Jared Gaither

The NFL season is only at the quarter pole, but it's been a really great start for the Ravens. They aren't blowing any teams out, but overall, they are in great shape after playing three of their first four games on the road against three of the better defensive teams in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and the New York Jets, and two of the most physical in the Jets and the Steelers. In fact, it would have been satisfying at this point if the Ravens were 2-2. There are skeptics who will say the Ravens barely beat Cleveland, and they have yet to play a quality quarterback who will test their suspect secondary.

Right tackle Jared Gaither lasted one practice this week before the Ravens decided to send him back to a Los Angeles physician for another opinion on the mysterious injury that has derailed his season. For the first time, Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Friday that there was a limit to how long the Ravens could wait for Gaither to get healthy before putting him on injured reserve for the season. "There's … always a clock running on that because you've got to make decisions based on injuries," Harbaugh said.

The news that Trevor Pryce had signed with the New York Jets swept through the media and general public Thursday. But at least one of Pryce's former Ravens teammates said he knew about the defensive end's defection as early as Wednesday night. "I found out last night," nose tackle Kelly Gregg said. "He called right after we got out of practice. It's just sad to see a guy like that go. He was instrumental in our defense and in our room, and it's just a crazy situation. " Added outside linebacker Jarret Johnson : "It [stinks]

The visual of LaMarr Woodley sweeping in from the Ravens' right to dump Joe Flacco on consecutive plays at Heinz Field last December is a stark reminder of how tough it is to protect your quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the span of seven offensive snaps — four drop-backs — the Steelers sacked Flacco three times. Driving for a tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, the Ravens coughed up a 23-20 loss instead. On Sunday, the Ravens go back to Pittsburgh, ready for combat, hoping they can do a better job of containing Woodley and the rest of the Steelers' defensive blitzkrieg.

The Ravens caught a big break by missing out on playing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger , who is serving the final game of his four-game suspension. But beating his replacement, Charlie Batch , hasn't been as easy as some would think. Since joining the Steelers in 2002, Batch is 4-1 as their fill-in starter. He is coming off a win at Tampa Bay, where he completed 12 of 17 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. "He's a guy who has won a lot of games, started a lot of games and has so much success," coach John Harbaugh said.

The Ravens aren't worried about who will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Jake Delhomme , who was sidelined with an ankle injury last Sunday, is more of a pocket passer. Seneca Wallace , the Browns' backup, is more of a scrambler. But the Ravens don't see much of a difference. "We're preparing for the exact same offense," linebacker Jarret Johnson said. "Their offense is not going to change from Seneca to Delhomme. " Delhomme started the season-opening 17-14 loss at the Tamp Bay Buccaneers where he completed 20 of 37 passes for 227 yards and two interceptions.

Despite a back injury that kept him out of practice the last two days, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson said he plans to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. "I'm good," he said after the Ravens practiced Friday. "I'm good to go. " Johnson, who is listed as questionable for Sunday, did not elaborate on the injury. But he has not missed a game since Dec. 21, 2003, and he emphasized that it wasn't serious. "It's something minor," he said. "No big deal. " Tight end Todd Heap said his strained right shoulder is progressing to the point where he could play Sunday against the AFC North reigning champions.

Jared Gaither has returned to lifting weights and is close to his playing weight from last season. Returning to practice is a different story. The offensive tackle has not practiced at his customary right tackle spot since Aug. 5, when he suffered back spasms. Later, Gaither said he was diagnosed with a thoracic disk injury that contributed to the spasms. On Monday, Gaither said he is unsure when he will be able to practice. "It's really hard with this type of injury, as I've been told," he said.

Now that the third exhibition game has been played and the preseason is virtually over, the only major question left for the Ravens is about the offensive line. Through training camp and preseason, the Ravens have answered just about everything else. There are still concerns at cornerback, but with the recent play by Fabian Washington, Chris Carr and Cary Williams and the continued progress of injured Lardarius Webb, that problem doesn't seem so severe anymore. It's no longer a Maalox moment, except maybe when the Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals.