Gary Baxter

United Parcel Service driver Gary Baxter brought a package to the St. Ann Adult Day Care Center in the spring, but ended up delivering some tunes.Twice a week, the deliveryman uses his lunch break to play piano at the center on Benson Avenue in Southwest Baltimore.Mr. Baxter, who took piano lessons as a child and resumed them three years ago, volunteered to play at St. Ann's a few weeks after hearing another pianist entertain its mostly elderly clients."One day I heard someone playing the piano in here and then I didn't hear any music for a long time," said Mr. Baxter, 49, during a break from performing at the center last week.

Three years ago, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis and Cleveland Browns linebacker Andra Davis engaged in a little trash-talking over the phone, and Lewis backed up his promise to enjoy a "career day" against the Browns by rushing for 295 yards, an NFL single-game record. With another matchup against the Browns looming Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium at 4 p.m., Lewis said yesterday that he won't participate in another phone call with Davis. "Actually, my friend that set up that phone call last time called me and said, `What are you going to do?

Thumbs up:Linebacker Adalius Thomas chased running back Derek Homer about 45 yards after the play until he caught up with him, showing tremendous hustle. ... Will Demps and Ray Lewis each had impressive interceptions. Thumbs down:Ed Reed dropped what would have been an interception of an overthrown ball by Chris Redman. ... D.J. Humphries dropped what would have been a first-down completion. Quotable:"That's not right. Why don't you do Chris McAlister or Gary Baxter like that? You know Chris would get up [in your face]

The Ravens remain in negotiations with Gary Baxter, the team's biggest offseason priority, and while the sides may not have agreed on a contract yet, they are in accord on one issue. Baxter is indeed a cornerback. Baxter said last week that if he re-signs with the Ravens, he will do so as a cornerback only and will not be receptive to a switch to safety, something a league source told The Sun the Ravens have discussed if they are able to add another cornerback through the draft or free agency (possibly the Washington Redskins' Fred Smoot)

The Ravens remain in negotiations with Gary Baxter, the team's biggest offseason priority, and while the sides may not have agreed on a contract yet, they are in accord on one issue. Baxter is indeed a cornerback. Baxter said last week that if he re-signs with the Ravens, he will do so as a cornerback only and will not be receptive to a switch to safety, something a league source told The Sun the Ravens have discussed if they are able to add another cornerback through the draft or free agency (possibly the Washington Redskins' Fred Smoot)

THE KEY PLAY BAXTER FORCES MADDOX TO FUMBLE Score: Ravens lead 13-0 PLAY Quarter: Third Situation: Steelers' ball, third-and-nine at their 27-yard line Play: With Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox (8) lined up in the shotgun and calling out signals, Gary Baxter (28) moved toward the line, preparing to blitz. As the ball was snapped, Baxter came off the edge while Terrell Suggs (55) took an inside rush and Marques Douglas (94) went to the outside. Tackle Marvel Smith (77) picked up Douglas, but Baxter came around the corner untouched.

WHEN THE RAVENS signed cornerback Deion Sanders in early September, the entire organization was tickled because the defense was complete. "Where are teams going to throw the ball?" said cornerback Gary Baxter in a moment of bravado. Nearly a month later, it's time for another question: Where haven't they thrown the ball? Opposing quarterbacks are calling out the Ravens as if they were were appearing on The Price is Right. Hey, Chris McAlister, come on down. Hey, Ed Reed, come on down.

THE KEY PLAY BAXTER FORCES MADDOX TO FUMBLE Score: Ravens lead 13-0 PLAY Quarter: Third Situation: Steelers' ball, third-and-nine at their 27-yard line Play: With Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox (8) lined up in the shotgun and calling out signals, Gary Baxter (28) moved toward the line, preparing to blitz. As the ball was snapped, Baxter came off the edge while Terrell Suggs (55) took an inside rush and Marques Douglas (94) went to the outside. Tackle Marvel Smith (77) picked up Douglas, but Baxter came around the corner untouched.

As the Ravens reconvene today for the first time since an opening-round NFL playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans, a former foe turned teammate will likely get his share of welcoming handshakes. Receiver Kevin Johnson, who was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fourth-round draft pick with the hope that he can help revive a dormant passing game, will be on hand along with most of the Ravens for a four-day passing camp. While much is expected of Johnson this season, not much is expected from him in his inaugural workout with the team.

What was it W.C. Fields once said? "Never act with children or animals. You can't win." Unless you're Baltimore's Ronald McDonald House. The house recently had its annual gala at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel, and some of the guests are still talking about how four children stole the show. They had spent time at the Ronald McDonald House with their families while being treated at Baltimore area hospitals for serious illnesses. Rachael Joyce, Montague Totten and Jade Shapiro all shared emceeing duties with former Baltimore Colt and big Ronald McDonald House supporter Joe Ehrmann.

While the Ravens' track record in the second round gives cause for optimism, recent NFL history says their first pick tomorrow will not be worth the wait. The 51st overall selection in the draft has been riddled with obscure underachievers, career journeymen and colossal busts. Half of the players taken at that spot over the past decade are out of the league and just four developed into legitimate starters. Instead of becoming household names, former No. 51 picks Dedric Mathis, Greg Jones and Paul Toviessi ended up on the NFL's trash heap.

Gary Baxter has developed a way to handle shifting positions -- sometimes as many as three within the same quarter -- during Ravens games. He ignores the moves. "I just love the game so much, I try not to think twice about what position I'm playing," said Baxter, who started at safety but played cornerback and nickel back in the fourth quarter of the team's 26-6 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. "If I have any hesitation on my part, then I don't think I'll go out and play to the best of my abilities.

The other major position competition with the Ravens was won by default. Marques Douglas and Adalius Thomas swapped series with the first team through the first half of the preseason, but Douglas will be the starter on the defensive line for tomorrow's game at Pittsburgh after Thomas switched to outside linebacker nearly a month ago. It was a contest that took a back seat to the much-heralded quarterback competition, but becoming an opening-game starter...

Two days from the Ravens cornerbacks' next go-around with Pittsburgh receiver Plaxico Burress, Chris McAlister is giving him the silent treatment while Gary Baxter is wanting to reintroduce himself. Whatever the approach, the Ravens' regular-season finale likely hinges on whether their secondary can shut down Burress, or perhaps, shut him up. Burress has become the Steelers' biggest - and loudest - offensive weapon against the Ravens ever since they nicknamed him "Plexiglas" last season.