Passing Game

The Denver Broncos will dare the Ravens to beat them with the pass, and the Ravens appear ready to accept that challenge. The Broncos commit eight players to stopping the run more often than any team the Ravens faced in the regular season. But can a struggling Ravens downfield passing game exploit the NFL's worst pass defense? "I've said since Day One ... that no matter how well we run the ball, if we don't have a certain vertical aspect of the passing game and hit plays down the field, we are not going to last long in the playoffs," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.

IT ALL started with a familiar comment. Jamal Lewis was explaining why the Ravens needed to establish their running game against the Indianapolis Colts in tomorrow night's season opener. "I don't think their defense respects us throwing the football," Lewis said. My first reaction was: Of course not, why would they? They've seen the preseason films. And then my second reaction was: How long have we been talking about this? Seriously. How many years in a row have the Ravens started the season with everything seemingly depending on whether they could get their sputtering passing game to function?

SAN DIEGO -- The Denver Broncos' offense can't match up physically with the Green Bay Packers' defense, but a lot of motion could get the Broncos several mismatches in the passing game, which Denver hopes to convert into long gains and possibly touchdowns.For Denver's passing game to work, the Broncos have to establish running back Terrell Davis, which would force Green Bay to play seven or eight men in the box or near the line of scrimmage. If that happens, Denver will go after exposed cornerbacks Tyrone Williams on the left side and Doug Evans on the right, the Achilles' heel of the defense, on the deep out patterns.

It will be a test of experience and a battle of confidence. The Ravens' cornerbacks, Chris McAlister and Duane Starks, have a combined five years in the league and continue to learn on the job. The Oakland Raiders' receivers, Tim Brown and James Jett, have been in the NFL for 13 and eight seasons, respectively, and know all the tricks in the passing game. The Ravens' defensive backs will look to set a physical tone against the Raiders, who will try to outmuscle them if they press at the line.

1 RB Jamal Lewis pounded out 110 rushing yards on a bone-wearying 30 carries against a defense geared to stop him. That was huge. 2 QB Trent Dilfer was more decisive throwing the ball, and threw it better (9-for-14 for 130 yards and one TD). Because of the elements, it was not a day for passing. 3 Wind gusts of up to 27 mph effectively took away the deep passing game for both sides. Dilfer and TE Shannon Sharpe teamed up on a 58-yard touchdown pass that started as a short, deflected pass in the flat.

THEY GOT AWAY without it last season because they had a crushing, record-setting defense and a grinding running game that provided enough offense to win a Super Bowl. But now that running back Jamal Lewis is out for this season with a knee injury, the Ravens can no longer live without a dependable, productive passing game. That was the part of their game that needed the most improvement coming into this season, and now, quite simply, that improvement will have to be realized if the Ravens are going to repeat.

IF THE RAVENS had just a little bit of a passing game, they could become serious playoff contenders midway or late into the 2003 season. They don't need a Randy Moss or a Terrell Owens, just someone - anyone - that teams would respect. If yesterday's 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium was a barometer of the Ravens being a playoff contender, then the answer is no, not until they find players or someone who can develop a passing game. This is shaping up to be a nice team.

Morning practice had ended an hour ago. The horde of fans was gone. The players were back at the hotel, eating lunch and taking naps.But there was Priest Holmes, still wearing pads, still lingering on the field, still signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking to fans yesterday at the Ravens' training camp at Western Maryland College.He spoke to a youth group, posed for pictures with moms and kids, spent extra time with a disabled group in wheelchairs and basically gave everyone whatever they wanted until no one was left.

Dallas Cowboys Last season: 5-11, fifth place. Coach: Dave Campo (10-22), third year with Cowboys. Story line: After consecutive 5-11 seasons, are the Cowboys ready for a return to the playoffs? Power game: The Cowboys were the only team with a defense ranked in the league's top seven that didn't make the playoffs last year. They made upgrades at defensive line (La'Roi Glover), linebacker (Kevin Hardy) and the secondary (first-round pick Roy Williams). Achilles' heel: Quarterback is still an iffy proposition.

No. 8 Michigan at Notre Dame About Michigan: Expect true freshman QB Chad Henne to make his second start in place of Matt Gutierrez (shoulder), who still could play. The Wolverines have the nation's best corps of receivers, headed by Braylon Edwards. About Notre Dame: The Irish looked bad on offense in losing to BYU last week, and they must discover a running attack. QB Brady Quinn has some talent, but he's not good enough to win games by himself. The defense has potential, but the secondary is in trouble today.