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Preview: Browns vs. Ravens
Despite Cleveland's 0-2 start, ex-Raven Jamal Lewis declares, 'I know we have a good team.'
Sunday, September 21, 2008
BALTIMORE — This isn't about Jamal Lewis trying to prove himself to his former teammates on the Baltimore Ravens. It has nothing to do with the current version of the Cleveland Browns trying to beat the team formerly known as the Cleveland Browns.
Vindication and vengeance were once important to Lewis and the Browns. That was before Cleveland went 10-6 last season to establish itself as a playoff contender.
Picked by many to make a run at the AFC North title this year, Cleveland opened with losses to Dallas and Pittsburgh at home. The last team to make the playoffs after an 0-3 start was the 1998 Buffalo Bills, and the Browns have no desire to attempt that kind of comeback.
So instead of focusing today on ending Baltimore's run of 20 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher, Lewis will strive solely to conclude Cleveland's disturbing losing streak.
"Getting 100 yards is not my main goal. My main goal is to come in and get the first win," said Lewis, now in his second season with the Browns. "One hundred yards, that would be sweet. But, at the same time, a victory would be better."
Lewis will say hello to a few old friends, but is treating this purely as a business trip.
"I just want to go into the stadium, get my job done and get out," he said. "That's about it."
The Browns scored only one touchdown in their two losses, which reminded Lewis of the time Baltimore went five straight games without a touchdown. That team overcame the scoring drought and a 5-4 start to win the 2001 Super Bowl.
"We lost a couple games early too, and went on a nice winning streak," he said. "So I don't panic. I know we have a good team."
The Browns don't care about revenge, but the Ravens do after losing twice to Cleveland last season.
"There's extra in this game because they whooped us twice. You just don't recover from that. You don't sleep at night when a team beats you two times," Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "The simple fact that they beat us twice last year, there's more oomph on our side."
