HEADLINE NEWS - News

Wednesday - 11/8/2000

It was a busy day at the Baltimore Ravens� Owings Mills practice facility today, as the Ravens welcomed back eight-year veteran defensive tackle Larry Webster, and third-year wide receiver Marcus Nash. Both players participated in today�s practice sessions.

Webster officially returned to the team Monday, after being reinstated from an indefinite suspension for violating the league�s substance and alcohol abuse policy.

"Obviously he�s a guy who�s been a starter for us, and when he�s ready to go and playing and we put him active, I think he�ll really add to what we are doing up front," said Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, on Webster�s return to the defense.

Nash is making his second stint with the Ravens, after spending this preseason with Baltimore. A broken jaw during training camp kept Nash out of action most of the preseason, and he was eventually waived by Baltimore on 8/29/00.

"It feels good," said Nash on his return. "It�s a better situation than last year when I came in and didn�t really know what to expect. This year, the team knows what I can do, and Coach Billick knows what I can do, so it�s a matter of getting back in shape and doing what I can do."

With the injury of receiver Travis Taylor (who has been placed on injured reserved), the Ravens� re-signed Nash to fill Taylor�s roster spot.

"When Travis got hurt it was coming on the 10th week, and they would only be able to bring me back after the 10th week anyway," said Nash. "So when he got hurt I thought it was a pretty good chance that they would bring me back in."

Webster, who played at the University of Maryland, started in a career-high 16 games last year for the Ravens and finished with 44 tackles, 32 solo and two quarterback sacks. In his first full day of practice, as expected, Webster admitted he was a little tired and had to take a few deep breaths.

"You feel like you normally do, when you�ve been out of circulation for awhile," said Webster. "You get in the best shape as possible, but you still have to put on the pads and you have to take it to another shape, and that�s football shape. It comes and goes. I was a little tired today, but I push myself to the limits and it only gets better from here."

According to Nash, his agent came to Baltimore last weekend to meet with team personnel, about re-signing Nash, but the final decision would be up to head coach Brian Billick.

"It makes me feel good, because they didn�t have to bring me back and give me an opportunity," said Nash on re-joining the team. "For them to have the confidence in me to want to bring me back and give me another chance, or at least put me in an opportunity to get another chance, I feel pretty good."

Wednesday�s Injury Report: Wide receiver Travis Taylor (clavicle), is listed as out, and has been placed on injured reserve. Full back Obafemi Ayanbadejo (toe), is listed as questionable, while both offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (ankle/shoulder), and kicker Matt Stover (finger), are listed as probable.

Kevin C. Paige