Retirements

[hawkprey]

Mason said he can play "5 more years".

Ed Reed feels like he's 25. [[url="http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/09000d5d817feced/Around-the-League"]link[/url]]

Heap said he feels much better now than a year ago at this time.

Ray-Ray doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon (see today's article on minicamp)

Pryce (wasn't injured but is old) is in great health [[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/03/Pryce_Not_Slowing_Down.aspx"]link[/url]]

And while Suggs isn't really a Vet yet, he's in much better shape than last year, which is crucial to our D.


So there you go.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, I was pretty pumped to hear that Ray's playing like he's back to his twenties again. Not to mention that Reed says he feels great after surgery. I know everyone expects Ray to retire in the next few seasons. But it honestly wouldn't surprise me one bit if he ends up playing even longer than most expect. I can't be the only one who could see him being the linebacker who stayed in the league the longest.

[The Flock]

They are all immortal.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='09 May 2010 - 07:28 PM' timestamp='1273447706' post='407719']
Yeah, I was pretty pumped to hear that Ray's playing like he's back to his twenties again. Not to mention that Reed says he feels great after surgery. I know everyone expects Ray to retire in the next few seasons. But it honestly wouldn't surprise me one bit if he ends up playing even longer than most expect. I can't be the only one who could see him being the linebacker who stayed in the league the longest.
[/quote]

Agreed. He eats right, trains hard in the off-season and has a drive to be the best like no other in the league.

How awesome would it be to see Ray doing his dance pre-game at 40?

The elder statesmen aside, I'm excited to see Suggs back in shape. He's had good seasons by most players' standard the past two years; I can only imagine what he'll do hungry to prove he's an elite talent again.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='09 May 2010 - 06:33 PM' timestamp='1273448011' post='407723']
Agreed. He eats right, trains hard in the off-season and has a drive to be the best like no other in the league.

How awesome would it be to see Ray doing his dance pre-game at 40?

The elder statesmen aside, I'm excited to see Suggs back in shape. He's had good seasons by most players' standard the past two years; I can only imagine what he'll do hungry to prove he's an elite talent again.
[/quote]

Right, when Suggs got healthy at the end of the year we went up in sacks and turnovers like threefold. I think I even made an account just to say that and I stick by it. Our D's biggest improvement over last year is having him in shape. But certainly having our veteran guys suddenly feel young again is noteworthy too.

[theFRANCHISE]

It's a testament to the great conditioning of these veterans, as well as the Ravens' outstanding training staff. Without a great training staff to monitor usual wear-and-tear, minor injuries can quickly become major injuries. Rarely have we fans seen a high-profile veteran miss an extended period of time due to injury (knock on wood.)

[K-Dog]

As fans or players you would have some serious issues if you were not completely stoked on this season. Every one is stepping up.

Every one.

[Ravenmore74]

What about Kelly Gregg?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenmore74' date='10 May 2010 - 12:10 AM' timestamp='1273464626' post='407888']
What about Kelly Gregg?
[/quote]

Buddy Lee is coming off surgery and will either be back later this month or in June: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?id=2207&sport=NFL

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='09 May 2010 - 06:33 PM' timestamp='1273448011' post='407723']
Agreed. He eats right, trains hard in the off-season and has a drive to be the best like no other in the league.

How awesome would it be to see Ray doing his dance pre-game at 40?

[/quote]
Very awesome. I really wouldn't be surprised, either. In a way, the Ravens Organization even believes he can play that long...didn't they give him a brand new 7-year contract last year? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's pretty incredible.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='DrMoonTooth' date='10 May 2010 - 12:39 AM' timestamp='1273469972' post='407938']
Very awesome. I really wouldn't be surprised, either. In a way, the Ravens Organization even believes he can play that long...didn't they give him a brand new 7-year contract last year? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's pretty incredible.
[/quote]

The reasoning behind the length of the contract was mostly to seal his career in Baltimore. I wouldn't read too much into it, like him being around that long. Although, like I said, the way to man plays and the condition he keeps himself it, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's around for five plus more years. Most linebackers are slowing down and moving down their team's depth charts when they've been in the league as long as Ray.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='10 May 2010 - 12:42 AM' timestamp='1273470179' post='407940']
The reasoning behind the length of the contract was mostly to seal his career in Baltimore. I wouldn't read too much into it, like him being around that long. Although, like I said, the way to man plays and the condition he keeps himself it, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's around for five plus more years. Most linebackers are slowing down and moving down their team's depth charts when they've been in the league as long as Ray.
[/quote]
I wasn't trying to read into it, merely joking about how well the man plays for his age. I just thought it was funny that they gave him such a long contract, and even funnier that there's a legit possibility that he could play it out. He certainly doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. He already proved that the '14th year' for LBs didn't break him...instead, Ray decides to go to another Pro-Bowl xD.

[btully27]

Ray only needs to go 5 more yrs including this yr to tie the longest Linebacker career in NFL history.. so if he plays the contract from last yr out the full length..Id love to see that next to his name as the LB to have the longest NFL career.. cuz Clay Matthews Sr had the longest career of 19 seasons from '78 to '96..so id much rather see ray have the longest career of 20yrs from '96 to 2014..tht be amazing..only 6yrs short of the longest nfl career of George Blanda a former QB/K who actually was a backup to YA Title for 1 game in 1950 with the colts