Matsko says. "We can't thank them enough for how they've helped us this season."
