Ray Lewis article from Jamison Hensley

[Losac]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens17aug17,0,1659343.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Good read. Nice insight on what makes Ray tick. Also, seems he really wants the individual player introductions and the dance back as well.



Asked why he withdrew from the team last year, Lewis said, "Because I didn't like a lot of things." Refusing to single anyone out, Lewis said he was frustrated by how some players didn't properly study, work out and communicate.

"Everything reverts back to losing, one way or another," he said. "If that's going wrong off the field, what makes you think it's going to click when we step on the field?"

The tumultuous 6-10 regular season spilled over to the spring, when Lewis criticized the team's defensive scheme and not-so-massive defensive tackles on national TV.

Lewis has since apologized to his teammates for his comments.

"I go through frustrations," Lewis said. "I make mistakes. I'm not inhuman."

[lance1086]

When you're a player as intense as Ray Lewis, it kills him to have a season like last. He was basically just pissed a how the season was turning out, then he gets hurt, and after that he just didn't feel like talking football with the media. In this day & age, that'll get you in trouble.

Like he said, he doesn't have forever to win another SuperBowl, and he's probally starting to feel the pressure of time running out.

We won't see the Ray of 2000, but it will still be fun to see what he can do in this defense. He's still one of the best defenders in football, & I'd expect him to come out with a bang this year.

[Losac]

It's quotes like this that scare me:


"I don't believe I have played my best football," said Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "That's what is so exciting for me. I'm chasing a legacy and history of being the greatest defensive player to ever have walked onto a football field. Until I'm done with that, that's when I'll let it go."

Before last season he was talking about being the MVP of the league, and we all saw how that turned out. I just wish he'd talk about getting the TEAM back to where it needs to be rather than individual accomplishments.

[3RDRowRaven]

I read that article this morning as well. Very nice read on what Ray Lewis had to say and I always look forward to him coming out of the tunnel and doing his dance. :D

[lance1086]

To be honest, I think he's trying to prove something to himself, by saying things like this. It may come off as selfish, but I wouldn't look too far into it.

Just from seeing him at camp, I don't believe there's any problems at all b/w him and the team. He seems as "happy" as he's been since '01 (Aaron Wilson has also said this). From a mental & teamplayer standpoint, I wouldn't worry too much about Ray. He plays for his teammates before anyone else, and everyone on the 'D' knows that he has their backs. And he is all about getting the team to where it needs to be.

JMO, of course...

[Art-Florida]

Dough Ray ME Lewis

[AZRAVEN]

I'm really pleased to see his attitude has improved this season, I just hope it holds if things don't go as well as we are all hoping/expecting. I don't excuse his attitude last year, a true leader - which he proports to be - would not have gone into a season long funk because he wasn't happy with the preparation of some of his teammates. The Ray Lewis of pre 2005 would have kicked ass and taken names until everyone was getting with the program. I'm not totally convinced that was the real reason, I still think part of his sulks can be attributed to wanting the new deal. JMO and I'm sure most will not agree but to me the words and music aren't quite matching up. At any rate, that was last year let's just hope lessons learned and he's ready to go this year.

[GreenWave52]

How did everyone miss this? Individual intros are back! The dance may be back too.


The Ravens had planned on sticking with a team introduction for the entire season, but fans and players alike gave it a lukewarm reception at the preseason opener. Team officials said they likely will return to announcing individual starters because there has been a groundswell of support from players to do so.

"My teammates look for that," Lewis said of the dance. "It says this is our battle line. This is our general. And we follow. When I come out, that's the mind-set."

[Losac]

It says "likely will return".

Let's start WINNING first. Seriously, the player introductions should be the lowest priority right now for this team.

[AZRAVEN]

I didn't miss it, I was just ignoring it. I'm sorry but Ray's "dance" turns me off. I respect his play greatly but I'm just not a big fan of that kind of self promotion.

[FellsPointRaven]

I'll be extremely pleased when individual intros return. The add an electricity to the crowd, which in turn motivates the players come the start of a game.

Never underestimate the power of the crowd.

[Purpleguy]

I'm sorry, but a "general" wouldn't high tail it out when they weren't happy about things.

If they want to bring back individual intros, then fine, but each individual should receive the same into. That builds team unity. Until this entire team gets on a winning track, then nobody needs to be dancing.

[Mista T]

Individual intros are back!
http://www.clicksmilies.com/auswahl/aktion033.gif


The dance may be back too.
:141847_bdmoon:

[AZRAVEN]

While I can't understand why the crowd needs to be pumped up be ready for the game ~ I've always found just being there to see the game exciting enough ~ I'll accept that it seems to be the case in Baltimore.
If each player gets the same opportunity for self promotion than I suppose the individual intros are fine but to single out one player, regardless of how good he is, I feel flies in the face of the "team" aspects of football. I guess the Ravens will have to push back kickoffs to allow for all the dances, huh? :D

[Purpleguy]

I like it when there is a full house for the introductions because it shows support for the team, but I don't need it to get pumped for a game, and if a player needs it to get pumped, well I don't consider that player a true competitor.

Isn't the fact that it is a game, 1 of 16, where every one counts, enough to get people fired up?

[AZRAVEN]

It's always been enough for me. :179422:

[Dusty728]

getting the TEAM back to where it needs to be rather than individual accomplishments

Ray was talking about his injury and recovery at that point in the interview so I don't think he was being selfish at all , just explaining that he is healthy and plans on playing past his contract and that his passion is still there.

Myself, I don't care if my players speak "politically correct" or not. He has been guilty of that. Just play football.
Think of it this way. If Ray has MVP years then the Ravens are going to benefit from it.

[purplepoe]

Ray's dance gets the crowd pumped up, period.

Say what you want but there is a different feeling in the crowd if the offense or special teams is introduced.

The FANS want this back. Why do you think they are considering bringing individual intros back? Because of the lame shit they pulled last Friday night.

PP

[RavensDomination]

You guys mean to tell me your aren't jumping out of your chairs after "Script Ravens" ?!?!?!

In all seriousness, I am still a bit sour over Ray's actions last year. To me a true leader stays in the fight even when things aren't going as planned. He bailed on everyone when the season started to go down the tubes last year which to me was a slap in the face to his head coach that put his neck on the line when he was getting blasted by the media years ago. A sign of good man is how they return favors and with all that criticism Billick received last year all we got from Ray was "no comment."

[StingerNLG]

I'm sorry, but a "general" wouldn't high tail it out when they weren't happy about things.

That to me is what stuck out. I can understand not being happy. And I can understand frustration at a losing season. But to skip town really bothered me.



You guys mean to tell me your aren't jumping out of your chairs after "Script Ravens" ?!?!?!

Hey, after heading "God Bless the USA", I'm ready to get it on! That moment does more for me than the intros and the band put together. I always mist up when that segment comes up.

[RavenTD]

Looks like Ray and the team are all getting back on the same page.I love Ray and can understand what he went through.I can understand how fans can still be sour with how he acted.I don't remember Zach Thomas going down that path?

All I want is team unity.And the best purple and black product they can put on the field.

[jetskipasa]

Being down here in Florida, it is hard to get much info about the Ravens (except for the Sun which I read on line) but last year I was really upset with Ray over his attitude, etc. But when I saw his recent comments to the press and read the article today, I have a different attitude towards him. It has been my experience that when a man can admit his errors and be up front about making a mistake, then that is a real man. I have run into so many phonies over the years who constantly screw up but are never man enough to admit it. Ray has admitted he was wrong and that he really is a human, just like the rest of us. With his new attitude (because let's face it, Ray Lewis is the leader of the Ravens) and the additions Ozzie has put on our team, we are going places this year and I will be back in Pasadena to enjoy every minute of it. You guys who are still up there in Baltimore, please remember what we have in the Ravens and stay positive. I watched the Colts leave and that was horrible. Living down here and not being able to see the Ravens very much or hear of them every day is also horrible. Be grateful for what we have. Oh, and by the way, even generals make mistakes...the ones who don't recognize those mistakes and correct them are the ones usually on the losing side. Woo hooo can't wait to get back home!!!!:D :D :D :D