Jon Gruden

As annoying as he can be in his anti- Ravens analysis, I was sure glad that Jon Gruden was in the booth Monday night and not officiating. He did not seem to agree with one call that went in the Ravens favor in the first half. The former Tampa Bay coach reached a kind of anti-Ravens fevered pitch when the Ravens were awarded a first down on a field goal attempt when one of the Jets landed at the kicker's feet blocking the downward path of his leg. "Whoa, I don't know about that [call]

OAKLAND, Calif. - To judge the Oakland pass defense, don't look at the statistics - at least so says Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who insists the stats don't accurately portray how good his secondary is. Gruden said people should look more at the overall team result - a 13-4 record, AFC West championship and a berth in the conference title game. "We've played pretty good all year," Gruden said. "People have made some yards against us passing, but I think too many people look at the statistics more than the results of the games."

The St. Louis Rams and Steve Spagnuolo agreed yesterday on a four-year contract to make the New York Giants' defensive coordinator their coach. The team said in a release that Spagnuolo would be introduced at a news conference tomorrow. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was the first to report the hiring and said Spagnuolo would be paid just under $12 million. Spagnuolo replaces Jim Haslett and takes over a team that finished 2-14. Spagnuolo was the architect of the Giants' sack-happy defense that thwarted the New England Patriots' run to a perfect season in last year's Super Bowl upset.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2011 finalists Monday, and five of the 35 finalists have ties to Maryland schools. Former Morgan State offensive lineman Roosevelt Brown, running back Leroy Kelly and coach Earl Banks are joined by offensive lineman Art Shell and running back Emerson Boozer, both of Maryland State College, now known as University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Hall of Fame's second annual class will include 11 new members at the ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta on Feb. 19, 2011.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too. RUNNING IT BACK The NFL on Monday surprisingly suspended Ravens free safety Ed Reed for repeated hits to the head , including one in Sunday night's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

BaseballChicago Cubs -- Named Brett Fischer strength and conditioning coordinator and Garrett Giemont director of strength and conditioning. Invited P Jeff D. Robinson, P Jamie Moyer, P Steve Adkins, P Jessie Hollins, P Scott May, P John Salles, C Jim Robinson, C Matt Walbeck, OF Earl Cunningham, OF Fernando Ramsey to training camp as non-roster players.Cleveland Indians -- Agreed to terms with 3B Brook Jacoby on a minor-league contract.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with P Rob Murphy, P Joe Boever, OF Denny Walling and IF Ernest Riles on minor-league contracts.

After being turned down by several of the reported leading candidates, there were indications yesterday that Notre Dame is on the verge of hiring Georgia Tech's George O'Leary as its next football coach. A Notre Dame group, including athletic director Kevin White, was in Atlanta this weekend, apparently to interview O'Leary. A report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that O'Leary would meet with his Georgia Tech players today, then travel to South Bend to be introduced as the Irish coach tomorrow.

Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Agreed to terms with OF Tommy Gregg (major-league highs of 18 pinch hits and 17 pinch RBI) on 1-year contract.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with SS Eric Yelding (.254 with 64 steals) on 1-year contract.Montreal Expos -- Signed P Bob McDonald.New York Yankees -- Renewed the contract of 3B Randy Velarde (.210, 5 HRs, 19 RBI).Philadelphia Phillies -- Agreed to terms with OF Wes Chamberlain (.283 in 46 at-bats) and 3B Charlie Hayes (.258, 10, 57) on 1-year contracts.

Team.........................Skinny Grade: A Cleveland Hit high with RB William Green and mid-rounders. Dallas Makeover isn't restricted to Jerry Jones' appearance. San Diego Top three picks are potential starters. Grade: B+ Chicago Prioritized OL, then addressed defensive needs. Oakland Scored coup in first round, dropped off after that. Grade: B Houston QB David Carr and WR Jabar Gaffney are a tandem. Carolina RB DeShaun Foster could be a steal in 2nd round. Indianapolis Upgraded speed in complete overhaul of defense.

SAN DIEGO -- Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis is one of several candidates Jon Gruden is interested in pursuing if Gruden becomes head coach of the Oakland Raiders, but Ravens owner Art Modell said last night he would not permit Lewis to talk with other teams unless it was about a head coaching position.Gruden, the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, reportedly was in meetings with Raiders owner Al Davis yesterday. A Fox-TV station in Oakland, Calif., reported that the deal was complete, and an announcement could come as early as today.