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Warning: Trying to understand retired Ravens running back Ricky Williams' train of thought can lead to headaches; or at the very least, a great deal of confusion.

Just listen to Williams' reasoning on why he believes there is a link between concussions and brain damage.

"I don't buy it," Williams told ESPN's Dan Le Batard on Tuesday. “I'm only speaking from my personal experience, because I've never allowed myself to buy it, and I haven't been affected by it. Yes, I'm aware that football is a rough sport, but instead of saying, 'Oh, I'm doomed to like brain trauma,' I said, 'What can I do about it?' And I just started taking care of my body. I found people, places and things that really helped me. Again, I don't know what's going to happen to me in 10 years, but for me I look at the other things I've learned about and the way I see the world.”

This makes you wonder if Williams is thinking clearly after 2,431 carries in the NFL. If I'm following him correctly, and I'm not totally certain that I am, the key for football players to avoid head trauma later in life is to keep in good physical shape and refuse to believe science.

"So is science like the new deity of our culture? It is, but should it be?," Williams said. "If you look at science 100 years ago, the things that they thought based on their science, we now show they had no idea of what they're talking about. I think as time goes on, the things that I've been saying are just going to be proven to be correct. The way that football is looking at it now, if you follow the trajectory, it creates the end of football. So, do we want football to die? I don't."

Williams is the one who is sounding behind the times. It's amazing that Williams can have this way of thinking, especially after spending a season in the same locker room with center Matt Birk. Three years ago, Birk pledged to donate his brain and spinal cord tissues after death to a Boston University medical school program that is looking to better understand the long-term effects of repeated concussions.

Williams certainly has the right to speak his mind and he's dealt with more blows to the head than I ever will. He said he doesn't know how many concussions he's had but he doesn't feel any effects right now. You have to wonder whether his stance on concussions and head trauma will change 10 years from now.

According to a tweet by Joe Madani, program director of Austin, Texas, radio station 103.1 FM, Ricky Williams said on the radio this week that he has filed his retirement papers, but he’d consider playing for his hometown Chargers.

There is only one problem here: the Ravens placed Williams on the reserve/retired list earlier this month, meaning the organization owns his rights if Williams elects to come out of retirement. Williams has one year left remaining on his contract with the team.

So, Williams' choices are either to stay retired or play for the Ravens. The Chargers are not an option unless they are willing to trade for the 34-year-old backup. Baltimore probably wouldn't be interested in moving Williams because it still could use him to back up Ray Rice.

Thanks to AFC West blogger Bill Williamson for passing along the tweet.

A quick look at what's happening around the AFC North as the NFL combine continues in Indianapolis. I will provide my take on many of these issues and topics in the days to come, but I wanted to pass along the information.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Coach Marvin Lewis did seem troubled over the latest off-the-field incident involving middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge at a Cincinnati bar. Maualuga is the fourth Bengals player since July to have a legal issue, joining wide receiver Jerome Simpson, cornerback Adam Jones and running back Cedric Benson. “There’s a concern," Lewis told reporters at the NFL combine, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. "What [Maualuga] does away from football is important. He has to make good choices and decisions.”
• Benson is not expected to be re-signed by the Bengals, and Lewis' comments about the running back didn't change that perception. As the team website points out, it sounded like Lewis was giving Benson a lifetime achievement award instead of a new contract. “I think we want to improve our running game and if it includes Ced, it includes Ced," Lewis said. "We need to have more explosive running plays. Ced has had a fine career. He’s a physical player and been a big part of our success.”
• Lewis provided encouraging news on two players who are coming off season-ending injuries. Cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) is ahead of schedule, and wide receiver Jordan Shipley (knee) continues to make “significant progress," Lewis said.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Coach Pat Shurmur reiterated the Browns want to re-sign starting middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. Shurmur said the team hasn't made a decision whether it will place a franchise tag on Jackson, although the Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported last week that the Browns plan to do so. "We're going to be willing to use [the franchise tag]," Shurmur said. "As you go through signing our free agents, then we'll see what's the best place to use that tag."
• In injury updates, Shurmur said left guard Eric Steinbach is progressing from a season-ending back injury but he didn't commit to the left guard as a starter, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Jason Pinkston, who replaced Steinbach at left guard, will not move to tackle and will continue to develop at the guard position, according to Shurmur.
• Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar attended the combine, but not in an official capacity, a team spokesman told the Akron Beacon Journal.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Coach John Harbaugh once again expressed confidence about holding onto Ben Grubbs, saying he's "pretty optimistic" about re-signing the Pro Bowl left guard. “I hope that’s not misplaced," Harbaugh said, via the Baltimore Sun. "We’re in the process of negotiating. We’re committed, [owner Steve Bisciotti’s] committed to offering him a really great number. Hey, the market dictates [it], and Ben has to make those kinds of decisions, and you’re really happy for guys. He’s had a great career. He’s had a great number of years here. He’s earned the right to take a look for his family. One thing we’re not doing, we’re not giving him a low number. We’re doing everything we can to try to keep him in Baltimore.”
• In injury news, wide receiver Torrey Smith had surgery to repair a double sports hernia, and cornerback Cary Williams had hip surgery. Both are expected to be ready for training camp.
• Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said the team isn't looking to add a free-agent running back to replace the retired Ricky Williams. He indicated that Anthony Allen, a seventh-round pick from a year ago, will be given the first shot at the backup running back job. The team would add a free agent during training camp if Allen struggles to secure that spot, Newsome said.
• Newsome is happy the team was able to keep director of player personnel Eric DeCosta, who turned down the chance to interview for the general manager positions with the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts. "I think it was very important because of the continuity that allows the organization to maintain people and have the process remain the same," Newsome said, via ESPN Chicago. "It was kind of like Scott Pioli remaining in New England for all those years with Bill [Belichick]. All it does is make you stronger. I'm very thankful that Eric decided to stay."

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Major changes are unlikely to occur to the Steelers' offense under new coordinator Todd Haley, according to general manager Kevin Colbert. The biggest reason is it's tough to do so when the team has been successful and is bringing most of the same personnel back. "So, it's hard to come in and drastically change your philosophy because of the group of players that you have," Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "You can't overhaul a whole roster. Nor are we looking to because this group of players has been very successful."
• The hope is that the high-ankle sprains that have hampered Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey the past two years are in the past. "The reports we got and the last time we saw him, he was progressing just fine," Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "High-ankle sprains, they're a different injury and then when you re-injure it sometimes you've got to do some procedures to shore that joint up."
• A Cleveland-based reporter asked Colbert if the team had reached a "breaking point" with linebacker James Harrison, who was suspended last season after he knocked out Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. "No. Absolutely not," Colbert said. "James Harrison is a great player. He tries to play within the rules. Sometimes, the penalty is unavoidable, and he ends up getting a suspension out of it. He served his time. We've all moved on. We know James Harrison plays the game very hard. He plays it within the rules the best he can. Sometimes, circumstances happen in the course of a game, and you have to live with the consequences. But in no way are we ever going to be disappointed with that player."

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Steelers president Art Rooney II shot down speculation that he hired offensive coordinator Todd Haley, saying it was head coach Mike Tomlin's decision.

"I think the bottom line is, Mike was comfortable that's who he wanted to come in," Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It may be fair to say that when he started the discussions and Todd's name was on his original list, I don't think he expected that Todd was the guy he was going to wind up hiring. But as he had more conversations with him, he became more comfortable that he was the right guy for the job."

According to Rooney, Tomlin had all of the initial talks with the offensive coordinator candidates on the phone before bringing in Haley and Jim Caldwell for interviews. Rooney said he spoke with Haley and Caldwell, describing it more as conversations than actual interviews.

"I wouldn't want my role in it to be overestimated because Mike has to decide who he wants on the staff," Rooney told the paper. "Even though there's always a discussion between me and Mike about who he's hiring and how much we're paying him and those kinds of things, it's normally a discussion of the business side of the arrangement than, 'Are we going to hire a guy who's going to run the ball so many times a game.' It was a fairly normal process as far as I'm concerned in terms of how we've done those kinds of hirings in the past."

Hensley's slant: No one is going to compare Rooney to Jerry Jones anytime soon. But I still have a question on who actually decided to part ways with former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The Steelers have never disputed a Post-Gazette report that Tomlin told Arians right after the season that he wanted him back and told staff members that Arians would be back. And no one has shot down a report that Rooney forced out Arians against Tomlin's wishes.

BENGALS: The free-agent wide receiver that best fits the Bengals is Buffalo's Steve Johnson, according to CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco. "Jerome Simpson is a free agent and has some legal issues, and they need a weapon opposite A.J. Green," Prisco wrote. "Johnson would be the perfect complement to the taller Green." Hensley's slant: The Bengals need to add a veteran to take over the No. 2 wide receiver role, but I don't think Johnson's personality would mesh in the Cincinnati locker room. Johnson's antics are too reminiscent of Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals waited too long to get rid of one distraction just to add another too soon.

BROWNS: Aston Villa soccer manager Alex McLeish is visiting Browns coach Pat Shumur to pick up coaching tips amid fan protests, according to the Associated Press. Randy Lerner, who owns the Browns and the English professional soccer team, suggested that McLeish should go to Cleveland and spend two days shadowing Shurmur. Hensley's slant: Shurmur has only one year of head coaching experience, but he certainly can share some of the lessons learned from a tumultuous first season. If the Browns end up with another double-digit loss season, Lerner might want Shurmur to make a similar trip and go over to England. But this time, a return flight won't be included.

RAVENS: The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston suggests that the Ravens should replace recently retired Ricky Williams with Le'Ron McClain, who played last season for the Kansas City Chiefs after spending four years in Baltimore. McClain went to the Chiefs last year after the Ravens signed fullback Vonta Leach. "He worked as hard as [Ray] Rice during the offseason in his last two years here, and he always had swagger," Preston wrote. "He intimidated people. He was -- and still deserves to be -- a Raven." Hensley's slant: The Ravens have previously gone with more experienced ball carriers as backups with Williams and Willis McGahee. But adding McClain would be a very sound move. McClain is the right player (he can back up at running back and fullback as well as play special teams) for the right price (he only made $1.5 million with the Chiefs last season). It would be a mistake if the Ravens went with Anthony Allen and Damien Berry as their backups because both young players need another year before stepping into that role.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen discussed the legacy of Ricky Williams on NFL32OT.

Here are some career highlights for Williams, who retired on Tuesday:

• 26th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards
• Only player drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1999
• 1998 Heisman Trophy winner out of Texas
• NCAA all-time leading rusher in 1998 (since surpassed by Ron Dayne)

How do you think Williams' career will be remembered?

This is the official retirement announcement from Ravens running back Ricky Williams:

"The NFL has been an amazing page in this chapter of my life. I pray that all successive adventures offer me the same potential for growth, success and most importantly, fun. I want to thank all my fans, teammates, coaches and supporters for the strength they've given me to overcome so much. I want to especially thank my family, coach Mack Brown, Coach [Mike] Ditka, Coach [Bill] Parcells, Ronnie Brown, Wilbert Montgomery and the Jamail family for believing in me. As for what's next, I am excited about all the opportunities ahead -- continuing my education, running The Ricky Williams Foundation and whatever other opportunities present themselves.

"My football career has been filled with many great memories going back to pee wee football with coach Tom Miller, [San Diego's] Patrick Henry High School and coach Jerry Varner and on to the University of Texas. It has been a big part of my life and blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities and the chance to connect with many people who have helped me grow and mature. I will miss the game, the camaraderie, my teammates and especially the emotions of a big victory. I love the game and leave it feeling fulfilled, proud, in great health and excited about the future.

"I have to thank Coach [John] Harbaugh and the Ravens organization for the opportunity they gave me this year. I had so much fun and really appreciated the chance to finish on such a great note."

My take on the announcement is whether Williams will stay retired. Here are other reactions from the Ravens:

Ravens running back Ray Rice: "I was a big fan of Ricky before we were teammates, but being around him this year is the best thing that happened to me in my NFL career. As a young player, you need to be around a guy who knows what he is doing, and Ricky was tremendous to learn from. The way he took care of his body and the way he prepared, he always showed that he is a true professional. This past season with him is a year I will never forget. I had the best year with him beside me, and that was no accident. I believe that Ricky Williams is a Hall of Famer. All that he has done in his career, he deserves that. I was honored to share the field with him when he went over 10,000 yards. What an amazing accomplishment, as he is one of the best. I will miss him, but I wish him and his family well."

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome: "Ricky is one of the most productive rushers in league history, and he was a tremendous asset to our team this past season. We enjoyed having him as a member of the Ravens, as his leadership, work ethic and commitment contributed to our success. We are grateful for his contributions, and we wish him nothing but the best going forward."

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh: "Ricky, in his time here, made a valuable and lasting contribution. I especially enjoyed getting to know him as a person, and I have the utmost respect for him. He was great to be around and to work with every single day. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Baltimore running back Ricky Williams plans to retire, according to ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

When I first heard this, my initial reaction was: Will he stay retired?

Williams stunned the NFL with an early retirement in 2004. But he was back in July 2005.

He talked retirement before the 2009 season, saying he wanted to play two more seasons before calling it quits. But he played with Baltimore in 2011.

Williams, 34, even spoke about his intentions about playing next season for the Ravens after the AFC championship game loss at New England.

“My body feels good and I know I’m going to train hard and so I’m excited about next year,” Williams said last month, via the team's website. “I’ve grown a lot, kind of falling into a new role and a new city and a new organization, and I’ve gotten better. And like everyone else, I feel like I have something to build on for next year.”

So, what changed?

After the news broke about his retirement today, Williams addressed it in a cryptic Twitter message: "Thank you all, but this ain't it. I'm gonna do something really special. 'Be you and change the world.'"

If Williams does follow through with his retirement, it will be a big loss for the Ravens even though Williams isn't the same powerful running back from a few years ago.

What the Ravens lose isn't the stats that Williams produced last year. He rushed for a career-low 444 yards and scored two touchdowns.

What the Ravens lose is a reliable insurance policy for running back Ray Rice. If Rice went down for any significant amount of time, Baltimore didn't have to worry about handing the ball to Williams, one of 26 players in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards.

To be honest, Williams was underused in his first season with the Ravens. He averaged less than seven carries per game and caught 13 passes, but it was hard to get him onto the field because it meant taking Rice off of it.

The Ravens signed Williams last year to a two-year contract to replace Willis McGahee, so it appears that their preference is to have an experienced backup. Baltimore's third-string running back Anthony Allen, a seventh-round pick last year, looked like he would need another year before becoming the team's primary backup.

This means the Ravens will be searching for a second-tier running back in free agency.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

In a surprising twist, Pittsburgh linebackers coach Keith Butler decided not to interview for the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator position and remain with the Steelers, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Butler was the clear frontrunner to take over the defense under new Colts coach Chuck Pagano and had a meeting planned for Tuesday in Indianapolis. But the interview was canceled after Butler met Monday with team president Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin, the Post-Gazette reported.

According to the paper, Butler was told two years ago that he will be the team's defensive coordinator when Dick LeBeau retired and received a handshake agreement when he turned down the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator job.

Hensley's slant: Butler's loyalty was likely rewarded with a substantial raise and a more definitive timetable on when he's replacing the 74-year-old LeBeau. Continuity is a valuable commodity to the stable and winningest franchises. The Steelers know there will be a seamless transition with Butler. Now, if Pittsburgh could only fill their vacancy at offensive coordinator as quickly. It's assumed that the Steelers will hire from within for this position as well, but there's increasing questions the longer it takes to Pittsburgh to fill this opening.

BENGALS: While Cam Newton is the frontrunner to be the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Bengals' Andy Dalton outplayed the Carolina quarterback in Sunday's Pro Bowl. The difference was turnovers and accuracy. Newton got picked off three times while Dalton had no interceptions and misfired on two of his nine passes. “I’ve been able to do a lot given some great opportunities, but I feel like it’s just the beginning, though,” Dalton told the team's website. “We’ve got a lot of young talent. We just have to get it all together.” Hensley's slant: Newton had the superior stats (35 total touchdowns). Dalton had more wins and played against tougher defenses. The only thing anyone can agree on is it's nearly impossible to compare the two quarterbacks. They have different styles but those styles work for them. It'll be interesting to see how they compare five years down the road.

BROWNS: The Browns are interested in re-signing running back Peyton Hillis, a league source told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hillis, who is an unrestricted free agent on March 13, impressed the Browns enough over the final six games on and off the field to change the team's mind about keeping him at the right price, the paper reported. Hensley's slant: This just reeks of desperation on the Browns' part. When a player reportedly needs an intervention-style meeting from teammates, it's a strong sign that he has become a distraction. Sure, the Browns need playmakers on offense in the worst way. But building the right chemistry in the locker room has to become a priority, too.

RAVENS: Backup running back Ricky Williams intends on playing next season, which will be his 12th in the NFL. Williams, who turns 35 before next season, had career lows in carries (108) and total rushing yards (444) in 2011. “My body feels good and I know I’m going to train hard and so I’m excited about next year,” Williams said, via the team's website. “I’ve grown a lot, kind of falling into a new role and a new city and a new organization, and I’ve gotten better. And like everyone else, I feel like I have something to build on for next year.” Hensley's slant: The Ravens eventually have to look for a long-term backup to Ray Rice, whether that's Anthony Allen or someone else. The key is finding a compliment to Rice, a big-back like Williams or Le'Ron McClain. But Williams, who is under contract for one more season, can hold down the job for 2012.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 13:

Rattling rookie quarterbacks: No defense has a better record against rookie quarterbacks the past eight years than the Steelers. Under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh is 13-1 against starting first-year quarterbacks, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That record includes a 24-17 victory against Bengals rookie Andy Dalton three weeks ago when Pittsburgh intercepted him twice in the fourth quarter. Since 2003, the Steelers have limited starting rookie quarterbacks to 167.9 yards passing, allowing 10 touchdowns while notching 15 interceptions. The only rookie to beat Pittsburgh during this stretch was the Ravens' Troy Smith in the 2007 regular-season finale, when the Steelers rested many of their starters.

Running game heats up: During the John Harbaugh era (since 2008), Baltimore has rushed for 152.6 yards per game in December and January, third-best in the NFL. Only the Panthers and Jets have averaged more in that time. Run defense has been a major weakness for the Browns, who have allowed a league-worst seven running backs to gain more than 100 yards against them. Cleveland ranks 29th in the NFL in run defense and has given up 11 runs of 20 yards or more, which is tied for sixth-most in the league. This could be a game in which Ravens running backs Ray Rice and Ricky Williams combine for more than 30 carries.

Fourth-quarter finishes: Cincinnati has recorded five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, which has been uncharacteristic for this franchise. Before this season, in their first 130 games under coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals rallied back in the fourth quarter only 14 times. But they can't wait until the fourth quarter against the Steelers. While Pittsburgh has struggled in the past to close out games defensively, the Steelers have been shutting down teams in the end since allowing that 92-yard winning drive to the Ravens. Pittsburgh has won its past two games by making three interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Stopping short passes: Whether this is an indication of Colt McCoy's arm strength or the lack of deep threats on the Browns, McCoy has thrown a league-high 76.1 percent of his passes 10 yards or fewer downfield this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He averaged a career-low 4.4 yards gained on his 34 pass attempts at the Bengals last Sunday. McCoy’s average yards per attempt is 5.9, the lowest of any qualifying quarterback. The Browns' short passing attack plays right into the strength of the Ravens. Only the Texans have allowed a lower percentage of those short passes to be completed in 2011, and no team has allowed fewer touchdown passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.

Needing to win more than respect: The Bengals proved they could compete against the AFC North first-place teams, but they need more than moral victories against teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the final five weeks of the season. Cincinnati is 6-0 against teams that currently have losing records and is 1-4 against those with winning records, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The only team the Bengals have beaten that has an above-.500 record now is the Titans (6-5). One reason Cincinnati has failed to defeat the better teams is its ability to take care of the ball. The Bengals' turnover ratio against losing teams is plus-6, but it's minus-2 against winning teams.

If the report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is correct, the NFL's $15,000 fine of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu for a horse-collar tackle seems excessive.

Yes, a horse-collar tackle can potentially end a player's career. But many times, it's the result of a defender desperately trying to grab onto anything to bring down the ball-carrier.

"It definitely wasn't on purpose," Polamalu said of his third-quarter takedown of Ravens running back Ricky Williams. "I've never intentionally tried to horse collar anybody."

Polamalu isn't Roy Williams and doesn't have a history of making horse-collar tackles. The fine appears more excessive when you consider Packers cornerback Charles Woodson was just fined $10,000 for throwing a punch. That's $5,000 less than Polamalu, and Woodson's action was far from accidental.

In the past, the NFL has given out $7,500 fines for horse-collar tackles. Last year, quarterback Kevin Kolb received a $5,000 fine for a horse-collar tackle.

Perhaps Polamalu's fine is for a combination of actions and not solely for the horse-collar tackle. Polamalu got into a scuffle during the game with Ravens running back Ray Rice, and both players ended up on the ground.

The NFL announces its fines on Friday, so this matter should be cleared up in the afternoon.

Ravens running back Ricky Williams talks about his relationship with fans, the transition to the pros, what he thinks of his GM and coach, taking care of his body, playing in cold weather against Pittsburgh and Joe Flacco's strengths.

Baltimore Ravens 2011 third-round pick Jah Reid made his first NFL start last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens are hoping the rookie can be the answer at right tackle.

The AFC North blog studied film of Reid's first half with the starting offense. Points were awarded or deducted on a three-point scale for each play.

Here is what we found:

Ravens' first series

• Baltimore lines up in the I-formation. The Ravens call a power run play behind the left guard and left tackle. Reid is away from the play but makes a decent block against Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson. (+1 point)
• Quick throw to Anquan Boldin results in a gain of three yards. Reid makes good contact again with Jackson but only had to pass protect for a second. (+1 point)
• Chiefs bring the blitz on third down. Reid correctly picks up the outside linebacker and quarterback Joe Flacco connects with receiver Lee Evans on a slant for the first down. (+2 points)
• Ravens run another power running play, this time on the right side. Reid holds his block pretty well against Jackson. But the play doesn't go anywhere. (+1 point)
• On second down, Flacco drops back and the pocket collapses quickly. Reid gets beat by Jackson but Flacco escapes and finds tailback Ray Rice for a first down. Good play but poor blocking. (-2 points)
• Baltimore gives the ball back to Rice up the middle. Reid holds his block against Jackson until the end of the run. Good base and leg drive by Reid. (+1 point)
• Ravens set up the deep pass with a nice play-action fake. Reid helps sell the play, but Flacco overthrows Boldin. (+1 point)
• Chiefs bring a safety blitz that Reid misses. The safety runs by Reid but Flacco quickly finds Boldin in open space for 24 yards. (-1 point)
• In the shotgun, Kansas City brings three rushers. Reid combines with right guard Oniel Cousins to block Jackson on an incomplete pass. (+1 point)
• Reid gets help and double-teams Jackson again during an incomplete pass. (+1 point)
• Reid holds his block on an incomplete pass on third down. Ravens kick field goal. Pretty good first drive for Reid. (+1 point)

Grade for drive: +7 points

Ravens' second series

• The Ravens run tailback Ricky Williams behind Reid for three yards. Reid gets his first pancake block on Jackson. (+3 points)
• Baltimore runs Williams again on the right side but Reid whiffs on his block. (-2 points)
• In the shotgun, the Ravens run Williams for the third straight time. This time the play goes left for a short gain and Reid fails to keep his feet. (-2 points)

Grade for drive: -1 point

Ravens' third series

• Reid continues to have his way with Jackson in the running game. He blocks Jackson well on the back side for a solid gain by Rice. (+2 points)
• Flacco throws a quick pass over the middle to tight end Ed Dickson. Reid holds his ground against Jackson. End of the first quarter. (+1 point)
• Reid gets off the line well and blocks Jackson on a running play to the left. I'm impressed with Reid’s strength. (+1 point)
• Reid holds his block again on the backside during a Rice run for a first down. (+1 point)
• Chiefs bring the outside linebacker and Reid doesn't get to the spot quick enough. The defender barely misses the sack. Flacco rushes and throws an incomplete pass. (-2 points)
• Reid holds his block against Jackson well but pass protection eventually breaks down. Flacco throws the ball incomplete. (+1 point)
• Reid does his assignment on another incomplete pass on third down. (+1 point)

Grade for drive: +5 points

Ravens' fourth series

• Reid helps sell another good play-action fake. But the pass is incomplete. (+1 point)
• Kansas City brings the outside linebacker again and Reid misses his assignment. Flacco still completes a short pass. (-2 points)
• Flacco connects with Evans for a first down. Reid does a good job holding off the edge rusher on third down. (+1 point)
• Reid gets beat on a swim move by Jackson, who pressures Flacco to get rid of the ball for a short gain. (-2 points)
• Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher blitzes and beats Reid. Williams helps Reid with a chip block before another incompletion. (-2 points)
• Chiefs bring the house on third down. Reid seems confused on which defender to pick up and Flacco gets hit. Blitz recognition is not Reid's strong suit. (-3 points)

Grade for drive: -7 points

Ravens' fifth series

• Reid blocks well on a running play up the middle for Rice. (+1 point)
• After a few missed assignments the previous drive, Reid gets help from fullback Vonta Leach, who chip-blocks a defender on an incomplete pass. (+1 point)
• Reid holds his ground on a nice, 43-yard pass from Flacco to Evans. (+2 points)
• Reid correctly picks up the inside guy on a blitz. Flacco connects with tight end Dennis Pitta. (+2 points)
• Ravens are going heavy on the pass. Reid stands up his man during a pass to Leach, who bulls over a defender and loses his helmet. (+1 point)
• On Baltimore's best running play of the game, Rice gets the ball up the middle, cuts right and runs for a 26-yard touchdown. Reid does a great job on the back side to seal his block and allow Rice to change directions. (+3 points)

Grade for drive: +10 points

Reid's first-half grade: +14 points

AFC North blog analysis: I was encouraged by Reid's potential. He helped his standing with last week's performance. Reid has a strong base and positions himself well in the running game. He's still raw in pass protection. Reid doesn't have quick feet and struggles with blitz recognition. But he should pick up blitzes better with experience. It remains to be seen if Reid will be ready for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. But Reid already appears to be a better option than Cousins at right tackle.

The AFC North blog is in Georgetown, Ky. with the Cincinnati Bengals. But let's take a look at the latest happenings with the other teams in the division:

• The status for Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth (knee) is up in the air for Thursday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
• New Ravens running back Ricky Williams will wear jersey No. 38 this season.
• Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore continues to shine in coach Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense.
• Shurmur wants Browns defensive end Marcus Benard to lose weight.
• Former Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly is visiting with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Baltimore Ravens have found a backup for starting running back Ray Rice. Baltimore has agreed to terms with veteran running back Ricky Williams.

Here are several thoughts on the signing:

• This is a good role for Williams. Rice will get a bulk of the carries, and Williams is a bigger threat off the bench than former Ravens backup Willis McGahee. Williams has been productive. He rushed for 1,794 yards the past two seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
• Williams still has fresh legs. He's averaged 4.7 and 4.2 yards per carry in 2009 and 2010, respectively. On top of that, Williams shared the workload with Ronnie Brown in Miami. Williams also missed virtually two years of football. He sat out all of 2006 and played just one game in 2007.
• Overall, the Ravens got better at running back in free agency. Baltimore started with Rice, McGahee and fullback Le'Ron McClain and finished with Rice, Williams and Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach. The Ravens want to run the ball more consistently this season. They should be able to accomplish that with this trio.

BEREA, Ohio -- Despite repeated attempts by the Cleveland Browns to land Sam Bradford, the St. Louis Rams used the top overall pick on the former Oklahoma quarterback.

Like most teams, the Browns liked Bradford a lot and made a last-minute push to trade up for the quarterback by reportedly offering most of their picks. But St. Louis liked Bradford enough to keep the pick.

This is probably the best thing for the Browns. Cleveland making a Ricky Williams-type trade in the first draft under president Mike Holmgren probably would not go over well in Cleveland if the Browns couldn't get any additional quality players.