Mike Preston, Sun Reporter
Publication: The Baltimore Sun
Date: November 23, 1998
For the first time this season, there actually were jokes being told in the Ravens’ locker room after a game. Team vice president David Modell was going around shaking hands, reserve Ben Cavil was bragging about how well his fellow offensive linemen played, and defensive tackle Tony Siragusa had become a comedian.
“I finally found out what’s the matter with this football team. We need to give everybody a $7 million signing bonus and then we can all play like Ray,” said a laughing Siragusa, alluding to the $26 million contract signed by Ray Lewis last week.
Playing the Cincinnati Bengals can make teams giddy, especially when a maligned offensive line finally shows some signs of life and creates enough holes for Priest Holmes to rush for a league high this season of 227 yards on 36 attempts.
Or when rookie cornerback Duane Starks doesn’t give up a big play for the first time in three weeks and the defense holds the Bengals to 58 yards rushing. Or when the newly crowned highest-paid middle linebacker in the NFL, Lewis, comes up big with two interceptions.
The Ravens may have only beaten the lowly Bengals, 20-13, yesterday before an announced crowd of 52,571 at Cinergy Field, but after losing five of the previous six games, it was time to celebrate.
