Kordell Stewart

With Kerry Collins reportedly agreeing to a deal with the Oakland Raiders, the Ravens will look to Kordell Stewart or another soon-to-be released veteran as their backup quarterback. Stewart, the former Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears starter who is 5-0 in Baltimore, would appear to have the inside track on the job at this point. Ravens officials contacted Stewart's agent on Friday, when it was announced Anthony Wright would have surgery on his right shoulder, and believe Stewart's athletic style would fit in an offensive system wrapped around Kyle Boller.

Thumbs up: Cornerback Ray Walls made an interception during one-on-one drills. ... Receiver-turned-cornerback Javin Hunter ran with the second team and looked comfortable. Thumbs down: Quarterback Kyle Boller was intercepted by Chad Williams on a woefully underthrown ball to Todd Heap. ... Return specialist Derek Abney fumbled the ball while running toward the end zone, though no one touched him. ... Kordell Stewart had the first fumbled snap of the camp. Quotable: "If they call me to step up, I'm going to be ready, and they know I'm going to be ready."

Pittsburgh (10-4) at New England (9-5)Time: 4 p.m. today, chs. 11, 4.Line: Patriots by 2.Vs. spread: Steelers 7-5; Patriots 6-8.Last week: Steelers beat Broncos, 35-24. Patriots beat Jaguars, 26-20.Worth watching: Steelers QB Kordell Stewart is the first player in NFL history with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs in a season. Will injuries sideline Patriots RB Curtis Martin and WR Terry Glenn?Outlook: New England continued its climb out of midseason lethargy last week with a big victory at Jacksonville and can clinch a playoff spot with a victory.

OFFENSE FB 39 Alan Ricard 34 Ovie Mughelli QB 7 Kyle Boller 10 Kordell Stewart 5 Josh Harris RB 31 Jamal Lewis 29 Chester Taylor 32 Musa Smith WR 85 Kevin Johnson 80 Randy Hymes 89 Travis Taylor 81 Devard Darling 87 Clarence Moore LT 75 Jonathan Ogden 77 Ethan Brooks LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo 72 Damion Cook C 61 Casey Rabach 72 Damion Cook 62 Mike Flynn (injured) RG 66 Bennie Anderson 72 Damion Cook RT 78 Orlando Brown 77 Ethan Brooks TE 86 Todd Heap 82 Terry Jones 44 Daniel Wilcox DEFENSE CB 21 Chris McAlister 24 Corey Fuller 38 Raymond Walls SS 20 Ed Reed 49 Chad Williams ILB 56 Ed Hartwell 53 T.J. Slaughter ILB 52 Ray Lewis 57 Bart Scott FS 47 Will Demps 27 Gerome Sapp OLB 55 Terrell Suggs 90 Cornell Brown 54 Roderick Green LE 98 Tony Weaver 93 Dwan Edwards NT 97 Kelly Gregg 92 Maake Kemoeatu 91 Aubrayo Franklin RE 94 Marques Douglas 95 Jarret Johnson OLB 96 Adalius Thomas 90 Cornell Brown CB 28 Gary Baxter 37 Deion Sanders SPECIALISTS KR 36 B.J. Sams 32 Musa Smith 29 Chester Taylor PR 36 B.J. Sams 37 Deion Sanders LS 59 Joe Maese 62 Mike Flynn H 15 Dave Zastudil 7 Kyle Boller P 15 Dave Zastudil K 3 Matt Stover 9 Wade Richey

Kordell Stewart is part of the Ravens' backup plan, but the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback let everyone know where the Ravens stand on his list. After becoming a salary cap cut yesterday, Stewart was asked by a Pittsburgh reporter about his thoughts on the Ravens. "Purple is my favorite color," he said. The Ravens likely would have the upper hand in pursuing Stewart since they are the only AFC North team looking for a quarterback and would be the one team that would allow him to face his former team twice a year.

Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defenseThe Ravens have a strong offensive line, but they struggled to run the ball in the last two preseason games. Left guard Wally Williams may not be in game shape yet, and center Jeff Mitchell will have problems with nose tackle Joel Steed. The Steelers still have the best run defense in the NFL. For the Ravens' running game to be effective, they must run weak side because the Steelers slant to the strong side.Edge -- SteelersRavens pass offense vs. Steelers pass defenseLeft cornerback Carnell Lake, usually the strong safety, is playing out of position filling in for the injured Chad Scott.

Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defenseThe Ravens got a boost last Sunday when Bam Morris returned after a four-game suspension to rush for 81 yards on 17 carries, but Pittsburgh plays the run better than San Diego. The Steelers are ranked No. 2 against the rush, and their inside personnel of nose tackle Joel Steed and linebackers Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes may be too strong for the Ravens.Ravens pass offense vs. Steelers pass defenseThe Steelers rank No. 28 in pass defense with Randy Fuller and Donnell Woolford on the corners, so the Ravens' Derrick Alexander, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Lewis and Eric Green should have big games.

Record: 1-1.Sunday: Lost to Steelers, 14-13, in Pittsburgh.Highlights: Brian Mitchell returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to give the Redskins a 10-7 lead, with Larry Bowie and Marc Logan throwing key blocks. It was his first kickoff return for a touchdown. Stephen Davis, playing for the injured Terry Allen, ran 17 times for 66 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards.Lowlights: Washington settled for two field goals in four drives inside the Pittsburgh 20, with Gus Frerotte ending two drives inside the 20 with interceptions.