ITEM: Ravens GM says Suggs' surgery "successful"
Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens issued a statement from General Manager Ozzie Newsome regarding the condition of Terrell Suggs following surgery to repair what has been called a partially torn Achilles tendon.
"Terrell (Suggs) had a successful surgical procedure done on his Achilles tendon this afternoon by Dr. Bob Anderson in Charlotte, (N.C.). After some recovery time, 'Sizzle' will begin the process of rehabbing the area. We know he will work hard to get back on the field with his teammates as soon as the doctors and trainers allow. We're confident that he can make a full recovery."
Newsome didn't confirm that the injury was a partial tear, nor did he offer any hint at when Suggs might return. The player took care of that himself.
"As far as my return, it's still the same as the (original) prognosis of four to six months," Suggs said to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. "I'm 29 years old. I don't miss games. I'll be returning soon."
Suggs said the surgery went well. "Everything went good, he was in and out. There is only a small incision, and he said it was not as bad as some thought it was, which I had already been told."
Suggs' teammate, Ed Reed, told 105.7 The Fan that the injury will impact how opponents view the Ravens defense.
"He's definitely going to be missed," Reed said. "We know what Terrell Suggs brings to the table, the fear that he puts in quarterbacks' heads. So he's definitely going to be missed. . . . Knowing that Terrell was coming off the edge at times . . . you knew that ball is going to come out faster."
Still, Reed believes the Ravens can compete even if forced to do it without the guy who is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"It definitely takes a team to win, so no one guy is more important than the team," Reed said. "Guys know they have to step up and it's going to take two people to replace a Terrell Suggs."
ITEM: Ravens sign McBean to fortify D-line
Ryan McBean had his restricted free agent tender rescinded by the Denver Broncos one month after it was reported that he would be suspended six games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Now, McBean has signed with the Ravens.
McBean promised a lawsuit against the NFL for the suspension, and earlier this week he settled and agreed to a three-game suspension, according to a report in the Denver Post.
McBean, originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, started 21 games for the Broncos over the last three years.
ITEM: Dunlap is raring to go
Injuries, first to his foot in the preseason and then to a hamstring during the second half of the regular season, slowed Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap in 2011, but he's determined to bounce back in 2012.
"We started slowly getting out there and doing defensive line drills with the coaches last week but this is making it seem longer because you are back earlier," Dunlap told Joe Reedy. "I'm just anxious to get out there and put pads on."
Dunlap has a simple goal for 2012: to lead the Bengals in sacks, just as he did as a rookie in 2010 when he had 9.5. Geno Atkins led the Bengals in that category last season with 7.5, while Dunlap added 4.5.
"You saw Geno emerge last year. I have to get the title back from him," Dunlap said. "Geno has the Pro Bowl (recognition) and I think he'll draw just as many double teams as I will. But it is still my job to get to the quarterback whether they double team me or not."
According to Reedy, receiver Jordan Shipley has been cleared
by Dr. James Andrews to participate in full team activities without restriction. Shipley tore the ACL in his left knee during the third quarter of the Sept. 18 game at Denver.
ITEM: Holmgren expects big improvement in 2012
Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren said he expects the team that finished 5-11 in 2010 and 4-12 in 2011 to make a big leap in 2012.
"I expect us to take a pretty good jump this year. I would not be particularly happy if we had the same record or close to it," Holmgren said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I believe in this group and I think we're on track, I really do. I think if you look at last season as an example, the record was what it was, but we had if you remember say the snaps from center, kicked field goals, or PATs, if we had made three of those instead of missed three of those we would've won seven or eight games or something like that. Now you're 5-11, 8-8, then you take the next step and boom in the fourth year you are where you should be. That's what I'm thinking. I would hope and I would be very disappointed if we didn't take a pretty good jump this year."
