When Ray Lewis Retires

[Ravens_Fan13]

Hey Flock just sitten around thinking about what it will be like when Ray Ray retires i am a very emotional guy and get very emotional when i think about this happening but the sad fact is its just around the corner and i hate the thought worse then anything!!! just wanted to get your guys thoughts and feelings on this.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Ravens_Fan13' date='04 December 2009 - 12:41 PM' timestamp='1259948504' post='301857']
Hey Flock just sitten around thinking about what it will be like when Ray Ray retires i am a very emotional guy and get very emotional when i think about this happening but the sad fact is its just around the corner and i hate the thought worse then anything!!! just wanted to get your guys thoughts and feelings on this.
[/quote]
If a guy like Junior Seau can play till he's 40 I don't see why Ray can't. If he does retire in the next couple year, and with the possibility of Reed being not far behind, I think it will officially signal the transition to an offensive minded team. That is unless a guy like a Suggs can effectively assume that leadership role it will probably fall to Flacco and the offense.

[McBoller]

If Ray can admit decline and stick around id like to see him finish out his contract - which I think is technically 5 years - and come in on 1st down and most 2nd downs in the future. Even Seau is not playing every snap at his age, but the presence on the team had an obvious effect. I hope once he's totally done he can find a way to stick around whether it be as am assistant coach, advisor, etc.

[XxSizzleXx]

In a wonderful world we would some how magically pick up P. Willis.

[FerrariFan87]

Let's not talk about this please, because given Ed Reed's nerve impingement in his neck, he and Ray could very well retire the same year! That's a terrifying scenario for Ozzie and Co. AND us...

[Bltravens]

Ill def possibly cry, or go into a mourning period. But as someone else stated theres no reason why Ray cant play until hes 40 on 1st and 2nd and long downs and even against teams that run the ball lots. If we ever played the NFC South Id sure want Ray to get some significant snaps even if it was at age 37-38. MJD, Carolina, and Turner those are guys are loads to take down, they dont have great breakaway speed they just run into people and shake off lame tackles. However great HOF players typically dont stay around long enough to see their role on a team diminish and their skills diminish right in front of their eyes.

For now though Im enjoying watching Ray still be on of the best MLB in the game and performing at an all pro level.

[Purple-Haze]

Man this hurts to even think about it. The worst part is ive never been to a ravens game. I have to go to one with ray lewis, il never forgive myself if i dont

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Purple-Haze' date='04 December 2009 - 02:09 PM' timestamp='1259957364' post='301967']
Man this hurts to even think about it. The worst part is ive never been to a ravens game. I have to go to one with ray lewis, il never forgive myself if i dont
[/quote]
Ya man I made sure I went to one this year so I could see Ray and Ed live. Worth every penny of flying from Canada, the hotel fees, the food fees, the tickets, the gf shopping lol. Went to the Colts game, just awesome.

[Purple-Haze]

I always put it off, but I hope they both still here next year cuz im Definitly going. Im gonna try as hard as i can to make it to a game this year, if thats still possible.

[ChiTownRavens]

!!!! I have family down there and yet i still havent been to a game, i was thinking of making a trip for the Bears game down there, but i have to wait and see. But if Ray retires, im done rooting for the Ravens. . jk

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Purple-Haze' date='04 December 2009 - 03:09 PM' timestamp='1259957364' post='301967']
Man this hurts to even think about it. The worst part is ive never been to a ravens game. I have to go to one with ray lewis, il never forgive myself if i dont
[/quote]
You gotta go to one before he retires! I hope Ray keeps playing even if he prolongs his career by only playing 1 or 2 downs

[Ravens_Fan13]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='04 December 2009 - 04:58 PM' timestamp='1259960300' post='301997']
You gotta go to one before he retires! I hope Ray keeps playing even if he prolongs his career by only playing 1 or 2 downs
[/quote]

yea i even wonder about hireing him as the LB coach wouldent that be amazing!

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Purple-Haze' date='04 December 2009 - 03:09 PM' timestamp='1259957364' post='301967']
Man this hurts to even think about it. The worst part is ive never been to a ravens game. I have to go to one with ray lewis, il never forgive myself if i dont
[/quote]

same here! i live in Virginia and my wife and i plan on attending at least 3-4 of the Ravens home games next season. i NEED to see Ray Ray in action-LIVE!

[Jamal]

Hopefully by the time he retires, theirs a great defensive player who can take the role of leadership. I don't want us to be an offensive team. We should always have a great defense. Just look at the Steelers; they won all their rings with great defenses.

Anytime someone mentions we will become an offensive team, it makes me sad. I know it looks like it, but I certainty hope that doesn't happen. Defense should always be feared.

[Raveman]

I'm sure there are fans of teams out there that are longing for this just as much as we fear it. Our defense is already struggling and with the loss of Ray Lewis we're a below average defense with no identity. We would be lucky to find a LB who's half of what Ray was.

[Slim]

[quote name='Purple-Haze' date='04 December 2009 - 09:09 PM' timestamp='1259957364' post='301967']
Man this hurts to even think about it. The worst part is ive never been to a ravens game. I have to go to one with ray lewis, il never forgive myself if i dont
[/quote]
I feel you dawg, same here !

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='ChiTownRavens' date='04 December 2009 - 03:22 PM' timestamp='1259958179' post='301975']
!!!! I have family down there and yet i still havent been to a game, i was thinking of making a trip for the Bears game down there, but i have to wait and see. But if Ray retires, im done rooting for the Ravens. . jk
[/quote]

Hate to see Ray go but the Ravens are much more than just Ray Lewis.

I will still be rooting for the Ravens after Ray retires following his HOF career with our team (still proudly wearing a 52 jersey)

[edgarallen]

OK, let's hope Ray Lewis can last forever or 'til age 40 at least. A successor? Right now, Flaco and Rice look like potential team leaders. Why not both? In any case, time will tell who will succeed Lewis in that role.

[ChiTownRavens]

[quote name='edgarallen' date='05 December 2009 - 11:21 AM' timestamp='1260033666' post='302381']
OK, let's hope Ray Lewis can last forever or 'til age 40 at least. A successor? Right now, Flaco and Rice look like potential team leaders. Why not both? In any case, time will tell who will succeed Lewis in that role.
[/quote]

Yea no joke, hopefully Rice becomes the next leader, love that kid.

[Ravens-Pats]

Hi All,

Ray is a great player for Ravens and the fact is he won't be able to play at the same level what we used to see as he is slowly getting old. His leadership is what's invaluable to this team.

We need to find the next guy to step up. Whether it is Suggs/Ngata/Reed that needs to be seen. It's not easy to replace the void left by a great player like Ray. But if some one needs to step up this is the best time and hope the coaching staff will challenge the players to become the next motivational leader.

I hope they won't be caught up in "Pass happy offense/ Pass first team" the rest of the league is so blindly following to.

Who knows may be the great defense we used to see from Baltimore might be a NFL films thing.

Don't get me wrong, i am happy with our offense but the defense is not what is used to be ( as we use our high draft picks to sign offensive players). I hope the next high draft pick we can use is on a WR and get back to bringing this defense to to elite level.

Unlike most of you i followed the ravens from 2005 ( that's when i got to know the game of football) and i dearly miss the defense i have seen in 2006,2008.

May be these are my random thoughts.

mars

[JoeFlax]

I think it'll be Suggs who steps up as a leader after Ray's gone, Ngata seems pretty quiet, but of course, I wouldn't know since I don't know any of them personally

[jdynamite]

Well I see Ngata as the eventual leader of the D-fense... because as long as E.Reed is around he will do his thing but ed is more of lead by example while Ngata can throw guys around wreck havoc like Haynesworth.....

[Bltravens]

[quote name='jdynamite' date='07 December 2009 - 05:14 PM' timestamp='1260227660' post='303727']
Well I see Ngata as the eventual leader of the D-fense... because as long as E.Reed is around he will do his thing but ed is more of lead by example while Ngata can throw guys around wreck havoc like Haynesworth.....
[/quote]
Ngata is going to have to make game changing plays before he becomes the leader of a team. If you've played high level sports the guys who lead teams are either guys who can dictate games, or have been there before and are accomplished. Not too many guys are leaders who are run of the mill guys. If Ngata wants to take over as team leader, hes going to have to start taking over games, sacks, FF, destroying double teams.

[FlacAttack]

When he was considering going to the Cowboys last year, I had already mentally departed ways with Ray Lewis not playing for Baltimore. However, the rumors were false and he signed another contract with us. With me already having to go through the possibility of Ray Lewis not playing for the Ravens, I think it will be less hard when he officially retires...Still though, it's gonna be weird not hearing his voice on and off the field.