FOX45 Maryland Sports News

Last Update on October 23, 2008 13:01 EDT

RAVENS-SUGGS' STATEMENTS

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- An NFL spokesman has confirmed that the league is investigating Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs for alleged comments about having a "bounty" on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.

During a recent interview on the syndicated "2 Live Stews" radio program, Suggs called Ward "a dirty player" and "a cheap-shot artist." However, Suggs denied Wednesday that there is a bounty.

Meanwhile, Suggs is distancing himself from comments in the same interview suggesting that backup Troy Smith should be the Ravens' starting quarterback. While he called rookie Joe Flacco "all right," he said Smith is "the better man for the job." On Wednesday, Suggs said he was suggesting that both get a chance to play.

RAVENS-MCALISTER

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister isn't giving an opinion about whether his benching at the start of Sunday's game in Miami was a disciplinary step by coach John Harbaugh.

Noting that Harbaugh said he wasn't disciplined, McAlister said "so I wasn't disciplined." But McAlister also said "You have to read between the lines."

Whether his play warranted being bumped from the starting lineup, McAlister says people should watch videos of the first four weeks and decide if he should have been on the field or not. McAlister had three interceptions during that period.

RAIDERS-RUSSELL

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell's numbers on the road haven't been great, and he knows Baltimore isn't the best place to turn things around.

He says the Ravens get to the ball and "look forward to 11 guys on defense making plays."

Russell has gotten mixed reviews in his first full season as the Raiders' starter. He has the second-lowest interception rate in the NFL and led the Raiders to a 16-13 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.

But he has struggled with the second-lowest completion percentage in the league and has thrown only five touchdowns, with most of his problems coming on the road. The Ravens, meanwhile, are giving up just 67.2 rushing yards a game, best in the NFL, and are ranked fourth against the pass.

ARMY-NAVY DATE CHANGE

NEW YORK (AP) -- The annual Army-Navy football game will be played a week later starting in 2009. The rivalry will take place on the second Saturday in December.

The academies and CBS announced Thursday they have extended their TV rights agreement through 2018.

The date change will give the matchup more visibility because it will no longer conflict with conference championship games. It will be the last regular-season college football game each year.