The Baltimore Ravens don't often lose football games or the wars of words that precede them.

        But the defending Super Bowl champions had little response Wednesday to the verbal exchange linebacker Ray Lewis and tight end Shannon Sharpe started last week with Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes.

        Spikes, who was dragged into the spat prior to the Ravens' game with the Steelers, spoke his mind Wednesday and said he didn't appreciate Sharpe's comments about him.

        After Steelers running back Jerome Bettis told a national magazine Spikes was as good as Lewis, Lewis took exception to the comment. Sharpe, who has taken on the role as Lewis' mouthpiece, went a step further and said comparing Spikes to Lewis was like comparing the 2001 turkey Dude, Where's My Car? to the 1997 Oscar-winning Titanic.

        Spikes gave his own review of Sharpe's performance.

        “The thing that really got me going was his little sidekick, Shannon Sharpe,” Spikes said. “OK, since he wants to be Siskel and Ebert and rate movies, I'll rate this movie. I see him as if he were the movie Bring It On. He's nothing but a cheerleader. That's what he does best, bump his gums.”

        The Bengals defeated the Ravens 21-10 on Sept.23 at Paul Brown Stadium. Spikes sealed the victory by intercepting an Elvis Grbac pass and returning it 66 yards for a touchdown.

        “Last I checked, we're 1-0 against the Baltimore Ravens,” Spikes said. “They were making statements that, "Jerome must have been insane when he said that. He must have had a concussion.' Hello, we're 1-0. They must be insane. We're out of the playoffs. They're still fighting. All the pressure's on them.”

        The Bengals are 4-9, the Ravens 8-5 after losing Sunday night to Pittsburgh.

        After practice Wednesday in Owings Mills, Md., Sharpe said, “I'm not going to get into a sparring match with Takeo Spikes.”

        Sharpe and Spikes have worked out together in the offseason in Atlanta. Spikes also is a friend of Lewis'.

        Spikes, the Bengals' defensive captain, also rekindled his one-sided feud with Grbac. Before the first game, Spikes said Grbac insulted the Bengals in the offseason by turning down more money from the Bengals to sign as a free agent with the Ravens.

        “Elvis is my man,” Spikes said. “That's my man. That's my man.”

        Spikes indicated he plans on blitzing Sunday if the first play is a pass.

        “One o'clock on Sunday. All business,” Spikes said. “I'll be a mad dog in a meathouse. Time to eat. If it's a pass play, Elvis. Guaranteed.”

        Told of Spikes' comments later Wednesday, after practice, Grbac shook his head and said, “No comment.”

        Grbac received some good news Wednesday. Ravens coach Brian Billick said the Ravens would not exercise an escape clause in Grbac's five-year, $30 million contract after the season. Grbac has thrown for 2,487 yards, 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

        Billick tried to defuse some of the tension Wednesday during a conference call with Cincinnati reporters.

        “I'd like to have them both,” he said of Lewis and Spikes. “How about that combination? I'm biased. That's like asking, "Is my daughter better-looking than your daughter?'

        “Ray is the most incredible defensive athlete I've ever been around. Takeo is an outstanding linebacker and the heart and soul of what they do defensively in Cincinnati. They're one of the better defenses in the league. And he has the same type of potential Ray has already proven.”

        The Bengals defense is ranked 10th at 298.8 yards a game. The Ravens are fifth at 290.2 yards a game. The Ravens have allowed 240 points, the Bengals 249.

        Lewis leads the Ravens with 161 tackles and was the NFL's defensive player of the year last season. Spikes leads the Bengals with 136.

        “My thing is if you're the best,” Spikes said of Lewis, “you don't need to go around bumping your gums about it. Actions speak louder than words.”

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