Justin Bannan

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)

Willie Parker has been one of the NFL's young, emerging running backs - but not against the Ravens. In six meetings against the Ravens, Parker is averaging just 43.7 yards and has never gained more than 63 yards or scored a rushing touchdown. His ability to run the football against the Ravens on Sunday could determine whether the Ravens or the Pittsburgh Steelers represent the AFC in the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., next month. Free safety Ed Reed said the success of the Ravens' run defense is grounded in the unit's linemen and linebackers.

Ravens cornerback Frank Walker said he's ready for any backlash from his "slobber moment" in the last meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The outspoken veteran might have passed linebacker Bart Scott as Public Enemy No. 1 in Pittsburgh when he allegedly spat in the mouth of Steelers punter Mitch Berger on Dec. 14. Walker, who explained that his actions were accidental, said he didn't know whether the Steelers would be targeting him. "It doesn't even...

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.

After coming back from having in-season neck surgery, Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle said there is "no doubt" he will come back next season. Rolle, 32, is having one of his best seasons in recent years, intercepting three passes and breaking up 10 others. He also helped force a fumble in the Ravens' playoff win in Miami. "The only time I think I don't want to play is when I feel like I can't cover my man or when I don't feel like I can play at the level I'm used to playing at," Rolle said.

The Ravens replaced one tough guy with another tough guy. Maybe even tougher. When the Ravens put nose tackle Kelly Gregg on injured reserve early in the season, there were doubts about anyone measuring up to his standards. After all, Gregg had established himself as one of the best run stoppers in the NFL. But as the Ravens head into Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Dolphins in Miami, the Ravens have the league's No. 3 run defense (81.4 yards a game), and a big, big reason is Justin Bannan, Gregg's replacement.

Despite dealing with a painful hyperextended toe, cornerback Fabian Washington said he intends to play in Sunday's AFC wild-card playoff game between the Ravens and the Miami Dolphins. Washington said the toe has improved since he sat out Sunday's 27-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. "It helped a lot," he said. "I did nothing last week other than rehabbing it and getting treatment. This week, it's still sore, but I'm definitely positive about it, and I think I could play Sunday." Washington said he injured his big toe when he stepped on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens' heel Dec. 20. Although he did not practice yesterday, Washington said he plans to test his toe today or tomorrow.

H ow pleased have you been with the season you have put together? Obviously, I'm very pleased. It's nice to be able to play a nice, full, long season and get the time on the field that I needed to get to put together a season like this. I knew I had to step in for Kelly [Gregg] and fill some huge shoes because Kelly is the best at that position at what he does. I feel like I've held it down. I think Haloti [Ngata] and I have done a pretty good job inside as far as being consistent and have a good, strong season together.

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.