A whirlwind week for the Baltimore Ravens continued Frid

OWINGS MILLS Stitched Anthony Averett Jersey , Md. (AP) — ay when special teams coach Jerry Rosburg retired after an 11-year run with the team.The surprise announcement came prior to a news conference that was scheduled to introduce newcomers Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas, who signed as free agents after passing physicals on Friday morning.On Friday evening, the Ravens reached agreement on a two-year deal with cornerback and special teams standout Justin Bethel, who played last year with Atlanta following a six-year run with Arizona. Bethel was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013-15 for his play on special teams.Much earlier in the day, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Rosburg and his successor, Chris Horton, took their places behind a table on a stage at the team’s training facility. Hired by Harbaugh in 2008, Rosburg ruled over a unit that was perennially among the league’s best.“I can tell you, without Jerry Rosburg here there’s no way we would have had anywhere close to the success we’ve had,” Harbaugh said.Rosburg said there were several personal reasons behind his decision, most notably the desire to spend more time with his wife and three children. He reviewed some of his friendships with coaches and players and proudly looked back at what he accomplished with Harbaugh, his long-time friend.Rosburg concluded his brief speech by saying Youth Anthony Averett Jersey , “Thank you and farewell.” And then abruptly walked off the stage.“I thought Jerry was going to take a question or two!” Harbaugh said with a laugh. “That’s classic Jerry Rosburg.”Horton was the assistant special teams coach. He played football at UCLA before appearing in 29 games with the Redskins from 2008-10.Ingram and Thomas agreed to terms with the Ravens on Wednesday. The addition of the former Pro Bowl stars eased some of the sting of losing free agents C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith and John Brown earlier in the week.Ingram is a bruising running back who played eight years with the New Orleans Saints. The 29-year-old will likely take over as a starter for Gus Edwards, who ran for 718 yards as a rookie last year.Ingram knew his time with the Saints was done after the team signed free agent Latavius Murray.“It was tough. I’ve got brothers in that locker room,” Ingram said. “But it was just time for me, at this point in my career, to move on. I feel like I have my best years in front of me.”Thomas, a free safety, will step in for Eric Weddle, who was released earlier this month. Thomas has been selected to play in six Pro Bowls.He worked out a deal with Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey to get the number he wore in Seattle — 29 — which is also his age.“His mom has a track team, so I might throw a little break that way,” Thomas said.Ingram and Thomas fill key spots, but the Ravens hope they’ll also be able to provide leadership in the locker room. That job was handled primarily by Weddle Stitched Mark Andrews Jersey , Suggs and quarterback Joe Flacco, who was traded to Denver this week.“One of the goals is always to bring in guys who have great character and leadership,” first-year general manager Eric DeCosta said. “We’ve tried to do that in the past. That’s something that we prioritize. Ability is important, but so is what they bring to the team. These guys measure up really well in those categories.”DeCosta was a bit discouraged by losing four starters earlier in free agency. By Friday, however, was smiling at a table next to Ingram, Thomas and Harbaugh.“It’s a stressful environment at times, especially when you lose players who are a fabric of your team,” DeCosta said. “It’s tough to see that happen. But we had a process and a plan how we wanted to approach these guys, and it worked out well for us.” BALTIMORE (AP)There is little margin for error at this point in the season for the Detroit Lions, who face a team Sunday that thrives on its opponent’s miscues. The Baltimore Ravens (6-5) lead the NFL with 18 interceptions and 26 takeaways. They have three shutouts, and last Monday forced Houston quarterback Tom Savage into three turnovers in a 23-16 victory . Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown six interceptions and lost six fumbles this season. If the Lions (6-5) are to stay in the playoff hunt, Stafford must protect the football. ”They rally to the ball Youth Mark Andrews Jersey ,” Stafford said of the Ravens. ”The ball gets tipped in the air, and it doesn’t seem to hit the ground much when they’re playing. So, they’re doing a nice job of turning it over. They get after the passer. They stop the run. They’re tough against the pass. I mean they’re just a really, really solid defense.” Led by 35-year-old Terrell Suggs , the Ravens own the league’s seventh-ranked defense. Suggs has 9 + of Baltimore’s 30 sacks, including a pivotal strip-sack in the fourth quarter against Houston. Lions coach Jim Caldwell was the Ravens’ offensive coordinator when Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2012. Suggs was a member of that team, and to Caldwell, it seems as if the outside linebacker hasn’t lost a step. ”He’s one of those guys where he’s taken great care of his body,” Caldwell said. ”He’s diligent about everything that he does in that regard, and besides that he’s just an unusual cat physically. He’s a big, powerful man that can still run.” As it stands now, the Ravens are the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Detroit took a step back in the NFC with its Thanksgiving loss to Minnesota, which ended a three-game winning streak. ”You get to this time of year Stitched Orlando Brown Jersey , and all of the expectations and pressures are ramped up. That’s what makes it fun,” said Stafford, who intends to make his 108th consecutive start despite twisting his ankle against the Vikings. Baltimore safety Eric Weddle said: ”This is a huge game for them and us. It is going to be a playoff atmosphere. It is win or go home.” Some things to know about the first meeting between the Lions and Ravens since 2013: BUSINESS TRIP: Though he spent two memorable years as a Ravens assistant coach, Caldwell dismissed the notion that his return to Baltimore will be a nostalgic experience. Been there, done that. ”We had a preseason game there last year,” Caldwell said. ”I have been back, so I have had a chance to kind of go through it, seeing a lot of different people and those kinds of things.” NO OFFENSE: The Ravens are in playoff position and striving for a third straight win despite carrying the league’s 32nd-ranked passing game. Joe Flacco (nine TD passes, 11 INTs) has yet to have a 300-yard game. The way Flacco sees it, his job description has changed because the defense is playing so well. ”You do what you have to do to win football games, especially in the second half when we get up on teams and our defense is turning the ball over,” he said. ”You get to a point in the game where it is like, `All right Youth Orlando Brown Jersey , we have this game won unless we do something crazy.”’ COMING FROM BEHIND: The Lions have been outscored 73-30 in the first quarter this year. Last week marked the first time the Ravens won a game after falling behind. Clearly, getting off to a fast start is important. ”Sometimes you get in a little bit of a rut . You got to battle your way out,” Caldwell said. ”We’ve just got to find a way to get ourselves where we’re consistently good.” RUN OFF: Detroit has gone 63 straight games without a 100-yard rusher. The last time it happened was on Thanksgiving 2013, when Reggie Bush hit triple digits. ”If you win football games you hear less about all that kind of stuff, if you lose football games you hear more about it,” Stafford said. ”Everybody on our team is fighting tooth and nail to make every play a huge success, whether it’s a run or a pass.” SHORT WEEK: The Ravens will be playing for the second time in seven days, while Detroit hasn’t seen action since Thanksgiving. ”They get a little more rest, and that’s the nice thing about a Thursday game,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. ”I’m sure that’ll help them to some degree.” —