Team Defense

In a meaningless game by starters' standards, running back Jason Brookins showed his hunger and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg delivered on desire. Any remnants of the Super Bowl XXXV rematch quickly faded after the first quarter as these Ravens backups provided the lasting impression in yesterday's 38-9 victory over the New York Giants at a half-filled PSINet Stadium. Brookins, who has heard the talk of the Ravens possibly adding another running back this weekend, responded with 112 yards and a touchdown.

No last-minute hero was necessary this time. The Blast instead relied on a big third quarter at both ends to safely separate itself from the visiting Detroit Rockers and secure a 14-11 win in front of 3,062 at the Baltimore Arena last night. Going 3-for-3 on the power play and getting a seven-point effort from Denison Cabral, the Blast (2-0) followed its 21-20 home-opening win over Kansas City with a less dramatic victory against the Rockers. The Blast disrupted the Detroit attack with the commitment to team defense coach Kevin Healey has made a priority, getting all five players behind the ball and frequently getting in the way of shots.

Being part of four champions with the San Diego Sockers back in the days of the Major Indoor Soccer League, Blast midfielder Paul Wright is fully qualified on the subject of winning titles. Ask him, and he'll run off a list of the requirements. Talent is first. Then comes familiarity within the team. Hard work is a must, with everyone pulling for the same cause. And, finally, a team needs game-by-game, week-by-week improvement throughout the long season. Even with all of that checked off, there's still no guarantee.

With the pieces in place and a winning mentality established, the Blast head into training camp tomorrow morning wanting more. Last year's team went 26-18, captured the East Division of the National Professional Soccer League, and won an opening-round playoff series before being swept in the best-of-three conference series by the Cleveland Crunch. "At the end of last year, we felt good about ourselves, but I can remember one of those last days when I was leaving [the Arena]. I kind of kicked the boards, because we wanted to win the championship," said Blast coach and general manager Kevin Healey, who enters his third season.

If Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis still maintains he's the Bus, then the Ravens' defense should be considered the Bus Stop. The Ravens have silenced Bettis, the Steelers' offensive staple, more frequently than anyone else the past two seasons. The NFL's fourth-leading active rusher, Bettis has only averaged 42 yards per game against the Ravens during that time, which is nearly half his production against the rest of the league. In Sunday's season opener, it's a matchup that Bettis and the Steelers can't afford to lose again and one that the Ravens usually win. The Ravens haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 17 games, the NFL's second-longest current streak, which dates to the final game of 1998.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Ravens coach Brian Billick tried to use tact and diplomacy in describing the loss, but his players were more direct. Some of the Ravens quit yesterday. End of story. End of season. The Ravens (8-8), a team searching for an identity and its first winning season in four years, were buried by poor special teams play and a lifeless offense in a 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots before 50,263 at Foxboro Stadium. The Patriots (8-8) were supposed to be the team on the ropes amid speculation that coach Pete Carroll will be fired after the season, with one of their top receivers, Terry Glenn, suspended and without three of their top defensive backs because of injury.

With very little fanfare, Blast defender Doug Neely has gone from being a good -- but not college scholarship-worthy -- high school player to all-star in the National Professional Soccer League.All in 16 years."Doug's professional ranks are much better than his high school and college," said Blast coach Kevin Healey, whose team takes on the Cleveland Crunch at 7: 30 tonight at the Baltimore Arena."Everybody matures at a different time. Professionally, people recognized what he can do."Neely believes his game has not changed much, just the perception of it. His hard-work, no-frills, defensive approach to soccer was overlooked in high school and college.

Randy Peterson, athletic director and boys basketball coach at Carroll Christian School, has resigned to accept a teaching and coaching position in his hometown of Rockford, Ill. He expects to leave soon after coaching his last home game on Dec. 11.Dr. David Rifenberick, a Carroll Christian administrator, said the school had already started seeking a replacement, checking on the availability of candidates internally as well as on the outside.In his new position, Peterson, 44, will teach three physical education classes, coach girls basketballand assist the athletic director with the 51-team program for the middle school and high school.

Rookie defensive tackle Lional Dalton has turned heads since the first week of training camp, what with his attractive combination of size, strength and quick feet.In last night's 23-6 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Dalton, 6 feet 1, 320 pounds, probably solidified a spot on the Ravens' roster by making his presence felt once again with the second team.Early in the second half, Dalton showed his agility by blowing past guard Keith Sims to sack Rodney Peete. During the next Eagles series, there was Dalton charging down the line of scrimmage to drag down running Aaron Hayden for a short gain.