The Associated Press

BALTIMORE - There was a time when the Baltimore Ravens mercilessly bullied the Cleveland Browns.

Soon after their rebirth in 1999, the Browns boldly attempted to extract a measure of revenge on behalf of Cleveland fans bitter over Art Modell moving his franchise to Baltimore.

Back then, though, the Browns didn't have the talent to back up their conviction. So they got pushed around like nerds on the playground, losing 17-10 and 41-9 in 1999, and 12-0 and 44-7 in 2000.

The Browns have since grown up, and now the Ravens are the ones in a payback mode when the teams meet today at M&T Bank Stadium.

Cleveland has won three of the last four, including a 14-13 decision last December that propelled the Browns to their first postseason berth and effectively snuffed the Ravens' playoff hopes.

"They were a playoff team last year, and to a degree, at our expense," Ravens coach Brian Billick said this week.

And now, both teams are striving to avoid an 0-2 start. The Browns are still waiting for their first touchdown of the season after losing 9-6 at home against Indianapolis. Baltimore is coming off a humbling 34-15 loss at Pittsburgh.

"Losing is a taste that you never want in your mouth," Ravens safety Gary Baxter said. "We're going to go out there and lock 'em down."

Baltimore's motivation isn't solely about evening its record. Modell will sell his majority share in the team after the season, so this will be the last time he watches the Ravens play the Browns in person as an NFL owner (he has yet to accompany his team to Cleveland).

"Just ask Art Modell about this rivalry," Ravens tight end Todd Heap said. "I mean, this is huge for this organization and this team. You kind of get the feeling around here all week long that it's a big game."

And there is a degree of player movement. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown and cornerback Corey Fuller, who once sought to knock off the Ravens on behalf of the Browns, are now on the other side.

"After what Mr. Modell went through when he moved back here, I think it would mean a lot for him if we won this game," Brown said.

It would also be meaningful to Fuller, who's still seething over being cut loose by the Browns during an offseason salary-cap driven purge.

Cleveland coach Butch Davis and Billick made similarly excruciating choices this summer in deciding on their starting quarterbacks. Davis picked Kelly Holcomb over Tim Couch, and Billick opted for rookie Kyle Boller over Chris Redman.

Neither Holcomb nor Boller played well last week, which makes this game that much more important - especially to the Ravens, who intend to avoid opening the season with two straight losses to AFC North teams.

"Certainly, division games take on a huge importance," Davis said. "You have an opportunity to control your destiny, and at the same time, you have a chance to deal a blow to somebody else."

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