Zeier

As the group of reporters crowded around quarterback Eric Zeier, Eric Green walked by and joked about Zeier getting the ball to the tight end more often.It was a good-natured gibe, but it spoke about the state of the Ravens' offense. The Ravens have apparently found their new quarterback in Zeier, their running back of the future in second-year player Priest Holmes and put the long ball and some unpredictability back into the offense.It was never more evident than Sunday night, when the Ravens (2-2)

Eric Zeier expected the news, Priest Holmes did not and the Ravens are heading into the fourth game of the regular season with yet another backfield combination on offense.Coach Ted Marchibroda officially changed quarterbacks yesterday by benching Jim Harbaugh and elevating Zeier to his first starting role of the year. He also made a surprising move by choosing Holmes as his starting tailback against Cincinnati Sunday night.This will mark the first start of Holmes' two-year pro career, and it sends second-year man Jay Graham to the bench after his first start of 1998, a 67-yard rushing effort on 20 carries against Jacksonville last weekend.

Quarterback Eric Zeier threw the ball well enough to satisfy Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda at practice yesterday, meaning Zeier gets the nod for his fourth consecutive start on Sunday. He will face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.Zeier injured his right thumb late in Sunday's 16-6 loss in Pittsburgh. While running the two-minute drill, Zeier struck offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden's helmet after following through on a pass."We're good to go," Zeier said."He looked like he threw well enough to go on Sunday.

The Ravens shored up a significant need yesterday, and as a result, backup quarterback Eric Zeier will head into his fourth season with more job security and a tremendous pay raise.As expected, the Ravens retained the services of Zeier, a restricted free agent, by matching the Atlanta Falcons' two-year, $2.6 million offer sheet.Zeier will collect a $2 million signing bonus and a base salary of $300,000 for the next two seasons. By matching Atlanta's bid, the Ravens gave Zeier a 1,000 percent raise over last season, when he earned $233,300.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Since leaving Georgia three years ago after a collegiate career filled with exciting comebacks, quarterback Eric Zeier has had precious few opportunities to re-create his magic.For eight wild minutes down the stretch yesterday at Alltel Stadium, Zeier was a bulldog once again. With starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde watching from the sideline with a knee injury, Zeier shook off the rust that comes with being a backup and brought the Ravens to the brink of a stunning, comeback victory.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ravens quarterback Eric Zeier's night did not begin on a high note, but his impressive recovery almost produced a come-from-behind victory for the Ravens.Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda originally planned to play Zeier and No. 3 quarterback Scott Otis in the second half of last night's 39-29 loss to the New York Jets.Early in the half, it appeared Otis would get some mop-up duty.The half began with running back Jay Graham being carried off the field with a knee injury, and things got worse three plays later.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Facing the San Francisco 49ers' defense at muddy 3Com Park in a hard rain is not a favorable scene for any quarterback, let alone a guy who has yet to take a live snap 11 weeks into a lost season.Before yesterday, the last time backup QB Eric Zeier saw game action was nearly three months ago, when the Ravens closed out their preseason in Buffalo. But when starter Vinny Testaverde went down with injured ribs early in the second quarter yesterday, after a sack by Kevin Mitchell, Zeier got the call.

The Ravens have vowed to retain the services of restricted free-agent quarterback Eric Zeier, and the Atlanta Falcons decided to put Zeier's team to the test.Zeier signed a two-year, $2.6 million offer sheet from the Falcons yesterday. The deal includes a $2 million signing bonus and a base salary of $300,000 for the 1998 and 1999 seasons.The Ravens expect to receive the offer sheet from the NFL today, after which they will have one week to match Atlanta's offer.If they fail to do so, the Ravens will lose Zeier, a fourth-year backup passer out of Georgia whose stock rose last December, when he replaced benched starter Vinny Testaverde and led the Ravens to two victories in their last three games.

Three days after throwing for more than 300 yards and leading the team to its first victory in six games, third-year player Eric Zeier was named the Ravens' starting quarterback by coach Ted Marchibroda yesterday.Also yesterday, the Ravens moved reserve center Quentin Neujahr back into a starting role, and former starting center Wally Williams was moved to left guard in place of Ben Cavil.Zeier, 25, out of the University of Georgia, will start against the Tennessee Oilers (7-7) in the final game to be played at Memorial Stadium in place of 11-year veteran Vinny Testaverde, who started the team's first 13 games until a strained left knee sidelined him last week.

As the Ravens' second preseason game draws near, second-year quarterback Wally Richardson goes on wondering when his chance will come. It could happen on Saturday against the New York Jets, especially after backup quarterback Eric Zeier pulled out of yesterday's practice with a pulled right hip muscle.During his rookie season in 1997, Richardson saw the entire 20-game season -- including four preseason games -- go by without taking a snap as the team's third-string passer. This year, Richardson is behind Jim Harbaugh and Zeier as the scout-team quarterback, and he already has watched the preseason opener from the sideline.