THE RAVENS MADE a huge mistake when they did not re-sign kicker Matt Stover, a fact made evident Tuesday when the team released kicker Steve Hauschka the day after he missed a 36 yard field goal and an extra point against Cleveland. The mistake will be magnified even more Sunday, when Stover comes to town as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

A team that entered the season with hopes of returning to the AFC title game and getting to the Super Bowl in 2009 needed a veteran kicker like Stover.

But the Ravens didn't bring him back after reportedly being concerned about his leg strength. He couldn't produce touchbacks on kickoffs and had trouble with long field goals. There were also reports that he had some differences with the Ravens' new coaching staff. So, instead, they went with Hauschka, who was a kickoff and long field goal specialist with the team as a rookie in '08.

Hauschka made nine of 13 field goals this season, but lately had been in a slump, missing three of his last seven attempts. His most costly miss was a 44-yard that would have beaten Minnesota on Oct. 18.

The Ravens signed veteran Billy Cundiff on Wednesday to take Hauschka's place.

"We were hoping it would work out with Steve," Harbaugh said. "You'd love for the young guy you bring in to be the kicker for the next 10 years. That's always the goal. And I think we worked hard to try to make that happen. We took it as long as we could."

Harbaugh said that teams can run into problems in the middle of the season when they don't have an established kicker.

The Ravens had that guy in Stover. He had been with the team since it moved to Baltimore in 1996. He was one of the most accurate kicker in NFL history coming into this season, making 84 percent of his field goals. But age had taken a toll on his leg strength. He struggled with field goals of 45 yards or more, making just one of six last year.

But he's a veteran who can handle the pressure of kicking in the NFL. You can't say for sure if he would have made that field goal in Minnesota, but considering his history (last year he was 26 of 27 from 44 yards or closer), I think the chances are good he would have and the Ravens would be 6-3 now going into Sunday's game with Indianapolis.

There were reports that the Ravens didn't bring Stover back last year because they didn't want to carry two kickers as they did in 11 games last year. But Harbaugh said that wasn't true. He said the Ravens have no problems carrying two kickers and Stover didn't return because of a contract problem.

"We were unable to get Matt signed the way we wanted to," said Harbaugh, who did not elaborate.

He said the Ravens always had a plan to bring Stover back if Hauschka didn't work out. But that plan became moot when Stover signed with the Colts a month ago to replace the injured Adam Vinatieri. He has hit all six of his field goals with the Colts.

"All of a sudden the Colts sign him and there he sits, kicking for the Colts against the Ravens," Harbaugh said. "It's pretty juicy. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, as we all are."

Harbaugh knows it's a hot-button issue. He told reporters they weren't going to offend him by asking about it.

"It would be nice to have Matt Stover kicking for us right now," Harbaugh said. "That just didn't work out. If we could have Matt here, we would have Matt here. That's where it's at right now, hindsight being what it is."

"To see Matt on the other side will be weird," Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said. "Hopefully, he won't kick the game-winning field goal."

In Cundiff, the Ravens are getting a veteran kicker who had made 66 of 89 field goals. He has played with Dallas, New Orleans and Cleveland. His best season was 2003, when he made 23 of 29 field goals with the Cowboys. Earlier this season, he was six of six with Cleveland, but was released when the injured Phil Dawson returned.

Like Stover, Cundiff has problems with long kicks. He's just 17 of 28 from 40 to 49 yards.

Last week, Cundiff and Mike Nugent both had tryouts with the Ravens. Harbaugh said they went with Cundiff because he was stronger on kickoffs.

"In the NFL, it's a replacement business," Cundiff said. "You are brought in here to make field goals. If you don't, you are shown the door."

That's not always true. Stover made most of his field goals and he was shown the door.

n Harbaugh said that linebacker Terrell Suggs will miss the Indy game with a sprained ligament in his right knee. Suggs, who was limping at the Ravens training facility on Wednesday, was injured when Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn dove at his knees after Chris Carr had intercepted a Quinn pass. The NFL fined Quinn for a chop block.

The three-time Pro Bowler will be missing his first NFL game in seven years -- ending his streak at 105. He could be out up to three weeks.

"I was disappointed in the block," Harbaugh said. "I don't think Brady Quinn is the type of guy who goes out there and tries to hurt anybody. But that's an illegal block. There is no reason to do that."

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.