Justin Bannan

We ask the Ravens the questions that really matter MIKE FLYNN FAVORITE PRE- GAME MEAL -- Cheesesteaks MESSIEST LOCKER -- Jonathan Ogden FAVORITE BASKETBALL PLAYER -- Larry Bird JUSTIN BANNAN FAVORITE PRE- GAME MEAL -- Pancakes and eggs MESSIEST LOCKER -- Jason Brown FAVORITE BASKETBALL PLAYER -- MIchael Jordan GEROME SAPP FAVORITE PRE- GAME MEAL -- Steak and spaghetti MESSIEST LOCKER -- Ed Reed FAVORITE BASKETBALL PLAYER -- Kobe Bryant ...

The purple-and-black clad Ravens long have been the NFL's bruise brothers. With linebacker Ray Lewis leading the bullying, the Ravens' defense beat people up and laid down the law, especially when playing at home. The Broncos know that first-hand. They are 0-5 against the Ravens in Baltimore, including a 21-3 wild-card playoff loss in 2000. But this year's Broncos believe they are developing their own rock 'em, sock 'em defense. “I think [offensive coordinator Jack] Del Rio has preached from Day 1 that he wants gritty, tough guys on this defense,” said defensive tackle Justin Bannan, who played for the Ravens from 2006-09.

Tomorrow RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH RAVENS: Out: LB Antwan Barnes (shoulder). Doubtful: CB Samari Rolle (thigh). Questionable: DT Justin Bannan (foot), WR Mark Clayton (thigh), TE Todd Heap (back), LB Jarret Johnson (calf), WR Derrick Mason (knee), FB Le'Ron McClain (ankle), LB Terrell Suggs (shoulder). Probable: LB Ray Lewis (shoulder), FB Lorenzo Neal (shoulder), S Ed Reed (knee). STEELERS: Probable: C Justin Hartwig (knee), S Troy Polamalu (calf). PHILADELPHIA AT ARIZONA EAGLES: Out: G Shawn Andrews (back)

The Ravens continued to add depth to their defensive line, reaching a one-year agreement today with former Denver Broncos nose tackle Ryan McBean. McBean, 28, spent the previous three seasons with the Broncos and had his best year in 2011 with 33 total tackles and four sacks while playing in all 16 regular-season games. However, the league suspended him in March for the first six games of this coming season for violating NFL's performance-enhancement policy. McBean has disputed the claim and filed a lawsuit, saying that the NFL improperly handled his drug test.

ANDERSON RUNS STRONG Backup running back Mike Anderson overshadowed Willis McGahee, gaining 37 yards on three carries while working with the first-team offense. Behind some ragged blocking, McGahee managed 3 yards on six carries. TROUBLE WITH ANKLES Playing on a rain-soaked turf, cornerback Samari Rolle and wide receiver Mark Clayton injured their ankles in the first quarter, but all X-rays were negative. Neither returned to the game. NO ENCORE After scoring a touchdown on its only drive in the preseason opener, the Ravens' starting offense managed only a field goal on four possessions last night.

Free-agent defensive end Dwan Edwards will sign a four-year deal with the Buffalo Bills today, an NFL source confirmed. The Ravens didn't attempt to counter the offer, the source added. Edwards left his visit with the Bills on Tuesday without a deal. But the sides reached an agreement late Tuesday. Edwards, the first Ravens starter to go elsewhere this season, was a 2004 second-round pick of the Ravens. He becomes the second lineman to leave the Ravens in free agency, joining Justin Bannan, who signed with the Denver Broncos.

The much-anticipated return of Ravens nose tackle Kelly Gregg has been delayed at least two weeks and perhaps longer. Coach John Harbaugh announced yesterday that Gregg will miss the next two games and will be "week-to-week" after that. Gregg, 31, injured his left knee in July during training camp, underwent arthroscopic surgery in early August and has worked tirelessly since to return to the lineup. "What it amounts to is, he's got kind of a hole in his cartilage that rubs a little bit bone to bone," Harbaugh said.

The Ravens have a long history of promoting their defensive coordinators from within. Mike Nolan replaced Marvin Lewis. Rex Ryan replaced Nolan. Greg Mattison replaced Ryan. And Chuck Pagano replaced Mattison. Now that Pagano is leaving the Ravens after one season as defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dean Pees and Clarence Brooks are two names to remember in the coming days. Pees just finished his second season coaching the Ravens linebackers, including Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

Ray Lewis' problem with the Ravens might extend beyond his contract situation. In his first local interview in seven months, the former All-Pro middle linebacker cast a cloud over his relationship with Brian Billick when he declined to give the coach a vote of confidence. Asked Wednesday by Comcast SportsNet whether keeping Billick was a move in the right direction, the Ravens middle linebacker paused briefly before saying, "No comment." Billick was retained by owner Steve Bisciotti just before the Ravens concluded a 6-10 season, their worst in seven years under Billick.

Quarterback B- Joe Flacco was solid, but he seems slow in his decision-making. Flacco improvised well, but the Ravens are having trouble getting the ball downfield. Flacco didn't have any great Peyton Manning or Tom Brady moments in this game. Running backs C Good teams are starting to raise their running game, but the Ravens are going the wrong way. Halfback Ray Rice runs hard, but the team still lacks rhythm. Halfback Willis McGahee ran well in relief. Fullback Le'Ron McClain made great blocks.

The Ravens have a long history of promoting their defensive coordinators from within. Mike Nolan replaced Marvin Lewis. Rex Ryan replaced Nolan. Greg Mattison replaced Ryan. And Chuck Pagano replaced Mattison. Now that Pagano is leaving the Ravens after one season as defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dean Pees and Clarence Brooks are two names to remember in the coming days. Pees just finished his second season coaching the Ravens linebackers, including Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

As the New York Jets get bigger, the legend of their head coach Rex Ryan grows in Baltimore. Ever since the Ravens lost to the Atlanta Falcons Thursday in a last minute comeback by the Falcons, we keep hearing comparisons of Ryan and current Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, which is unfair to both men. Ryan was a great assistant coach and coordinator here, and he has done a terrific job in New York during the last two...

Denver defensive lineman Justin Bannan has searched for a reason to get angry for Sunday's meeting between the Broncos and the Ravens, and his search has yielded nothing. "I wish I could say, 'They treated me like crap, and I hate everybody, and I can't wait to come back and get my revenge.' But it's really not like that," the former Raven said. "I've got nothing but good things to say about the city of Baltimore and the fans and the organization. It's hard to say anything bad when they treated you so well.

Kelly Gregg has turned what he calls a "one-night stand" into a successful career. A castoff from two previous franchises, Gregg spent the 2000 season -- his first with the Ravens -- on the practice squad and watched the Ravens win the Super Bowl. Backing up Rob Burnett, Tony Siragusa and Larry Webster, Gregg eventually demonstrated the talent and work ethic to become an NFL everyday starter since 2002. "I came into the league as a one-night stand and somebody picked me up," recalled Gregg, who is entering his 11th season.

Free-agent kicker Shayne Graham arrived in Baltimore on Wednesday, moving one step closer to signing with the Ravens. Graham appears set to take a physical with the team once the sides reach an agreement on the expected one-year contract. Although the deal hasn't been finalized after two days of talks, a Ravens official said he would be "shocked" if the team didn't strike a deal with the NFL's fourth-most accurate kicker. Graham, who has kicked for the Cincinnati Bengals for the past seven seasons, would compete against Billy Cundiff to become the Ravens' kicker this season.

Free-agent defensive end Dwan Edwards will sign a four-year deal with the Buffalo Bills today, an NFL source confirmed. The Ravens didn't attempt to counter the offer, the source added. Edwards left his visit with the Bills on Tuesday without a deal. But the sides reached an agreement late Tuesday. Edwards, the first Ravens starter to go elsewhere this season, was a 2004 second-round pick of the Ravens. He becomes the second lineman to leave the Ravens in free agency, joining Justin Bannan, who signed with the Denver Broncos.

The Ravens weren't slighted this time. After getting passed over for every Player of the Year honor, the Ravens had the only unanimous selection to the Associated Press All-Pro team - Ed Reed. The Ravens' free safety was selected by everyone on the AP's nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Reed finished the regular season with an NFL-leading nine interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. Joining Reed on the All-Pro team were middle linebacker Ray Lewis and fullback Le'Ron McClain, a first-time selection.

The Ravens' first free-agent visit likely won't be their first free-agent signing. Marlin Jackson , the cornerback from the Indianapolis Colts, left his meeting with the Ravens on Tuesday without a contract, saying his visit was more of an exploratory exercise for the team. Jackson has suffered two serious knee injuries the past two seasons, which has led to him finishing on injured reserve in 2008 and 2009. He was given a physical exam and met with team officials at Ravens headquarters.

No matter what happens with the collective bargaining agreement, Justin Bannan understands that his future with the Ravens is an uncertain one. The defensive tackle is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month, and he said he is unsure of his plans. "This is a part of the business," Bannan said this week. "It sends you a lot of mixed feelings. Everything is uncertain, and sometimes it's tough to live that way. You don't know where you're going to be or if you're going to be here.