Oilers

As Ravens offensive linemen Wally Williams and Jonathan Ogden sat next to each other on stools in front of their lockers, they began to think about the team's three-year history in Baltimore. It has been an emotional ride with a familiar pattern. Win, loss, win, lossA few yards away, Ravens strong safety Stevon Moore was about to cry. Teammate Peter Boulware actually shed a tear.Only minutes after the team's 12-8 loss to the Tennessee Oilers before 68,561 yesterday at Ravens stadium, the Ravens were still looking for the answer to the most puzzling question in the team's history:Why can't the Ravens (2-3)

You want to earn respect, you've got to beat the Tennessee Oilers. You want to dominate at home, you've got to beat the Tennessee Oilers. You want to talk playoffs, you've got to beat the Tennessee Oilers.You've got to do it today, at Camden Yards, before a sellout crowd. You've got to do it to go above .500 for the first time since Week 5 of last season. You've got to do it because the next three games -- at Pittsburgh, at Green Bay, home against Jacksonville -- are absolute back-breakers.

1. Control Oilers running back Eddie George, who is a dangerous offensive weapon despite his slow start for the season.2. Attack the Oilers' cornerbacks with their wide receivers to open up the rushing attack.3. The special teams need to step up, make some big plays and eliminate the penalties.Pub date 10/11/98

Though the Tennessee Oilers have lost their last three games and the Ravens beat them twice last season, coach Ted Marchibroda has warned his players to be wary of a team desperate for a win.The Ravens (2-2) will meet the Oilers (1-3) today at the new Camden Yards stadium. A 1-4 record would almost eliminate any playoff hopes for the Oilers.Another loss and Tennessee might have trouble selling tickets in Nashville, their third home in three years.One more loss and Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, in his fourth full season, will be pushed closer to the exit door.

Ravens run offense vs. Oilers run defenseThe Ravens got a much-needed spark against the Bengals two weeks ago when Priest Holmes ran for 173 yards. The Oilers should provide a better challenge even though they have allowed 120.8 yards a game on the ground. The Ravens have to get to linebackers Lonnie Marts, Joe Bowden and Eddie Robinson, and they need a big game from center Jeff Mitchell.- EDGE OILERSRavens pass offense vs. Oilers pass defenseOutside receivers Jermaine Lewis and Michael Jackson (if healthy)

Ravens starting receiver Michael Jackson strained his groin while diving for a pass yesterday at practice and is questionable for tomorrow's game against the Tennessee Oilers at Ravens stadium.The Ravens were working on their passing offense inside the 20-yard line when Jackson dived for a low pass that hit his outstretched hands near the back line of the end zone. Jackson didn't make the catch and slid several feet on his back before he got up slowly.Jackson, the team's leading receiver, was helped from the field by trainer Bill Tessendorf.

Add Yancey Thigpen's name to the growing list of NFL free agents who have found out that money doesn't buy happiness.When Thigpen left the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign a five-year, $21 million deal with the Tennessee Oilers last February without visiting any other team, he thought he could make a difference to the Oilers."

As the Ravens began preparation yesterday for next Sunday's game against the Tennessee Oilers, one of the busiest people at the team's Owings Mills training complex was team doctor Claude T. Moorman.Forty-five minutes into the team practice, Moorman was examining starting middle linebacker Ray Lewis' dislocated left elbow and trying to find him a special brace. Nearly 30 minutes later, Moorman watched starting free safety Kim Herring and his once-dislocated left shoulder work through team drills before having him go into some individual testing.

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the Ravens' defensive catalyst, could miss three to five weeks because of a dislocated left elbow he suffered in the team's 24-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.Lewis went down after tackling Jaguars running back Fred Taylor for a 1-yard loss on the last play of the first quarter. As he hit the ground, Lewis planted his left arm but his left shoulder and elbow were smashed by defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, who was assisting on the tackle.Lewis' magnetic resonance imaging results reveal no significant ligament disruption and he might only have to miss Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals because the Ravens then have a bye before playing the Tennessee Oilers.

BasketballNew England (ABL): Signed G Jennifer Rizzotti to three-year contract extension.CollegePacific-10: Agreed to send second-place team to Holiday Bowl for next four years.FootballBears: Traded undisclosed draft pick to Oilers for LB Lemanski Hall. Signed OL Aaron Taylor and WR Macey Brooks to practice squad. Waived LB Michael Lowery.Buccaneers: Signed following players to practice squad: WR Chris Jackson, Geroy Simon (Maryland), TE Melvin Pearsall, S Shevin Smith and T Jamie Vanderveldt.