CLEVELAND - The Browns' new-look offensive line has been quarterback Derek Anderson's best friend.

Since taking over for Charlie Frye midway through the second quarter of the season opener, Anderson has been sacked just two times - once by Pittsburgh in the first game and once by Oakland. In a 27-13 loss to the Browns Sunday, the Ravens' aggressive defense didn't register a sack. It's the first time since Oct. 1, 2000 that the Ravens didn't have a sack in a game against the Browns.

The line is basically rebuilt from last season. Rookie Joe Thomas is starting at left tackle. Eric Steinbach was signed in free agency to start at left guard. Seth McKinney signed in the offseason and starts at right guard.

Center Hank Fraley is the only starter that played the same position in 2006. Right tackle Kevin Shaffer started 16 games last season at left tackle.

"If you want to win the game and be successful on the offensive side of the ball, you handle their pressure, you don't give up any sacks and get positive plays early like we did," Steinbach said. "That's huge. That takes away from the things they want to do when they're down by 14."

Any plans to ease Thomas into the lineup ended at the start of training camp when it was announced that Ryan Tucker would be suspended the first four weeks of the season for a violation of the NFL's policy on steroids. Shaffer was immediately shifted to the right side, and Thomas was inserted at left tackle.

The line is playing better with each passing week.

"I feel like we're jelling as an offense from the quarterback to the running backs to the whole line," Thomas said. "Knowing what things need to happen in the passing game and knowing where the ball needs to go when the blitz comes and being able to feel the pressure. I have to give a lot of credit to (quarterback) Derek (Anderson). We're blocking pretty well to keep people off him. He's doing an excellent job of seeing the routes and seeing the blitzes and where the ball needs to go."

* FEELING SORE: Tight end Kellen Winslow played with a partially-separated shoulder. He had four receptions for 96 yards, including one for a career-long 49 yards.

"I've been driving through pain since my rookie year," Winslow said. "That's nothing new. When your adrenaline is rushing out there you don't feel much, but I'm feeling it now."

* MEET MR. OGDEN: Former Browns offensive left tackle Doug Dieken, who works the team's radio broadcasts, introduced Thomas to Ravens great offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden before the game. Ogden didn't play because of a toe injury. He came close to retiring before training camp.

Thomas got a kick out of a story Ogden told him.

"He's been hurting this week," Thomas said. "He had to play me on the scout team for them. He had the "73" jersey on. It kind of gave me a mini-thrill."

* NOTHING SPECIAL: Running back Jamal Lewis downplayed his first game against his former teammates. Lewis was with the Ravens the previous seven seasons.

"Those guys know my strengths and my weaknesses," Lewis said. "I know their strengths and their weaknesses. It was one of those things where we had to come out and play physical."

* LONG DISTANCE: Braylon Edwards caught a 78-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. It was the second-longest reception of his NFL career. He caught an 80-yard touchdown pass against Green Bay in 2005.

* INJURY RPEORT: Steinbach left one play before Lewis' 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. X-rays revealed a pinched nerve. He returned for the start of the third quarter.

Prior to the Browns' first offensive play of the second half, Steinbach looked towards the Ravens' huddle and flexed his arm muscles as if to show them that he wasn't hurt.

"They were joking about me since I had put on that little cowboy collar like the high-school guys used to wear," Steinbach said. "They said you still look skinny."

* OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The 27 points scored by the Browns marked the third straight time they've equaled or surpassed the 24-point mark this season. They scored 24 or more points only once in the 2005 season.

* INACTIVE: Out for the Browns were punter Dave Zastudil; defensive back Gary Baxter; running back Jerome Harrison; offensive linemen Isaac Sowells and Kelly Butler; receiver Travis Wilson; defensive lineman Orpheus Roye and quarterback Ken Dorsey.

The Ravens played without kicker Rhys Lloyd; cornerback Samari Rolle; running backs Cory Ross and Mike Anderson; Ogden; defensive tackle Trevor Pryce; linebacker Edgar Jones and quarterback Troy Smith.

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