Ball standing tall

Alan Ball will make his first career start this week, as he replaces Ken Hamlin at free safety. Ball is 6-1, 188 pounds. Hamlin is 6-2, 209. But Ball said his size -- or lack of size -- won't play a part in how he plays.

"I haven't been big my whole life I've been playing football, so that really doesn't make a difference for me," Ball said.

-- Charean Williams