CHARLOTTE -- On the one hand, Chris Gamble had a night worth forgetting Saturday. On the other, it's worth remembering -- if only as a learning experience.
"It was bad. I just know I'm way better than that, giving up plays like that," the sixth-year cornerback said Monday after a two-hour practice at Bank of America Stadium. "I'll look at that film, correct my mistakes and just be ready for next week."
Gamble's rough night was encapsulated on the last play of the first quarter, when Baltimore wide receiver Kelley Washington sprinted past him up the right sideline, eventually coming down with a 42-yard reception that set up the Ravens' first touchdown.
For that, and other passes yielded Saturday, Gamble cited "bad technique," repeating the phrase for emphasis as he answered reporters' queries Monday.
"For me, it was bad technique. I can play way better than that. I just came out and had a bad game. I missed a couple of tackles and gave up a deep ball," he said. "Like I said, bad technique."
A reason for Gamble's emphasis on techinque is the new defensive scheme, which he said emphasizes the more technical aspects of his position.
"(There's) a lot of zone. You've got to watch the quarterback on the line and break on the ball," Gamble said, adding that some of his issues came from being unable to disrupt the receiver when he was lined up near the line of scrimmage.
"In Cover Two, (it was) not getting a good jam to force him inside and make him re-route his feet," Gamble said.
He would welcome the opportunity to atone in Thursday's preseason finale, if it comes his way.
"Myself, I would. I want to bounce back, go out there, make a couple of plays and have fun," he said. "But you've got to be smart, because it's the last preseason game and you've got the Eagles coming in (for the regular-season opener), so you've got to be ready for those guys."
BUT HEAD COACH JOHN FOX was non-committal as to whether the starters would play at all against the Steelers.
"We'll take a look at where we are medically," he said. "We've had our share of injuries at this point. We'll just evaluate that day-to-day and make that decision as it gets closer to game time."
If the first unit does play, it won't be for long.
"A series or two, not extended play, if in fact they go that will be the amount," Fox said. "That's pretty standard for the final preseason game."
If that proves to be the case, then it would represent a reversal of circumstances from last year's final preseason game at Pittsburgh, when the Panthers rested their first team, while the Steelers started quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and their first unit, which remained in the game through most of the first quarter.
PRACTICE PARTICIPATION: All three players hurt in Saturday's game -- defensive back
Linebacker
Running back
