Ross, Smith Step Up

John Feinstein's insightful book on the Ravens, Next Man Up, has never seemed more aptly-titled than in 2007. The storyline of the year has been injuries, and the Ravens' depth has been tested every week.

Sunday's season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers presented one of the greatest challenges Baltimore has faced this season: playing without running back Willis McGahee.

Ross earned 72 yards and his first touchdown on 12 carries.

The next men up for the Ravens were Cory Ross and Musa Smith, neither of who had started an NFL game. The duo thoroughly exceeded expectations in a 27-21 victory, combining for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

"They came out and did a hell of a job," said Devard Darling. "[Cory] Ross was a big surprise. They just came out and executed.

Fueling Baltimore's offense to one of its best performances of the season, both backs took advantage of their moment in the spotlight.

"It was great to see those two young people get an opportunity," said Brian Billick. "Next man up."

Ross and Smith executed the Ravens' mantra to perfection, successfully filling the void left by McGahee, who broke two ribs in last week's loss to Seattle.

With 22 rushes for 83 yards, Smith shouldered the majority of the carries. His powerful running wore down the Steelers' front-seven and helped Baltimore gain a decisive advantage in time of possession.

"It's been a long season, but I got my shot tonight," said Smith, who posted career-highs in both carries and yardage. "I just wanted to show my teammates and this organization, which stuck behind me through all the years and the injuries, that I could step up and play."

Smith stepped up on the game's first possession, scoring a 2-yard touchdown that gave the Ravens a lead they would not relinquish.

It was also a game of firsts for Ross, who provided the proverbial "lighting" to Smith's "thunder." Entering Sunday, he had not recorded a carry in a regular season contest.

"It felt good to actually get a chance to show what I could do today," Ross said in his post-game interview. "To be actually out there playing with the offensive linemen and Troy Smith, with a lot of young guys, it's a great feeling."

Ross finished the game with 72 yards on just 12 attempts. The highlight was a 32-yard touchdown scamper on which he slashed through the Steelers' defense and froze safety Anthony Smith with a devastating juke.

"It was a stretch play. I had a read to the outside, and I saw a crease and I hit it real hard," Ross said of his first-career score. "One of the great things that Coach [Tony] Nathan teaches the running backs is that when you get out there in the secondary, you challenge them."

After the game, the 5-foot-6 Ross attributed his electric debut to his preparation in practice.

"I play against a defense that includes Ed Reed and Ray Lewis and the defensive linemen every day," he said. "When I got out there today, it was easy."

Not much comes easy against the Steelers' defense, which is rated No. 1 in the NFL. But the Ravens consistently moved the ball on the ground, gouging Pittsburgh's third-ranked rush defense for more than twice as many yards as they allow per game. The 180 yards were the most Baltimore has ever produced against Pittsburgh on the ground!

Entering the game, it seemed impossible for the Ravens to replace McGahee, who had been the backbone of their offense all season. But Baltimore refused to compromise its game plan, allowing the combination of Ross and Smith to supplement its running game.

"Whoever's up, you've got to come in and get the job done," Derrick Mason said of his team's depth at running back. "That's been our theme the whole season: next man up."