Coffee Companion (10/26): your daily Ravens fix

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he’ll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

RUNNING IT BACK

Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has come a long way -- and packed on a lot of pounds -- since he was a skinny kid in California. … Linebacker Ray Lewis was picked as one of the NFL’s most overrated players in a recent poll by Sports Illustrated. … Rookie defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson feels blessed for getting the opportunity to play last weekend against the Houston Texans. … Here are some first-half superlatives for the Ravens.

 

RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US

The Ravens are struggling in life without Ray Lewis. … Even the Ravens’ team doctor can’t believe that linebacker Terrell Suggs returned so quickly. … Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is having a better season than Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. … A look at the Ravens and how they are leading the league in penalties this season. … ESPN’s John Clayton talked about the struggles of the Ravens' no-huddle offense on the road.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

With the Ravens now on their bye, I will retire this section until next week. To tide you over, here are pictures of Ravens cheerleaders.

SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE DAY

Here are five Ravens stats that stand out this week, including the team’s struggles throwing the ball against the Houston Texans and Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s track following the bye week.

OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE

Rookie running back Doug Martin had 214 total yards as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. … New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott might miss his first game since 2004. … Jets quarterback Tim Tebow talked about life as a backup. … The New England Patriots aren’t worried about style points, either. … Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings will have surgery on his abdomen and could be out a few more weeks. … Former LSU star and NFL hopeful Tyrann Mathieu was arrested Thursday and faces drug-related charges.