Matt Stover

Matt Katula has been the Ravens' starting long snapper since 2005. Along with punter and holder Sam Koch, Katula helped kicker Matt Stover lead the NFL in field-goal percentage with a 93.3 conversion rate last season. Matt Stover has said that one of the keys to his success is your ability to snap the football to Sam Koch so that the laces are always in the front when Sam catches the ball. How did you perfect that? It's all about rotation. The ball spins a certain amount of times. We just needed to figure out how many times it spins before it gets to his hands.

Matt StoverPos.: KickerHeight: 5-11Weight: 178Age: 29Season: SeventhHighlights: Enters this season ranked third on the NFL's all-time field-goal accuracy list with a 79.9 percent success rate. Has made 68 of his past 78 field-goal attempts, including 42 straight from the 20-29 yard range. Set Browns' all-time record with 29 field goals in 1995. His streak of 23 straight field goals made in 1994-95 fell eight short of the NFL mark. In 1991, his 55-yard field goal was the longest of the year in the AFC and second longest in the NFL.Favorite food: Tex/MexFavorite movie: "Bridge on the River Kwai"Favorite TV show: "Hogan's Heroes"Best about Baltimore: The foodPub Date: 7/26/97

Matchup Vs. spread (2005) -- Ravens 7-9; Buccaneers 8-8. Series -- Bucs lead 2-0. Last meeting -- Bucs won, 25-0, on Sept. 15, 2002, at Baltimore. NFL rankings (2005) Ravens offense -- No. 24 (rush No. 21, pass No. 20) Ravens defense -- No. 5 (rush No. 9, pass No. 8) Bucs offense -- No. 23 (rush No. 14, pass No. 25) Bucs defense -- No. 1 (rush No. 6, pass No. 6) Ravens injuries Doubtful -- RB P.J. Daniels (thigh). Questionable -- DT Aubrayo Franklin (thigh). Probable -- RB Jamal Lewis (hip)

Jamison Hensley Ravens, 31-10 The Raiders haven't won at an AFC North stadium since 2002. David Steele Ravens, 20-17 Even at home, they'll get a harder time from Oakland than from Miami. Edward Lee Ravens, 24-13 The Ravens have won four of the past five meetings. Make that five of the past six. Peter Schmuck Ravens, 26-12 Joe Flacco's education continues, and Matt Stover comes through with four field goals. Ken Murray Ravens, 31-0 Sebastian Janikowski will have to hit from 60 yards to get the Raiders on the board this week.

1. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis tee off. The Colts' defensive ends have combined for 18 sacks this season. Ravens offensive tackles Jared Gaither and Michael Oher can't let them get to Joe Flacco, who is dealing with knee and foot problems. 2. Reggie Wayne continues his hot streak. In the past three games, the Indianapolis wide receiver has averaged 10 catches and 112.3 receiving yards. The Ravens have allowed only two wide receivers (San Diego's Vincent Jackson and Minnesota's Sidney Rice)

Matt Stover, who came into yesterday's game having made 13 of 16 field-goal attempts this season, was 5-for-5 against the Rams. "Busy day. Very busy day," Stover said. "I've been saying that whatever it takes [to win]. It's not about me." Considering the outcome, some might think it was an easy day for the 18-year veteran. "I wish I could say yes, but there's no easy field goals," said Stover, who tied his personal best with the five field goals. "Every kick is still hard. It's a mental battle, an emotional battle, how you handle it. You've got to go out ... thinking every field goal matters, it could be the game-winner."

Mark Stover, who compiled a 188-135 record in 16 seasons, has resigned as head baseball coach at Broadneck High. Stover, whose Bruins won the Class 3A state championship in 1995, goes out with his son, Matt Stover, who batted .394 and is headed to Washington College. "It was basically a family thing," Stover said. "I want to see Matt play in college, and my daughter [Colleen] is a freshman and I never got to see her run track. Now I will be able to go along and do some fishing. "There was nothing negative related to my resigning.