“Certainly, given the competitive nature of our games with Tennessee, the fact that we have [former Titans] players like Steve McNair, Samari Rolle and Derrick Mason, that will certainly add an energy not just to the game, but the preparation,” Billick said. “I can?t imagine this team falling into that trap, in terms of thinking they have the right to think of themselves in a different way going into any game we play this year.”

A day after linebacker Ray Lewis said Baltimore is on the cusp of being a great team rather than a good one, Billick said the team still needs time before it can identify itself in such terms. He also said his players do not need to hear clichés like “one game at a time” because their focus is unique.

“I think this team hasa lot of confidence in itself,” Billick said. “I think it recognizes the talent that it has. I know that it knows how to work hard, and they understand what that is. That?s huge.”

At the season?s midway point, the Ravens have pulled two games away from a surprisingly weak AFC North. The division was predicted to be one of the toughest in the NFL, but Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh has six losses and is likely out of the playoff hunt. The Bengals, who won the North in 2005, are 4-4.

Testing the censors: Billick was caught on camera during Sunday?s 26-20 win over Cincinnati dropping the most infamous curse word in the dictionary. As Billick was disagreeing with an official?s call, the word reached television airwaves. When asked if the microphone was put there on purpose to capture him at his most emotional moment, Billick seemed to say yes.

“Oh, absolutely, and we?ll be dually offended by it and put it on ?SportsCenter? for an entire week,” Billick said mockingly. “Because, God forbid, you missed the chance to be offended by my language, so let?s show it another thousand times during the week for all those millions that didn?t get to see that. And I apologize for my language. It?s a heated time.”