Bowl Ring

What was your proudest moment in the NFL? Just making it to the NFL. Ever since I was real young, I always wanted to be in the NFL. I loved it. When I knew that I was kind of good in high school, I started thinking, 'Oh, this could really happen.' To actually make it here is a great achievement, and now that I'm in here, I just want to stay here as long as I can. How does it feel to be a role model for Polynesians? I know I am because a lot of my cousins and their friends talk about me making it here.

You've dealt with questions about your size (5 feet 8, 186 pounds) throughout your NFL career. Did that ever get irritating? It's part of the game, especially when you don't fit the mold or you're not the prototypical guy. You hear that your whole career. I've been hearing it since I was in high school. It's really nothing new. It doesn't necessarily drive me. It's not the only thing that drives me, but it definitely helps knowing that people are doubting you. You've just got to go out there and approach the game however you need to to make yourself successful, and that's what I try to do. Current and former University of Wisconsin defensive backs Chris Maragos, Shane Carter and Ben Strickland have said you are a role model and inspiration for them.

Before the season began, did you ever think you would be leading the team in touchdowns? No. That was all the way in the back of my mind, but it's a blessing. I'm just trying to contribute as a good tailback. Whatever I can do to help the team. How does it feel to be one of the most sought-after players in fantasy football? I saw it when I was in the cold tub one morning. They were talking about it on TV, saying that I'm a good pick[up]. But I don't really understand the fantasy league thing.

He was one cog in the Ravens' wheel of fortune, a role player who fit nicely on the most grudging defense in NFL history. Robert Bailey played one season in Baltimore and helped the Ravens win a championship. The team's nickel back - the fifth defensive back inserted on obvious passing downs - Bailey recovered a fumble in a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in the Super Bowl in January 2001. Earlier, in the Ravens' AFC title game victory over the Oakland Raiders, he intercepted a pass.

ESPN.com recently predicted which 50 active players are most likely to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The names are listed according to probability. For instance, Brett Favre is No. 1, and Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson is No. 50. Several Ravens made the list, including Ray Lewis at No. 5. About Lewis, the Web site said: "Lewis will be remembered as the dominant force on one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history: the 2000 Ravens defense which allowed the fewest points over a 16-game season.

In addition to being the next hurdle in the Ravens' pursuit of their highest playoff seeding, the Kansas City Chiefs represent the last major roadblock in what has become an equally elusive Ravens goal: Ending a season as the NFL's No. 1 defense. Ravens@Chiefs Today, 1 p.m., Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Chiefs by 2 1/2

There's nothing more exciting for an NFL fan than having a strong rooting interest in the Super Bowl, and I haven't been this fired up since the Ravens made it to the big game in January 2001. This time, of course, there's a much different reason for my passion. Like most of my fellow die-hard Ravens fans, I hate the Pittsburgh Steelers almost as much as I love the boys in purple. Every season I hope for four things. First and foremost, it's that the Ravens win the Super Bowl. After that (in order)

It was one of those sounds crowds love to hear: when the running back and the linebacker collide, helmet to helmet, power against power. Cracks like those, football fans say, are sweeter than any crack of the baseball bat. The hit between the Washington Redskins' John Riggins and the New York Giants' Harry Carson not only sent a crack reverberating through the air at RFK Stadium that Sunday afternoon, but it also left Carson lumbering back to the huddle...

ASHBURN, Va. - Jessie Armstead should be happier. The Washington Redskins linebacker is putting the finishing touches on one of his best seasons since he entered the NFL in 1993. Armstead is fourth on the team in tackles with 88 and is tied with fellow linebacker LaVar Arrington for the team lead in tackles for a loss with three. And at 33, Armstead has registered a team-high 6.5 sacks - 1.5 more than Arrington and 2.5 more than NFL career sack leader Bruce Smith. Yet, the Redskins are 5-9 and will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

For Ravens coach Brian Billick, wooing free agents, as he did yesterday with former Chicago Bears receiver Marcus Robinson, is similar to his days as a college assistant coach when he recruited high school kids. The advantage now, though, comes in a 200-diamond Super Bowl ring from the 2000 season. "What I was trying to communicate to Marcus is that we have a certain track record, and that he can come into a very young team that has that kind of pedigree at a very exciting time," Billick said of showing Robinson his ring.