Jon Gruden

From all appearances, Brian Billick looks as if he will return as the Ravens head coach next season. Billick talks once or twice a week with owner Steve Bisciotti about the future of the Ravens and, despite being mired in a troubling 4-9 season, the two were seen laughing over a leisurely dinner at the team complex Monday. These are not signs that the Ravens are trying to distance themselves from Billick, one of four coaches who are currently with the teams they guided to the Super Bowl title.

Good morning --Kyle Boller -- Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer are on TV today ... you're never too young to win in the NFL. Question of the day Will Texas quarterback Vince Young be successful in the NFL? Selected responses to today's question will be printed Tuesday on The Kickoff page. Please e-mail your answer (about 25 words) to sports@baltsun.com by 3 p.m.Monday. Include your name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. THEY SAID IT "I don't know how drastic it is. That's up to people who measure `drastic-ticity,' or whatever the word is. `Drastic-ticians.

In yesterday's editions, football columnist Mike Preston mentioned the possibility that the Ravens would consider trading for Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis by offering a draft pick or two as compensation. It has happened, most recently in 2006, when the Kansas City Chiefs gave the New York Jets a fourth-round selection for Herm Edwards. So what's the going rate for a coach whose team can't make the playoffs, can't play defense and can't stay out of trouble? At least two No. 1s, right?

How about another hit? Losing Plaxico Burress is one thing. But the Giants can't afford to have linebacker and team leader Antonio Pierce embroiled in legal issues of the wide receiver's accidental shooting. Pierce's attorney says he's innocent of a cover-up, but questions remain. Not what the Giants need in the stretch run. Bucs up creek? If Monte Kiffin decides to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee - as expected - it will be a big hit for the Buccaneers. Kiffin's defense kept the Bucs above water in the down years (when Jon Gruden's offense stunk)

The NFL announced Monday that Ravens coach John Harbaugh will be one of five current and former league coaches who will travel this month to the Persian Gulf region to meet with service members on the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Los Angeles Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden will join Harbaugh on the trip, expected to last several days. During the past four decades, according to the league, NFL stars including Terry Bradshaw, Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, Howie Long, Don Meredith, Lynn Swann and Johnny Unitas have visited U.S. troops in locations including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Somalia and Vietnam.

Arizona State blocked kicker Alex Zendejas' game-winning extra point to force overtime and then blocked another extra point in the second overtime as the Sun Devils upset Arizona 30-29 Thursday night to become bowl eligible (6-6). The Wildcats fell to 7-5. •Syracuse accepted an invitation to represent the Big East in the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The Orange (7-5) will face a Big 12 team on Dec. 30 in their first bowl game since 2004. • Steve Patton is out after 14 seasons as Gardner-Webb's coach.

NEW ORLEANS - Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis might become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach, but it appears he may have to wait for that announcement. According to the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, Lewis will be named Buccaneers coach as early as this week if general manager Rich McKay is given the authority to make his selection. But Tampa Bay vice presidents Joel and Bryan Glazer disagree with McKay's choice to hire Lewis because they fear the team will take a step backward, and they want the club to continue to pursue Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden.

POWER RANKINGS Team Ken Murray's comment 1. Green Bay Brett Favre's best last chance. 2. New England Is Bill Belichick the Zen master? 3. St. Louis In this case, the preseason means nothing., 4. Pittsburgh Steelers have a chip on their shoulders. 5. Philadelphia Andy Reid elected to stand pat. 6. San Francisco Keeping Jeff Garcia healthy is crucial. 7. Miami Ricky Williams leaves Dolphins no excuses. 8. Chicago Playing in Champaign, Ill., will be brutal. 9. N.Y. Jets Retooled defense will prove pivotal.

BUCCANEERS (9-4) @ PATRIOTS (8-5) TIME, TV -- 1:30 p.m., chs. 45, 5 LINE -- Patriots by 4 1/2 SKINNY -- The last time Jon Gruden visited Foxborough, the Raiders lost on the tuck rule in the playoffs and the Patriots went to the Super Bowl. He hopes history isn't repeated. His Buccaneers are 4-2 against winning teams, while the Patriots are only 2-5. And Patriots QB Tom Brady has a limp. But the key matchup is Bucs QB Chris Simms against Patriots coach Bill Belichick. PICK -- Patriots CHIEFS (8-5)