the big question

[Section 502 Raven]

The Sun is reporting Ray Lewis may be back sooner than thought.

do we want Ray back? the defense has performed better with Ellerbe and the younger LB'S stepping up. I am all for a statue of Ray in front of the stadium but is it time to pass the torch? this defense is improving at the right time.

[Stone]

I think they should let him keep healing till the playoffs. No sense in rushing him back as long as the younger guys keep getting it done, especially at his age. I hope he's been able to put some weight back on so he can focus more on stopping to run when the opposing teams back go straight up the middle. It's not like losing that weight helped him cover better. Either way, this is Ray Ray" we're talking about! When he's ready to play he's going to play! Great news if this report is accurate.

[lobachevsky]

It would be great to have #52 back for that game for his field-generalship alone. When PM and Ray match wits, it's like watching a Fischer-Spassky rematch where they reset the board every 45 seconds. (Most of you would probably watch paint dry but for an old tournament chessplayer like yerstruly, it's the bee's kness.) (NB I stole the comparison from something a Brit attending one of the London games said in an interview when they asked him what he liked about American football.)

[Justlovemybirds]

Whatever happens, there's no way you can bench Ellerbe again.

[bensmotorcyclehelmt]

There was a crossing route yesterday by the chargers, where Ellerbe caught the guy from behind right as he was turning upfield and limited him to a 4-5 yard gain and stopped a drive.
Ray might have seen the play coming, but Ray most certainly wouldn't have caught him.

[NCRAVEN]

There was a crossing route yesterday by the chargers, where Ellerbe caught the guy from behind right as he was turning upfield and limited him to a 4-5 yard gain and stopped a drive.
Ray might have seen the play coming, but Ray or McClain most certainly wouldn't have caught him.

Fixed!

[GOTA]

If Ray is able to play I want him playing.

[Paintballguy]

I just don't want them to bench Ellerbe. He is a monster.

[pslholder96]

Defense is not necessarily better without Ray Lewis, they are playing better because they have no choice (i.e time to step up). Having said that Ray's return to the field will provide an imaginable boost. Besides who wouldn't want to see the ultimate chess match between Peyton and Ray. It might be the last time we see these two on the same field together.

[pslholder96]

I just don't want them to bench Ellerbe. He is a monster.

Speaking of Ellerbe, didn't he get hurt late in the game? I don't think he returned.

[Paintballguy]

Speaking of Ellerbe, didn't he get hurt late in the game? I don't think he returned.

He did. Ellerbe did tweet after the game that he's going to do everything he can to play against Pitt.

[The Excellector]

If Ray plays, McClain is the one that needs to sit. Let Ray be the guy to diagnose the play. Let Dannell be the guy who is told by Ray, where to go and who to destroy.

[Boulderraven]

is is likely watching tons of Broncos game film from the past games and future games. He is the studying the Broncos bigtime.

[LC_Ravens_87]

Ray has always led the Defense with solid efforts against Peyton despite never getting them over the hump. More often than not, it was the offense that couldn't dent the Tampa 2 on the opposite side.

If it comes down to matching up with the things Manning does, and attempting to diagnose and/or confuse Manning at the LOS, you have to want Ray back in there for that Denver game. But that's only true if Ray can defend the area he needs to defend against a Manning led attack.

[Sua Sponte]

We can't chalk Ray's performance up as his fault the D was squandering and playing poorly. The D in whole was playing bad. With the recent resurgance of the DL (Suggs back, Kruger playing his best as a situational rusher, and Pees figuring somethings out) Ray will play better than McClain, but I think Ellerbe should stay on the field.
I also think that if Ellerbe is out next week that BA should play against Pitts dink and dunk, he has the speed to break up passes. McClellan in on running downs, BA in on passing.

[Section 502 Raven]

there was no way ray was going to retire due to injury. does he now play out the year and retire this year? i don't see him coming back in 2013 at 38 years old.

[bacchys]

When he comes back, this injury might be sufficient reason to platoon him more.

[JustaslowZ06]

Not even a question. As soon as he can come back he starts and you sit McClain. Really pretty easy.

[RavenMadness]

Speaking of Ellerbe, didn't he get hurt late in the game? I don't think he returned.

Dannell Ellerbe ‏@ellerbe59 My MRI was scheduled for 4:45 it's 5:35 and I'm still waiting! Getting restless!

[JustaslowZ06]

Dannell Ellerbe ‏@ellerbe59 My MRI was scheduled for 4:45 it's 5:35 and I'm still waiting! Getting restless!

Lol even pro's have to wait in our pathetic medical system!