PITTSBURGH: First the Baltimore Ravens called out Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. Now they're telling him to stay home. Trash talking figured to fly this week, as AFC Central Division rivals the Steelers (13-3) and Ravens (11-6) prepare for their divisional playoff game at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field. The Ravens just got an early start. Baltimore linebacker Jamie Sharper said after the Ravens' 20-3 victory over Miami Sunday that, "If the Bus is smart, he won't play." Bettis, who has been sidelined for the past six and a half weeks because of a groin injury, was as annoyed as the gentle giant gets Monday. "I don't think he's qualified to make that assessment," Bettis said. "That's how I look at it." Sharper gloated about the fact the Ravens stuffed the Dolphins' running game, holding Lamar Smith and Travis Minor to 20 combined yards. "I'm a little bigger than Travis Minor; I'm a little bigger than Lamar Smith," Bettis said. "I got a little something coming with me, too." Asked if he thought the Ravens could back up such brash talk, Bettis said, "They're going to have to. They're going to have to, because we're going to be ready to play." This back-and-forth chirping between the teams is nothing new. "I think they (the Ravens) like to be the sound bites of the week," tackle Wayne Gandy said. "A couple of the guys who talk are good, they're Pro Bowlers and they have a right to talk, but some of the other guys, they try to join in and say something. "The personality of this (Steelers) team is more, 'We'll see you on Sunday.' We don't have a bunch of guys who will get into a war of words with you." Steelers strong safety Lee Flowers, the outspoken player of the bunch in the Steelers' locker room, said enough is enough with the talk. "This is straight, genuine," Flowers said. "We both know each other very well and it's hatred, it's hatred. Their linebackers can't stand Jerome and our running backs can't stand any of them. Prior to the Steelers' Dec. 16 game at Baltimore, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said that Bettis, "better tape up that groin and come see me at PSINet." Lewis, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was upset by comments Bettis made that Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes was just as good an athlete as Lewis. Bettis did not play in that game, which the Steelers won, 26-21, by rushing for 158 yards. The Ravens finished the season with the fourth-ranked rush defense. "I think a lot of teams have been talking throughout the whole year," Flowers said disgustedly. "This is the third time around, and we understand they are the world champs, and they quote-(unquote are) supposed to know how to play in the playoffs. Hey, we're 13-3. We're playing some good football. So let's play. Let's play right now. Forget Sunday. Let's play right now." Flowers, who is seldom at a loss for words, became almost speechless when asked about the Ravens claiming they've received little respect this season. "Man, please," Flowers said, pausing. "I think those guys over there read too many of their own articles. Sometimes you got to play. News clippings don't win football games. Period. I don't care how much you talk about it or how much you put up bulletin-board material. That's not going to win a football game." The Ravens, who defeated the Steelers, 13-10, at Heinz Field on Nov. 4, were relentless prior to the teams' meeting in Baltimore. Tight end Shannon Sharpe called Plaxico Burress "Plexiglas," and defensive tackle Tony Siragusa suggested Ravens fans should "take care of business" when they saw Steelers fans at PSINet Stadium. The Steelers, though, played another dominating game against the Ravens. They outgained them, 476-207, and quarterback Kordell Stewart threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers outgained the Ravens, 348-183, in their first game, but kicker Kris Brown missed three field goals and had another deflected, as the Steelers lost by three points. "This is the third time around," Flowers said. "Given, the first game we lost, but they know, they know what the results (were). The same thing with the second game. It's not going to be any different." Then Flowers took one final blow. "It's funny sometimes to see some of the stuff that comes out of Baltimore, because every time we play them it's something different," he said. "They were supposed to be a team that didn't lose in December. They lost in December. So now they're a new team in January. Well, you know, we'll see you at 12:30 on Sunday."

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