Brendon Ayanbadejo

Shortly after bolstering their special teams unit by agreeing to terms with former Chicago Bears defensive back Corey Graham, the Ravens have kept a core special teams player of their own in house by reaching an agreement with three-time Pro Bowl player Brendon Ayanbadejo. "I never planned on going anywhere," Ayanbadejo said on a conference call. "During this whole free agency period, I never stressed or worried about anything. I went on a vacation. I just waited my turn patiently.

Shortly after bolstering their special teams unit by agreeing to terms with former Chicago Bears defensive back Corey Graham, the Ravens have kept a core special teams player of their own in house by reaching an agreement with three-time Pro Bowl player Brendon Ayanbadejo. "I never planned on going anywhere," Ayanbadejo said on a conference call. "During this whole free agency period, I never stressed or worried about anything. I went on a vacation. I just waited my turn patiently.

Signing Pro Bowl special teams player Corey Graham from the Chicago Bears is a classic Baltimore Ravens move: He bolsters a major weakness for the Ravens, can also play nickel back and likely came at the right price. Think Haruki Nakamura and Chris Carr, but only better. "I believe it's a better situation for me and a better opportunity with a fresh start," Graham told the Chicago Tribune . "I gave the Bears every opportunity but they moved on. All around, Baltimore is just a better deal for me and my family.

Signing Pro Bowl special teams player Corey Graham from the Chicago Bears is a classic Baltimore Ravens move: He bolsters a major weakness for the Ravens, can also play nickel back and likely came at the right price. Think Haruki Nakamura and Chris Carr, but only better. "I believe it's a better situation for me and a better opportunity with a fresh start," Graham told the Chicago Tribune . "I gave the Bears every opportunity but they moved on. All around, Baltimore is just a better deal for me and my family.

Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. vs. Ravens CB Frank Walker In the first game, Walker shadowed Winslow in passing situations. Winslow is bigger than Walker, but Walker bothered him like a gnat. But down the field, Winslow could cause Walker and the Ravens big trouble because of the physical mismatch. Edge: Winslow: Browns DT Shaun Rogers vs. Ravens C Jason Brown Any success running against the Browns has to start with controlling Rogers. He eats up a lot of space in the middle with his girth and strength.

Linebackers Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo, who were considered game-time decisions for today's AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans, will both play today. McClain (knee sprain) and Ayanbadejo (quad) were both limited participants in practice all week. However, they both looked mobile during pregame workouts, and did enough to convince the coaching staff that they are ready to go. The only surprise inactive was cornerback Chris Carr who wasn't on the injury report all week.

Brendon Ayanbadejo has appealed the $15,000 fine the NFL assessed him for a horse-collar tackle in the Ravens' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inside linebacker said he's not optimistic because of the league's emphasis on eliminating horse-collar tackles, which entail a player grabbing and pulling down a ball barrier by either the collar of that player's jersey or shoulder pads. “I'm not [optimistic] because it's a horse-collar [tackle] and however you slice it or dice it, it's a horse-collar [tackle]

With a James Bond party theme, it was no wonder the Hyatt Regency ballroom looked like a movie set. The room was swagged in white chiffon, with clusters of white couches and cube tables along the sides. Red velvet ropes cordoned off the back third of the room, which was elevated for the VIP section. "There's a bottle of vodka on every table here," said real estate developer Patrick Turner, noting the VIP bottle service. No set would be complete without its stars. And there were plenty, thanks to host Baltimore Ravens player Terrell Suggs.

Brendon Ayanbadejo joked that he has been walking around the halls of the Ravens' training facility a little slower because his pockets are full with money the inside linebacker thought he had lost. On Friday, Ayanbadejo confirmed what he had written on his Twitter account, verifying that the NFL informed coach John Harbaugh that Ayanbadejo should not have been ejected from Monday night's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and that he will not be fined for striking right tackle Guy Whimper.

Inside linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the Ravens' clash with the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night, marking his second straight absence. Lewis, who did not play in Sunday's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals because of an injured toe on his right foot, had practiced on a limited basis in each of the past three days. He had been listed as questionable in the team's final injury report on Wednesday, but has been deactivated by the Ravens. Lewis' replacement on Sunday also won't play after being scratched.

Linebackers Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo, who were considered game-time decisions for today's AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans, will both play today. McClain (knee sprain) and Ayanbadejo (quad) were both limited participants in practice all week. However, they both looked mobile during pregame workouts, and did enough to convince the coaching staff that they are ready to go. The only surprise inactive was cornerback Chris Carr who wasn't on the injury report all week.

The Ravens, who earned the benefits of a bye week, entered the NFL playoffs relatively healthy, with the two biggest question marks at the moment being inside linebackers Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo, who were listed on the injury report as having limited participation in Thursday's practice. As far as position groups go, the inside linebackers have been nicked up this season more than maybe any other group on the team. Ray Lewis missed four consecutive games with a toe injury before returning in December.

Meeting a divisional foe twice a year has a way of building up a familiarity with a player's strengths or a coach's schemes. That may be the most positive result of the Ravens having faced Cleveland Browns return specialist Joshua Cribbs. Since being signed as an undrafted rookie in 2005, Cribbs has tried to weave his way through the Ravens' coverage units in 12 career meetings, and Cribbs has posted some memorable performances. Cribbs has registered three of Cleveland's highest kick return totals with two of them occurring against the Ravens.

Inside linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the Ravens' clash with the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night, marking his second straight absence. Lewis, who did not play in Sunday's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals because of an injured toe on his right foot, had practiced on a limited basis in each of the past three days. He had been listed as questionable in the team's final injury report on Wednesday, but has been deactivated by the Ravens. Lewis' replacement on Sunday also won't play after being scratched.

Brendon Ayanbadejo joked that he has been walking around the halls of the Ravens' training facility a little slower because his pockets are full with money the inside linebacker thought he had lost. On Friday, Ayanbadejo confirmed what he had written on his Twitter account, verifying that the NFL informed coach John Harbaugh that Ayanbadejo should not have been ejected from Monday night's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and that he will not be fined for striking right tackle Guy Whimper.

Brendon Ayanbadejo didn't back down from his insistence that Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle Guy Whimper instigated the altercation that eventually led to a personal foul on and an ejection of the inside linebacker in the third quarter of the Ravens' eventual 12-7 loss at Everbank Field in Jacksonville Monday night. “The whole altercation started when the play was already over,” Ayanbadejo said of the defense stopping running back Deji Karim for no gain on third down-and-5 from the Ravens' 7-yard line.

Ravens Ayanbadejo expects to be ready for camp, not contact Ravens linebacker-special teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo expects to suit up for the start of training camp but will likely avoid any hitting. "I doubt I'll be having any contact," Ayanbadejo said on the last day of offseason practices. "If I'm lucky, I'll have a red Ed Reed jersey so no one can touch me." The three-time Pro Bowl selection tore the quadriceps in his left leg Oct. 4, ending his season.

The Ravens, who earned the benefits of a bye week, entered the NFL playoffs relatively healthy, with the two biggest question marks at the moment being inside linebackers Jameel McClain and Brendon Ayanbadejo, who were listed on the injury report as having limited participation in Thursday's practice. As far as position groups go, the inside linebackers have been nicked up this season more than maybe any other group on the team. Ray Lewis missed four consecutive games with a toe injury before returning in December.

Brendon Ayanbadejo has appealed the $15,000 fine the NFL assessed him for a horse-collar tackle in the Ravens' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inside linebacker said he's not optimistic because of the league's emphasis on eliminating horse-collar tackles, which entail a player grabbing and pulling down a ball barrier by either the collar of that player's jersey or shoulder pads. “I'm not [optimistic] because it's a horse-collar [tackle] and however you slice it or dice it, it's a horse-collar [tackle]

There was speculation that Ravens inside linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo was on the bubble to make the team for the 2011 season. If he was, Ayanbadejo has burst it in training camp and the preseason. "Two years ago, we found a role for him on special teams and defense," defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. "He is at full speed again and as well-conditioned of an athlete as we have. We'll find a role for him again. We have to. " The doubt about Ayanbadejo started in Game 4 of the 2009 season against the New England Patriots, when he tore a quadriceps, forcing him to miss 12 games.