Vinny Testaverde

TAMPA, Fla. -- During the off-season, Vinny Testaverde doesn't get out much. After all, his seven-acre estate in Lutz, a Tampa suburb, has pretty much everything he needs.There's the private pond, the gym packed with 2,500 pounds of weights, the recreation room loaded with video games, the tennis court and plenty of space to relax in his 8,500-square-foot home. (Looking for his Heisman Trophy? That's against a back wall by a powder room.)But everyone needs to break away once in a while. So, on this day, Testaverde is zooming over Tampa Bay, co-piloting his helicopter at 130 mph. Bruce Springsteen is blaring through the headphones with another chorus of "Born in the U.S.A."

Colleges Ex-Raven Testaverde chosen for football HOF The National Football Foundation announced that former Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde will be a member of the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Class. Testaverde starred at Miami from 1982 to 1986. The entire class will be unveiled today during a news conference at the NASDAQ OMX MarketSite in New York's Times Square at 11:30 a.m. The Football Bowl Subdivision Class will be inducted at the NFF awards dinner Dec. 10 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

Nearly four weeks ago, Vinny Testaverde stood in front of his locker in Houston's Astrodome, looking frustrated and sounding angry with himself. He had thrown three interceptions in the Ravens' 29-13 loss, each of which led to Oilers points. It was the low point for the quarterback and his teammates.Testaverde then guaranteed that he would not play another game as poorly.Three games later, the Ravens are 2-4 and trying to avoid a three-game losing streak, but their quarterback is living up to his word.

One concern heading into this season was how the small Ravens cornerbacks would hold up against bigger receivers. After the San Diego Chargers put up 436 passing yards by using their size against the Ravens, some fans have begun to panic about cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Domonique Foxworth. But history suggests the Ravens will bounce back. The previous two biggest passing games against the Ravens - Vinny Testaverde's 481 yards and Mark Brunell's 386 yards - came in 2000, when they had one of the best defenses in NFL history.

He is two years into his job, and the adjustment goes on for Ravens quarterback Eric Zeier.Zeier spent four seasons standing in the pocket at the University of Georgia, including two marvelous years that made him the best passer in Bulldogs history, and one of the best quarterbacks to grace the Southeastern Conference.Since he was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns in 1995, Zeier has spent most of his game days standing on the sidelines as a backup. He'll be in that same role Sunday, when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town.

Last week, we asked who the Ravens should start at wide receiver. The results: All three, 51.3 percent (1,281 votes) Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, 21.5 percent (275 votes) Mason and Demetrius Williams, 20.5 percent (263 votes) Clayton and Williams, 6.7 percent (86 votes) This week's question: Which former Raven is most deserving to go on the Ring of Honor at M&T Bank Stadium when his career is over? A. Jamal Lewis B. Adalius Thomas C. Edwin Mulitalo D. Vinny Testaverde To vote, go to baltimoresun.

1 Joe Flacco continues to improve in his second season. Springboarding off a successful rookie year, he seemed to grow even more in the preseason, when the team put an emphasis on its passing game. Flacco could become the first Raven to throw for 20 touchdowns in a season since Vinny Testaverde (1996). 2 Defense is more motivated by Rex Ryan's departure. Ray Lewis and teammates seem determined to prove the defense's success is based more on players than scheme. That's why new coordinator Greg Mattison inherits a defense focused on being No. 1 this season.

Vinny TestaverdePos.: QuarterbackHeight: 6-5Weight: 227Age: 33Season: 11thHighlights: Had his finest season a year ago and was selected to his first Pro Bowl by throwing for 4,177 yards (second in NFL) and 33 touchdowns (second in NFL) for an 88.7 QB rating. Has 20 career 300-yard passing games. Has thrown a touchdown in 44 of 53 games. Threw for 412 yards in his first postseason game in 1994 with Cleveland. Set an NFL record by completing 91.3 percent (21 of 23) of his passes against Rams in 1993.

Good morning --Vinny Testaverde -- Will returning to the NFL mean you're going to miss out on some AARP meetings? QUESTION OF THE DAY Which CBS announcers would you prefer to call Ravens games? Anybody but Phil Simms, who is anti-Raven. Jim Nantz and Dick Enberg would be a good tandem, bringing ... unbiased analysis. Morgan Hankin Reisterstown NEXT QUESTION The contracts of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan expire after the season. Should the Orioles bring back both, just Beattie, just Flanagan or neither?

NAGANO, Japan -- The Japanese are polite, honest and efficient. But if they've got a plan -- and they always do -- don't ask them to deviate from it.By American standards, they're incredibly, almost comically, anal-retentive. And, at times, their rigidity can be maddening.Or take the other day, when a group of journalists and officials was standing in the rain, waiting for a bus at the half-pipe venue.The bus, as always, arrived on time. But rather than allow the passengers to board immediately, the driver decided to turn the bus around, and make the stop exactly as ordered.

1 Joe Flacco continues to improve in his second season. Springboarding off a successful rookie year, he seemed to grow even more in the preseason, when the team put an emphasis on its passing game. Flacco could become the first Raven to throw for 20 touchdowns in a season since Vinny Testaverde (1996). 2 Defense is more motivated by Rex Ryan's departure. Ray Lewis and teammates seem determined to prove the defense's success is based more on players than scheme. That's why new coordinator Greg Mattison inherits a defense focused on being No. 1 this season.

That the NFL is a league of attrition might be the most certain thing that can be said about it. As an illustration, here's a list of some probable starting quarterbacks this weekend, all of whom inherited their jobs entirely or in part because of injuries. In some cases, we're three deep on the depth chart. In Carolina, Matt Moore, an undrafted rookie, could be the Panthers' fourth starting quarterback this season because Vinny Testaverde (himself hauled out of semi-retirement) has an Achilles' problem and Carolina has thrown up its hands with David Carr.

I was waiting for something like this to happen. Jeff George has gone public with "Hey, I can play as well as these guys!" or words to that effect. George, who hasn't thrown an NFL pass since 2001, contacted the Minnesota Vikings' play-by-play announcer to take the temperature of coach Brad Childress concerning possible interest in George. The Vikings' first-string quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, is hurt and wasn't all that hot when he was playing. Backup Kelly Holcomb was horrible Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and then got knocked silly.

Last week, we asked who the Ravens should start at wide receiver. The results: All three, 51.3 percent (1,281 votes) Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, 21.5 percent (275 votes) Mason and Demetrius Williams, 20.5 percent (263 votes) Clayton and Williams, 6.7 percent (86 votes) This week's question: Which former Raven is most deserving to go on the Ring of Honor at M&T Bank Stadium when his career is over? A. Jamal Lewis B. Adalius Thomas C. Edwin Mulitalo D. Vinny Testaverde To vote, go to baltimoresun.

We're sticking with column items in bite-sized form, but chew well. (And your mother reminds you to keep your mouth closed.) Fox reports that its All-Star Game telecast Tuesday was the highest-rated sports programming since the last round of the Masters in April, and that the 8.4 rating was 35 percent higher than the average for the NBA Finals on ABC (6.2). The game was most watched in St. Louis (18.9), where maybe they all stayed with it to see if Albert Pujols would ever get in. Boston, Milwaukee, Detroit and Minneapolis were second through fifth, ahead of the city where the game was played, San Francisco.

(Last week's ranking in parentheses): 1. Colts (1) Defense still driving Super Bowl caravan. 2. Broncos (4) 5-1 for third time in three seasons. 3. Bengals (7) 21 take-aways through six games. 4. Chargers (8) Best player in NFL? Easy: LaDainian Tomlinson. 5. Steelers (2) Special teams look good, but Ben Roethlisberger-less offense is horrible. 6. Eagles (5) Success hinges on how quickly Donovan McNabb can get healthy. 7. Buccaneers (10) As long as Carnell Williams is out, team will limp along.

One thing is certain about the Cleveland Browns last season: They were mired in controversy. In addition to the announced move to Baltimore, Vinny Testaverde was benched in favor of Eric Zeier, sparking questions at quarterback.One thing is certain about the Baltimore Ravens this season: There is no more quarterback controversy."Vinny's the guy," quarterbacks coach Don Strock said. "It's not going to take one bad play or one bad game. He's the guy. He knows that so he's not looking over his shoulder."

Site: Cleveland StadiumTime: 1 p.m.TV/Radio: NoneLine: Bengals by 2Last week: The Browns lost, 27-11, to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bengals beat the Bears, 16-10.Last meeting: The Browns beat the Bengals in overtime, 29-26, at Riverfront Stadium on Oct. 29 for their sixth straight win in the series. Matt Stover's 28-yard field goal 6:30 into overtime was the game-winner.The series: Browns lead, 26-24.On the sidelines: Browns coach Bill Belichick is 7-2 against the Bengals. Cincinnati coach Dave Shula is 1-6 against the Browns.

Good morning --Vinny Testaverde -- Will returning to the NFL mean you're going to miss out on some AARP meetings? QUESTION OF THE DAY Which CBS announcers would you prefer to call Ravens games? Anybody but Phil Simms, who is anti-Raven. Jim Nantz and Dick Enberg would be a good tandem, bringing ... unbiased analysis. Morgan Hankin Reisterstown NEXT QUESTION The contracts of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan expire after the season. Should the Orioles bring back both, just Beattie, just Flanagan or neither?

Phil Savage will remain as meticulous about his future as he has been with his draft picks. Highly respected around the NFL for his talent evaluation skills, the Ravens' director of player personnel is expected to be a hot commodity next month, when teams will look to fill their top front-office positions. Savage, 39, is already considered a candidate in the Cleveland Browns' general manager search, especially considering his NFL career began in Cleveland. Other teams who could potentially be seeking a top personnel man include the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.