Favre and Lewis: two of the era's very best

Brett Favre and Ray Lewis approach their craft in very different manners.

Favre, a noted prankster, likes to keep things light, but he isn't all that vocal in the locker room and generally steers clear of the rah-rah stuff. Lewis, on the other hand, has an intensity level that is off the charts, a motor that doesn't stop, and nearly every week NFL highlights catch him giving an impassioned pregame speech.

Plus, as Vikings coach Brad Childress points out, "Brett doesn't have quite the same introduction dance that Ray has. I'm not sure he wouldn't hurt something if he were to go through that."

But while they go about their business differently, the Vikings quarterback and Baltimore Ravens linebacker have at least one thing in common: They command respect because of what they have accomplished on the field.

"You look at Brett, he's the leader of this offense," Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice said Wednesday. "You look at Ray, he's the leader of that defense. Both of them have been in the league a long time, and both of them have the stats to show that they're great players."

On Sunday, the two future Hall of Famers will meet for only the third time in their careers when the Vikings play host to the Ravens (Favre led the Packers to victories in 1998 and 2001). Favre had already played five seasons in the NFL when Lewis was drafted by the Ravens in the first round in 1996. Of course, that still means Lewis is in his 14th season. Perhaps that's why he understands why Favre can't give up the game that both of them love.

"Absolutely," Lewis said, "because when it's done, it's done. That's what a lot of people don't realize. This is probably the one profession, truly, that when you're done, like really done, you're done. There's no coming back. There's no getting this fountain of youth and finding your way back. You've got to respect that because he understands. You see now, it's still football. The game of football will never change. He's learned it from a child and had great success and is still having great success."

Actually, both Favre and Lewis continue to have the type of success that belies their ages. Favre has led a team to a 5-0 start for the first time in his career and is fourth in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), having thrown nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. Lewis has been credited with 49 tackles, 23 more than any other Raven.

"To be mentioned with a guy like Ray, in the same breath, I'm honored by that," Favre said. "Because I have played longer or whatever, that has never affected me. I'm honored to play with Adrian Peterson. I think he's a tremendous player who's very humble. I never played with Ray. I've played against him of course, watched him. ... He's one of those that backs up what he is saying. There are a lot of guys that talk the talk but don't walk the walk. He is one of them that walks it."

Favre and Lewis undoubtedly will exchange pleasantries at some point Sunday, but Favre is hoping it's not during the game. Lewis, who has 33 1/2 sacks in his career, doesn't have one this season, and Favre is hoping it stays that way. Especially since Favre apparently is feeling better after being on the injury report last week because of a sore foot, ankle and knee. He wasn't listed Wednesday and said about the only thing bothering him these days is a cold.

"I don't necessarily like going up against him," Favre said of facing Lewis. "Don't get me wrong. I'm all for competition and all that stuff, but I'd like an easy week for a change. There aren't too many easy weeks in the National Football League. ... But I've got a tremendous amount of respect for him. The guy is a winner, he's a competitor. I love his passion. He'd be a great guy to play with and not a guy you really want to go up against. He sure makes life a lot tougher. The way he rallies the troops, play in and play out. I've seen all of the footage and of course watched him play. What a leader, just a great leader."

Check out a live chat with the Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins at 1 p.m. today at startribune.com/vikings