Ray Lewis: Love to hate him

[mommathurgoesthatman]

Ray Lewis by far next to barry sanders is my favorite all time football player. But he is at a point in his career where he is getting close to retirement. I ask who will take his spot? Mclain? idk. we need somebody. but its kills me to see ray running behind these fast recievers and backs especially on passing plays sucking wind. Him and jj are not the faster lb's in the leauge. On 3rd and long i do not want to see ray lewis in zone coverage downfield or trying to check a back coming out the backfield. Ray would be blizting on every play because he can read a offense like a newspaper. He needs to be spelled sometimes in obvisous passing downs. Past 3yrs ive been seeing this happen. Argree or disagree? Im not by any means saying bench ray lewis. But put him in spot and situtations the best suits his strengths.

[GOTA]

No one is going to take Ray's spot. Who took Dan Marino's spot or Barry Sanders'? Once the great ones go you can't replace them.

[ballhawk]

Somehow we managed to replace rod woodson with ed reed. But what are the chances that happens again. It will be a sad day when both ray and reed walk away from the game.

[akashicrecorder]

I often think on how lucky we are to be rooting for such a loaded team (defensively)... Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, T-Sizzle even. ... We've been spoiled.

[The Excellector]

The Ravens have replaced their share of great players, but I would agree that they will have a difficult time replacing Ray Lewis.

Rod Woodson: Ed Reed
Shannon Sharpe: Todd Heap
They have had some good RBs since Lewis left, Rice being the most notable.
It took them a while to replace Sam Adams
Peter Boulware: Terrell Suggs

They have yet to replace Jonathan Ogden and Jimmy Smith is there first real attempt at replacing Chris McAlister.

[Captain Silver]

Disagree. Half the middle linebackers in the NFL still can't hold a candle to what Ray does even on 3rd down.

[GOTA]

Somehow we managed to replace rod woodson with ed reed. But what are the chances that happens again. It will be a sad day when both ray and reed walk away from the game.

My favorite has always been how the 49ers replaced Joe Montana with Steve Young. That was incredible. But even that kind of streak doesn't last long.

[mommathurgoesthatman]

No one is going to take Ray's spot. Who took Dan Marino's spot or Barry Sanders'? Once the great ones go you can't replace them.

I not expecting the ravens to draft another player like ray lewis. or somebody to be the next ray lewis. Who is going to be our nxt middle linebacker is my question. We have none, if we did ray wouldnt be on the field for every play.

[ballhawk]

My favorite has always been how the 49ers replaced Joe Montana with Steve Young. That was incredible. But even that kind of streak doesn't last long.

absolutely. and it looks like favre/rodgers is another one.

[SC_Raven_Fan]

or how the Steelers replaced Bradshaw with Mark Malone!!

yeah.... that was awesome... lol

[akashicrecorder]

Disagree. Half the middle linebackers in the NFL still can't hold a candle to what Ray does even on 3rd down.

This... My mind is just a slideshow of Ray Lewis game changers. The hit on Dustin Keller. The stop against Sproles (?) in San Diego on 4th and short. Stripping the ball against Buffalo in OT. Granted I don't follow any other team nearly as closely, but the man is just a play-making machine (...jerk!)

[psuasskicker]

Ray Lewis isn't what he once was, but he's still a very good MLB.

Just as big of a problem is that we have garbage at ILB. Anyone on our team we could use to replace him is a significant downgrade. Not like we've got a young superstar rotting on the bench while Lewis plays...

- C -

[The Excellector]

Once again, Ray's analytical assets are undervalued, in light of his declining physical capabilities.

[Captain Silver]

This... My mind is just a slideshow of Ray Lewis game changers. The hit on Dustin Keller. The stop against Sproles (?) in San Diego on 4th and short. Stripping the ball against Buffalo in OT. Granted I don't follow any other team nearly as closely, but the man is just a play-making machine (...jerk!)

Exactly my thought!

Look at Tavers Gooden... even when he wasn't hurt, his game instincts were terrible. He may have been faster then Ray, but when you are 5 yards out of position, you better be fast. Baby Ray my ass.

Middle linebackers, if smart and stay healthy can last in this league. DB's outside rushers, different story. Teddy Brusci and Junior Seau also played long in the tooth and to me were never as good as Ray is in their older years.

[Shas]

The interesting thing about the question is that in the last 15 years the game has changed so much. Ray was once considered too small to play ILB, which is why he fell as far as he did when the Ravens drafted him. Now he's almost too big. The rules have turned it into such a passing game that teams are moving toward linebackers who can drop into coverage as well, if not better than they can hit a runner the hole. It's why we're seeing Brendon Ayenbadjo get 20-30 snaps a game at linebacker.

No one can replace Ray, even if he could, he wouldn't necessarily fit the profile. I wish the game would go back to what it was, but I think that ship has sailed.

[mommathurgoesthatman]

The interesting thing about the question is that in the last 15 years the game has changed so much. Ray was once considered too small to play ILB, which is why he fell as far as he did when the Ravens drafted him. Now he's almost too big. The rules have turned it into such a passing game that teams are moving toward linebackers who can drop into coverage as well, if not better than they can hit a runner the hole. It's why we're seeing Brendon Ayenbadjo get 20-30 snaps a game at linebacker.

No one can replace Ray, even if he could, he wouldn't necessarily fit the profile. I wish the game would go back to what it was, but I think that ship has sailed.

Not only has that ship said but it has landed on another continent. I have notice Ayenbadjo getting more snaps but he is a vet himself. Where is these young lb's that ray lewis is suppose to be mentoring. Dont say Ellebre because he is another t suggs but he just happens to play lb.

[HoustonRaven]

This thread title is a little misleading .....


Not only has that ship said but it has landed on another continent. I have notice Ayenbadjo getting more snaps but he is a vet himself. Where is these young lb's that ray lewis is suppose to be mentoring. Dont say Ellebre because he is another t suggs but he just happens to play lb.

When did anyone from the organization say it's Ray's job to groom his successor?

That's nothing but fan spin.

What Ray now lacks in coverage skills he more than makes up for in game prep, timing and reading a defense.

As others have said, he is still better than 75% of the LB's out there right now.

[Ravenswintitle]

another thing about Ray is that he is a tackling machine. Players seem to go for that ESPN highlight hit or the strip fumble play and forget to tackle the damn ball carrier. If Ray gets his hands on a ball carrier, more times than not it's over. He is Exhibit A for how to tackle.

[Irish Raven]

Jon Beason's contract was up at the end of the year.
So before the lockout and things were uncertain and Jerry Richardson had slashed payroll at the Panthers I was half hoping Ozzie would go for him as a FA at the end of this season

Anyway, the man got paid and it doesn't matter anymore.
His name got mentioned here a few times

Irrelevant these days, just this thread reminded me of it

[NC Raven]

My favorite has always been how the 49ers replaced Joe Montana with Steve Young. That was incredible. But even that kind of streak doesn't last long.

And then a young Terrell Owens showed up as John Taylor started slowing down, which allowed them to keep a quality WR opposite Jerry Rice his whole career.

[JAB1985]

Ray is a little slower, but much wiser. Hes still a top 5 MLB in the league statistically and his on field coaching ability is immeasurable. He puts guys in position to make plays even if he cant get there himself. Replacing him will take a very very special player, and they only come along once every few years, Willis being the last one.

[mommathurgoesthatman]

Ray is a little slower, but much wiser. Hes still a top 5 MLB in the league statistically and his on field coaching ability is immeasurable. He puts guys in position to make plays even if he cant get there himself. Replacing him will take a very very special player, and they only come along once every few years, Willis being the last one.

Would you not want to see the ravens draft a mlb that Ray can teach him the ins and outs of the game. Same for ed reed teaching secondary players and mentoring them. Sort of like farve and rodgers or brees and rivers, hell!....even mcnabb and vick. We got to groom these guys so when lewis and reed leave we wont miss a beat. Even though you will never replace these two hall of famers or their play making ability.

[wickedsolo]

Disagree. Half the middle linebackers in the NFL still can't hold a candle to what Ray does even on 3rd down.

Definitely agree.

Honestly, Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, and maybe Jon Vilma would be the only guys I could think of that can do those things.


Even still, I see nothing to negate that Ray Lewis is still the best MLB in the game.

[DvlsAdvc8]

At the end of the Titans game, when it became pretty clear the Titans had it in the bag, Ray was still playing with an intensity thatnoticeably set him apart from anyone else on the field.

That's what makes Ray great. He wills himself to be great and he's always going 100%.

[RAVENOUS52]

It will be a sad, sad day for me personally because from the moment I saw him set foot on an NFL field, he never let his foot off the accelerator.

Greatness from beginning to end and he never expected anything less of himself or his teammates. There's a reason that 60-70% of the stadium is filled with #52 jerseys, folks.

We do need to groom someone capable enough to step into the MLB role however. I feel sorry for whoever that dude is because he'll never replace Ray.

[GOTA]

Lightning struck twice in Baltimore. First Johnny U. and then Ray

[DvlsAdvc8]

You can add Ed Reed to that GOTA.

[Dade]

Lightning struck twice in Baltimore. First Johnny U. and then Ray

Four times? Ogden and Reed.

[ballhawk]

baltimore has had alot of great players come through...ray and unitas are unique in the way that they became the face of their franchises. unitas was the heart and soul of the colts same as ray has been the heart and soul of the ravens. they are bigger than just their contributions at their respective positions. only other baltimore guy you could probably throw in there with those two is cal ripken.

and i have to add that ed reed is my favorite alltime raven and the most exciting athlete i have ever seen. but ray has been the face of the ravens since day 1.

[RavenAggie2]

Vontaze Burfict. Young still but he plays with Ray's intensity. Also, Ray has already spoken to him in a mentor like capacity before.

[Dave Lap]

The interesting thing about the question is that in the last 15 years the game has changed so much. Ray was once considered too small to play ILB, which is why he fell as far as he did when the Ravens drafted him. Now he's almost too big. The rules have turned it into such a passing game that teams are moving toward linebackers who can drop into coverage as well, if not better than they can hit a runner the hole. It's why we're seeing Brendon Ayenbadjo get 20-30 snaps a game at linebacker.

No one can replace Ray, even if he could, he wouldn't necessarily fit the profile. I wish the game would go back to what it was, but I think that ship has sailed.

I totally agree. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of an era in football-with Ray Lewis and the changing of the game.

I will really miss seeing Ray Lewis when he's gone.