Baltimore's defensive linemen make their share of tackles and big plays, but much of their job involves tangling up offensive linemen.

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The Bengals stuffed Travis Prentice on three tries from the 1 last week. (Gary Landers photo)

        When the center, guards and tackles are occupied by the Ravens' defensive linemen, they can't break loose to block linebackers, leaving the linebackers relatively free to roam and makes dozens of hits.

        The line play is one reason Baltimore linebackers Ray Lewis and Jamie Sharper are among the league leaders in tackles. It has helped Lewis become All-Pro and got him and Peter Boulware to the Pro Bowl.

        No doubt Baltimore has one of the best, if not the best, linebacking corps in pro football. Not far behind are Cincinnati's linebackers, led by Pro Bowl-worthy Takeo Spikes and emerging playmaker Steve Foley. Bengals ticket-holders can judge for themselves when the 2-6 Bengals take on the 5-4 Ravens at 1 p.m. today at Paul Brown Stadium.

        The talent of Bengals linebackers has moved Cincinnati coaches to also emphasize the mindset that works well in Baltimore. The defensive line doesn't have to make all the tackles. Sometimes, the best play a lineman can make is to tie up a blocker or two and let the linebacker make the hit.

        “You have to use your tools,” Bengals defensive tackle Oliver Gibson said. “We have extremely fast, athletic linebackers. Before, we used to try to always get off our blocks and make the tackles. Now, our philosophy is if we're not going to make the tackle, our linebackers will.”

        Spikes leads the Bengals with 70 tackles, including 59 solo hits, and has a team high two interceptions and one sack. Rookie free agent Armegis Spearman, who has started five games at middle linebacker in place of the injured Brian Simmons, has 35 tackles. Adrian Ross, who's also in the middle, has 22 tackles. Foley has 23 tackles, an interception and two sacks.

        The linemen don't have those kinds of stats to show for their work, but the linebackers' success — and the defense's success — starts with them. The defensive line is a big reason the Bengals have allowed only 24 points in their past two games, both victories.

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