Nose Tackle

Here's what's different from when the Ravens smashed Miami by two touchdowns in October: Jason Ferguson is healthy at nose tackle, anchoring the middle of the defensive line that was pushed around. Here's what's different: Quarterback Chad Pennington is the bandleader of an offense that knows what it needs to do now. Here's what's different: The Dolphins aren't a team digging out from the rubble of its 1-15 season in 2007. It's a team that has won nine of its past 10 games. It's a team that conquered the AFC East.

David Menasche, Winters Mill SPORT Wrestling BOYS STATS -- Wrestling in the 160-pound weight class, Menasche pinned North Carroll's Alex Smearman in the finals to claim his first county championship Saturday. During the regular season, he finished with an 18-5 record and 11 pins, capturing five of his six matches against county opponents. SIDELINES -- The junior already has lettered in four sports and will go for his fifth this spring when he tries track and field for the first time.

Ravens defensive linemen Maake Kemoeatu and Kelly Gregg vs. Bengals offensive linemen Eric Steinbach, Rich Braham and Bobbie Williams George Kokinis, the Ravens' pro personnel director, sizes up the top matchup against the Bengals: The players Kemoeatu, an undrafted pickup in 2002, is a first-year starter at nose tackle. At 6 feet 5, 350 pounds, he is a big cog in the Ravens' No. 9 run defense. Gregg, a former practice squad player, started at nose tackle from 2002 to 2004 before shifting to defensive tackle this season.

COLLEGE PARK - There weren't any surprises, but one freshman was named a starter, and dozens of hopefuls were sent to the scout team yesterday as Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen determined his starting lineup. After showing yesterday's scrimmage film to the team in a meeting, Friedgen posted the latest depth chart. Freshman Jeremy Navarre (Joppatowne), who made the transition this summer from fullback, solidified his spot at defensive end. Dan Ennis was named the starting place-kicker ahead of an injured Obi Egekeze, who tore a muscle in his right quad in Thursday's scrimmage and is expected to be out for a week.

San Antonio Spurs owner Red McCombs said he filed an application yesterday for ownership of an NFL franchise and indicated he would sell his interest in the NBA team if necessary."

New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro is going to miss at least the first six games of the regular season with continuing knee problems and could miss the entire year, coach Ray Handley said yesterday.The medical evaluation on the eve of the first day of training camp confirmed previous reports that Bavaro's status for the season is questionable.Handley also said the team is considering signing former Giants tight end Zeke Mowatt.Waived Tuesday by the New England Patriots, Mowatt was part of the locker-room confrontation with Boston sportswriter Lisa Olson last Sept.

San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana says his arm isn't getting worse. But it isn't getting better, either.Montana, who had surgery in October to repair a torn tendon in his right shoulder, sat out all of last season. Now the tired arm is preventing him from throwing at 49ers training camp today and tomorrow."The throwing is not helping it any," Montana said after skipping practice. "I can go out there and throw, but what's the use if it doesn't get any better. I just want it to go one way or the other.

COLLEGE PARK -- Sitting in front of his locker during media day yesterday, Terrapins nose tackle C.J. Feldheim wore a look of anxiety on his face that matched that of his locker mate Conrad Bolston. Bolston, a defensive tackle out of Burtonsville, is a freshman, so any nervousness he was experiencing as the Maryland football team prepared itself for the first practice of preseason was completely understandable. Feldheim, a senior who helped Hereford High to its first state title in 1997, has been through three of these season-opening practices already.

With an electric offense and a dominant run defense, the Ravens probably didn't need any help starting 3-0. But they received it anyway. Injuries to other teams' starters have been one of the reasons the Ravens sit atop the AFC North. In the season opener, the Kansas City Chiefs played without their quarterback (Matt Cassel) and a cornerback (Brandon Flowers). In Week 2, the San Diego Chargers didn't have their running back (LaDainian Tomlinson), two offensive linemen (Nick Hardwick and Louis Vasquez)