Errict Rhett

He runs as hard as he talks.And that takes some doing for a motor-mouth like Errict Rhett, who tells childhood stories, tosses out self-promotion, and challenges teammates with the same urgency he exudes while charging into an opposing defense to earn a couple of bruising yards.When the Ravens traded with Tampa Bay to acquire Rhett six months ago, they felt they were getting a tailback with a strong record of NFL success, and a player with something to prove.Because of a disastrous contract holdout in 1996 and the arrival of rookie phenom Warrick Dunn last season, Rhett's early promise had become a distant memory to the Buccaneers.

Quarterbacks - C Tony Banks may not be the answer, but he deserves another year in the Ravens' system. There is no guarantee, though, that he'll re-sign with the team because there is still a strained relationship between Banks and coach Brian Billick. Banks played well in the second half of the season and opened up the offense with the long ball. The Ravens still should draft a quarterback in April and add a veteran backup such as Tennessee's Neil O'Donnell, who could start if Banks falters, while still giving the rookie a chance to mature.

1 The Ravens made big plays in the second half, including 52- and 54-yard touchdown passes from Stoney Case to Patrick Johnson and Justin Armour, respectively. 2 The Ravens' linebackers controlled the tempo of the game, as the threesome accounted for 24 tackles and two of the team's three sacks. 3 The Ravens ran the ball well while Case was struggling in the first half. Running back Errict Rhett finished with 136 yards on 27 attempts. Pub Date: 10/04/99

Each time he takes a deep breath, Errict Rhett is reminded of his season's most unfortunate moment. It happened early in the second quarter against Tennessee two weeks ago. Just as Rhett hit the ground after being tackled after a 6-yard gain, Titans linebacker Joe Bowden delivered a helmet shot to Rhett's side. Rhett stayed on the ground for several minutes, then staggered off the field with severely bruised ribs. "It felt like somebody shot me in the back with a shotgun," said Rhett, who is still bothered by the injury.

Errict RhettPosition: Running backHeight: 5-11Weight: 211Age: 27College: FloridaYear: 5thHighlights: Traded to Ravens from Tampa Bay for a third-round draft choice in 1999. Competing for starting running-back job with Jay Graham. Rhett ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1994. He rushed for a career-high 1,207 yards in 1995. Lost his starting job to Warrick Dunn last year and appeared in 11 games, running for 91 yards on 31 carries.

For proof that the Ravens have undergone a major transformation in 1998, look no farther than the offensive backfield.Gone is troubled running back Bam Morris and the one-back set, in favor of a two-back system that stresses ball control, clock management and a pound-it-at-the-defense mentality.And here are the twin engines the Ravens are counting on to make the attack go -- running back Errict Rhett and fullback Roosevelt Potts.Combined with second-year tailback Jay Graham, the Ravens say they have the right combination of size, speed and toughness to give defenses headaches.

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- If NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has his way, Peyton Manning may pay a price for playing his senior year at Tennessee.Tagliabue closed the annual owners' meetings yesterday by announcing he's going to the NFL Players Association with a plan to take some of the money in the rookie salary pool and put it in a performance-based incentive program for rookies."

Sale Isaia vs. Ben Cavil (LG): The only unsettled starting spot on the offensive line. Cavil has the edge in experience. Isaia is 11 months removed from a knee injury that ended his 1997 season on the first day of training camp. This should be a good battle.Duane Starks vs. DeRon Jenkins (RCB): It's up to Jenkins to produce in his third season. Starks is a rookie, but as the Ravens' top draft pick, he will apply plenty of pressure.Ralph Staten vs. Stevon Moore (SS): The job is Moore's to lose, which could happen if his surgically repaired knees fail to respond this summer.

By midday yesterday, Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda was already poring over the game film of Saturday night's 19-14 preseason-opening win over the Chicago Bears before a sellout crowd of 65,938 at Later To Be Named Stadium.There were a lot of things Marchibroda liked, including thefirst-unit offense's scoring on two of three possessions in the first half, the defense's limiting the Bears to 84 yards of total offense, the special teams' forcing a major turnover and the Ravens holding a fourth-quarter lead.

1Is Jim Harbaugh the answer at quarterback?Harbaugh offers the team qualities that former starter Vinny Testaverde lacked, such as leadership and the ability to pull out close games in the final two minutes. But Harbaugh has to have a solid preseason to earn respect from his teammates, because he hasn't been impressive throwing in practices. The Ravens wanted a gamer; now, Harbaugh has to live up to expectations.2Who were the top players signed and lost by the Ravens during the off-season?

CINCINNATI -- Justin Armour and Qadry Ismail had been the mainstays in the Ravens' often-sputtering passing game before yesterday. The other guys picked a fine time to show up in yesterday's 34-31 victory over the Bengals. Wide receiver Patrick Johnson resurfaced after an extended absence to have the best game of his career. Wide receiver Billy Davis, whose football life had been reduced primarily to special teams work after joining the Ravens this year, produced the team's biggest play from scrimmage in his best performance of 1999.

Ravens coach Brian Billick jokingly refers to them as "the dirty dozen." He has called them a collection of talent taken off "the trash heap" of the NFL. Billick is talking about his offense, which entered last night's game against Kansas City ranked 24th in the NFL, including the 28th-ranked passing game. Specifically, Billick is talking about players like quarterback Stoney Case, wide receivers Qadry Ismail and Justin Armour, running back Errict Rhett and tight end Aaron Pierce.

1 The Ravens made big plays in the second half, including 52- and 54-yard touchdown passes from Stoney Case to Patrick Johnson and Justin Armour, respectively. 2 The Ravens' linebackers controlled the tempo of the game, as the threesome accounted for 24 tackles and two of the team's three sacks. 3 The Ravens ran the ball well while Case was struggling in the first half. Running back Errict Rhett finished with 136 yards on 27 attempts. Pub Date: 10/04/99

The Ravens were delighted with their off-season signings when training camp started in mid-July, but the only one of the four players who has contributed significantly so far has been veteran cornerback Rod Woodson.Woodson is fourth on the team in tackles with 14, has knocked down four passes and intercepted two, including one for a touchdown. He also blocked a Jacksonville field-goal attempt Sunday.In contrast, quarterback Jim Harbaugh has yet to complete a half in three games and has been bothered by hand and elbow injuries to his throwing arm. He has completed 13 of 26 passes for 128 yards and hasn't thrown a touchdown.

For proof that the Ravens have undergone a major transformation in 1998, look no farther than the offensive backfield.Gone is troubled running back Bam Morris and the one-back set, in favor of a two-back system that stresses ball control, clock management and a pound-it-at-the-defense mentality.And here are the twin engines the Ravens are counting on to make the attack go -- running back Errict Rhett and fullback Roosevelt Potts.Combined with second-year tailback Jay Graham, the Ravens say they have the right combination of size, speed and toughness to give defenses headaches.

Two impressive victories into the preseason, Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda is in no mood to celebrate yet, although he concedes the team is setting the tone for a successful 1998 season that begins in 20 days against Pittsburgh.The day after crushing the New York Jets on the road, 33-0, Marchibroda joked about burning the videotape he had just reviewed, lest his young players get a little too full of themselves. After all, the Ravens have managed a grand total of 10 regular-season wins in their first two years here.

Errict Rhett has the reputation of being a disgruntled running back with a huge ego that cost him millions of dollars and almost his career in the NFL, but several coaches who have worked with him say that he is a tireless worker intent on being one of the best runners in the game.The Ravens are about to find out which description is more accurate.The Ravens obtained Rhett, a restricted free agent, yesterday by trading a third-round draft pick in 1999 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rhett will sign a one-year deal worth about $650,000 in base salary if he passes his physical today.

The Ravens were delighted with their off-season signings when training camp started in mid-July, but the only one of the four players who has contributed significantly so far has been veteran cornerback Rod Woodson.Woodson is fourth on the team in tackles with 14, has knocked down four passes and intercepted two, including one for a touchdown. He also blocked a Jacksonville field-goal attempt Sunday.In contrast, quarterback Jim Harbaugh has yet to complete a half in three games and has been bothered by hand and elbow injuries to his throwing arm. He has completed 13 of 26 passes for 128 yards and hasn't thrown a touchdown.

He runs as hard as he talks.And that takes some doing for a motor-mouth like Errict Rhett, who tells childhood stories, tosses out self-promotion, and challenges teammates with the same urgency he exudes while charging into an opposing defense to earn a couple of bruising yards.When the Ravens traded with Tampa Bay to acquire Rhett six months ago, they felt they were getting a tailback with a strong record of NFL success, and a player with something to prove.Because of a disastrous contract holdout in 1996 and the arrival of rookie phenom Warrick Dunn last season, Rhett's early promise had become a distant memory to the Buccaneers.

By midday yesterday, Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda was already poring over the game film of Saturday night's 19-14 preseason-opening win over the Chicago Bears before a sellout crowd of 65,938 at Later To Be Named Stadium.There were a lot of things Marchibroda liked, including thefirst-unit offense's scoring on two of three possessions in the first half, the defense's limiting the Bears to 84 yards of total offense, the special teams' forcing a major turnover and the Ravens holding a fourth-quarter lead.