Ravens still have some work to do

Instead of calling the Ravens playoff contenders, for now we'll just call them a "work in progress."

The Ravens barely beat the Cleveland Browns. Almost everyone predicted a blowout, but the Ravens survived. At this point in the season, that's OK.

If this team were a serious contender and it were late in the season, then there would be serious doubts. For now, there are just some concerns. You wonder whether they'll ever get a consistent pass rush from their front four. You have questions about running back Ray Rice's health and quarterback Joe Flacco's mechanics. And in Sunday's game, where was the run defense?

Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis tried to blame it on "lane integrity," but the bottom line was that the Ravens got their butts kicked up front.

The Browns simply gutted the Ravens in the middle, running right at Lewis and tackles Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg. That doesn't happen often, and hopefully this was an aberration. The Ravens, though, did make some adjustments by using more run blitzes in the second half. They also got a strong game from tackle Brandon McKinney.

If the Browns had had a few more playmakers, this would have been a Ravens loss.

"We kind of hit them in the mouth because they are the type of team that thrives on stopping the run and getting you in third-and-longs," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "We kind of had them on their heels. They were … searching for answers."

That's because the season is still young, and the Ravens are a work in progress.

Penalties persist

Apparently, some of the Ravens players didn't get the memo from coach John Harbaugh about stupid penalties.

Receiver Derrick Mason got a delay-of-game penalty for chucking the ball in the air, and safety Tom Zbikowski and left offensive tackle Michael Oher drew unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties.

Even after the game, Oher walked toward the Browns' sideline as if he still wanted to settle a dispute with Cleveland defensive end Robaire Smith.

"You know, sometimes in the heat of battle, tempers flare, but you have to understand what gets called and what doesn't," said Harbaugh, who drew a $15,000 fine from the NFL last week after making contact with an official.

This team needs a shot of discipline.

Suggs' sharp move

One player who does get it is Ravens defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs. On a third-and-28 from the Browns' 2-yard line, Suggs was close to sacking quarterback Seneca Wallace in the end zone but let Wallace loose even though he was draped around the bottom half of Wallace's body.

"I had him but decided not to put myself or my team in a bogus or stupid situation, not with the way they are calling things around here" Suggs said. Are you listening, Mr. Oher?

McKinney impresses

It's not only Terrence Cody's knee injury that is keeping him on the bench, but also the play of McKinney. After starting defensive end Cory Redding went down with a concussion at halftime, McKinney stepped in and played extremely well.