If You Could..

[lowrider]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='07 July 2010 - 09:58 PM' timestamp='1278554324' post='430352']
Fifth in the entire league in tackles doesnt sound like a man who has lost a step. Willis was first but only by 18 tackles. He also only had 1 more sack. It is a no brainer for me. Have to go with the man who has carried this team for so many years.
[/quote]
But come on look at what the Ravens have surrounding Ray. Ngata, Gregg, Pryce, Ellerbee, JJ, Suggs. All of those linemen and linebackers open up plays for Ray to make. Ray doesn't have that speed that he used to. Or at least I'm assuming because every expert I read says that. I mean you can get on me about how I'm just taking experts words for it, but Mike Preston isn't the only one that thinks that Ray lost a step. Ray doesn't have to make nearly as many plays or fight off double teams because of how many blockers his teammates eat up.

I guess it is all stipulation but if I feel like if i gave Willis that supporting cast, he would blow every middle linebacker away. Don't get me wrong. I love Ray, but Willis is younger, faster, better in coverage. For me this is like choosing the number one linebacker over the number 2. Ray is still great. But i think willis is better

[ed.s52]

Dude the Niners have a good supporting cast too.

Aburyo Franklin, Justin Smith, Manny Lawson, Parys Harylson, and Takeo Spikes.

We are better, but it really isn't that big of a difference, not enough to justify that Willis would do very much better.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='lowrider' date='07 July 2010 - 10:21 PM' timestamp='1278555679' post='430366']
But come on look at what the Ravens have surrounding Ray. Ngata, Gregg, Pryce, Ellerbee, JJ, Suggs. All of those linemen and linebackers open up plays for Ray to make. Ray doesn't have that speed that he used to. Or at least I'm assuming because every expert I read says that. I mean you can get on me about how I'm just taking experts words for it, but Mike Preston isn't the only one that thinks that Ray lost a step. Ray doesn't have to make nearly as many plays or fight off double teams because of how many blockers his teammates eat up.

I guess it is all stipulation but if I feel like if i gave Willis that supporting cast, he would blow every middle linebacker away. Don't get me wrong. I love Ray, but Willis is younger, faster, better in coverage. For me this is like choosing the number one linebacker over the number 2. Ray is still great. But i think willis is better
[/quote]


I see your point. Dont forget that he may have lost a step but makes up for it with his experience and knowledge. Maybe one day Willis can carry Rays jock. Ha!

[lowrider]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='07 July 2010 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1278556012' post='430368']
I see your point. Dont forget that he may have lost a step but makes up for it with his experience and knowledge. Maybe one day Willis can carry Rays jock. Ha!
[/quote]
Well Willis is gonna have to wait in line. After next year I imagine there is a gonna be whole lot of people gonna be lined up for that job. haha

[BloodRaven]

Of course he's lost a step but he makes up for it like nobody else can. That's not homerism, that's a sentiment you hear around the league every year.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='07 July 2010 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1278556012' post='430368']
I see your point. Dont forget that he may have lost a step but makes up for it with his experience and knowledge. [/quote]

I slept on it and thought about this. Your very right with the knowledge and experience. Not only that he is the best leader in the NFL and for a lot of reasons, has helped the Ravens been a stable organization for his entire career. He was part of the reason why LeRon McClain got in shape and worked hard. He is the hardworking player that everyone looks up to. He inspires teammates and is the catalyst to our team. When stuff is hitting the fan, we look to Ray for inspiration. He puts every player in the right position and helps every young defensive player learn and know what to look for. He probably knows what every cornerback and linemen should be doing and thats not even his position. But he has lost a step

Willis is a great leader too. He leads by example. You don't need to be a loud leader to be a great leader. And his play is the best in the league. His play is better than Ray's. But the impact that Ray has on our team on a yearly basis and how he gets every player to play to their full potiential makes him essential to the Ravens. I think Willis is a better player, but what Ray does for our team is more than just the numbers he puts on the field. So call me a flip flopper, Ill take Ray until he retires.

[Alexir]

Because I don't wanna make another thread on it, let's just put it this way.

I don't know how anyone put Urlacher at number 2 and Ray Lewis at number 3 in MLB rankings.

Willis, Lewis, Big Beas

Urlacher isn't as good as he used to be.

That being said I feel like Willis is the best in the league right now both talent wise and as a leader (ok maybe second best in that respect)