Ray Lewis' Last Home Game? 1/2/11?

[Twoo]

I didn't want to start this thread but I have a feeling Sunday will be RayRay's last home game as a Baltimore Ravens. I was listening to 105.7 yesterday afternoon while heading home and they were talking about Ray Lewis has been slowing down as the season progressed and many are believing this is going to be Ray's last season in the NFL.

Even thinking about Lewis not being on the field makes me get a little emotional- and I will admit that I'll shed tears when the day comes RayRay releases his retirement statement.

So that being said, unless the Steelers lose Sunday and we win I have a feeling that 1/2/11 will be the last time we see RayRay come out of the Ravens tunnel, throw his arms in the air and do his famous pre-game dance.

Thoughts?

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Twoo' timestamp='1293566417' post='587262']
I didn't want to start this thread but I have a feeling Sunday will be RayRay's last home game as a Baltimore Ravens. I was listening to 105.7 yesterday afternoon while heading home and they were talking about Ray Lewis has been slowing down as the season progressed and many are believing this is going to be Ray's last season in the NFL.

Even thinking about Lewis not being on the field makes me get a little emotional- and I will admit that I'll shed tears when the day comes RayRay releases his retirement statement.

So that being said, unless the Steelers lose Sunday and we win I have a feeling that 1/2/11 will be the last time we see RayRay come out of the Ravens tunnel, throw his arms in the air and do his famous pre-game dance.

Thoughts?
[/quote]

Slowing down? He's 5th in the league in tackles.

[Twoo]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1293566582' post='587265']
Slowing down? He's 5th in the league in tackles.
[/quote]

They were talking a lot of stats like the majority of Ray's tackles are on 1st/2nd downs and he's non existent in 3rd downs, etc. Plus with the labor uncertainty many are speculating this is Ray's last season.

[Romo Ravens]

Ray Lewis will never retire. Never, it's not gonna happen dammit

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

nope

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1293566582' post='587265']
Slowing down? He's 5th in the league in tackles.
[/quote]

His production doesn't mean he hasn't slowed down. And like Twoo said, how many of those tackles are before or near the line of scrimmage these days?

[theFRANCHISE]

Ray Lewis signed a 7-year contract extension last season with the intent of playing at least three or four more seasons. This is the second year of that contract. I think next year or the year after will be his last, but I'm almost positive he won't retire after this season, even with the labor uncertainty. He said he'd be open to talking honestly with the coaches about reducing his snaps to preserve his body, but that talk hasn't happened yet, which means he's not ready to wind down yet.

Even though Ray is proud, he's also a man of his word. When he says he'll be honest with the coaches, he probably will. When he says he'll step away from football completely after retirement so that he can spend time with his family, I believe him as well.

[bpytnjr58]

I think he has at least one more year left in him...he seems to be injury free but if they win it all this year who knows.

[DevilsLuck]

I believe Ray Ray will finish out his contract in full. Go Ravens!!!

[Corvus]

Even if Ray gets that 2nd ring this year as he has mentioned wanting (so he can wear both rings!), there is NO way he retires after this season. As others have said, after next season: possibly. After 2012: maybe, its simply to far ahead in time to tell. Yes, we've heard it all: Ray is slowing down, yada yada. Sure, that's what happens when you're 36. But the man takes care of his body, mind, and spirit like no one else in the league so I find it hard to fathom him retiring this season, with or without that 2nd championship.

[benravens1]

ray will never retire! he's "a machine jerk!"

in all seriousness i think he's got another year (maybe 2) left in him though he's still making big plays, like the INTs v Steelers + Panthers and forced fumble v bills, so he can keep going.

he'll always be involved with the ravens though, once he retires i can see him being offered his pick of coaching roles

[Tiznut]

Imo ray is one of those throw back guys that will tell you in advance if it's his last year.

[theFRANCHISE]

At least we know Ray won't pull a Brett Favre. He's already flirted with free agency and he saw that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be, so Ray swallowed his pride and came home where he belongs. No other city would show him the love we've shown him, so he'll reciprocate by being fair to us and giving us the rest of his twilight years and letting the coaches know when he can't do it anymore.

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1293567181' post='587274']
Ray Lewis signed a 7-year contract extension last season with the intent of playing at least three or four more seasons. This is the second year of that contract. I think next year or the year after will be his last, but I'm almost positive he won't retire after this season, even with the labor uncertainty. He said he'd be open to talking honestly with the coaches about reducing his snaps to preserve his body, but that talk hasn't happened yet, which means he's not ready to wind down yet.

Even though Ray is proud, he's also a man of his word. When he says he'll be honest with the coaches, he probably will. When he says he'll step away from football completely after retirement so that he can spend time with his family, I believe him as well.
[/quote]

I agree with you with the reducing snaps to preserve his play and that may be the reason why he does not want them to add more games in a seaason and why we were putting depth at that position with different styles because Ray has a little of all of our young LB styles in one and if it's hard to find that why not pick up a LB with all of Ray's attributes. It's the leadership on the defense that he and Ed Reed has that will be missed when they retire and I wonder who will grab the torch.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1293568776' post='587295']
At least we know Ray won't pull a Brett Favre. He's already flirted with free agency and he saw that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be, so Ray swallowed his pride and came home where he belongs. No other city would show him the love we've shown him, so he'll reciprocate by being fair to us and giving us the rest of his twilight years and letting the coaches know when he can't do it anymore.
[/quote]

I wasn't a member back then, but I remember scanning the boards and wasn't there a huge thread on Ray Lewis and so many people were hating on him? Funny how things change once he signs with the Ravens. Plus, didn't Jerry Jones come out and say that he would offer him some rediculous contract, like 3 years for 45 million which added to the controversy?

[Jamal]

I think he still has 1 more really good season left.

[Tiznut]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293569182' post='587301']
I wasn't a member back then, but I remember scanning the boards and wasn't there a huge thread on Ray Lewis and so many people were hating on him? Funny how things change once he signs with the Ravens. Plus, didn't Jerry Jones come out and say that he would offer him some rediculous contract, like 3 years for 45 million which added to the controversy?
[/quote]

Only thing I remember about ray during that time was that he was not taken calls at the start of fa because he was on vacation. I knew then he would resign.

I did glance at some boards and there were a good deal wanting scott over ray

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293569182' post='587301']
I wasn't a member back then, but I remember scanning the boards and wasn't there a huge thread on Ray Lewis and so many people were hating on him? Funny how things change once he signs with the Ravens. Plus, didn't Jerry Jones come out and say that he would offer him some rediculous contract, like 3 years for 45 million which added to the controversy?
[/quote]
Yep, the fanbase here was divided because they took Ray Lewis' testing of the free agency waters as being disrespectful. This was the same free agency period where Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard left to join Rex Ryan's Jets, with Scott's agent using mind games to trick the Jets and Ravens into upping their respective offers beyond market value at the time.

Jerry Jones publicly said they would pursue Ray Lewis and give him a fair deal, but the fear was that Ray would be misused in Dallas and the value wasn't quite what was promised. Ray allegedly took less upfront money to stay in Baltimore, but the difference reportedly lies in performance-based incentives that were easy enough to match.

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1293569192' post='587302']
I think he still has 1 more really good season left.
[/quote]

I don't agree with that. I can't see us losing first round again if they stay aggressive on defense like we have the last couple games and the offense continues not to make mistakes we go to the championship or superbowl clenching #2 seed or not. Also, it's been a long time since we have beaten Indy and I can't see them beating us...........SORRY

[SnOoPy]

i just can't watch Football without Ray Ray on the field...gonna be so sad..Ray WILL neverrrr RETIRE!!

[HaX]

what's gonna suck is reed and lewis are prolly gonna retire the same year

[Ravens Lover]

If we win the Super Bowl I think he may call it, but if we don't than I say one or two more years

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='HaX' timestamp='1293570515' post='587320']
what's gonna suck is reed and lewis are prolly gonna retire the same year
[/quote]

Maybe so and if not, not to long after. I can see them staying here and coaching for us. It would be nice for Ray as a coach to come out the tunnel still dancing>LOL. That would be a sight.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='Tiznut' timestamp='1293569491' post='587305']
Only thing I remember about ray during that time was that he was not taken calls at the start of fa because he was on vacation. I knew then he would resign.

[b]I did glance at some boards and there were a good deal wanting scott over ray[/b][/quote]

Holy moly me oh my.

[DieHardBMoreFan]

So... say Ray Ray does put another 2 years in. That puts him retiring, as a middle linebacker, at the age of 38/39. Has the league EVER seen a active LB at that age? Blows my mind...

[Jamal]

[quote name='Terrellb2007' timestamp='1293569541' post='587308']
I don't agree with that. I can't see us losing first round again if they stay aggressive on defense like we have the last couple games and the offense continues not to make mistakes we go to the championship or superbowl clenching #2 seed or not. Also, it's been a long time since we have beaten Indy and I can't see them beating us...........SORRY
[/quote]
Are you replying to my comment about Ray Lewis having another great season or my mock?.....

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='DieHardBMoreFan' timestamp='1293571554' post='587338']
So... say Ray Ray does put another 2 years in. That puts him retiring, as a middle linebacker, at the age of 38/39. Has the league EVER seen a active LB at that age? Blows my mind...
[/quote]

Clay Mathews Jr. Played 19 seasons until he was 40 years old

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

I just don't see Ray retiring after this season. His stats are still very good and he appears to be healthy. I think
Ray will let the coaches and players know when he is ready to go. I really don't want to think about Ray retiring just yet.

[JO_75]

I don't think we should be worried about Ray... I would actually be more concerned with Reed and this Sunday being Ed's last Home Game as a Raven. Ed had that whole thing with how he was 50/50 on retirement right after we lost to the Colts, and than came the little "I want Money" rant. To me I'm more worried about Reed retiring after this season, and I think Reed would retire if we win the Super Bowl in Dallas.

As for Ray... I think he has a good 3.. 4 years tops left in him for playing time. If the coaches are thinking about reducing his playing time so he can play longer, it makes me think they are going to go after a ILB in the draft who can help reduce the snaps and keep Ray healthy.

[Alexir]

Dunno even why you guys are talking about this. We still got a season to finish and a post season and you wanna talk about the GOAT putting his cleats away for the last time?

Ugh.