Jamie Sharper

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Ravens had to perform some patch work on the right side of their offensive line during last night's 24-13 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers. And despite some holes, the unit came away tougher for the experience. With starting right guard Mike Flynn (foot) and right tackle Harry Swayne (hamstring) out with injuries, the Ravens put guards Damon Denson and Orlando Bobo with tackles Spencer Folau and Sammy Williams against the likes of Reggie White and Eric Swann.

With the status of linebacker Ray Lewis undetermined for the 2000 season, the Ravens have begun contemplating options that include replacing Lewis with a veteran when the free-agency period opens Feb. 11, or possibly moving starting weak-side linebacker Jamie Sharper to the middle. Ravens officials declined to comment yesterday about any issue concerning Lewis, who was charged with first-degree murder Monday night in connection with two stabbing deaths earlier that morning after Super Bowl parties in Atlanta.

All those seasons of being engulfed in the mainstream of football, as a player and coach, totaling 39 years, has provided Maxie Baughan with a full-field perspective. He remembers his first day with the Philadelphia Eagles in l960, when he spoke to Chuck Bednarik and called him "Sir".What a place for a rookie. A starter with the Eagles at linebacker who was entrusted with calling defensive signals without help from the sidelines, voted to the Pro Bowl and a member, right away, of a championship team.

MIAMI -- Eugene Robinson is wearing a gaudy ring this week to send a not-so-subtle message to his teammates.The talkative Atlanta Falcons safety is flashing the Super Bowl XXXI ring he won with the Green Bay Packers two years ago to let his teammates know the prize is within their reach Sunday against the Denver Broncos.Appearing in his third straight Super Bowl, Robinson, who left the Packers as a free agent after last season, first wore the ring at the start of training camp.At that time, the Super Bowl wasn't even on the Falcons' radar screen.

Running backsRoosevelt Potts was having an outstanding game, but again was taken out of the offense when the team fell behind. Priest Holmes was not a factor, used more as a decoy on the outside as a receiver in a one-back set. -- C-QuarterbackJim Harbaugh was excellent, and his teammates should play with as much fire. He was superb improvising and threw some outstanding timing patterns. -- AReceiversEric Green fumbled twice, which led to two Jaguars touchdowns in the first half. Rookie Patrick Johnson dropped a critical third-down pass.

The Sun's Ryan Basen caught up with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jamie Sharper to ask him what books he likes to tackle, when he's not reading a football playbook.Did anyone read to you when you were a kid?: My parents read to me but most of my early reading came during school. I was really into books when I was a kid. I think it was because I started reading when I was very young.What were some of your favorite books as a kid?: The Dr. Seuss books were my favorites, especially "Green Eggs and Ham."

The "other" linebacker is still trying to find his fame.First, there is middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who was a Pro Bowl performer in only his second season. Then there is strong-side linebacker Peter Boulware, the league's 1997 Rookie of the Year and newly acclaimed sack artist. And then there is No. 55.It reads "Sharper" on the back of his jersey."That doesn't bother me. The recognition they've gotten just makes me work harder," said Jamie Sharper, the team's top pick in the second round of the 1996 draft out of the University of Virginia.

Ravens owner Art Modell ended two weeks of speculation yesterday by saying coach Ted Marchibroda will fulfill the third and final year of his contract next season.Modell generated speculation after the Ravens were beaten, 37-0, by the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago in a nationally televised Sunday night game. He called the performance "an embarrassment" to himself, his family, the organization and the community and declined to comment on the status of Marchibroda or anyone else on the staff.