Team Without a Prayer Does Have a Priest

It must be an East Coast thing. First, Norv Turner cracked and dumped Gus Frerotte in favor of Trent Green almost before the first kickoff had been returned. Now it’s Baltimore’s Ted Marchibroda, going to Eric Zeier over Jim Harbaugh at quarterback and Priest Holmes at running back. Holmes has seven carries in four NFL games.

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How funny is this? Harbaugh has a reputation for pulling out games in the fourth quarter with the nickname, “Captain Comeback,” but he has yet to play in the second half for the Ravens.

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With Pittsburgh’s Kordell Stewart ranked last among NFL quarterbacks, the team has figured out that it had better run Jerome Bettis more. Most everyone in the country could have told them that, but the Steelers probably had several meetings first.

Backup quarterback Mike Tomczak said, “When you have a sound running game, and five bodies, plus a fullback blocking for you, and No. 36 in the backfield, it’s time to get back to smash-mouth football.”