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Not so long ago, the Baltimore Ravens' clashes with the Titans were indeed clashes with titans.
Looking back on his turn-of-the-century glory days on Fox Sports' "All Gas No Brakes," former Tennessee Titans star Eddie George remarked that the biggest obstacle was no doubt the Ravens, who were previously stationed in the same division (the defunct AFC Central) his Nashville collaborators.
George, earner of 10,441 yards in a nine-year NFL career, referred to the Central as a "murderer's row" of gridiron talent, referencing the accomplishments of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers as well. None of them, however, held a candle to the new millennium Ravens, headlined by the antics of linebacker Ray Lewis.
"We all played each twice a year and it was no joke. It was like playing in a telephone booth," George recalled. "It was a physical game and there was no room for the weak."
George can laugh about it now but matchups between the Ravens and Titans were hardly a laughing matter and often carried great importance, especially toward the end of the series' annual nature: George tallied 973 yards on the ground in 16 meetings (including a pair of split postseason showings) with the Ravens and scored only three touchdowns.
The current head coach of Tennessee State's football program attributed that to his connection to Lewis: the duo was destined for gridiron greatness from the get-go, each arriving as a first-round pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.
"Clearly, for me and Ray, we came out in the same draft," George said, speaking to host and 1996's top pick, receiver Keyshawn Johnson. "You had Kevin Hardy, you had Simeon Rice, you had (Terrell Owens), you had Marvin Harrison, you had Ray Lewis, you had me, Jonathan Ogden, so it was loaded ... We all talked trash and it just kind of built from there."
George described Lewis as a "good friend," but that kinship obviously fostered long after their playing days ended. Lewis was the recipient of one George's rare miscues, taking a Steve McNair pass that deflected off his hands back for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 2000-01 AFC Divisional Playoffs. That score served as the sealing tally of a 24-10 comeback victory for Baltimore en route to its first Super Bowl triumph.
"In between the white lines, man, it wasn't fair, I mean, there were no holds barred," George said. "Going up against (Lewis) on a consistent basis was more about a power of will. It was a true spiritual battle because he knew I was getting the ball and I knew where he was going to be. It was just a matter of, OK, who's going to win this war?"
More must-reads:
- J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
- Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
- The 'NFL MVP runners-up' quiz
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