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Thursday, November 01, 2001

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steelers (5-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-3), 1 p.m. Sunday, Heinz Field. TV, radio: KDKA; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network. Four of the Steelers' seven wins in this series have come in Baltimore.

The Ravens are 4-3, languish in a tie for third place in the AFC Central Division with the Bengals, and are two-point underdogs against the Steelers this week.

What happened to the defending Super Bowl champions?

"Our record was the same last year," All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis huffed through the telephone yesterday. "What's the difference? We had four losses last year and we only have three this year."

It was the Steelers who issued the Ravens their fourth and final loss of the season when they beat them almost one year ago, Oct. 29, 9-6 in Baltimore. That knocked the Ravens to 5-4. They made the playoffs as a wild-card team and won four in a row to claim their first championship.

"They're the Super Bowl champs," Jerome Bettis said. "If you want to be the champs, you have to beat the champs."

The Steelers are eager to test themselves against the defending champions.

"Everybody tries to establish their team after Baltimore's," S Lee Flowers said. "They're still the team to beat."

The Ravens lost RB Jamal Lewis for the season with a knee injury Aug. 8, but their running game has not missed much.

Ranked fifth last season in the NFL, Baltimore ranks eighth in rushing today despite losing Lewis and his 1,364 yards from last season.

The Ravens replaced him with Terry Allen (358 yards) and rookie Jason Brookins (268).

"We're trying to play a dominating defense right now," Flowers said. "Brookins is a good back or Terry Allen. They're good backs.

"Brookins is much like an Eddie George, Jerome Bettis-type physical back. "I'm not saying he has the skills of those guys, but he's definitely a punishing back. We're not going to take that guy likely."

Because of an injury to RB Amos Zereoue, the Steelers added rookie RB Reggie White to their practice squad and released S Nakia Codie from the practice squad. White played at Oklahoma State. ... CB Chad Scott was given the day off by Coach Bill Cowher for unspecified personal reasons. ... Zereoue, listed as questionable with a slightly separated shoulder, and Bettis, probable with a sore knee, did not practice.

Former Steelers DBs Carnell Lake and Rod Woodson have been reunited in Baltimore. Lake, released by Jacksonville before the season began, signed with the Ravens Sept. 11. He plays in their passing defense and has 10 tackles. Woodson, their starting free safety, is third on the team with 52 tackles. he has one interception.

Baltimore Coach Brian Billick isn't ready to pick his starting quarterback for Sunday. Elvis Grbac missed the game last week with a chest injury and Randall Cunningham started in their victory against Jacksonville.

"Elvis seems to be healthier and moving around a lot better," Billick said. "We'll make that determination as we progress through the week."

Billick thinks it's possible the Steelers could go the rest of the way without losing a game.

"The Steelers are playing very well. As I look at the rest of their schedule, I'm not sure who else can beat them."

LB Kendrell Bell has been playing so well that he's beginning to look like a candidate for NFL rookie defensive player of the year.

Like Ray Lewis, last year's MVP of the league, he plays inside only in a 3-4 defense, not the 4-3 that Baltimore plays. So, what did Lewis think of Bell's overpowering performance against Tennessee on Monday night ?

"Kendrell Bell?" Lewis answered.

Told he was the Steelers' rookie inside linebacker, Lewis replied, "I don't know. I truly didn't pay any attention."

Ray Lewis, on the importance of the game Sunday: "It's just another game in our division. That's it."

The 10th Annual Steelers fashion show and dinner to benefit area cancer patients will be held tonight at the Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers, Downtown. It starts with cocktails at 6 with dinner at 7 and the show at 8. For tickets, which cost $75, call 412-622-1212.