BEREA — Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco will make his second NFL start Sunday, and the Browns will try to force him into quick decisions, and mistakes, by bringing pressure.
“You want to affect the quarterback and you can do that with disguise, different looks, different fronts and pressure on first, second and third down,” defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said Friday. “Those are things typically you want to do with young quarterbacks. You try to see what they can do under the pressure.”
The Browns have been on the other end of such treatment when Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson were starting their careers. So coach Romeo Crennel knows the game plan.
“You show him some stuff and if he can’t handle it, keep showing it to him,” he said. “But it looks like he’s got some poise and some composure.”
Flacco was the 18th overall pick out of Division I-AA Delaware. He was supposed to begin the year on the sideline, but former Ohio State star Troy Smith suffered a severe tonsil infection. Flacco became the starter and was 15-for-29 for 129 yards in Week 1. The Ravens’ second game was postponed because of Hurricane Ike.
“Young or old, you try to get in the quarterback’s face, agitate him,” nose tackle Shaun Rogers said. “It just happens this week to be Mr. Flacco, and he happens to be a rookie.”
Flacco showed some versatility in the opening win versus the Bengals, taking a bootleg down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. It was the longest TD run in NFL history by a quarterback making his debut.
But he’s not a runner. He’s 6-foot-6, 230 pounds and has an arm big enough to make all the throws. But as a youngster, he will be asked to manage the game. In the opener, the Ravens rushed 46 times for 229 yards, including a 42-yard double reverse by receiver Mark Clayton for a touchdown.
“They want to control the football, control time of possession and get them in manageable third-down situations,” Tucker said.
The typical game plan for an offense with a rookie quarterback.

Injury report

Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker (hip) may make his season debut Sunday. He was listed as probable on the injury report and could fill in at left guard if Eric Steinbach, who’s listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, can’t go. Tucker was a full participant in practice Friday, while Steinbach didn’t practice all week.
Receiver Donte Stallworth (quadriceps) and linebacker Willie McGinest were also held out of practice all week and are questionable. Receiver Braylon Edwards (shoulder) was limited and questionable, but is expected to play.
Stallworth said he hoped to be well enough by Sunday to make his Browns debut.
“That’s the plan,” he said. “Every day I try to get better. Hopefully by Sunday I’ll feel all right.”
Receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs (shoulder), running back Jamal Lewis (ankle) and defensive lineman Shaun Smith (hand) are probable. Special teamer Kris Griffin (calf) is doubtful.

Bye-bye bye

Hurricane Ike robbed the Ravens of their bye week. They were supposed to have a bye in Week 10, but the game with Houston was rescheduled from Sunday to Nov. 9. The Ravens didn’t find out the game was postponed until Saturday, then were given off Sunday through Tuesday — not exactly enough time for a trip to the Caribbean.
“You want the bye late in the season, but we’re all fine,” Ravens safety and Elyrian Haruki Nakamura said. “We’re anxious for a second game and to play again.”

Bumpy debut

Mel Tucker’s first game as an NFL play caller saw Dallas put up 28 points and 487 yards on his defense. Welcome to the spotlight, coach.
“It was a challenge but it was something I anticipated,” he said. “Everyone knows Dallas has a lot of weapons.
“We didn’t get the job done, but I will learn from it and it’s going to make me a better coach.”
The Browns allowed 10 points to Pittsburgh in Week 2.

Extra points

The Browns defense is much-maligned – and for good reason – but it’s allowed fewer than 300 yards in four of the last five games. The Browns are 2-2 in those games, and weather was a factor in three of the four.
• Chiefs fans have started a Web site, getbradynow.com, to encourage the Chiefs to acquire Browns backup quarterback Brady Quinn. “Got Brady?” shirts are available on the site.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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