Chris Mcalister

POSITION EDGE Ravens rushing vs. Saints run defense -- SAINTS -- The Ravens couldn't pound the ball against the Saints' average run defense. Running back Jamal Lewis, who was averaging 4.4 yards a carry entering the game, was limited to a 2.8-yard average (17 carries, 48 yards). His longest run was 9 yards. Ravens passing vs. Saints pass defense -- SAINTS -- Jeff Blake became the first Ravens quarterback in 28 games to throw for 300 yards, but most came in garbage time. He finished 18-for-39 for 316 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Is it a coincidence that Lardarius Webb, who wears No. 21, is beginning to show signs of succeeding the Ravens' previous shutdown corner in Chris McAlister, who also wore No. 21 before leaving the team in 2008? Time will tell if Webb can meet the standards that McAlister set when he patrolled the defensive backfield for the Ravens, but Webb didn't shy away from the perhaps premature comparison. “That's the goal,” Webb said. “My ultimate goal is to be the best cornerback on this team, then the AFC and then the NFL. That's my goal.

The Ravens had planned to address at least one of their various offensive needs during the opening day of the NFL draft, but several hours after strengthening their defense by selecting prized cornerback Chris McAlister, the war room at the team's Owings Mills facility fell silent.Instead of trading down in the second round and possibly adding a third-round pick -- and thus filling two holes on an offense that ranked 26th in the NFL last year -- the Ravens decided to look one more year down the road.

Rookies aren't the only players on the Ravens' radar before training camp. While the Ravens continue to work to sign their 11 draft picks, the futures of two veterans - cornerback Chris McAlister and defensive end Michael McCrary - will be addressed before the team reports to McDaniel College on July 27. The Ravens are scheduled to restart negotiations with McAlister on a long-term deal as early as today and are expected to part ways with McCrary by...

After the Ravens officially designated Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister as their franchise player yesterday, the sides reached their first agreement: Let's wait to see how the market unfolds. With no premier cornerback signing a long-term deal over the past five years, the sticking point in negotiations between the Ravens and McAlister has been defining the market value for a young shutdown cover man. But the standstill talks with McAlister could be accelerated if new contracts are completed with cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson, both of whom also were given the franchise tag by their teams.

Kyle Boller used last night's intrasquad scrimmage to find a rhythm in the pocket and a couple of receivers deep down the sidelines. All the Ravens quarterback has to locate now is the end zone. Impressing the crowd of 16,820 -- a team record at McDaniel College -- Boller showed off some newfound accuracy, connecting on 10 of 13 passes for 110 yards, but failed to squash the same old scoring concerns. He didn't lead a touchdown drive in three series and marched them inside the red zone only once.

It was low-scoring and a defensive struggle. It was also a muddy, rainy mess. While the first part is something the Ravens generally would take in a heartbeat, the team could've done without the monsoon-like conditions during Sunday's 24-3 road loss to the New England Patriots. Thanks in part to the cushy artificial surface at M&T Bank Stadium and friendly breaks from Mother Nature, the Ravens had not played on such a torn-up field since facing the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium in September 2000.

The Ravens are not playing tricks with their secondary this week. There is no confusion about what position Gary Baxter will play, no games about Corey Fuller's health and no pretense about how much playing time Will Demps will get Sunday night against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Rather than being coy, coaches have set the defensive backfield, and Baxter, who played solidly in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, will start his second straight game at cornerback and be assigned, along with Chris McAlister, the task of containing the top receiving duo in the league in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

Ravens better off without McAlister Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister is a major disappointment. His off-field decisions clearly show a personal lack of responsibility and no respect for the team that he plays for. Chris has never been about the team - it has always been about him. It is a shame that such a wonderful talent will never realize his enormous potential unless he straightens up his priorities. Let him go at the end of the season. The Ravens will be much better off without him. Jody Martin Baltimore Billick did right thing by benching McAlister It is rare to see an NFL coach voluntarily sit down one of his marquee players, but that is what Brian Billick did with Chris McAlister last weekend.

Jeremiah Conway has his senior year to look forward to - prom, graduation and eventually college. Also, Conway will have an added bonus as a senior football player at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School: a new, state-of-the-art field, thanks to a $1 million donation from a Baltimore Ravens foundation. "I'm happy, it's a good way to go out - on the [artificial] turf, not playing at other schools," the 18-year-old team captain said. Mervo athletes, including soccer, lacrosse and football players, will have new field turf, extra bleachers to double the seating and a ticket booth.