Über uns » .I think the health of Sammy is the big q

BALTIMORE -- As limited as they seemed on offense, the more aesthetically pleasing side of the ball, the Baltimore Ravens always figured to be a problem in the AFC. They still have a defense that is no fun to play against, and they still have a coach and a quarterback who have proven they can win the Super Bowl.But now that New England Patriots tight end?Rob Gronkowski is out for the year, turning the conference tournament into something of a jump ball, the Ravens have officially evolved into a gathering threat. Start with their history in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the most likely site of the upcoming AFC Championship Game and the scene of Baltimores next stop on Monday Night Football.John Harbaughs Ravens have won two playoff games in Foxborough, and they nearly won two others. Over the summer, after considering his relative success against New England while reading a MassLive.com ranking of the 25 biggest villains in Patriots history, Harbaugh decided he wasnt happy with his spot at No. 19.I think thats a little low, he told ESPN.com. I plan on making that higher in the future.He can start working on that next week. Harbaugh laughed when reminded of that comment after his team shredded the Dolphins and their six-game winning streak, but declined to add to it. The Ravens coach did stop outside his locker room to bat away the suggestion that the Gronk injury has opened a window of opportunity for some second-tier hopefuls in the AFC.I just think theyve got a great team, Harbaugh said of the Patriots. Theyve got Tom Brady. Theyve been the best team in the conference, and its going to be our toughest challenge of the year.No, a single 38-6 beatdown of a Miami team that wasnt as good as its winning streak suggested doesnt change the fact Baltimore has too many issues running the ball and too many receivers who have seen their 30th birthdays, including one, Steve Smith Sr., who started his career around the advent of the forward pass. But in the post-Gronk AFC, everybody is vulnerable and nobody with a defense, a coach, a kicker (Justin Tucker has made 35 consecutive field-goal attempts) and a quarterback can be counted out.Joe Flacco did a good job showing people Sunday why he remains the quarterback, and a pretty damn good one, by completing 36 of 47 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns before taking an early seat. When Flacco threw for three scores and 258 yards in the first half, building the Ravens a 24-0 lead, he reminded everyone (Ray Lewis included) that he was a Super Bowl MVP and a quarterback capable of pitching a perfect postseason game (11 touchdowns, 0 interceptions in that 2012 championship run). Lewis had blitzed Flacco from the blind side last month by assailing his supposedly passion-free approach to his craft before the retired linebacker tweeted his videotaped apology to the active quarterback.No blood, no foul. Flacco has never shown the demonstrative fire of, say, Brady, but theres a reason he has won 10 postseason games and 30 more regular-season games than he has lost. Flacco is the AFCs answer to Eli Manning -- a stoic whos a very good-but-not-great quarterback from September through December, and a fearless and opportunistic winner in January and the first week of February.Manning was the MVP of two Super Bowls four years apart, and before you start laughing over the possibility that Flacco could perform the same trick, remember that the 2011 Giants were 7-7 before ripping off six consecutive victories and seizing ring No. 2. At 7-5 and leading the AFC North, Baltimore has won four of five; its only loss came to Dallas, only the best team in the sport. Flacco completed passes to 10 different receivers Sunday, and he was so hot that he actually threw for 91 yards on a remarkable 18-play, 88-yard touchdown drive (a Smith penalty allowed him the statistical oddity).We go as he goes, Smith said of his quarterback.Flacco mightve called his best audible of the week when he jumped his offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in a meeting about becoming more aggressive with his playcalling, a take-that poke at Lewis and all others who have doubted the quarterbacks inner fire. Mornhinweg agreed to open things up, and Flacco honored the coordinators faith by throwing touchdown passes on Baltimores first two drives.The rest of the day amounted to fast-break basketball for the home team, and a whole lot of half-court breakdowns for the visitors. The Dolphins were overwhelmed by a Baltimore defense that isnt as ferocious as the franchise standard -- the 2000 Ravens who obliterated the Giants in the Super Bowl -- but is better than the 2012 defense that won it all and almost all of Baltimores Marvin Lewis/Rex Ryan units.Their current coordinator, Dean Pees, also gives the Ravens a competitive edge that cant be dismissed -- Pees spent two years coaching New Englands linebackers and four years running its defense. In other words, he has a pretty good idea of how to defend Brady.But the Ravens didnt want to spend too much time Sunday talking about defense; theyve been doing that for years and years. They wanted to talk about offense, finally, and a breakout performance that breathes new life into their postseason hopes and dreams.I think it gives the guys a lot of confidence to see it and have done it, Flacco said. Now we have to go up into a hostile place in New England that we really enjoying playing [at]. ... Im looking forward to it, big time.So is the head coach. Harbaugh had a much better day than his kid brother Jim, whose Michigan Wolverines were denied a bid to college footballs final four. John went 2-for-2 on fourth-down gambles in the first half, and felt good enough about the performance to gesture to the crowd for more noise in the fourth quarter, with victory already assured.Harbaugh needed this one to set up the next one. He hasnt seen the Patriots since they used a Julian Edelman touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, and all that hocus pocus with ineligible and eligible receivers, to overcome two 14-point deficits in the playoffs two years ago. Harbaugh is still upset over the way the refs officiated that game and those formations, and he told ESPN.com before the season he was pissed off over Bradys postgame remark that Baltimore should study the rulebook and figure it out, a remark the Ravens coach described as uncalled for.So thats one reason why Harbaugh wants to become a higher-ranked Patriots villain in the near future. If nothing else, this Ravens team might be good enough to move him up the charts. Javier Aquino Mexico Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Hirving Lozano Mexico Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/eduardo-herrera-mexico-jersey/ . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Giovani dos Santos Jersey . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Jorge Torres Mexico Jersey . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins made his long-awaited return to practice on Wednesday.But his status for Sundays game against Jacksonville remains up in the air.The Bills top wideout returned after missing two months because of a left foot injury. He was limited during the portion of practice open to reporters, but showed no signs of pain or struggling on the practice field.After suffering a setback two weeks into the season -- which resulted in Watkins being placed on injured reserve -- the Bills and Watkins are playing it safe when it comes to his full return.Obviously were encouraged by the fact that he has been cleared to participate. I think thats a good sign, Bills coach Rex Ryan said. He feels good, so well see how it goes. ... Well be smart with him.Watkins missed most of the offseason after having surgery in April, when he had two screws inserted into his left foot to repair a stress fracture. He aggravated the injury in Week 3 when a teammate stepped on his foot at a walk-through.During the open portion of practice on Wednesday, Watkins ran a couple of uncontested routes in individual drills before using a stationary bike.Watkins gave receivers coach Sanjay Lal a thumbs-up and was in good spirits when talking with Bills trainers.First day of practice, getting all the butterflies out, moving fast and just really trying to get back on the same page, Watkins said.I think 90 percent of the game is mental and I think Im over that hump and really have just got to get back out there running routes, playing with the guys, catching balls.Right now Im not feeling normal out there, but I think two or three days Ill start feeling back myself and moving along.Asked if he could play in a game on Thursday, Watkins responded probably not -- yet there is a chance he may play on Sunday.dddddddddddd The biggest hurdle at this point seems to be stamina, not pain.Just really getting back used to seeing if I can go out there and run 60 plays full speed, Watkins said.I dont think its the injury, or what I can do or cant do. I just think its what can you do this Sunday. Can you go out there and run 10 plays, 15, 30, 60, we dont know yet. ... I did 20 today. Gotta get in shape.The Bills are in need for some reinforcements at wide receiver. No. 2 option Robert Woods, who has been Buffalos top option in the passing game with Watkins missing, is likely out because of a knee sprain.Buffalo is last in the league in passing.I think the health of Sammy is the big question, whether Roberts healthy or not, Ryan said.Make sure Sammys ready to go before hes out there. As much as we want him, obviously hes a difference-maker when hes out, there so I get it.Watkins isnt the only key offensive player whose status is in question for Sunday.Running back LeSean McCoy had surgery on his left thumb Sunday night after suffering an injury in Buffalos 16-12 win over Cincinnati.The Bills have maintained that they expect McCoy to play against Jacksonville, but must wait to see how the week goes.The big thing is making sure his thumb doesnt get infected, Ryan said. Thats the No. 1 thing. If that stays clean, then theres no issue there.Backup running back Mike Gillislee left Wednesdays practice with a hamstring injury, but its not believed to be serious. Left tackle Cordy Glenn (back) and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (ankle) did not practice.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '