Ray Lewis: #7 Most Feared Tackler Of All Time

[AwakenTheDemon]

NFL.com just released their top 10 most feared tacklers of all time today. Of course, almighty #52 in on there.

10: John Lynch
9: Steve Atwater
8: Jack Lambert
7: Ray Lewis
6: Jack Tatum
5: Hardy Brown
4: Ronnie Lott
3: Lawrence Taylor
2: Dick Lane
1: Dick Butkus

Clip from NFL.com regarding Ray Lewis at #7:
[url="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81117793/Top-Ten-Most-Feared-Tacklers-Ray-Lewis"]http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81117793/Top-Ten-Most-Feared-Tacklers-Ray-Lewis[/url]

I would have thought he would have been a little higher, at least #5.

Thoughts?

[JoeFlax]

I'm just glad that he's on the team that I root for and I am lucky to be watching him active on the field plus that with the best safety of all times. Some sight to see.

[plesiosaur]

LT - cocaine = not #3

[berad]

Ray has been the most dominant, feared defensive player in the NFL for the past two decades and, at least, that fact is represented in this top 10. I don't know if I could place him above any of those other players, I hadn't seen them live and don't truly know their impact. But, if I could make one judgment, Dick "Night-Train" lane belongs nowhere near that list. He may have only been "feared" because none of his tackles occurred below the shoulders. Every highlight they showed, he is hanging around some offensive players neck, that's not how you tackle..

[AwakenTheDemon]

If you watch the video, it amuses me that Marshall Faulk wrote "Please don't hit me. Peace" on his Pro-Bowl jersey for Ray. Plus, watching him wrestle that ball from Eddie George was amazing. I can understand why George would be intimidated by Lewis. Well, I can understand why anyone would be.

[BuckWilds]

Meh. Unless you've felt the Ray-Train in person, you can't really judge. Sportswriters estimated the impact of Ray's hits is like a storm chaser trying to estimate the coolness of a tornado.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='berad' date='12 August 2009 - 02:11 PM' timestamp='1250107877' post='218085']
Ray has been the most dominant, feared defensive player in the NFL for the past two decades and, at least, that fact is represented in this top 10. I don't know if I could place him above any of those other players, I hadn't seen them live and don't truly know their impact. But, if I could make one judgment, Dick "Night-Train" lane belongs nowhere near that list. He may have only been "feared" because none of his tackles occurred below the shoulders. Every highlight they showed, he is hanging around some offensive players neck, that's not how you tackle..
[/quote]


That's kind of the point though I think. Its not "Most fundamentally sound tackler", its "Most feared tackler". Not sure about you, but I would rather get hit by a fundamental tackler than someone who is going to grab my neck and body slam me.

[berad]

[quote name='Mick0311' date='12 August 2009 - 05:34 PM' timestamp='1250112853' post='218145']
That's kind of the point though I think. Its not "Most fundamentally sound tackler", its "Most feared tackler". Not sure about you, but I would rather get hit by a fundamental tackler than someone who is going to grab my neck and body slam me.
[/quote]

I guess there's merit to that. I wouldn't be scared of a NASCAR driver on the road but a little old lady who needs a periscope to see over the wheel.. I may need new pants.

[NC Ravens Fan]

2000 Ravens D was also #7 for top defenses today on nfl network

[thewarden86]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='12 August 2009 - 04:06 PM' timestamp='1250107610' post='218084']
LT - cocaine = not #3
[/quote]


Bull! LT changed the way the game is played. His cocaine habit did not span the years of his tremendous influence. He should be tied at #1.

[thewarden86]

I know you guys are going to freak on me (and call me a homer) so I'll put it as tactfully as I can:

It is my belief that Jack Lambert should be ahead of Ray Lewis on that list. My reasons are in the title of the list: "Most feared." Jack was known for his vicousness and pretty much little else (although obviously a solid LB). Ray is a field general for the defense, fast and no one (at least in his younger years) escaped his grasp. Sure he hit hard but Lambert was just plain mean.

There you have it: My humble opinion.

[Ravens Lover]

The main problem that I have is most of those guys had made tackles that were legal then that are illegal now. Ray made all his awsome tackles with the modern rules.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Ravens Lover' date='12 August 2009 - 07:32 PM' timestamp='1250119972' post='218201']
The main problem that I have is most of those guys had made tackles that were legal then that are illegal now. Ray made all his awsome tackles with the modern rules.
[/quote]


I agree. In addition, the "most feared" tacklers should not include players after the rule change(s).

Nothing wrong with a top ten "Brick Wall" tacklers list. Ray would surely be ranked higher there.

[RoflDogs]

The list is pretty old if you have NFLN

[AwakenTheDemon]

You can still be feared after rule changes. I'm sorry, but regardless of fundamental tackles or tackles based around the neck, if you hit hard, you're going to be feared. And if you watch Lewis, he hits hard, very hard. Helmets have a tendency to fly when Ray is smashing someone. That alone is enough to make someone fearful of him.

If someone has a knife and coming at me, sure, I'll be "fearful" of them. But also, if a professional boxer is coming at me, I'll still be "fearful" of him too. Hard hits are something people fear.

[quote name='RoflDogs' date='12 August 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1250120989' post='218209']
The list is pretty old if you have NFLN
[/quote]

Maybe, but I only have the NFLN when I'm over my girlfriend's house, so I don't always catch their Top 10s. When NFL.com released the list there this morning, was the first I got to hear of it. Which I'm sure is the same for some people.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='12 August 2009 - 07:53 PM' timestamp='1250121200' post='218213']
You can still be feared after rule changes. I'm sorry, but [b]regardless of fundamental tackles or tackles based around the neck, if you hit hard, you're going to be feared[/b]. And if you watch Lewis, he hits hard, very hard. Helmets have a tendency to fly when Ray is smashing someone. That alone is enough to make someone fearful of him.

If someone has a knife and coming at me, sure, I'll be "fearful" of them. But also, if a professional boxer is coming at me, I'll still be "fearful" of him too. Hard hits are something people fear.



Maybe, but I only have the NFLN when I'm over my girlfriend's house, so I don't always catch their Top 10s. When NFL.com released the list there this morning, was the first I got to hear of it. Which I'm sure is the same for some people.
[/quote]

Sorry, there is a difference and I think the players today (and yesterday) will tell you that. There are a lot more limitations placed on tacklers today.

You'll get beat up by a boxer, but there's only one way things are going to end up if you get into it with the dude who has the knife.

[#1 D]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='12 August 2009 - 07:53 PM' timestamp='1250121200' post='218213']
[b]You can still be feared after rule changes. I'm sorry, but regardless of fundamental tackles or tackles based around the neck, if you hit hard, you're going to be feared. And if you watch Lewis, he hits hard, very hard. Helmets have a tendency to fly when Ray is smashing someone. That alone is enough to make someone fearful of him. [/b]

If someone has a knife and coming at me, sure, I'll be "fearful" of them. But also, if a professional boxer is coming at me, I'll still be "fearful" of him too. Hard hits are something people fear.



Maybe, but I only have the NFLN when I'm over my girlfriend's house, so I don't always catch their Top 10s. When NFL.com released the list there this morning, was the first I got to hear of it. Which I'm sure is the same for some people.
[/quote]

well i kinda disagree with that...because if ray actually got a chance to hit like that in his decade-plus of playing, he would be THE most feared tackler. i mean look at this here jack lambert hit:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCTyEmvvZJo"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=hCTyEmvvZJo[/url] (00:43)


...id be crapping my pants if somebody was gonna hit me like that, hit that high on a quarterback. I'd bet if ray wasn't limited in that aspect then he'd been undoubetly the most feared.

[robermar]

Just plain awesome:
[url="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81117793/Top-Ten-Most-Feared-Tacklers-Ray-Lewis"]NFL Video of Ray Lewis[/url]

I did not watch the other videos of people they ranked higher, but Ray should be higher. Still a great video, though.

[tctony]

Hahaha. Looks like Terrible Terry Tate took a line from Ray: "YOU CAN'T HURT THIS, I'M A MACHINE G"

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='RoflDogs' date='12 August 2009 - 07:49 PM' timestamp='1250120989' post='218209']
The list is pretty old if you have NFLN
[/quote]
I'm glad someone else noticed. This was a pretty big topic of discussion when the show was first aired a year or so ago. Frankly, I'm happy with Ray just being in the top 10, period. There's been thousands of players in the NFL over its history, so for Ray Lewis to be anywhere near the top is a compliment.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='NC Ravens Fan' date='12 August 2009 - 07:06 PM' timestamp='1250118385' post='218195']
2000 Ravens D was also #7 for top defenses today on nfl network
[/quote]

Fewest points allowed in a season and number seven overall. Dumb.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Ravens1990' date='12 August 2009 - 11:41 PM' timestamp='1250134908' post='218286']
Hahaha. Looks like Terrible Terry Tate took a line from Ray: "YOU CAN'T HURT THIS, I'M A MACHINE G"
[/quote]


I'm pretty sure he says, "I'm a machine, jerk."

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, he definitely says "jerk" not "G".

[Purple Punishment]

Man I was expecting to see Sean Taylor up there. He wasnt in the league for a whole career due to his untimely death, but JESUS he has some of the hardest hits I have ever seen. Everybody should remember the pro bowl where he ran through that punter. Im suprised he aint up there

[BloodRaven]

Wow... it's a little bit c[b]old[/b] in here today...

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='13 August 2009 - 06:23 AM' timestamp='1250162597' post='218325']
Wow... it's a little bit c[b]old[/b] in here today...
[/quote]

Like I already said, I'm sorry if some of us don't have NFL Network and can't see every Top 10. NFL.com released it yesterday, therefore those of us who [u]do not[/u] have NFL Network just saw it then. There's no need to be a jerk about it.

Also, that is a most annoying way to call something old.

[BloodRaven]

Forgive me if I have angered the demons in your womanly places.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Dude, there is no reason to be rude about it. Good job on maturity.

[RavensClaw52]

[quote name='#1 D' date='12 August 2009 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1250122994' post='218232']
well i kinda disagree with that...because if ray actually got a chance to hit like that in his decade-plus of playing, he would be THE most feared tackler. i mean look at this here jack lambert hit:
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCTyEmvvZJo"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=hCTyEmvvZJo[/url] (00:43)
[/quote]


lol, Montana gets owned at 2:15

[MuhladaRavens]

Yeah even though #7 isn't where I would place Ray. Definitely within the top 5, but it's really great that he is even on the top 10. For all of us fans that have gotten the honor to see his HoF career for the city of Baltimore, you just gotta love Ray Lewis. Feared Tackler or not - one hell of a football player.