Harbaugh Explains Why Ivy, Not McAlister
Even before rookie cornerback Lardarius Webb was officially placed on Injured Reserve after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last Sunday, fans were clamoring for the return of former Raven Chris McAlister. The cries were understandable, as McAlister is one of the best cover corners this city has ever seen and the depleted secondary is in dire need.
So when the Ravens signed Corey Ivy instead, answers were demanded. Why did the team opt to go with Ivy over the beloved McAlister?
“The two basic differences are Corey can play in the slot. Chris is an outside corner, and we have depth there,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in his weekly radio program. “All of our guys can play outside, including Cary Williams, and he’s a younger guy and a more healthy guy. Those guys can all play outside, which is not as difficult. Playing in the slot is difficult. It’s a linebacker position, it’s the nickel position. All those things are just some things Chris hasn’t done before. So we [would] have to get Chris up to speed if we [could] get him up to speed.”
“Plus, we do have some concerns about his health. So whether he can play or not and practice and get ready to play in time, that’s a concern for us. Those were the two overriding factors.”
Habaugh went on to say that he knows the decision will be second-guessed and debated, but he’s OK with that. He reiterated that the entire Ravens staff, including General Manager Ozzie Newsome, studied the scenarios carefully and they are confident in their decision – especially when considering the heavy workload Ivy will have to immediately shoulder in an all-important game against the Steelers this weekend.
“He fits us right now,” Harbaugh explained. “We’re not going to have to teach him the defense, which certainly takes two or three or four weeks if you bring someone in that hasn’t been a part of this system before. So Corey’s a guy that can play Sunday against the Steelers. He can also play special teams. He’s a guy that can get the most reps in this next game, and that’s what we need.”
Swapping Reed for Palomalu?
No, I’m not suggesting these two safeties trade teams.
But it is possible that Ed Reed, who was healthy the last time the Ravens and Steelers battled, will not play this weekend, while Steelers safety Troy Palomalu may be back for this Sunday’s matchup after missing the first.
NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reported that Reed will have his hip injury, an ailment that has kept him out of the last three games, evaluated today in Miami, according to his agent, Eugene Mato.
“Ed is hopeful he can play Sunday, and he’s doing everything he can to be able to play,” Mato said.
Meanwhile, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu could return to the lineup if the results from yesterday’s MRI on his knee are positive, Pittsburgh’s Tribune-Review reported.
“The result of his MRI is going to dictate what direction we take, like it has in recent weeks,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.
We will likely know more on these two later this afternoon when the first injury report is released. Polamalu has been inactive since injuring his knee in Week 10. He’s missed nine games this season, and the Steelers are 3-6 without him (4-1 with him.)
Henry mourned in New Orleans
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bengals players, coaches and members of the front office, as well as other NFL players, attended late Bengals receiver Chris Henry’s funeral yesterday, according to the Associated Press.
Henry, 26, was killed after he fell out of the bed of pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga, during what police called a domestic dispute. Police are investigating, but no charges have been filed.
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