Ravens report: Notes, quotes

The Sports Xchange
Dec. 2, 2010 Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes --Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he will try to improve his pre-game handshake when he sees Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward on Sunday night.
Ward told Pittsburgh reporters that Harbaugh didn't like him because the Ravens' coach gave him a "fake handshake" before the last meeting two months ago.
Harbaugh reacted in disbelief when a reporter asked whether he liked Ward.
"I didn't know there was a barometer with pre-game handshakes," Harbaugh said Wednesday. "That's good to know. I need to work on that. I'll take it as constructive criticism. It'll be an opportunity to improve my pre-game decorum and courteousness with players. I have a lot of respect for Hines Ward, obviously. I'll be looking forward to seeing him before the game now. I'll try to do better."
Ward has had a series of run-ins with Ravens players over the years from Rod Woodson to Chris McAlister to Bart Scott. This is the first time that it crossed into the coaching ranks.
"I don't think their head coach likes me," Ward said. "I tried to shake his hand before we played them the last time. He gave me a fake handshake. He didn't even look at me. That's fine. Whatever."
--It's not breaking news to say protecting quarterback Joe Flacco is a priority against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
How important? Since 2006, the Ravens are 4-1 against the Steelers when they allow two or fewer sacks.
It'll be a challenge against the likes of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, who have combined for 16.5 sacks this season.
"I think the players that fit (defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's) scheme do really well," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "That's what I think coach LeBeau does such a great job of, because he doesn't run the same defense all the time. He's got the same basic structure, but every year changes a little bit, (and) it'll be different from what it was earlier in the year."
--Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was named AFC defensive player of the month for November. Suggs recorded 14 tackles and four sacks in four games last month.
This is the third award earned by a Ravens player this season. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was the AFC offensive player of the week for Week 4, and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was AFC defensive player of the week for Week 9.
--Suggs is notorious for his funny one-liners and unique perspective on life. But he delivered a line Wednesday that brought down the house -- or at least the locker-room ceiling -- and probably didn't go over very well with the team.
Asked how he elevated his play this season from 2009, Suggs said with a deadpan expression and tongue in cheek: "I quit doing cocaine."
--Ed Dickson said he doesn't think a tweaked hamstring that forced him to miss the Ravens' win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday will sideline him again this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"It's Steelers week," the rookie tight end said with a smile. "I've got to come back. I'm day-to-day though. I'm doing everything the trainers want me to do. I'll go out and give it a go."
BY THE NUMBERS
3 -- Average margin of victory in the past five meetings between the Ravens and the Steelers in this closely contested rivalry.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We know he's going to play. This is championship football. We're expecting to see 7-Up." -- Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs on whether injured Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play.

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