Patriots top DTs returned to practice and may start Sunday

The New England Patriots defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren both wore back their NFL jerseys to take full part in the team’s practice on Wednesday, a good sign that the Patriots best two defensive linemen may start this Sunday’s playoff against the Baltimore Ravens.


“They have two tough runners,” Wilfork said of the Ravens with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. “We pride ourselves around here with stopping the run. Sometimes we did this year, sometimes we didn’t. But you know what? It all starts over now. It all starts at 0-0.”

Wilfork missed the last three games with a foot injury and Warren sat out two of those games and most of the third with an ankle problem. Their absence partly caused the Patriots to allow 144 yards rushing against the Houston Texans that had the NFL’s second worst running attack before last Sunday’s game but sent the Patriots to a 34-24 loss in their season finale.

CB Ivy returned to Baltimore from Pittsburgh

Playing the previous three seasons in Baltimore Ravens jersey, cornerback Corey Ivy joined the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. After playing only one game with the Steelers, he returned to the Ravens’ roster, in time for Sunday’s pivotal AFC North showdown between the Ravens and the Steelers.

Sounds like a spy story and I am sure he has a unique perspective on the rivalry between the two teams.


“He understands how to play in the slot as a nickel in our defense, knows the calls, knows the structure, knows how we pattern reads,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said regarding Ivy. “Plus he’s in great shape.”

The 32-year-old cornerback is regarded as a physical special-teams contributor and a savvy reserve defensive back. Although being undersized at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Ivy has recorded 209 career tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to go with his 97 special-teams tackles.

Ravens LB Suggs has to stay away from mother of his two sons

Baltimore District Judge Theodore B. Oshrine ruled Friday that the Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has to stay away from Candace Williams, who alleged that Suggs assaulted her multiple times and was father of her two children.


Having not been charged with a crime, Suggs denies any wrongdoing but still agrees to the judge’s decision. And his attorneys said they would have called eyewitnesses to contradict Williams’ claims of abuse, while Williams’ attorney also brought several witnesses to testify on his client’s behalf.

Suggs appeared calm and seemed innocent. During a recess, he even shook hands with fans, some of them wearing his No.55 Ravens jerseys, outside the courtroom. He left through a side entrance to avoid reporters.

Ravens receiver Smith will probably end his season with injury

After the Ravens won over the Redskins on Thursday night’s preseason opener, it was reported that receiver Marcus Smith tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the game and will be put on Injured Reserve for this season, but the news has not been confirmed by the team officially.


After he made a special teams tackle in the second quarter, Smith limped out of the field and had trainers look after him on the sideline. He did not return to the game afterwards and head coach John Harbaugh said after game that Smith had an apparently serious knee injury which could be an ACL. Later, Smith was seen walking through the locker room with crutches.

Although Smith caught only one pass for 9 yards of the three thrown to him, he was praised by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron for his hard work this offseason. He did give a good performance at training camp and was expected to become more than just a special teams performer. What a pity if he is put on Injured Reserve and loses the chance of playing in ravens jersey and proving his talent in football.