Hello, Baltimore,

We'll be in freezing Foxborough, Mass., the rest of this week providing news, updates, stories, perspective and maybe even a few photos from the Patriots' complex. Unlike the Ravens, who practice in Owings Mills and not at M&T; Bank Stadium, New England practices at Gillette Stadium, where snow is on the ground and the temperature is in the high 20s. The whipping wind made the five-minute walk from the parking lot to the media room nearly unbearable.

But, alas, we made it and were greeted by more than 60 media members inside the Patriots' interview room. The large contingent even drew a smirk and a comment from coach Bill Belichick, who began his news conference with, "We've got playoff fever here." Unfortunately, that was just about the most interesting thing Belichick said during his 22-minute question-and-answer session.

But Ray Lewis never fails to liven up the atmosphere, and his 10-minute give and take with the New England media proved fairly entertaining (as much as a telephone conference call can be).

Lewis bristled at the idea that this could be one of the last times he could be in position to go for a second Super Bowl ring. He sounded as if he wanted to play until he's 40, and he cited Saints safety Darren Sharper, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and the Packers cornerback Charles Woodson as older players playing their best ball.

On whether he thinks this is one of his final playoff runs, Lewis, philosophical as usual, said: "I totally disagree with that. Men and women lie. Numbers don't. We're still the No. 2, No. 3 defense in the league."