http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/12/roethlisbergers_foot_is_actually_broken_but_he_still_expects.html Ben's foot broken. He says he will still play.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Hines-Ward-blasts-NFL-for-hypocrisy-on-player-sa?urn=nfl-290933 The NFL is full of crap. The league is ruining the game.
Offenses just don't work due to luck. They work because various coordinated pieces work as a unit to get a specific objective done. If you lose a RB or a WR there are backups to put in. they more than likely will not be as good as the original player but they know what their job is from play to play. When you have no backup for a position and have to sign one the week of a game you are not in a good position. It is not like they can reinvent the offense in 7 days. They can only take the plays they have and make small alterations.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-notebook-1130-20101129,0,1007125.story The coach and Todd Heap basically seem to think it is a pretty big deal.
Well some of those plays you are talking about McClain would would block a pass rusher and also get out for a pass. They have to make some pretty big changes to the offense if they go with no FB. It is not as easy as you are making it.
McClain is a big loss. It screws up personnel groupings. It screws up blocking assignments. The new guy they signed has a great deal to learn by Sunday.
It looks like Oher will play. I have wondered why players don't instigate him like that cheap shot on Heap earlier in the season where Mike threw a punch. Suggs maybe not. It seems like you can do pretty much anything you like to Ben and the league is cool with it. Maybe JJ.