Keenan Mccardell

Today St. Louis at Seattle RAMS: Doubtful: RB Arlen Harris (hamstring). Questionable: DE Tyoka Jackson (ankle); DE Leonard Little (groin); G Tom Nutten (knee). Probable: WR Isaac Bruce (hip); LB Brandon Chillar (shoulder); DE Bryce Fisher (ankle). SEAHAWKS: Out: DT Marcus Tubbs (ankle); WR Jerheme Urban (foot). Doubtful: DE Grant Wistrom (knee). Questionable: LB Niko Koutouvides (knee); TE Itula Mili (thigh); CB Bobby Taylor (knee). Probable: WR Darrell Jackson (hamstring); WR Koren Robinson (hip)

Monday night's meeting between the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars marks the first time in three years that the teams will clash. But it wasn't always like that. From 1996 to 2001, the Ravens and Jaguars tangled twice a season as members of the AFC Central. Over that span, Jacksonville won the first eight meetings before the Ravens spun off four consecutive victories. The Jaguars captured division titles in 1998 and 1999, but it was the Ravens who won the Super Bowl in 2000.

Jaguars' Y-in, Z-optionFormation: Pro right, one-back set.The action: At the snap, the offensive linemen lock into their pass-protection sets. Tight end Pete Mitchell (83), split wide left, and receiver Jimmy Smith (82), split right, run out-and-up routes and fullback Daimon Shelton (31) runs a flare to the left. Tight end Damon Jones (88), lined up on the right, runs a 12-yard curl route, but at the same time slot receiver Keenan McCardell (87) runs and breaks off Jones after 5 yards, hoping to get a pick.

Ravens defensive end Terrell Suggs did not dress for yesterday's practice and was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for Sunday's game against the undefeated San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. His status comes as a surprise because Suggs had said Monday that "we're probably making a big deal over nothing" when asked about his injury. He injured his right leg during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 15-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. Suggs, who wasn't available to comment yesterday, has played in all 51 games since being selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2003 draft.

BreakdownThe formation: The formation is pro left because tight end Derek Brown (86) lines up on the left. Fullback Le'Shai Maston (35) lines up 3-5 yards behind the right tackle, and running back James Stewart (33) is 7 yards directly behind quarterback Mark Brunell (8). Wide receiver Jimmy Smith (82) is split right and fellow receiver Keenan McCardell (87) is opposite left.The play: Most teams usually run this play to the strong side, or where the tight end lines up, but Jacksonville is different.

Monday night's meeting between the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars marks the first time in three years that the teams will clash. But it wasn't always like that. From 1996 to 2001, the Ravens and Jaguars tangled twice a season as members of the AFC Central. Over that span, Jacksonville won the first eight meetings before the Ravens spun off four consecutive victories. The Jaguars captured division titles in 1998 and 1999, but it was the Ravens who won the Super Bowl in 2000.

Keenan McCardell has been around long enough to know what it means when a team takes a player in the first round at your position. "They're sending a message," the Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receiver said of the team's selection of wide receiver R.Jay Soward in the first round. The Jaguars say there was no message and they took Soward as their third receiver because McCardell and Jimmy Smith get so much double coverage. The Tennessee Titans beat them three times last year basically by double-covering both receivers and stifling the Jaguars' potent passing game.

It's time for Chris McAlister and Duane Starks to do some defending. The Ravens' young cornerbacks have talked all summer about how they've improved and matured. Now, they'll be tested ... and tested by the best. McAlister and Starks will line up Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars' Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, the NFL's premier receiving combination the past four years who have celebrated some of their biggest days against the Ravens. For the Ravens' defenders, they either have to shut down or shut up. "Every week, we have to back up what it is you said prior to this date," McAlister said.

Today St. Louis at Seattle RAMS: Doubtful: RB Arlen Harris (hamstring). Questionable: DE Tyoka Jackson (ankle); DE Leonard Little (groin); G Tom Nutten (knee). Probable: WR Isaac Bruce (hip); LB Brandon Chillar (shoulder); DE Bryce Fisher (ankle). SEAHAWKS: Out: DT Marcus Tubbs (ankle); WR Jerheme Urban (foot). Doubtful: DE Grant Wistrom (knee). Questionable: LB Niko Koutouvides (knee); TE Itula Mili (thigh); CB Bobby Taylor (knee). Probable: WR Darrell Jackson (hamstring); WR Koren Robinson (hip)

Columnist answers readers' questions about the Ravens Mike Preston has been with The Sun since 1983. Prior to becoming a columnist, he covered the Baltimore Ravens for four years. Preston is a native of Essex and a graduate of Towson State University, where he played football. James, Cumberland: Scott Mitchell, Stoney Case, Tony Banks, Elvis Grbac, Chris Redman. How can a quarterback guru miss every time? The one exception was Trent Dilfer, who helped win a Super Bowl. Brian Billick quickly traded him away.

Jacksonville (7-8) at N.Y. Giants (11-4) Time: 12:30 p.m., chs. 13, 9. Line: Giants by 3 1/2 . Vs. spread: Jaguars 6-8; Giants 9-6. Series: Jaguars lead 1-0. Last meeting: Jaguars won, 40-13, on Sept. 7, 1997, at Jacksonville. Outlook: The Giants' Jim Fassel won't win Coach of the Year honors - New Orleans coach Jim Haslett likely will - but he deserves strong consideration. It took courage to guarantee his team would make the playoffs, but more important is what happened afterward.

It's time for Chris McAlister and Duane Starks to do some defending. The Ravens' young cornerbacks have talked all summer about how they've improved and matured. Now, they'll be tested ... and tested by the best. McAlister and Starks will line up Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars' Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, the NFL's premier receiving combination the past four years who have celebrated some of their biggest days against the Ravens. For the Ravens' defenders, they either have to shut down or shut up. "Every week, we have to back up what it is you said prior to this date," McAlister said.

Keenan McCardell has been around long enough to know what it means when a team takes a player in the first round at your position. "They're sending a message," the Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receiver said of the team's selection of wide receiver R.Jay Soward in the first round. The Jaguars say there was no message and they took Soward as their third receiver because McCardell and Jimmy Smith get so much double coverage. The Tennessee Titans beat them three times last year basically by double-covering both receivers and stifling the Jaguars' potent passing game.

The Ravens' biggest problem from Day One is just as glaring in Week 12. A team with no major offensive players took a painful lesson from one that is loaded, as the Jacksonville Jaguars scored 23 fourth-quarter points yesterday to defeat the upset-minded Ravens, 30-23, before 68,428 at PSINet Stadium.Jaguars receivers Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, who have had some of their biggest days against the Ravens, combined for 18 catches, 234 receiving yards...

Ravens run offense vs. Jaguars run defense -- EDGE EVEN This should be a great matchup. Despite offensive problems, the Ravens have been able to run the ball, averaging 121.4 yards per game. Jacksonville is allowing only 85.8 yards per game. A key matchup is Ravens right guard Jeff Blackshear against left tackle Gary Walker. The Ravens also have to stop weak-side linebacker Kevin Hardy, and running backs Errict Rhett and Priest Holmes will have to beat strong safety Donovin Darius once they get past the line of scrimmage.