The Cincinnati Bengals will meet the Ravens Sunday without wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens . That, however, doesn’t make the task any easier for the Ravens defense. On–field antics and chatter could be non-existent without Ochocinco ( bone spur in left ankle) and Owens (torn meniscus in left knee), but the Ravens insist that Andre Caldwell , Jerome Simpson and slot receiver Jordan Shipley are worthy adversaries. “You know, he and Owens are both great wide receivers,” defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said Thursday. “Anytime you take somebody like that out of their lineup, that’s going to affect something. But, the other thing is Caldwell and Shipley, they do a great job also. And sometimes when you have a young receiver that’s trying to make the team and trying to make his mark, sometimes he steps his game up even more” Both Caldwell and Simpson are 2008 picks, but Caldwell, the team’s second third-round choice, has gotten more opportunities, catching 80 passes for 761 yards and three touchdowns while starting 11 games. But Simpson registered six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 34-20 upset of the San Diego Chargers last Sunday. “They had a good week, and they’re two fun, energetic guys,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said during a conference call with Baltimore media Wednesday. “I’ve had them both sitting in these chairs in front of me here, not feeling so good about things, and I keep pumping them up and blowing air up their tails, just telling them, ‘Keep your head down, and keep working. Your day’s coming.’ ” No one on the Ravens is saying that Caldwell and Simpson are as dangerous or as experienced as Ochocinco and Owens, but cornerback Josh Wilson said the secondary can’t afford to take the two young players lightly. “There’s no difference,” Wilson said. “You’ve got to prepare every week, and these guys are getting an opportunity to play. As you saw last week, they’ve taken advantage of it. They’re going to try to show that they are the guys. So it’s the same preparation because these guys are going to come ready to play. If anything, you’ve got to prepare more.” Heap, E.Reed expected to play The Ravens should have tight end Todd Heap and free safety Ed Reed back Sunday. Reed practiced fully Friday after missing Thursday’s workout with a neck injury and is listed as probable. Sitting Reed for one day was “just precautionary,” according to coach John Harbaugh said. “He was a little bit tight,” Harbaugh said after Friday’s practice. “We just felt like we could give him a chance to recover and rest up.” Heap has missed the past three games with a pulled right hamstring suffered on Dec. 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had his first full week of practice since sustaining the injury, but is listed as questionable. “I came out feeling really good, and I ran well, and I’m looking forward to this weekend to see how it goes Sunday,” Heap said after Friday’s practice. “… It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the field. So I’m definitely excited and looking forward to it.” Wrist, not concussion, could sideline D.Reed David Reed is no longer plagued by the concussion he sustained almost two weeks ago, but another injury could prevent the Ravens rookie kick returner/ wide receiver from playing Sunday. Reed’s left wrist has been heavily wrapped and taped, and while he declined to discuss how he injured his wrist, the team’s fifth-round pick in April said after Friday’s practice that the wrist is bothering him. “It is a problem,” said Reed, who was upgraded from limited to full participation Friday and is questionable. “Mentally, I’m ready. Physically, I’m a little banged up, but I’m ready.” Gooden, Zbikowski out

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The Cincinnati Bengals have officially ruled out six-time Pro Bowl receiver Chad Ochocinco (ankle) for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Ochocinco will miss his second straight game and won’t make the trip to Baltimore. This week also could mark Ochocinco’s last with the Bengals. The team has a $6 million team option in 2011 for Ochocinco, who will turn 33 in January and was inconsistent this season. Cincinnati also has a $3.5 million buyout, which would make Ochocinco a free agent. Following injuries to Ochocinco and Terrell Owens (knee), young receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell have stepped up and played well for the Bengals (4-11). Cincinnati is on a two-game winning streak. Bengals starting tight end Jermaine Gresham (knee) also is listed as doubtful. For the Ravens (11-4), who still have a chance to win the AFC North, tight end Todd Heap (thigh) is questionable. Baltimore can win the division and clinch a first-round bye if the team beats Cincinnati and the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) lose to the Cleveland Browns (5-10) on Sunday.

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CINCINNATI – Receiver Chad Ochocinco(notes) will miss the Cincinnati Bengals’ final game in Baltimore with a bad left ankle that needs surgery. Ochocinco was inactive last Sunday for a 34-20 win over San Diego because of a bone spur in his left ankle. Coach Marvin Lewis had suggested leading up to the game Ochocinco was being “mopey,” causing the receiver to fire back on his Twitter account. Ochocinco didn’t practise this week and was listed as out Friday. The Bengals have an option to bring him back for one more season at US$6 million. Terrell Owens(notes), who led the team in receiving, is a free agent who will be coming off knee surgery.

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OWINGS MILLS — The trademark flamboyance, dancing, noise, jokes and all that incessant social networking won’t be a part of Sunday’s football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. Bengals star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco isn’t making the trip to Baltimore due to an ankle injury that will require surgery to repair the damage. And that figures to make M&T Bank Stadium a quieter, tamer place. With Ochocinco not a part of this game, who will be there to taunt and threaten middle linebacker Ray Lewis? All in good nature, of course. “To me, Chad’s the toughest receiver to guard in the NFL,” cornerback Chris Carr said. “I feel like he’s the best. He demands a lot of attention. Sometimes you double team a lot more with guys like that.” Over the years, Ochocinco has haunted the Ravens. In 19 career games against Baltimore, he has caught 91 passes for 1,361 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s an average of 4.8 receptions and 71.6 yards per game. Making his absence even more momentous from this game is the fact that this could mark Ochocinco’s final game with the Bengals. Ochocinco is due a $6 million option bonus in 2011 that could endanger his roster status, and the Bengals have been getting along well without him and Terrell Owens. Plus, reserve wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell distinguished themselves during last week’s upset victory that eliminated the San Diego Chargers from playoff contention. Simpson caught two touchdowns and piled up 124 receiving yards on six receptions during a 34-20 win over the Chargers last week. And Caldwell contributed 87 receiving yards as quarterback Carson Palmer tossed four touchdown passes. So, Ochocinco’s absence hasn’t prompted the Ravens to let down their guard. “Just because he’s not playing, doesn’t mean guys can’t come in that are capable,” Carr said. “Simpson scored two touchdowns, Caldwell’s very capable. They were just behind two really good, Hall of Fame receivers. So, it’s going to change from the standpoint where maybe this guy won’t be as difficult to cover, but it doesn’t mean he’s not a good player that you’re covering.” Plus, Palmer has traditionally excelled against the Ravens. He’s 9-3 as a starter against Baltimore. And Palmer has completed 59.8 percent of his throws against some good Ravens defenses for 2,899 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.  “When you have a quarterback like that that can make every throw, it gives wide receivers more options,” Carr said. “They can run digs, they can run comebacks, they can run out routes, and some receivers don’t have that luxury with some quarterbacks. They can only run certain routes. So, we’re not going to go up against the best receiver in the game, but it’s still going to be a challenge for us.” Still, not having Owens and Ochocinco has to have an impact. Those players have combined for 12 Pro Bowl selections and 210 career touchdowns. Simpson and Caldwell have never been to a Pro Bowl and have combined for only five career touchdowns. Ochocinco expressed confidence that the Bengals will move the football without his services. “The Ravens are the Ravens,” Ochocinco told Cincinnati reporters. “They always have a great defense, but we’ll be fine. Jerome will be fine. He hasn’t come out of nowhere. “He hasn’t had the opportunity to play and show what he can do. He’s really good. He can jump out of the gym, great hands, speed. The whole nine yards. He’s a better blocker than I am at times. That’s something he adds to the X position that I’ve never been able to do.” Even without Ochocinco, the Ravens expect to square off with an explosive passing game as Palmer throws the football to Simpson, wide receiver Jordan Shipley and athletic rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham. “Obviously, a tremendous wide receiver,” defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said of Ochocinco. “You know, he and Owens are both great wide receivers. Anytime you take somebody like that out of their lineup, that’s going to affect something. “But the other thing is Caldwell and Shipley, they do a great job also. It’s not like they’re dropping off. And sometimes when you have a young receiver that’s trying to make the team and trying to make his mark, sometimes he steps his game up even more.” Reach staff writer Aaron Wilson at 410-857-7896 or sports@carrollcountytimes.com. Copyright 2010 Carroll County Times. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. More about Ravens More about Football

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Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (ankle) said he will not play in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Has Ochocinco played his last game with the Bengals? The six-time Pro Bowler’s contract expires on Monday, and the Bengals have to decide whether to exercise a team option for $6 million in 2011. He will be 33 in January and is coming off his second subpar season in three years. Ochocinco finished with 67 receptions for 831 yards and four touchdowns this season. If the Bengals don’t want him to return, they can use a $3.5 million buyout to make him a free agent. Young receivers such as Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley have been productive with increased playing time. The Bengals have won two straight with Terrell Owens (knee) and Ochocinco either out with injuries or playing reduced roles. Cincinnati has a lot of big decisions to make with its roster and coaching staff, and it all starts next week.

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