Calvin Johnson

When Tom Zbikowski - and to a lesser extent, Haruki Nakamura - left the Ravens, the team wasted little time signing Sean Considine to a free-agent deal. And after offseason workouts and training camp, Considine is listed as starting strong safety Bernard Pollard's backup on the defensive depth chart. “It's kind of what I had in mind, and as far as contributing on special teams and doing things in that area, that was definitely the idea when I came here,” said Considine, an eighth-year vet who has also played with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Baltimore fire officials blamed careless smoking for a blaze in O'Donnell Heights that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy yesterday and injuries to three other people, including the boy's mother.Twenty minutes after the blaze was reported, Peter Christoforakis' body was found in a second-floor bedroom in the 1300 block of Bunson Way, said Capt. Calvin Johnson, a Fire Department spokesman.The child's mother, Patricia McCauley, 24, was reported in fair and stable condition last night at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she was taken for treatment of severe smoke inhalation, a spokeswoman said.

NFL Network is winding down its annual unveiling of the NFL's top 100 players of 2012 -- as voted by the players themselves -- and three Ravens defenders have been ranked among the league's top 20 players by their peers. On Wednesday night, Ravens linebackers Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed joined quarterback Joe Flacco (No. 74), fullback Vonta Leach (No. 45) and running back Ray Rice (No. 22) on the Top 100 list. Lewis, who came in at No. 4 on the 2011 list, ranked 20th this year, which is not too shabby for his age -- 36. Reed, who was No. 5 last year, was No. 16, three spots ahead of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

No. 5 Texas (6-1) @ No. 17 Nebraska (6-1) Where -- Lincoln, Neb. When -- Noon TV -- Chs. 2, 7 Outlook -- Don't be surprised if these teams meet again for the Big 12 championship game in December. For Texas, this seems to be the final obstacle to a South Division title, with Texas A&M seeming to be the toughest team down the stretch. The Cornhuskers still have to travel to College Station, one week after playing Missouri at home. No. 19 Rutgers (6-0) @ Pittsburgh (6-1) Where -- Pittsburgh When -- 5:45 p.m. TV -- ESPN2 Outlook -- This likely would count as the first big game of the Big East schedule, with both teams hoping to eventually achieve Bowl Championship Series dreams by ruining those of West Virginia and Louisville.

Stanford's skid ends Stanford won't be the first 0-12 team in Pacific-10 history. The visiting Cardinal shocked Washington, 20-3, yesterday. Stanford (1-9, 1-6) broke the nation's second-longest losing streak at 11 games. The losing streak matched the longest in school history. The Cardinal lost its final game in 1959 and all 10 the next season. Washington (4-7, 2-6) lost its sixth straight and looked nothing like the team that nearly upset Southern California and took California and Arizona State to overtime before losing.

No. 16 Wake Forest (10-2) vs. No. 23 Georgia Tech (9-3) Where -- Jacksonville, Fla. When -- 1 p.m. TV -- Chs. 2, 7 Outlook -- To win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, Georgia Tech will need a better version of QB Reggie Ball. Despite having all-world WR Calvin Johnson at his disposal, Ball has struggled at times. He completed six passes for 42 yards and threw two interceptions in last week's loss to Georgia. Wake Forest runs the ball well, but the Yellow Jackets' defense allows only 88.3 yards per game on the ground.

Who's No. 1? If it's not quarterback JaMarcus Russell, it might mean that the Raiders' Al Davis has lost it. Even if the Raiders trade for the Lions' Josh McCown or end up with the Dolphins' Daunte Culpepper, they still should pick Russell. They've already passed on Matt Leinart, Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger in the past three drafts. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson might be the safest pick in today's first round, but he'll get the ball only half a dozen times each week.

Moves Baseball MLB -- Suspended Tigers IF Neifi Perez 80 games for failing banned stimulant policy. ASTROS -- Placed P Chris Sampson on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of P Stephen Randolph from Triple-A Round Rock. ATHLETICS -- Placed 3B Eric Chavez on 15-day DL. Recalled IF J.J. Furmaniak from Triple-A Sacramento. BLUE JAYS -- Designated SS Royce Clayton for assignment. Purchased contract of SS Ray Olmedo from Triple-A Syracuse. Claimed IF Hector Luna off waivers. CUBS -- Activated P Kerry Wood from 60-day DL. Optioned P Rocky Cherry to Triple-A Iowa.

PLAY OF THE WEEK Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. New York Jets -- Expect Palmer to pick apart the Jets defense, which ranks 27th against the pass. In five games, he has thrown for 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with eight interceptions. QUARTERBACK STARTING NOD -- Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. San Francisco: Mes sage to Manning: Keep throwing to Plaxico Burress. OTHER SOLID OPTIONS -- Tony Romo, Dallas; Drew Brees, New Or leans; Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay. NOT THIS WEEK -- Jay Cutler, Den ver; David Gerrard, Jacksonvile; Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh.

1. Patriots Rank first in offense and second in defense. 2. Colts With Marvin Harrison hurt, Reggie Wayne has picked up slack at receiver. 3. Cowboys Defense was exposed by Patriots. Will Vikings do the same? 4. Steelers Mike Tomlin using same formula as Bill Cowher: defense and ball control. 5. Packers Middle linebacker Nick Barnett is second in league in tackles. 6. Jaguars Byron who? 7. Giants Plaxico Burress has eight TD catches. 8. Panthers Will Fountain of Youth run dry for Vinny Testaverde?