**Frank Walker** was quick to take responsibility for a tough night in the Ravens' 24-23 win over the New York Jets on Monday.
It seemed like the Jets wanted to challenge Walker throughout the third and fourth quarters. Several times, they were successful.
"A blind man can see it was a rough one for me," said the seventh-year cornerback.
Walker totaled five tackles and one pass defensed, but a big part of that was because New York's quarterbacks threw at him on multiple occasions. Less than a minute after halftime, Walker was caught flat-footed on a fade route from Jets signal-caller Kellen Clemens to receiver David Clowney for a 28-yard touchdown pass.
On the ensuing New York series, Clemens dropped a perfect rainbow over Brad Davis' shoulder, but the receiver couldn't hold on to it in the end zone.
The coverage? Walker.
Still, the Ravens continue to have confidence in what Walker can do. As one of their most physical defensive backs, Walker brings confidence and toughness to the secondary. Playing in 15 games last season, he finished with 33 tackles, 14 pass deflections and one interception.
Walker has been a solid special teams performer in the past, posting 12 special teams stops in 2007 with the Green Bay Packers.
In addition, his zany personality is a boon to the locker room.
"The touchdown was tough," said head coach **John Harbaugh** of Walker's performance. "They caught us, and they checked to a fade there, and we were in press coverage. Sometimes they'll make that play on you. I thought it was a great throw and a great catch. The coverage was pretty good right there. Frank was stripping in the pocket, and they made a play.
"Frank was battling and competing in there, and they got him a couple of times, and he'd be the first to tell you that. We still have a lot of confidence in Frank."
Making the mistakes that Walker did leaves room for improvement in this weekend's preseason matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
The preseason is a time when players specifically refine their own skills, and Walker admitted that he was more focused on that than his opponent.
"I definitely understand what the game is about, and I have to approach it a little differently," he explained. "I didn't watch film or do anything like that because it was the preseason. I blew a lot of coverages. It's all on me."
The Ravens have a tough fight among a talented position group.
Local Baltimore product **Domonique Foxworth** and **Fabian Washington** have solidified their places as the Ravens' two starting cornerbacks, while **Chris Carr** has typically been the first nickel back as **Samari Rolle** recovers from a neck injury.
That leaves Walker fighting with **Evan Oglesby**, **Lardarius Webb** and perhaps even **Derrick Martin** – who played safety in training camp – battling for one or maybe two spots at cornerback.
"Yeah, I've got a lot to work on," Walker said. "We all do. You can't say, 'Well the preseason doesn't count. All the games, all the practices count. You always want to have your best foot forward. It was just a rough night."
