Baltimore Readying for Regular Season

While pro football fans in Cleveland suffer through their first weekend of Brown-out, the NFL returns to Baltimore on Sunday for the first regular-season game in Memorial Stadium since Dec. 18, 1983.

“Knowing the players they had in the past and knowing you’re going to play on the same field is something special,” said offensive tackle Tony Jones of the Baltimore Ravens, referring to Baltimore’s rich pro football history written by the Colts, now in Indianapolis. “It makes you want to go out and play well.”

The Ravens, 3-1 in exhibition play under new Coach Ted Marchibroda, open the season against the Oakland Raiders, who will have Billy Joe Hobert at quarterback in place of Jeff Hostetler, out because of a leg injury.

Baltimore’s quarterback will be veteran Vinny Testaverde.

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At a news conference announcing his retirement after 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, quarterback Randall Cunningham singled out former Eagle coach Buddy Ryan for being “truly a player’s coach,” and also said he was grateful to Rich Kotite--even though they disliked each other.

“So we didn’t get along. Big deal. You gave me the best season of my career in 1990,” Cunningham said. “It’s just too bad we didn’t go all the way [to the Super Bowl]. We could have been good friends.”

Cunningham had some choice, but carefully chosen words for Philadelphia, its fans and especially its sports radio personalities.

“I have no bitter feelings toward Philadelphia,” he said. “Thank you for all the good times.”