Ray Lewis must be furious. His blood must be boiling over after soaking in the first day of NFL Free Agency 2009.
Two teams other than the Ravens had been rumored to be interested in the services of the best linebacker ever to wear a NFL uniform, namely the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. Yet neither came calling on Friday nor did anyone else for that matter.
The only deal on the table for Lewis to consider is the 3 year, $25 million deal that includes $17 million from the Ravens. That’s it.
Meanwhile Bart Scott lands $22 million in guaranteed cash; DeAngelo Hall gets $22.5 million; and Albert Haynesworth scores the mother load with $41 million sure to come his way even if he only practices one day with the Washington Redskins.
Many would argue that the Ravens offer is more than fair for Lewis – count me among them. Check that, count me among those who think that $17 million is actually a tad on the high side of fair for a player who is really no more than a two down linebacker. One Ravens source when describing Lewis’ play on passing downs said recently, “Ray couldn’t cover a dead man with a blanket.”
Ouch!
Yet Lewis thinks that he’s the player he was back in 2000 and pride prevents him from getting off the field on third down. He has convinced himself that he has the ability to do what no other soon to be 34 year old NFL player before has done – give Father Time the slip. He believes that he is still among the game’s elite players and should be paid accordingly and he fired agents Roosevelt Barnes and Eugene Parker and hired David Dunn to make sure that he gets what in his mind is rightly his.
No one ever accused Ray Lewis of being a realist.
And sometimes reality bites.
Eventually Lewis will get up, brush off the anguish of a severely bruised ego and take out his vengeance on some unsuspecting running back while wearing the same colors he’s worn throughout his NFL career. He’ll set out to prove his naysayers wrong and that determination could benefit the Ravens.
By the way, what exactly has David Dunn done for Ray Lewis to earn his fee?
That said, Ray Lewis has only himself to blame for this free lesson in What Not to do in Public Relations 101.
Other notes, observations & rumors…Ravens linebacker Tavares Gooden is reportedly recovering nicely from a hip injury that sidelined him in 2008. Gooden showed flashes in limited snaps during training camp last season and coaches are said to be anxious to put that burst he exhibited to work within the confines of the Ravens defense in ’09…Team officials are equally excited about the prospects of LB Jameel McClain. McClain when given an opportunity made plays for the Ravens and was a beast on special teams. The Ravens graded McClain as a potential fourth round pick but after selecting Gooden in the third round in ’08, they passed. One of the benefits of bringing Ray Lewis back is his ability as a willing mentor…Prescott Burgess’ name often surfaces as a potential replacement for Bart Scott. Burgess has the frame to be a 260 pound linebacker but his work habits are substandard and consequently he is a long shot to make the 53 man roster.
Jason Brown received $20 million in guaranteed money from the St. Louis Rams, quite a bit for a player who has yet to head across the pond to Honolulu. Most observers believe that the loss of Brown means Chris Chester will be moved over to center and while it may very well play out that way, don’t be surprised if six-time Pro Bowl C Matt Birk’s name is linked to the Ravens. Birk is a solid team guy and is represented by agent Joe Linta. Linta you may recall is the agent for Joe Flacco. Perhaps Linta can exert some influence and help protect his only QB client – one who could command some significant dollars when the time comes to renew his contract.
Some sources have linked the Ravens to Steelers left tackle Marvel Smith. It’s possible that the Ravens may have some interest but it is more likely that the Ravens will wait until the summer to fortify their line with a veteran like Smith. They could find better value in a cap casualty player in August as they did in ’08 with the acquisition of Willie Anderson…Those holding out hope that Jim Leonhard will return should get used to the idea that he won’t unless he comes way off his asking price. The Ravens believe that in Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski coupled with the likely return of Dawan Landry that they have more than enough talent to overcome Leonhard’s likely departure.
The contract signed by Domonique Foxworth is considered by some to be a tad bit rich at 4years, $27.2 million and $16.5 million guaranteed. Yet when you consider that Foxworth runs a 4.3, 40 and is only 25 years old, those close to the team believe that Foxworth’s best years are in front of him particularly since he is now a Raven. Defenders just play better in Baltimore. Also some more food for thought – no other CB in the draft ran anything close to a 4.3 at the Scouting Combines…Now that the Patriots have traded Matt Cassell and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs could that be a potential landing spot for Ray Lewis?
