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Tired birds Fatigued Ravens would enjoy week off before Super Bowl
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens are already a tired football team, and they haven't even had to deal with jet lag yet. The Ravens will be playing their third game in 15 days when they face the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game Sunday. Head coach Brian Billick sheared the practice schedule to give his players a break, but what they could really use is a few days off. One way or another, the Ravens will have ample opportunity to relax after Sunday's game. If they win, they'll have a few days off before beginning preparations for the Super Bowl. If they lose, they're in for a lengthy vacation. "Yeah, we're tired. We've been playing since July. But this is what it's all about," Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden said. "I think coach is doing a good job of resting us, and I think we're going to come out fresh." Billick operates on the theory that a fresh player is an effective one, so his practice sessions are usually short and not too physical. There is very little tackling involved during the week, the better to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. "This is no disrespect to the people who were here before, but a few years ago this is the way I felt in Week 10 or 11," Ogden said. "Right now, I still feel like I have something left in the tank." Billick shortened practice by a combined 45 minutes Wednesday and Thursday in an effort to inject some life into a team that has already played 22 games, including exhibitions. Besides enjoying home-field advantage, Oakland began the postseason with a bye, while Baltimore won a physical game against the Denver Broncos. The Ravens then played Tennessee on the road last weekend while the Raiders enjoyed a frolic at home against the Miami Dolphins. If fatigue means anything, Oakland will have an edge Sunday. "Every time you play, it takes a physical toll," Billick said. "In practice, we're trying to help our guys get their legs back under them." The Ravens have to worry about the nimble legs of Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon, the deft hands of Tim Brown and a defense that Billick insists is vastly underrated. But the one thing that most concerns him is the fatigue level of his players. "I think today the guys had their legs back under them. They were a bit more chipper," Billick said Thursday. "But we're going to need a lot of rest. You go cross-country on a six-hour flight, that all adds up." The Ravens were to have a light workout Friday morning before boarding a plane for the West Coast. Billick wanted to bring the team to Oakland on Friday instead of Saturday to get the players used to the three-hour time difference.
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