Fabian Washington

CLEVELAND - In what might pass as a preview of next year's defensive backfield, the Ravens' secondary weathered the storm that quarterback Derek Anderson and NFL fate threw at it yesterday. Here's how tough things were in Cleveland: Absent two injured starting cornerbacks, the Ravens had to have their next two corners overcome injuries as well. Remarkably, both Fabian Washington and Frank Walker came through the litmus test intact in a 37-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns. "Our secondary was battered and bruised and we've got guys down," safety Ed Reed said.

THREE THINGS THAT NEED TO GO RIGHT ... 1 Jump out to an early lead. The Ravens could use the crowd to their advantage. If they can gain a quick advantage, the crowd at Reliant Stadium will turn on a Texans team that got routed in the opener. 2 Establish a running game. Just as the Ravens did against Cincinnati, they have to continue their physical identity. Running the ball not only will limit Joe Flacco's chances of making a mistake, but it will also put him in shorter third-down situations.

In a historical sense, this really isn't an argument. The Ravens' 2000 defense was far better. They were mentally tougher, and perhaps more than any other defense in modern NFL history, they carried their team to a Super Bowl victory. But physically? In terms of sheer talent and potential? I think the Ravens' 2008 team can be better. It's like arguing that Paul Thomas Anderson is a better director than Martin Scorsese. No, Anderson doesn't have Scorsese's overall body of work. But there is definitely potential there.

Fabian Washington expects to be ready for the start of training camp, the Ravens reported. Washington, a starting cornerback for the Ravens the past two seasons, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. He was lifting weights this week when the team began its voluntary offseason conditioning program. "The schedule is for me to be ready for training camp and we're definitely on schedule for that," Washington told the Ravens. "Right now, I'm not close. But I think by training camp, I'll be ready to rock and roll."

The Ravens are the only team to have made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. That's a credit to G.M. Ozzie Newsome, who has given coach John Harbaugh enough talent to mold this team into a contender. As we close in on the 2012 NFL draft, we'll take a look at how the Ravens have fared in recent drafts. It's too soon to give a fair evaluation from the 2010 and 2011 classes, but three years of NFL service time is enough for us to grade their 2007 , 2008 and 2009 classes.

TURNING POINT: On third down with 5:50 remaining, Ravens linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs (right) was called for a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty. Referee Bill Carollo said Suggs hit quarterback Kerry Collins on the right side of the helmet, but Suggs said he hit Collins' arm. Instead of the Titans getting a false-start penalty, they received a first down. Eight plays later, Collins threw the game-winning touchdown pass, a 11-yarder to tight end Alge Crumpler. FLACCO STRUGGLES: The Ravens' Joe Flacco (left)

Some wonder whether the Ravens gave up too much in the trade for wide receiver Anquan Boldin. They acquired Boldin and a fifth-round pick in exchange for third- and fourth-round picks. But history says the Ravens know what they are doing as far as trades. In analyzing the Ravens' past three major player trades, the team should have no regrets for these moves. June 2006: The Ravens trade a fourth-round pick in 2007 for quarterback Steve McNair. Sure, the Ravens only got one good season out of McNair.

Before the start of the 2010 regular season, Josh Wilson walked off the Seattle Seahawks' practice field and was informed that he had been traded to the Ravens. Less than a year later, Wilson, a free agent at the time, picked his next destination, agreeing to a three-year, $13.5 million contract with $9 million guaranteed with the Washington Redskins. But the cornerback looks back at his one season with the Ravens fondly and said he's looking forward to seeing his former teammates this Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New coach. New offensive system. Same old bad habits from Kyle Boller. In last night's 16-15 preseason win over the New England Patriots, Boller tarnished an otherwise strong effort with two turnovers at Gillette Stadium, creating flashbacks of mistakes that have haunted him throughout his career. "I don't want to turn the ball over," said Boller, who lost a fumble and was intercepted once. "That is the most important thing. I think we had some good plays [and] a few solid drives, but we have to continue to work on not turning the ball over."

Going into the 2008 season, there were certain Ravens who were irreplaceable, such as inside linebacker Ray Lewis, safety Ed Reed and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. You can now put cornerback Fabian Washington on that list. Yes, Fabian Washington. The Ravens have reached a point where they cannot afford any more injuries in the secondary, and the Ravens are not sure whether Washington can play Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys because of an injured hamstring. Washington suffered the injury in the Pittsburgh game Sunday and wasn't on the field during the Steelers' 12-play, 92-yard game-winning drive at the end of the fourth quarter.