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DE Odom back, says 'I'm 100 percent'
Saturday, September 06, 2008
CINCINNATI — The timing of right defensive end Antwan Odom's injury (sprained left foot) may have been a blessing in disguise for the Cincinnati Bengals.
It happened on the first day of training camp, giving him plenty of time to rehab. Plus, Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene got valuable snaps and experience in his place. Odom returned to practice this week and is preparing to start at Baltimore on Sunday, Sept. 7.
His opponent is Ravens left offensive tackle Jared Gaither, who has taken over for the retired Jonathan Ogden.
"I'm back," Odom said. "I'm 100 percent now. It feels good. I'll definitely be ready. It's a good matchup (with Gaither). He's big and athletic and has some good hands. He's wide and broad. I've just got to get around him."
Vote of confidence
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis gave first-year head coach John Harbaugh a thumb's-up.
Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami University (1980-83); spent eight years as an assistant at the University of Cincinnati (1989-96); and 10 years with the Philadelphia Eagles — nine as special teams coordinator before coaching the secondary in 2007.
"He's a good guy, a hard-working guy," Lewis said. "When you talk about passion for life, energy for what you do and not just the game of football, but also in life, it's good, man. The team has adapted. It's a great vibe going on."
On the rise
Backup rookie strong safety Haruki Nakamura, the Ravens' sixth-round pick from the University of Cincinnati, has been impressive — 15 tackles on defense and three on special teams.
"Haruki was, I think, under-evaluated by the rest of the league," Harbaugh said. "He didn't go to the Combine. You turn on the tape and you're like, 'What are we missing?' All he does is fly around and make plays. We joke that the ball seems to find Haruki. He just plays fast. He's not a big guy (5-foot-10, 205 pounds), but he's a big hitter. We say, 'He plays like a Raven.' That's quite a compliment."
More film study
The Bengals' offense can't watch enough film of Baltimore's defense.
"You've got to see it a ton of times on film," Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer said, "because if you're not prepared for it, they're so fast and physical, they can get up on you and get in the quarterback's lap."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253
or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
.
Season opener
Who: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
When: 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 7
TV: WHIO-TV (CBS, Channel 7)
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
