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Let's catch a matinee Ravens cap perfect preseason with 28-24 win over Giants
Posted: Friday September 03, 1999 08:35 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- The final play decided the game, yet the New York Giants were more concerned about the possible repercussions of their third offensive play of the afternoon. Third-string quarterback Stoney Case threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley as time expired, and the Baltimore Ravens concluded an unbeaten preseason by beating the Giants 28-24 Friday. The Giants (2-2) lost the game and their starting running back. Gary Brown, who amassed 1,063 rushing yards last year, sprained a ligament in his left knee while being gang-tackled during New York's first offensive series. The injury, diagnosed as a sprained MCL, left him doubtful for next week's season opener against Tampa Bay. An MRI, to be administered Saturday, will further determine the extent of the damage. Brown was walking without the aid of crutches, but said it would take a "miracle" for him to be ready by next week. "I couldn't get down soon enough before my leg got stuck in turf. It just went underneath me," Brown said. "I can walk and can do normal things. As far as running and cutting, I don't know what I can do." The Ravens (4-0), who have yet to lose under new coach Brian Billick, endured a myriad of injuries. The most disconcerting was to linebacker Peter Boulware, who left after aggravating an already tender left shoulder that caused him to miss the first three exhibition games. "We know it's going to be a week-by-week thing as to how that feels," Billick said. "Hopefully Peter will be there for us. If Peter is not there for us due to injury, then someone else will step up and we'll have to go without Peter." Boulware wasn't the only Baltimore player hurt. Backup running back Errict Rhett received a mild concussion, wide receiver Qadry Ismail strained a hamstring, wide receiver Patrick Johnson left with a pulled calf and reserve running back Tony Vinson strained a shoulder. Team officials said Johnson is questionable for the opener against St. Louis. A decision on Boulware will be made in the next few days. Case, who rallied the Ravens to an improbable victory over Carolina last week, came up with a wonderful encore. Baltimore trailed 24-21 before Stokley caught the pass behind Lyle West at the right sideline and tiptoed into the end zone. New York was penalized 13 times for 138 yards and lost an interception in the fourth quarter. "We made some real bonehead mistakes that cost us the game," Giants coach Jim Fassel said. Referring to the final play, Fassel said, "We should have had a guy in his face and deep. You've got to play deep and over to the ball. He [West] went for the ball and was too flat. You can't be playing low like that." Case went 12-for-21 for 196 yards and two scores, but he'll be back on the bench when the Ravens travel to St. Louis. Baltimore starter Scott Mitchell was 4-for-7 for 65 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Lewis. Giants backup quarterback Kerry Collins played the final three quarters and went 12-for-21 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Starter Kent Graham concluded a fine preseason by going 8-for-11 for 70 yards. The concern on offense centered around Brown. "I'm worried about it, but I think [rookie] Sean Bennett has played pretty well for us," Fassel said. New York took a 17-14 lead early in the second half on a 19-yard pass from Collins to Bennett. Collins was 5-for-6 for 71 yards on the 77-yard drive. Case then took the Ravens 84 yards in 11 plays, completing four of five passes for 59 yards. He capped the march with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Justin Armour. Collins responded with an 82-yard drive that featured a 52-yard pass to David Patten, and a 23-yarder to Patten for a touchdown on a third-and-14 play, giving New York a 24-21 lead with 13:50 left.
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