Passing Game

CINCINNATI -- After all the talk about the sputtering passing game last week, the Ravens pulled off a rare occurrence in the NFL. They had a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers -- but it produced nothing but a 34-26 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. "You'd think we shouldn't lose when that happens," said tight end Todd Heap, who had 129 receiving yards, the second-highest total of his career, on seven catches, which tied a career high. "That just goes to show when you hand the ball to the other teams -- turnovers, penalties -- they can take it right to you and stick it back in your face."

There will come a time early this season when Brian Billick will face the biggest temptation of his Ravens coaching tenure. Should he ride new quarterback Elvis Grbac's arm until it falls off? Or does he rely on the running game, field position and defense, an old-fashioned philosophy that garnered the Ravens a Super Bowl title? Here's one suggestion: If Grbac gets hot, Billick could just let it fly. "That's not a bad idea," Billick said, laughing. If this season's offensive options put Billick in a good mood, it may be because it's such a welcome change.

For football fans, the most compelling moment is the long pass as it's launched from the quarterback's hand, glides in a suspense-building parabola and descends in a dramatic denouement. How many NFL Films productions feature a spiraling football in slow-motion, framed by a sparkling blue sky, then plucked from the air by outstretched hands? It's a can't-miss crowd-pleaser. In the history of pro football, no single element has done more to change the game's competitive complexion - and just as importantly, drive its commercial appeal - than the development of the passing game.

No need to turn to page 113 of the Ravens' media guide to find out about Kevin Johnson's NFL career. Just ask the receiver, who was acquired to bring a consistent pair of hands to the passing game, and he can pretty much deliver the blow-by-blow. "I've had eight- and nine-touchdown seasons. I've had a 1,000-yard season," Johnson said. "Out of five years, I've had near two 1,000-yard seasons. I've been on the all-rookie team. It's just a matter of me being put in this situation like we're in now in a high-profile environment and making plays when it counts most.

Long after the five-game touchdown drought and a full two months past the quarterback switch, the Ravens have arrived at a crisis of confidence on offense. Whether they've come full circle has yet to be determined. In the wake of the worst offensive performance in team history, Ravens coach Brian Billick acknowledged the obvious yesterday as he prepared for Sunday's wild-card date with the Denver Broncos. "That was embarrassing on Sunday for us to have such a total lack of offensive productivity the way we did -- at a time when you really would have liked to have come out of it playing well and confidently," he said.

On the Ravens' passing game We took baby steps last season. We focused on the high-percentage short passes. ... But why are we still inefficient? I hope this year that the younger [offensive] linemen bring improvement in ... giving [Steve] McNair and the receivers more chances to go downfield to keep opposing defenses honest. I think the passing game is fine and will get better with an improved running game.

1. The Ravens had six turnovers (five lost fumbles, one interception), which led to 26 Minnesota points.2. The Vikings were 13 of 22 on third-down conversions, a 59 percent success rate, compared to the Ravens' two of six.3. The Ravens couldn't stop quarterback Randall Cunningham and Minnesota's vaunted passing game, which netted 332 yards.Pub Date: 12/14/98

Maryland passing game vs. Florida State pass defense Facing one of the best defenses in the Atlantic Coast Conference against the run, Maryland's passing game needs to shine. It has done that this year, but only in fits and starts. Still, Terrapins quarterback Shaun Hill has averaged 315.7 yards of total offense in the past three games after being held to barely half that in the first four. Guilian Gary and Jafar Williams have been his principal receiving targets, though he's been finding Bruce Perry and tight ends Matt Murphy and Jeff Dugan more often.

This was the game Centennial was waiting for."This is definitely the game that can turn our season around," said sophomore Kristen Dinisio after her four goals helped the Eagles to a 15-0 victory over visiting Howard. "We haven't played to our potential in any game this season. We did this game."While Centennial (7-5 overall, 5-1 league) looked sharp, especially with its passing game, Howard (6-4, 3-3) appeared listless.The Lions played for the second straight day without starting goalie Shelly Ross, who went to the hospital Wednesday with acute mono.