It's not often that you see Ray Lewis in a wistful mood.

But the Ravens All-World middle linebacker seemed that way yesterday at the Castle when talking about Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who announced this week that he'll be retiring at the end of the season.

"You don't like to hear that," Ray Lewis said, "and hopefully he gets a different spark and changes his mind."

"I think he has plenty of football left. I think he should ride it out."

Ray and Jamal Lewis were Ravens teammates and good friends for six seasons, and both players played huge roles on the 2000 Super Bowl-winning team.

When Jamal Lewis landed with the Cleveland Browns, both men relished their fierce head-to-head confrontations over the next three seasons, smacking helmets for 60 minutes and exchanging hugs when it was all over. 

Now they match up again Monday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium for what could be the last time.

Lewis vs. Lewis. The express train vs. the immovable object.

"When it comes to football, it don't get more classic than that," said Ray Lewis of the rivalry.

Jamal Lewis also seemed to appreciate the significance of their final meeting, which came through loud and clear in Mike Preston's column in today's Baltimore Sun.

"Being able to go out playing my old team on "Monday Night Football," that will be a great one," he told Preston. "Being that I will be playing these guys for the last time, being able to suit up against Ray for the last time, it's a good thing.

"It will be a memorable moment."