Jamie Sharper

Running backsBam Morris played well despite a fumble that set up a field goal for the Jets. He ran with power and authority, but still needs to run more north and south. -- B+QuarterbackVinny Testaverde had good numbers, but his fumbles cost the team field position and the interception thrown from his knees was a big blunder. He did play better as the conditions improved. -- CReceiversTight end Eric Green was impressive despite an early concussion and wide receiver Derrick Alexander had five catches for 69 yards.

Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa has played enough football to know that three games do not allow an accurate assessment of a defense.But Siragusa knows how low the Ravens have been, and he senses where they are going. And with each passing week, he sees the unit making the kind of strides that puts last year's dismal showing a little further in the past.Take the regular-season opener, a 28-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that still makes Siragusa mad. In the closing minutes, defensive end Rob Burnett forced a punt with a third-down sack.

The bonding process began almost immediately, one week after the NFL draft in April, when the Ravens held their rookie minicamp. That's when second-year linebacker Ray Lewis huddled with rookies Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper off the field several times.L The meetings were not long, but there was a running message."Everyone of us came from a winning program in college," Lewis said. "We're all young, intelligent and athletic, and we're all hungry. We're going to be together for at least three to four years.

The Ravens reached agreement on a three-year contract with second-round draft selection Jamie Sharper yesterday, and the team will now turn its full attention to signing top draft pick Peter Boulware, the Florida State defensive end who is the only unsigned player among the team's 12 draftees.Sharper, the outside linebacker from Virginia who is expected to start for the Ravens, ended his nine-day holdout from training camp by agreeing to a three-year deal worth $1.7 million, including a $727,000 signing bonus, according to sources from both sides.

How youthful are the Ravens' linebackers? None of them is older than 23, and although second-year middle linebacker Ray Lewis turned 22 last month, he remains both the youngest of the bunch and the one with the most seniority.The Ravens figure to sign an older linebacker, possibly by bringing back Jerrol Williams or Mike Caldwell, before training camp opens next month. In the meantime, Lewis is the dean surrounded by rookies, starting with top draft pick Peter Boulware, Jamie Sharper (second round)

The Ravens never thought they would have the chance to get Virginia linebacker Jamie Sharper in yesterday's NFL draft, figuring he would be gone by the middle of the first round.But when the time came to select the fourth player in Round 2, Sharper was still available, and the Ravens grabbed a major piece of their defensive puzzle.Several hours after the Ravens had selected, as expected, college football's top-rated pass rusher, Peter Boulware, the team watched a coveted bookend linebacker in Sharper -- Virginia's career tackling leader -- fall into their laps.

The Ravens never thought they would have the chance to get Virginia linebacker Jamie Sharper in yesterday's NFL draft, figuring he would be gone by the middle of the first round.But when the time came to select the fourth player in Round 2, Sharper was still available, and the Ravens grabbed a major piece of their defensive puzzle.Several hours after the Ravens had selected, as expected, college football's top-rated pass rusher, Peter Boulware, the team watched a coveted bookend linebacker in Sharper -- Virginia's career tackling leader -- fall into their laps.

If Alabama's Dwayne Rudd was the No. 1-ranked outside linebacker in college football last season, then Virginia's James Farrior must have been 1A. Some teams, like the Ravens, even have Farrior in the top slot."

The Ravens fulfilled their dire need for a pass-rushing threat yesterday by signing free-agent right defensive end Michael McCrary to a three-year, $6 million contract, a move that increased the chances the team will trade down its No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.Also yesterday, a team source said the club has begun preliminary negotiations with defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, who played under Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda when they were both with the Indianapolis Colts two years ago.Siragusa and ex-Seattle Seahawk McCrary are part of a plan to rebuild the Ravens' front defensive seven and improve a pass rush that collected a league-low 30 sacks last season.

Members of the Ravens' coaching staff are spending the week in Mobile, Ala., at the Senior Bowl looking over some of the nation's best prospects, especially defenders who could help a pass rush that produced only 30 sacks last season.Ravens owner Art Modell has said he plans to release about one-third of his present roster, mostly defensive players, and that's where the Ravens have concentrated their efforts at the Senior Bowl.The Ravens have been impressed with Virginia outside linebackers James Farrior (6 feet 1, 232 pounds)