A TOWN SCORNED BY A HERO
TL,
1996 was an interesting year. I remember walking into Memorial Stadium for our first game against Oakland and watching pre-game warm-ups. I turned to my brother and said who is number 52? He seems small for a first round draft pick at LB. A lot has changed since then.
[The] misery from 96 through 99 only to experience the highs of a Super Bowl one year later; Ray what have you done for me lately? 2001 was a chance to go for it again, Ray where were you, besides dancing in the tunnel? 2002 through 2003 were rebuilding years. Ray was the leader in the room (at least we all thought). 2004 through 2006, the injuries set in. Ray was your heart and leadership with the team? Why the silence now, why the new agent? Why not get the hell out?
I put my jersey of 52 out to pasture today. I am tired. I am tired of all the crap from a guy who should be happy to be admired and PAID WELL FOR IT. He needs to go and hopefully my Ed Reed jersey will be in soon. I NEVER thought I would be so down on the best LB to ever play the game (at least in 2000 and 2003). Should I feel guilty?
Rest in peace Ray! Who can we get for this bum should a trade occur? Is there an opportunity to pick up draft picks?
Dan from Hanover, PA
Dan,
At best the Ravens can hope for a No. 2 pick. It’s a very sad sequence of events that has brought us all to the point of accepting a first day draft pick for the face of the Ravens. He has the power to bring it back with one fan friendly press conference. But he wants out because he apparently needs a cash flow bump. The Ravens won’t cave on the issue, particularly not now.
There are many Ravens fans that feel scorned like you do. Sometimes those feelings trigger emotional responses like yours. I’m not trying to excuse Ray from his selfish behavior over the past two seasons, but I think you are being a bit too harsh on Ray overall. He was a genuine and inspirational leader right on through 2003 in my opinion. I’ve heard players say that they would have run through fire with Ray back then. Today, they might tell him to be careful and try not to get burned.
As for the draft picks, it’s a long shot – particularly multiple picks. The Ravens phone lines are open as it relates to Ray. But no one is calling.
TL
TL,
I wonder why no one in this town can put 2 and 2 together. Ray is miserable because he is broke. He has spent so much money on lawsuits both settlements and defense that he has no substantial assets left. He makes a ton of loot from the Ravens and he can’t live how he wants because he is broke. He needs to renegotiate his contract just so he can put some coin in his pocket. It is not God or because Ray is a man or he hates the team its just that Ray needs some money to support his lifestyle and his pocketbook is still paying for his past. It is real hard to be happy when you are broke, especially when everyone around you expects you to be “the Man.”
Still love the site, love the Ravens and cant wait to start tailgating for this year’s games.
Joe Valentino
Joe,
Great points! Although I personally can’t substantiate the claim of Ray’s financial woes, many have said there’s evidence that you are right on. When something like that happens, every little thing around you that is troublesome becomes a bigger problem than it really is.
And in the process of it all, Ray has lost the respect of several teammates and it’s no longer his locker room. He was the man and now he’s not yet by contract he has to stay around. Usually when you were the man and you’ve fallen from that perch, you exit stage left….
Trouble is that exit door is locked for Ray.
There is no happy ending in sight unfortunately.
Remembering happier days with Ray,
TL
TL,
As you know, I’m a DIE HARD Ravens Fan, and am a fan of the T E A M!!! Notice that there is no "I" in the word Team.
That is what Ray Lewis is all about now. He may have always been this way, but he is handling this situation (he wants more money) like the overgrown High School kid that he has turned into. He is showing no respect t The Ravens Organization: The Owner: The Coach and we fans and that is what disgusts me most!
I hope that they can make a DRAFT DAY trade for him and thank him for all he did, but he is no longer welcomed here in my book!
Sincerely
Harry O’ in Sykesville
Harry,
Ray will always be welcomed here provided here is where he wants to be. I really don’t think it’s a question of not wanting to play in Baltimore. I just think that he realizes that while he’s in Baltimore, there is no way he will get that front loaded contract that he desperately yearns for. The thing is, if he really was the businessman he professes to be, he would realize that the goodwill he once owned with the city could pay huge dividends in the future. Instead his self-centeredness will cost him that goodwill.
He has the power to change it with a 5 minute press conference. He just doesn’t have the desire to do so. What a shame!
TL
TL,
I just wanted to commend the guest author (in Smack) for an excellent, well written article – poignant, and on the mark. It is really a shame that a truly great football player has allowed himself to be consumed with the ‘me first’ mentality. Yes, I understand that the team might be better served with the rebirth of ‘butt and gut’; however, this is not the year 2000. That 2000 TEAM hung together during a horrendous scoring drought that year, and never would’ve thrown their coach (or teammates) under the proverbial bus.
All of us here in Charm City have long admired and revered Ray’s ‘warrior mentality’ on the playing field, and none of us will ever forget his contribution to the Baltimore Ravens and their sports fans. However, by putting himself first this week, he has surely negated what would have been a lasting heroes legacy here in Baltimore. As much as I have always enjoyed his intimidating play on the field, the real men in this game (and in life), who I’ve always admired, have been those that never whined, and ‘busted a gut’ when the going got tough (Johnny U, and Cal Jr quickly come to
mind).
Maybe the stats did not always reflect their effort, but the fans always knew they were putting forth a real ‘Lombardi’ effort.
The late Pat Tillman and Elrod Hendricks personified everything that is great about professional sport (and life); team, country, and family (not necessarily in that order) meant everything to these Men, something that is lost on many of today’s athletes.
As much as I hate to say it, it is time for the Ravens to cut ties with Mr. Lewis.
And, Ray, I hope you find what it is you’re looking for in life.
Raven Joe
RJ,
Ray had a chance to be mentioned in the same breath as Johnny U. Now I wonder if he’ll even be as revered as Eddie Murray. I hope he comes to his senses and like you, I hope he finds whatever it is he’s seeking. I just question the route he’s chosen.
And thanks for the well deserved props for Bill Reid. We hope to see more from him and not necessarily just on this page!
TL
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?
Hey TL,
Draft mania is here. I can tell because it’s getting harder to get on the show on Sundays. But faithful listener that I am I’m really enjoying the interviews and analysis. After listening to the likes of Eric DeCosta, Dev, and your special guests from the Huddle Report my conclusion is this: The NFL pro draft is about about as arcane and intricate as plasma physics. BUT…unlike science, the human factor makes the predicted results far from certain. It’s going to be fun this weekend…..
Basically, I agree with you and your co-hosts that the Ravens will get a better bang for the buck by trading down. The swap with the Jets sounds particularly attractive. Assuming of course, that the draft goes according to script and none of the Ravens top special needs (OT, DT, and Safety – and we all know the names) are available when they pick. However, I’m expecting that one team drafting ahead of the Ravens will pull a "Matt Jones" out of their hat and somebody in the top 10 will fall to Baltimore. I wonder what draft trigger Ozzie and company will pull then? Pick or trade down? The possibilities are intriguing….
Ray-Ray Update
I’m split-brained on Ray Lewis. His interviews on Comcast and ESPN were calculated shots at the organization, but I can understand where he’s coming from in terms of D-line protection. After watching him get mauled by athletic linemen from the likes of Kansas City sure makes me pine for Siragusa and Sam Adams. I understand that he wants the team to get better. And I understand he wants to play at a high level.
But here are the negatives. (1) Comparing himself to Michael Jordan is farcical. From day one until day last, Mike never stopped leading in practice, the regular season or in the NBA playoffs. Ray Lewis dropped the mantle of team leader last year and has secluded himself on the sideline. (2) Ray’s health is an issue. He’s missed significant time over the past 3 seasons. Jordan never had significant health problems. (3) Mike was never a problem in the locker room and, in fact, was the de facto spokesman for the Bulls. From what I’ve read Ray is now a real problem in the
locker room and some of his teammates have turned him off the way Ray has evidently turned off Brian Billick.
Which brings me to my last and biggest problem — Ray Lewis’ public dissing of Brian Billick is disgusting. Now we all know that Brian has ego issues with the staff and the press, but he consistently had Ray’s back in the 2000 season when most of the national press was calling for his scalp. You know as well as I do that there are members of national sports organizations who to this day will not talk to Billick over the way Brian treated them in the pre-Super Bowl interviews. Billick fell on his sword and took a huge public relations hit to protect his linebacker. And this is how he’s repaid? How short memories are.
Ray will be here in 2006 and for the foreseeable future because there is no easy way out for either side. The Ravens can’t afford the cap hit if they cut him and, if they could, Ray would never command the 5-6 million he’s going make for the rest of his Ravens contract if he goes elsewhere. Trading Ray is a loser. Taking anything less than second round pick for Ray is waste of a ball player that has a few good years left.
Unfortunately, the Ravens have been the major enabler in Ray’s transformation from team leader to prima donna and the latest “legend in his own mind.” When you constantly plug a player as the leader and face of the franchise, even the beggar will over time assume the emperor’s clothes.
There’s only one solution: Shut Up and Play, Ray!
Fran from Glen Burnie
Fran,
A very thoughtful email – thank you!
I’m sorry you couldn’t get through to the show – hopefully you will have greater success this week. As for Ray, for the reasons you suggest, it will be difficult to see him in anything but purple this year. A potential destination (albeit a long shot) might be Jacksonville. Some thing the Jags aren’t that far away from a Super Bowl berth and a motivated leader like Ray could provide a spark to the Jags much like Frank Robinson did for the O’s back in ’66. And don’t forget that Jack Del Rio is a big fan of Ray’s and Ozzie and Shaq Harris enjoy a great working relationship.
That aside, I believe Ray is only safe as a Raven in 2006. In 2007, Ray’s cap figure will be $9.2 million if he stays. The cap hit if released is $5.4 million. By jettisoning Ray in 2007, the Ravens could save $3.8 million against the cap and $6.5 million in real U.S. currency. Next year the Ravens will be forced to make a choice not unlike that which affected Hall of Fame players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and Junior Seau.
It’s the way of the modern era,
TL
FIXING A HOLE
TL,
You guys have really been catching my interest with your recent articles, keep up the good work!
With all the speculation on the upcoming draft, and considering all the holes the Ravens have, one thing seems to be overlooked by most articles I’ve read, and that in a nut shell is the Ravens need to get players that know how to win. Yes, you will hear about the team cancers, (that means you Chris McAllister) but what you need to consider is that the Ravens have enough talent up the middle to give any NFL team a tough game. What they need to get over the top is to get winners to influence those who are content to receive a paycheck.
Winners make plays when others don’t (see Shannon Sharpe throughout the playoffs in 2000). Loser’s make dumb penalties when you can’t afford them.
As far as I can see from a spectator’s point of view, the Ravens have winners in the following players….Ed Reed, Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis, Derek Mason, Todd Heap, Jon Ogden, Matt Stover, Mike Anderson, Kelly Gregg, and Adalius Thomas. But a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link, as clearly proven by the 2000 Titans and Del
Greco (God bless him).
Quite honestly, with the way Ray has been acting, the lack of effort we’ve seen from McAllister, a bad year from Jamal, and [below standard line play on both sides of the ball], I just can’t help but think that Billick’s [firing] is a foregone conclusion. I say that mainly because his Ravens teams have played without discipline and good football knowledge for 4 straight years. However, if he gets this team to the playoffs, sign him for 5 more, and give him coach of the year.
OK, I’m off the soap box…
Mark Considine
Mark,
Thanks for the note and the props. Both are much appreciated….
Billick has had a hand in creating this mess and now the players don’t universally believe in him — not just in his approach, some have lost trust and certainly confidence after the woodshed beating by Bisciotti. How can players fully embrace his coaching style after the owner public criticized it.
Ray apparently wants no part of Billick. It’s a sad situation. McAlister is an enigma and it’s hard for anyone to figure him out. He just had a child and perhaps that might settle him down but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Billick regardless of how he does this year, will not be granted an extension. He’ll have to do it 2 years in a row and I’m not sure he even wants an extension. His body language is that of a beaten man right now and that’s something I’ll be watching closely. He seemed to love his job before. Now I’m not so sure.
I hope things turn around for Billick. I think he deserves it.
TL
RAVENS GET YOUNG-ER?
Hey Tony,
I read your article "Youth Movement in Baltimore?" At first (before reading the article) I thought youth movement? We have gotten older by far over the offseason. [We] lost Kemoeatu and Weaver. We signed Pryce and Araguz.
But then I read it and it was about whether McNair would come to Baltimore if Young is drafted. I think McNair would, why? Because of the reports I have seen is that McNair has already taken Young under his wing as a mentor. Is it true? I don’t know but I think McNair would like having Young as his backup and bring him along. By many expert accounts, Young could take as much as 3 years to develop as a NFL QB anyway.
Personally I don’t want the Ravens to draft Young, especially in the 1st round. As much "seasoning" as Young needs I think a first rounder is a waste. I hope the Ravens trade down and pickup a safety/CB with number one, perhaps Gabe Watson in the second round and pick their usual good stuff in the fourth round.
Just my thoughts on the subject. And as always I will continue to read your articles.
Kevin Heinz
Kevin,
McNair wants to start. The economic pressures of drafting Young will force him into a starter’s role by the second year…that’s just the way it is. Besides, the Ravens won’t be able to afford them all (Boller included)…not with Reed’s pending new deal and the deal they’ll have
to put together for AD.
I don’t want them to take Young either unless he falls to No. 13 which he won’t.
In the pre-cap era, your mentoring scenario would work perfectly, particularly since McNair and Young are friends. I just don’t see it happening in the modern era.
To the good old days,
TL
TL,
Do you think Mike Preston’s subtle hint about Vince Young, and the Ravens trading up to #7 for him was just something to spice up his article? Or do you think there’s a realistic possibility of the Ravens doing something like, considering they’re still paying for making a bold move like that 3 years ago?
Personally, I think Vince Young is worth the gamble, a lot more than Boller was 3 years ago, but Ozzie Newsome would have to be totally head over heels about Vince Young to risk the Ravens future, and his job, to move up and get him. Are the Ravens really that enamored with Vince Young, or is it just another example of gamesmanship leading up to the draft?
Thanks,
Paul, Baltimore
Paul,
The Ravens think that Vince Young could be very special. They appear to be willing to trade up to get him but keep in mind they have at this time, only 1 other first day pick besides No. 13. However, I don’t see them getting crazy. If he’s still on the board at No. 7, they could make a call to Oakland. There is a developing story that Al Davis might not be all that enamored with Young. But I doubt that they move up (if at all) much farther than that — the cost is prohibitive particularly for a team with so many needs.
Is it gamesmanship? Chances are it is but we won’t know for sure until 2PM or later on Saturday.
TL
THAT SAVAGE BEAST!
TL,
Just checked out your site for the first time and enjoyed it. I am a transplant to Balto. From Cleveland 2 years ago and although I am a Ravens fan, I do enjoy checking out the other teams such as the Steelers and Browns from time to time. I am NOT a Brian Billick fan and can’t see the Purple going anywhere until they dump him. Anyone that thinks our current offensive line is sufficient and that Kyle Boller is the answer has to be drinking bad water or smoking [funny stuff].
I hope they have the intelligence to draft some big studs for the O line and the D line because that is where it all starts. If we are lucky enough to get McNair for the short term, that would help. Sorry we lost Phil Savage because he was the brains of that outfit and you will see that he WILL build a team in Cleveland within a couple of years. Ozzie was a fantastic player and he is a hell of a nice guy but he’s gettin’ a little long in the tooth to make the power decisions and I don’t think his judgment is quite
what it used to be.
This most likely will be another disappointing year for our team here. They will have to have some major luck to go 8 and 8, but then maybe they will dump Billick and be on the right road for the future.
Keep up the good work, your site is awesome and I am looking forward to a good draft.
Wayne Brown (Halethorpe)
Wayne,
The Ravens have certainly had their fair share of mistakes in the draft since 2002 but to suggest that Ozzie has lost it or that Phil Savage was the brains behind “that outfit” is just wrong. Phil Savage was very involved in each of those drafts except for last year’s draft and that one in my opinion will prove to be better than Savage’s last 3 with the Ravens.
Clearly the Ravens offensive line needs to play better and if it doesn’t, that will be an indictment on Ozzie because the Ravens have chosen so far to do absolutely nothing to improve that unit other than to hope its members play better and play healthier.
Brian Billick certainly hopes that is the case. His seat is more than hot!
TL
TL,
Will the Ravens admit that picking Adam Terry, and to the point, trading up to pick Adam Terry was a mistake?
I say that they take Winston Justice and move on!!!!
Also, is the Adam Terry draft day move from last year a sign of the “Phil Savage-less” future of the Ravens?
Unfortunately, I say yes!
Bob Bandzwolek
Bob,
I think it’s too early to call Adam Terry a mistake but if pushed the Ravens would admit that Terry was a bit of a reach. Is it a sign of the Savage-less Ravens? No! With Savage, the Ravens moved up to get Travis Taylor. With him they chose Chris Redman, a pick Savage was particularly pleased with.
Ozzie made the calls then, the good ones and the bad ones, and he makes them today.
As for Winston Justice, the Ravens could take him but don’t be surprised if instead they chose to strengthen the interior of the offensive line on Day 2.
I just hope whatever happens this weekend translates to a better team in September. Time will tell.
TL
THERE’S A DRAFT IN THIS ROOM
TL,
These are my draft day wishes for the Ravens:
Please DO whatever it is you do to weave your first round magic and DON’T pay any attention to media pundits. Your results speak for themselves in Round 1.
Please DON’T trade away another first day pick to move up in the draft (see Adam Terry, Travis Taylor, DeRon Jenkins). Trading down is fine. I trust your judgment in that direction.
On Day 2, please DO draft players who can potentially fill a position need, not just special teams. You’ll miss on a few, but when you hit one, they’re more valuable then any special teams-only player you could find (see Adalius Thomas, Brandon Stokely, Chester Taylor, Ed Hartwell).
On Day 2, Please DON’T, repeat DON’T, draft ANY special teams-only players. This means no kickers, punters, long snappers, or returners who have no hope of contributing at another position. These are wasted picks. Yes, these are very important positions on special teams, but you can ALWAYS find people to fill
these roles as veteran free agents or undrafted free agents. Guys you drafted like Dave Zastudil, Joe Maese, Mike Smith, Derek Abney, Ryan Sutter, Lamont Brightful are a dime a dozen. Even the "successful" picks in this category like Zastudil and Maese who stuck around a few years were nothing special compared to free agents you could have signed. The only successful pick in this category was Jermaine Lewis, but he actually did fill a role as a WR. Give yourself a chance to find the next Mulitalo or Hartwell with a 4th round pick or the next Chester Taylor or Adalius Thomas with a 6th round pick instead of wasting it on a guy who won’t be appreciably better than what is on the street.
Please DO draft anyone in a college from the states of Arizona or Utah if the opportunity presents itself (see McAlister, Heap, Suggs, Mulitalo, Kemoeatu, even Clarence Moore). Whatever or whoever you got scouting in that region is working!
Please DON’T draft anyone from the Northwest (see Patrick Johnson, Dwan Edwards, Devard Darling, Lamon Brightful). For whatever reason, your scouting in that region is just not up to snuff.
If you draft a QB, please DO make it someone who has half a chance to make the team in the 4th round or better. Please DON’T draft another QB in the 6th or 7th round unless you’re absolutely committed to dumping Brian St. Pierre and keeping 3 QBs on the roster at the beginning of the season. A guy drafted that late will need a lot of TLC (no, you’re not going to find the next Tom Brady), and if he has any potential whatsoever, you will not be able to hide him on the practice squad. I’m tired of seeing us lose guys like Derek Anderson or waste picks on guys who just get cut.
Please DON’T draft any more late round backup fullbacks. I’d rather see you draft 5 defensive backs in the hopes you’ll find two good ones.
Please DO work the phones to get your most desirable undrafted free agents to come to Baltimore. If you’re open to honest competition, you’ll get good players to sign here. You’ve done a great job in this area (Priest Holmes, Flynn, Kemoeatu, etc)
Good Luck. We’ll be watching with great anticipation.
Joe from Perry Hall
Joe,
My only response to your email is, “What he said!” I hope Ozzie and Eric do as fine and complete a job in the draft as you have with this email. You guys flat out make my job easier.
Thanks Joe,
TL
TL,
I really have to compliment you on that interview with Eric DeCosta, because you got out of him in 30 minutes more than any columnist type or radio guy has done in the entire offseason. You got DeCosta to basically shoot down trading down with the Jets (assuming Cutler is available), but he left very open the idea of trading down with either Minnesota or Dallas, since he said that they could get somebody at 17 or 18 as good as 13. Significantly lower than that it would be a problem. He also said they would want a second round pick in addition to the other team’s first round pick.
Great Job,
Bill from Northeast
Bill,
Eric is a great guy and a straight shooter but I think that interview may have even exposed Eric as a perpetrator of misinformation, albeit minor. When I suggested trading down to the Jets, Eric questioned
where the Jets draft later in Round 1. Now I admire Eric’s work, his passion, his preparedness and his patience. I find it hard to believe that a man as capable as Eric who prepares for the Draft 9 months out of the year and refers to it as the Super Bowl for scouts doesn’t know where the Jets draft. I think he knows it better than he knows his social security number.
We’ll have him back on GAMETIME post draft. I’m sure he’ll have a wry little smile, particularly if they pull off that deal with the Jets.
A little like Liar’s Poker, eh?
TL
