Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sees a changing of the guard inside the Ravens' Owings Mills facility, and he's helpless to stop it.

Earlier this week, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was asked if Jamal Lewis — now with the Ravens' AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns — got a raw deal when the running back was released by Baltimore in March.

“Yes, of course. The number one reason: Bottom line is that we don't look for old school players anymore,” Ray Lewis told the Cleveland media this week in a conference call. “[Jamal] is an old school football player, that's just what he is. Dealing with the issues here, you all know the business of football. I will say this — not about just our organization but with any organization — any organization is going to look out for themselves before they look out for the player. That's the thing that's frustrating even in Jamal’s situation.”

Old school will meet new school Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Ravens (2-1) and Browns (0-1) meet at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

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Ray Lewis, offensive left tackle Jonathan Ogden and kicker Matt Stover are the only Ravens who have been with the franchise since their inaugural season after moving from Cleveland prior to the 1996 season. Ray Lewis and Ogden were first-round draft picks that year, but Stover is the only player to have been with the Browns prior to the team leaving the city.

This year, the Ravens have a different image. Baltimore still features one of the most bruising defenses in the league, but it has new style of offense.

Gone is the straight-ahead, pounding rushing attack headlined by Jamal Lewis. It has been replaced by a more pass-oriented, flashier offense embodied in new running back Willis McGahee, who the team acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason. The man responsible for the change in philosophy, Ravens coach Brian Billick, said he is close to seeing the overhaul reach its apex.

“You've seen us much more multiple, much more formationing [sic], much more 'stretch,' 'cutback,' 'counter,' 'power,' the whole mantra of things,” Billick said.

McGahee has a long way to go reach the accomplishments of Jamal Lewis, the Ravens' all-time leader in yardage with over 9,000 total yards. Jamal Lewis was criticized for his inability to break tackles in recent seasons, but he still rushed for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns last year. McGahee has yet to score a rushing touchdown in a Baltimore uniform.

“I've always said I hated the red zone because that's the toughest part of the game right there,” McGahee said. “Any one thing can mess up; missing half a block can mess the red zone up. I feel I've got to get better. There are times when I could have gotten in and I didn't get in.”