Ravens Win Game, Will Lose Coach

The Baltimore Ravens beat the Detroit Lions, 19-10, Sunday in a game that ended a disappointing season for both teams.

It also marked the conclusion of Ted Marchibroda’s reign as coach of the Ravens, as he conceded afterward that he expected to be dismissed by owner Art Modell.

“I’m not prepared to be here,” he said, shortly after thanking his players for their effort in the season finale.

Marchibroda, 67, failed to produce a winning season with the Ravens and went 16-31-1 in his three years.

But he was proud that his players never quit trying, right down to the final play of a season that never lived up to lofty expectations.

“I told Mr. Modell when he hired me that I’ll get the guys to play for me,” Marchibroda said during a 10-minute postgame interview in which he smiled throughout. “As I leave here, I can say they played for me. We had a tough climb for three years.”

Priest Holmes scored a touchdown and became the Ravens’ first 1,000-yard rusher as Baltimore (6-10) raced to a 16-0 lead and held on against the error-prone Lions (5-11). Holmes gained 132 yards in 20 carries and had 1,008 yards for the season.

The game marked the end of Marchibroda’s three-year contract. He wore a broad smile as he shook hands with Detroit Coach Bobby Ross and later took consolation in doing the best he could with a team that had to deal with the distraction of moving from Cleveland.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity. I can walk the streets of Baltimore with my head held high,” Marchibroda said. “This has been a tough situation sometimes. I came in to do a job and I didn’t finish the job.”