Detroit Lions

Pat Boyle , a former Calvert Hall football standout who went on to play at Temple, has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions . The 6-foot-5 left tackle was part of the winningest four-year class in Temple history. He played in at least seven games each of his four years with the Owls. He helped open holes for running back Bernard Pierce, whom the Ravens drafted in the third round Friday . In high school, Boyle was also an All-Metro track and field selection who ranked among the best in the state in the shot put. His twin brother Sean also plays on the offensive line for Temple.

Neither Ray Lewis nor Ray Rice will be on the cover of the next “Madden,” if you care about this sort of thing. Both players were eliminated in the Sweet Sixteen of the 64-player bracket to determine who will be on the cover of “Madden NFL 25,” which is the 25th anniversary edition of the popular pigskin video game franchise. Lewis, who retired after the Ravens won the Super Bowl in February, was knocked out of the “old school” bracket by former Detroit Lions back and fellow NFL legend Barry Sanders, who got 67 percent of the fan vote.

As the occasional snowflake fluttered through the air and landed on a makeshift football field, Jahvid Best once again stood on the sideline, watching others play the game he loves. This day, it was his choice. The Detroit Lions running back, who hasn't played a game since October 2011 because of multiple concussions, was one of 17 NFL players who visited St. Vincent's Villa in Timonium on Sunday morning. As Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt captained teams of children, Best laughed, cheered and tried to stay warm.

As the occasional snowflake fluttered through the air and landed on a makeshift football field, Jahvid Best once again stood on the sideline, watching others play the game he loves. This day, it was his choice. The Detroit Lions running back, who hasn't played a game since October 2011 because of multiple concussions, was one of 17 NFL players who visited St. Vincent's Villa in Timonium on Sunday morning. As Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt captained teams of children, Best laughed, cheered and tried to stay warm.

FootballDetroit Lions -- Activated DB Terry Taylor. Placed RB Bruce Alexander (foot) on IR.Los Angeles Raiders -- Released RB-S Marcus Wilson. Activated RB Nick Bell.Miami Dolphins -- Waived DE Donnie Gardner. Activated RB Sammie Smith from IR.San Francisco 49ers -- Waived C Dean Caliguire. Activated C Chuck Thomas.HockeyMontreal Canadiens -- Sent G Jean-Claude Bergeron, G Andre Racicot, LW Benoit Brunet and D Patrice Brisebois to Fredericton (AHL).OlympicsB6 USOC -- Elected William J. Hybl interim president.

If the season would have begun differently, this is the point where the Ravens would thump their chests and talk about their return trip to Detroit, the site of the Super Bowl. Now, after a 1-2 start, the Ravens' itinerary today against the Detroit Lions is a more modest one: win a road game. Ravens@Lions Today, 1 p.m., Chs. 13, 9, 1300 AM, 102.7 FM Line: Lions by 1 1/2

"Rasheed really has a good heart, and I think that's what people a lot of the times don't really understand." Flip Saunders Detroit Pistons coach, on Rasheed Wallace, frequently portrayed as a troublesome player "I'm thinking of putting it on eBay." Yao Ming Of the Houston Rockets, on the nail he lost from his left big toe "Each team's playbook appears to be a single sheet of paper." Michael Rosenberg Detroit Free Press, on the offenses of the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears

Offensive lineman Raleigh McKenzie is expected to start in place of Joe Jacoby when the Washington Redskins open the NFL season against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.Although offensive-line coach Jim Hanifan didn't name a starter yesterday and said both players will play, McKenzie has been working with the first unit. Jacoby has been slowed by back spasms.Meanwhile, coach Joe Gibbs said that running back Earnest Byner will see double duty as the third-down back on running downs.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana coach Cam Cameron denied rumors Saturday that he would leave to become an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions. "Both of my feet are planted at Indiana University," Cameron said. "We've got a job to get done, and we're not as close as we need to be to getting it done. "I don't know where that stuff comes from." Cameron coached at Michigan with new Lions coach Gary Moeller. In Cameron's four years at Indiana, the Hoosiers have yet to finish with a winning record and have a combined mark of 13-31.

Cleveland Cavaliers -- Placed C Brad Daugherty (back) on the injured list. Activated F Larry Nance.CollegesMEAC -- Named Coppin State F Stephen Stewart, G Sidney Goodman and G Keith Carmichael first-team all-conference. Named Coppin State's Fang Mitchell Coach of the Year for the fourth time in five years. Named Coppin State F-C Rene Doctor second-team all-conference. Named G-F Monica Benson honorable-mention all-conference and G Scherry Cofield and G Stephanie Ready second-team all-rookie.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too. RUNNING IT BACK Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he will consider making changes to his inconsistent offense . … Mike Preston says the Ravens need to know when to say when with the passing game . … Joe Flacco just isn't the same quarterback on the road . … Harbaugh admitted he didn't expect linebacker Terrell Suggs to play that much against the Houston Texans . … Harbaugh defended not putting safety Ed Reed on the injury report . … The Ravens brought back linebacker Sergio Kindle, signing him to their practice squad .   RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US The Ravens sure don't look like a 5-2 team . … The Texans rule the AFC, but don't dismiss the Ravens . … The coaches are putting themselves under the microscope during the bye week.

The Ravens' offensive focus following last week's preseason opener was on sustaining drives. They'll spend this week talking about finishing them. The first-team defense has a host of topics to discuss from generating a pass rush to providing tighter coverage to tackling better. It was an uneven and sloppy performance for the Ravens who were beaten 27-12 by the Detroit Lions in their second preseason game front of an announced 70,567 on Friday at M&T Bank Stadium. The Lions led most of the game with the Ravens' best chance to get back in the game - an electrifying 85-yard punt return touchdown by rookie Asa Jackson - getting called back because of a Nigel Carr holding penalty.

In his NFL debut, Ravens rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw immediately got his legs chopped out from under him when he tried to penetrate the Detroit Lions' backfield. And the former Alabama star's frustration mounted during the same play when he rose to his feet only to get knocked down again. It was a painfully quiet NFL debut for the Ravens' top draft pick during a 27-12 defeat Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium, a game where he got manhandled at times by the Lions' offensive line.

Pat Boyle , a former Calvert Hall football standout who went on to play at Temple, has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions . The 6-foot-5 left tackle was part of the winningest four-year class in Temple history. He played in at least seven games each of his four years with the Owls. He helped open holes for running back Bernard Pierce, whom the Ravens drafted in the third round Friday . In high school, Boyle was also an All-Metro track and field selection who ranked among the best in the state in the shot put. His twin brother Sean also plays on the offensive line for Temple.

A year ago, Ravens fans dreamed of Nnamdi Asomugha, the star free agent cornerback who eventually signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. After all, the secondary was an area where the Ravens needed to improve. What a difference a year makes. The Ravens drafted Jimmy Smith in the first round of the 2011 draft, and Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams had breakout seasons. Now the cornerback position is a strength for the Ravens, who released veterans Chris Carr and Domonique Foxworth in the past week.

A cold and rainy afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium turned into a perfect day for the Ravens. On the legs of Ray Rice, the Ravens ran over the Detroit Lions, 48-3, on Sunday and gained ground in the AFC playoff race.Doing his best Barry Sanders imitation against the lowly Lions - a comparison made by Ray Lewis - Rice busted through arm tackles, stiff-armed defensive backs and stutter-stepped around defenders in the open field, totaling a career-best 219...

BASEBALL (AL) * Orioles -- Purchased the contract of Arthur Rhodes (pitcher) from Hagerstown of the Eastern League. Optioned Brady Anderson (outfielder) to Rochester of the International League.Kansas City Royals -- Activated Kurt Stillwell (shortstop) from the 15-day disabled list. Optioned Sean Berry (infielder) to Omaha of the American Association.BASKETBALL (NBA) * League -- Named Chartese Dean assistant director of media relations, effective Sept. 3 and Karen Spina public relations manager of entertainment.

Neither Ray Lewis nor Ray Rice will be on the cover of the next “Madden,” if you care about this sort of thing. Both players were eliminated in the Sweet Sixteen of the 64-player bracket to determine who will be on the cover of “Madden NFL 25,” which is the 25th anniversary edition of the popular pigskin video game franchise. Lewis, who retired after the Ravens won the Super Bowl in February, was knocked out of the “old school” bracket by former Detroit Lions back and fellow NFL legend Barry Sanders, who got 67 percent of the fan vote.

If you base your answer on what the four remaining playoff teams have done during the course of the 2008 season, it would be difficult to argue against the Arizona Cardinals. A month ago, the Cardinals were a mess, in the midst of four defeats in a five-game stretch. Only the fact that the most hapless franchise in NFL history plays in the NFC Worst gave the Cardinals a chance to make the playoffs in the first place. But surprises - good and bad - are usually based on expectations, and nobody outside The Castle thought the Ravens would be playing football in January, let alone going to the AFC championship game in Pittsburgh on Sunday.