Cornerback

Chris Carr was 15 minutes late yesterday to his first conference call with Baltimore reporters. But the free-agent cornerback- returner had good reason - he was still working out. Known for his determination since landing in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Carr has his sights on winning the Ravens' nickel back job. "I think I can make a big impact," said Carr, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract. "I just haven't gotten the opportunity that I wanted in my career." In his first four NFL seasons, Carr has been primarily known as a return specialist.

Ravens coach Brian Billick said yesterday he intends to start Kyle Boller at quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and it's a good move. Baltimore is a city that has been so quarterback-deprived that there is a fan outcry to start anyone with promise, even a rookie like Troy Smith. But there is no need to rush Smith - not behind this offensive line. Boller played well against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but had to leave the game midway through the fourth quarter with a mild concussion.

The chemistry experiment known as the Ravens' secondary is now in its laboratory phase.Will the result be yet another explosion, or will the defensive backfield cease being a danger zone?From head coach Brian Billick to defensive backs coach Steve Shafer to veteran Rod Woodson, the consensus is that for the Ravens to reverse three losing seasons, they must solidify the back end of a defense that already is strong up front.The Ravens face a daunting challenge. They love the young, raw talent that graces their secondary, beginning with second-year cornerback Duane Starks and rookie cornerback Chris McAlister.

The 15-minute clock was running on the Arizona Cardinals at the No. 8 overall position in the NFL draft yesterday, and the hearts of every member of the Ravens' front office and scouting staffs were pounding with every second.Then the phone rang and all the tension was relieved.Within the next 30 minutes, Arizona took Ohio State receiver David Boston and Detroit selected linebacker Chris Claiborne, clearing the way for the Ravens to select one of the players they coveted most in University of Arizona corner- back Chris McAlister with the No. 10 pick.

As the Ravens begin the final week of preparations for the 1999 draft, there will be countless internal discussions about trading up from their No. 10 overall slot in the first round. There will be debate about which quarterback to choose, how far Texas running back Ricky Williams will drop in the draft and if Torry Holt is a better receiver than David Boston.But the Ravens won't overlook possibly drafting a cornerback in the first round. It's not an exceptional year, said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel, but cornerbacks such as Georgia's Champ Bailey and Arizona's Chris McAlister are considered top-15 picks, and Ohio State's Antoine Winfield, West Virginia's Charles Fisher and Clemson's Antwan Edwards are rated late first-round candidates.

It was nearly two months ago when Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel, was in a booth with coaches Pete Carroll of New England and Ray Rhodes of Green Bay. The three were scouting defensive backs at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where Arizona cornerback Chris McAlister was a no-show.That's when Newsome disclosed that the cornerback he wanted was McAlister. The comment drew laughter from Rhodes and Carroll because the Ravens had the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft.

It will be the first test in the longest season of his life. The first of 20 games. Let the hard knocks begin for rookie cornerback Chris McAlister.Duane Starks has lived in McAlister's shoes. The memories of a turbulent rookie year, a season marked by big plays made and big plays surrendered, barely have subsided.When the Ravens take the field tonight in their preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, many eyes will be on their two young first-round draft picks. The Eagles figure to test those cornerbacks early and often.

ATLANTA -- When rookie cornerback Chris McAlister trotted onto the field to open the second half yesterday with the rest of the Ravens' basic, 11-man defense, he looked like a starter for the first time in 1999.Ravens coach Brian Billick would not go so far as to call McAlister a starter after his team beat the Falcons in overtime, 19-13, although McAlister did replace struggling, second-year cornerback Duane Starks throughout the third quarter.Later in the fourth quarter, Starks re-entered the game with the base defense, while McAlister replaced fourth-year cornerback DeRon Jenkins, who also had his ups and downs yesterday.

Quarterback: Scott Mitchell will make his debut running the West Coast offense. Reserve Tony Banks will probably get most of the work, but he hasn't had much success avoiding turnovers in training camp. For the first time in three years, third-stringer Wally Richardson might get extensive playing time.Wide receiver: The one who drops the ball the least may end up starting opposite Jermaine Lewis in the season opener. Both Qadry Ismail and Webster Slaughter need to become more consistent, and Billy Davis is steadily improving with more time in the offense.

Two of the nation's top wide receivers, Ohio State's David Boston and North Carolina State's Torry Holt, and Louisiana State University running back Kevin Faulk visited the Ravens' practice facility in Owings Mills yesterday.With the draft scheduled for April 17, the Ravens and the NFL's 30 other teams are conducting personal interviews in final preparations. The Ravens have the No. 10 pick overall and have identified their top priorities as quarterback, running back, wide receiver and cornerback.

In April, the Ravens acquired one the best bargains of the NFL draft in Lardarius Webb. Webb, a third-round pick out of Nicholls State, has proved he is one of the best athletes on the team. He could save the Ravens two spots on the final roster because he can play safety and cornerback and return kicks. In camp, Webb has done them all pretty well. "He might end up filling several roles on the field, and that wouldn't surprise me," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said recently. He might eventually become the Ravens' shutdown cornerback.

When you look at the Ravens' defense, it's hard to find a weakness. The unit has a Pro Bowl player on the defensive line and a couple at linebacker and in the secondary. The Ravens might have as much overall defensive depth as they had in 2000 when they won the Super Bowl. But there is one problem area. The Ravens don't have a shutdown cornerback. They have solid players and good depth, but they don't have that big, physical corner who can take out the other team's No. 1 receiver. Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison wants to find one before the Kansas City Chiefs come to Baltimore for the season opener Sept.

The draft experts are weighing in, and the grades for the Ravens are all over the place. It's amusing to see these reports, because no one can determine how the draft will turn out for at least a year and maybe even two or three. The real question is whether the Ravens are a better team now than at the end of last season. The answer is yes. You can't predict whether that will translate into more victories than a year ago because the NFL is so unpredictable, but with four months left before the 2009 season, the Ravens should be a contender again.

Chris Carr was 15 minutes late yesterday to his first conference call with Baltimore reporters. But the free-agent cornerback- returner had good reason - he was still working out. Known for his determination since landing in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Carr has his sights on winning the Ravens' nickel back job. "I think I can make a big impact," said Carr, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract. "I just haven't gotten the opportunity that I wanted in my career." In his first four NFL seasons, Carr has been primarily known as a return specialist.

Chris Carr, a free-agent returner and cornerback, told The Baltimore Sun he expects to sign with the Ravens after his physical today. Carr, 25, who played for the Tennessee Titans last season, has agreed in principle on a two-year, $5 million contract. "I'm ecstatic to be here, to say the least," Carr said after spending an hour at Ravens headquarters yesterday afternoon. "I've always respected the organization and respected the team's style of football. I'm just happy they even considered me to come here."

INDIANAPOLIS -The class of 2009 cornerbacks is conspicuous for its lack of height, but it might be better characterized by its extraordinary skills. Darius Butler of Connecticut is just 5 feet 10, but he has a phenomenal vertical leap and big-play ability. Alphonso Smith stands only 5-9, but who can argue with his 21 career interceptions for Wake Forest? D.J. Moore is 5-8 and unapologetic. Going against bigger receivers is something he's used to. "I'm 5-8, so everybody is bigger than me for the most part," the Vanderbilt cornerback said yesterday during NFL scouting combine interviews.

You've battled epilepsy, endured the passing of your father, Harry, and undergone neck surgery during the past year. How do you persevere? Strength, I guess. Having epilepsy hurt me, but it made me stronger. I didn't know what was wrong with me, and everything just snowballed. But it made me stronger. With my dad dying and us being able to spend those last days together, I truly believe that in everything, there is a plan. With all the rough times you've overcome, is there a point at which you begin to contemplate retirement?

News item: Ravens rookie Joe Flacco will get an up-close look at superstar QB counterpart Peyton Manning today when the Ravens play the Indianapolis Colts at brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium. My take: Here's hoping he doesn't get an even closer look at All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney over the course of the afternoon. News item: The Ravens begin a span of six weeks that features five road games, including the one in Houston that filled in their bye week. My take: That's why today's game might determine how we look at this team for the rest of the season.

A man, 25, was indicted yesterday on first-degree murder charges in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams on New Year's Day 2007. Willie D. Clark faces 39 counts, including murder, attempted murder, assault, crimes of violence and a weapons violation, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said. Clark is in federal custody in a separate case. He was long considered a "person of interest" in Williams' slaying but is the first suspect to be indicted.

Millen era over in Detroit: Lions fire team president nfl The Detroit Lions fired president Matt Millen, more than seven years after the former linebacker and TV analyst took over one of the NFL's most mediocre franchises and made it the worst. Millen's teams won a league-low 31 games since he took over in 2001, but his boss, owner William Clay Ford, refused to get rid of him until now. Bill Ford, son of the team owner, said Monday that he would fire Millen if he had the authority. Detroit was routed in each of its first three games this season.