Corey Fuller

There was a time, not too long ago, when the NFL draft wasn't on Corey Fuller's radar. Without a football scholarship offer during his senior year at Woodlawn, Fuller went to Kansas to run track and compete in the triple jump. After two years there, he abandoned his scholarship, transferred to Virginia Tech and paid his tuition out-of-pocket for one year - all for the opportunity to walk onto the football team as a wide receiver. In his first season of eligibility, Fuller played just 57 offensive snaps and had two catches for 19 yards.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the NFL draft wasn't on Corey Fuller's radar. Without a football scholarship offer during his senior year at Woodlawn, Fuller went to Kansas to run track and compete in the triple jump. After two years there, he abandoned his scholarship, transferred to Virginia Tech and paid his tuition out-of-pocket for one year - all for the opportunity to walk onto the football team as a wide receiver. In his first season of eligibility, Fuller played just 57 offensive snaps and had two catches for 19 yards.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Corey Fuller - muscular, scarred veteran of a tough-guy sport - cried Wednesday. The Ravens defensive back was sitting on a camp chair in his garage, slippered feet planted flat, forearms on his knees. He had bonded out of jail on a felony gambling charge several hours earlier, along with some friends. The questions of how and why had been coming all day. His tears were silent and reluctant, and he permitted them for just a minute before scrubbing his face dry with both hands.

Whether it was who could make the best salad or who could dress the sharpest, Kendall, Kyle and Corey Fuller always wanted to be better than each other. Competition fueled the brothers from Baltimore when they were young, and it helped them in sports as they grew older. These intra-family battles may have led to childish fights and arguments, but it never separated the family. It only strengthened it. And when Kendall Fuller announced he would join his brothers in college by committing to Virginia Tech - becoming the fourth Fuller to play football for the Hokies - that family strength was reaffirmed.

Whether it was who could make the best salad or who could dress the sharpest, Kendall, Kyle and Corey Fuller always wanted to be better than each other. Competition fueled the brothers from Baltimore when they were young, and it helped them in sports as they grew older. These intra-family battles may have led to childish fights and arguments, but it never separated the family. It only strengthened it. And when Kendall Fuller announced he would join his brothers in college by committing to Virginia Tech - becoming the fourth Fuller to play football for the Hokies - that family strength was reaffirmed.

Thumbs up Defense. The Ravens limited the Rams' offense to a season-low 121 total yards. St. Louis had generated at least 278 yards of total offense in its previous eight games. Thumbs down Miscues on offense. The Ravens tied a team record with seven turnovers. Twenty of the Rams' 33 points were converted off an interception and a fumble by Kyle Boller, an interception by Chris Redman and a fumble by Jamal Lewis. Stat of the game 7. Consecutive drives in which the Ravens held the Rams without a first down.

The Ravens are making progress in restocking their depleted secondary. Denver Broncos cornerback Kelly Herndon, a restricted free agent, said yesterday that the Ravens made him an offer and his agent could deliver a counterproposal as early as today. "Everybody knows about the Baltimore defense," Herndon told the Rocky Mountain News. "They're always top in the league. I have a lot of respect for how they play football." A two-year starter with the Broncos, Herndon is considered a second- or third-tier talent.

Former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jamir Miller visited the Ravens yesterday, the third ex-Cleveland Browns starter to do so this offseason. The Ravens had success in persuading cornerback/safety Corey Fuller and offensive tackle Orlando Brown to sign last month and are optimistic the same result will play out with Miller. Miller, who said he was impressed with the Ravens' staff and the team's plan on how he will be used, wants to make a decision as soon as possible. The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also thought to be in the running for Miller, who passed a physical yesterday with the Ravens.

In a moment that will be remembered for substance rather than style, Deion Sanders officially ended his three-year retirement and joined the Ravens last night. Wearing a plain black dress shirt, a matching brimmed hat and jeans, an unassuming Sanders walked through the quiet halls of the Ravens' practice complex with cornerback Corey Fuller by his side and signed a one-year deal worth about $1.5 million (incentives could push the value over $2 million), with Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller by his side.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - For all the changes, things basically stayed the same. Deion Sanders (toe) does not play and the Ravens' secondary survives. Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister leaves the game in the second quarter with a stinger and the secondary endures. Chad Williams moves from the dime (sixth) defensive back to the nickel (fifth) back, primarily covering the slot receiver, and it looks as though he has played there his whole life. And after spending most of the season on the sideline when the defense is on the field, Corey Fuller, Ray Walls and Bart Scott help limit the New York Jets to 149 net passing yards for the game (32 yards below what the Ravens average giving up)

Sun columnist answers questions about the Ravens' loss to the Bengals Sid, Mahwah, N.J.: Mike, Is the season over for us? Or is Kyle Boller gonna come back and do some miracles? Mike Preston: Sid, God bless you. You are a diehard fan. To ask a question like that, you must wear the purple-colored sunglasses, bleed purple and drink the grape Kool Aid. But if you can't see the writing on the wall, I suggest you call your eye doctor immediately. In theory, the Ravens have to win eight straight just to be in contention.

The Ravens are making progress in restocking their depleted secondary. Denver Broncos cornerback Kelly Herndon, a restricted free agent, said yesterday that the Ravens made him an offer and his agent could deliver a counterproposal as early as today. "Everybody knows about the Baltimore defense," Herndon told the Rocky Mountain News. "They're always top in the league. I have a lot of respect for how they play football." A two-year starter with the Broncos, Herndon is considered a second- or third-tier talent.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - For all the changes, things basically stayed the same. Deion Sanders (toe) does not play and the Ravens' secondary survives. Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister leaves the game in the second quarter with a stinger and the secondary endures. Chad Williams moves from the dime (sixth) defensive back to the nickel (fifth) back, primarily covering the slot receiver, and it looks as though he has played there his whole life. And after spending most of the season on the sideline when the defense is on the field, Corey Fuller, Ray Walls and Bart Scott help limit the New York Jets to 149 net passing yards for the game (32 yards below what the Ravens average giving up)

In a moment that will be remembered for substance rather than style, Deion Sanders officially ended his three-year retirement and joined the Ravens last night. Wearing a plain black dress shirt, a matching brimmed hat and jeans, an unassuming Sanders walked through the quiet halls of the Ravens' practice complex with cornerback Corey Fuller by his side and signed a one-year deal worth about $1.5 million (incentives could push the value over $2 million), with Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller by his side.

EVEN THOUGH cornerback Dale Carter never played for the Ravens, his absence is having a significant impact on the team. Team officials announced at the start of training camp that Carter would not play this season because of a blood clot on his lung. And since then, the Ravens have been unable to find a nickel back for passing situations. In a season where the Ravens should have one of the league's most dominating defenses, there is still one major piece missing. Who is the nickel back?

On the eve of the first practice of training camp, Brian Billick's opening message to his players was setting their sights on "the prize." The trouble is, the Ravens can't get a clear view of anything until the dust settles from a peculiar offseason that won't seem to end. After getting sideswiped with troubling issues for the past five months - from Jamal Lewis' indictment on federal drug charges to the Terrell Owens trade debacle to Corey Fuller's arrest...

EVEN THOUGH cornerback Dale Carter never played for the Ravens, his absence is having a significant impact on the team. Team officials announced at the start of training camp that Carter would not play this season because of a blood clot on his lung. And since then, the Ravens have been unable to find a nickel back for passing situations. In a season where the Ravens should have one of the league's most dominating defenses, there is still one major piece missing. Who is the nickel back?

On the eve of the first practice of training camp, Brian Billick's opening message to his players was setting their sights on "the prize." The trouble is, the Ravens can't get a clear view of anything until the dust settles from a peculiar offseason that won't seem to end. After getting sideswiped with troubling issues for the past five months - from Jamal Lewis' indictment on federal drug charges to the Terrell Owens trade debacle to Corey Fuller's arrest...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Corey Fuller - muscular, scarred veteran of a tough-guy sport - cried Wednesday. The Ravens defensive back was sitting on a camp chair in his garage, slippered feet planted flat, forearms on his knees. He had bonded out of jail on a felony gambling charge several hours earlier, along with some friends. The questions of how and why had been coming all day. His tears were silent and reluctant, and he permitted them for just a minute before scrubbing his face dry with both hands.

Thumbs up Defense. The Ravens limited the Rams' offense to a season-low 121 total yards. St. Louis had generated at least 278 yards of total offense in its previous eight games. Thumbs down Miscues on offense. The Ravens tied a team record with seven turnovers. Twenty of the Rams' 33 points were converted off an interception and a fumble by Kyle Boller, an interception by Chris Redman and a fumble by Jamal Lewis. Stat of the game 7. Consecutive drives in which the Ravens held the Rams without a first down.