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OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens most potent offensive weapon is Justin Tucker, a cant-miss kicker who also happens to be a talented opera singer, skilled negotiator and the target of good-natured insults from his teammates.Tucker is the only NFL kicker whos perfect this season. Hes 27 for 27 on field goal tries -- including seven from 50 yards or longer -- and has nailed every one of his 15 conversions.Booting on a soft grass field on a very windy day, Tucker hit field goals of 52, 57, 54 and 36 yards Sunday to carry the Ravens past the Cincinnati Bengals 19-14 .Weve got the best kicker in the league. Theres no doubt about it, Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said afterward. But weve got to keep the young kid humble.Thats the prevailing theme in the locker room of the Ravens, who love their kicker, but go through great lengths to keep him in his place.Theres no way to keep him down, man, quarterback Joe Flacco said.All kidding aside, the Ravens (6-5) know they wouldnt be tied for first place in the AFC North without their unyieldingly reliable kicker. The offense has been limited to one or no touchdowns in six of 11 games, yet Tucker has been there to salvage just about every drive that sputters inside midfield. Hes scored 96 points, a whopping 44 percent of Baltimores season total of 218.When our offense stalls out, were still putting points on the board, linebacker C.J. Mosley said.Tucker is paying solid returns on a four-year, $16.8 million contract he signed in July. The deal included an NFL-record for the position $10.8 million in guaranteed money.One day before the agreement, Tucker -- wearing the teams franchise tag -- said he would leave the Ravens if the sides didnt work out a long-term deal.I told him, `Ive never seen a kicker make some contract demands, but I guess when youre the best kicker in the league, you can do that, Suggs reasoned.Tucker does more than merely take a few kicks during the week and show up on Sunday. He works hard at his craft each day with special teams coach Jerry Rosburg, holder Sam Koch and long snapper Morgan Cox. More often than not, kicking consultant Randy Brown will participate as well.Its imperative to have a consistent operation, Tucker said. It starts with an accurate, fast, catchable snap like Morgan is able to do time and time again. Then its important to have a holder whos confident in his hands, who wont hesitate in his movement. Its definitely a big part of the reason why Im able to be confident kicking the ball.The results are profound. Tucker has made 34 straight field goals, two short of Matt Stovers team record. He is on course to become one of only seven NFL kickers to complete a perfect season.He has a lot of confidence, and hes earned the confidence because hes worked so hard, coach John Harbaugh said Monday. Hes talented. But we try to keep him in place and whip him into shape every now and then, make fun of him every opportunity we can. Hes got just a great sense of humor and takes it well.Kicking isnt Tuckers only talent. He also sings opera well enough to perform at various concert halls and charity events.The guys got a lot going for him, certainly more than the average football player.Hes a 27-year-old guy, a performer, a very confident guy, Harbaugh said. You can call it whatever you want in terms of cocky or confident. Whats the balance there? I dont personally think he has a hint of arrogance in him at all. I think hes a fundamentally humble person who loves life, loves to perform.Especially when the Ravens need a long field goal. Tucker insisted on trying that 57-yarder into the wind on Sunday, and believes on a good day he can blast one through the uprights from unprecedented lengths.It is in the realm of possibility for me, with Morgan and Sam, to hit the ball from well across midfield, he said. We are talking about 70-75 yards. What matters is that we made the kicks we were sent out there to make (Sunday), and I will leave it at that.One of these days, maybe even this season, Tucker will miss a kick. If that happens, its a good bet that he will simply shrug it off and get ready for the next one.As a kicker, you have to be able to get over your last kick -- whether its bad or good -- and be able to move on, Koch said. He has the character that allows him to do that. He has fun. Thats important.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom Jerseys . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Authentic Custom Jerseys . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Wholesale Custom Jerseys .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Custom Jerseys Cheap . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Which football club has won the European Cup/Champions League twice, but their own domestic championship only once?This weeks quiz focuses on football, golf, rugby, athletics, horse racing, cricket, boxing and F1.Warning -- this test is for REAL sporting boffins. It is extremely hard and comprrehensive, but 100% factual.dddddddddddd No Google allowed.You might even learn a thing or two...Now share with your friends and see who is the biggest sports nerd! ' ' '