Starting Next To Ray?

[bauer77]

Who do you think should start next to Ray next season? I know McClain started next to him most of the season, and i know Ellerbe, and Gooden are free agents i believe. Do you think Gooden should start next to Lewis again next year? I didnt see him make THAT many plays this year, did he play well enough to start again? Or will we possibly sign or draft someone to compete for the spot? OR even bring back Gooden and/or Ellerbe to give that another try?


On another note, i know once Ray and Ed retire, we have 2 guys in Suggs and Ngata to take over as the leaders of that defense. My question is though, shouldnt we go after a MLB to start grooming and learn under Ray so he can take over in a few years? i dont feel comfortable with out linebackers without Ray there, as im sure most people dont. thanks everyone for responses.



P.S. Mods- if there is another thread like this already, sorry!

[AwakenTheDemon]

I think it's too early to start pondering who will be starting next to Ray. I'm going to wait until after the draft before I starting speculating.

[bauer77]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1295916532' post='623509']
I think it's too early to start pondering who will be starting next to Ray. I'm going to wait until after the draft before I starting speculating.
[/quote]

Yeah i figured people would say this lol. I just havent made a new thread in a while, and it kinda does have something to do with free agency

[Romo Ravens]

It's up in the air at the moment. I'm still hoping that Ellerbe can be that guy though

[bauer77]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1295916805' post='623521']
It's up in the air at the moment. I'm still hoping that Ellerbe can be that guy though
[/quote]

Yeah i hope so too. I've liked him since he first got onto the field, kinda reminded of Bart Scott, undrafted FA, etc. And it seems like when he wasnt inactive, he made some big plays.

[PuRock]

There are some good linebackers in free agency as well this year.

[raylewfivetwo]

Ellerbe, McClain and Tavares have all shown some flashes for sure, but the one who I saw it from most consistently this year (when he was healthy) was McClain. I think it'll be a battle between he and Gooden for that spot next to Ray next year, if not only because Gooden's speed sets him apart. All three have the potential to be solid starters in this league though.

[ROH522155]

We need to start preparing now for life without Ed Reed and Ray Lewis

[Ed_Reed20]

I don't see Gooden being back because of his many injuries and am not sure Ellerbe will be either because of his mental lapses and supposed work ethic.

Jameel was playing good football towards the end of the season and not making as many lapses as he did against the run but a true impact LB needs to be drafted.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295917119' post='623530']
There are some good linebackers in free agency as well this year.
[/quote]

Like Beason, right? We should sign him ASAP!

Ellerbe, I don't see coming back. Gooden might though, the Ravens were quite high on him at one point in time. If no one is brought in, McClain will most likely get the start.

[Militant X 1]

the Ravens just flat out need to draft a beast of a MLB so that he can learn from the best and keep the legacy going.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='PITCH52BLACK' timestamp='1295918725' post='623560']
the Ravens just flat out need to draft a beast of a MLB so that he can learn from the best and keep the legacy going.
[/quote]

I don't really see any "beast of a MLB" in the draft this year. Jones, Wilson, and Sturdivant are the best three in the draft this year. I wouldn't call any of them "beasts" though.

[BloodRaven]

McClain doesn't seem like he has the same potential as Ellerbe.

[Bltravens]

The guy we're looking for isnt on the roster right now sadly.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1295919943' post='623593']
The guy we're looking for isnt on the roster right now sadly.
[/quote]

I agree. It'll be exciting to see who that person might be next year.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1295919836' post='623590']
McClain doesn't seem like he has the same potential as Ellerbe.
[/quote]

I hope the team keeps Ellerbe around and he commits to fulfilling his potential.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295920213' post='623599']
I agree. It'll be exciting to see who that person might be next year.
[/quote]
It's just odd because we're so used to seeing Ray's raw passion and intensity and then seeing the polar opposite in guys like Gooden and McClain. Ellerbe has the intensity and playmaking ability he's just clearly done something to piss Harbaugh off.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1295920495' post='623610']
It's just odd because we're so used to seeing Ray's raw passion and intensity and then seeing the polar opposite in guys like Gooden and McClain. Ellerbe has the intensity and playmaking ability he's just clearly done something to piss Harbaugh off.
[/quote]

I wouldn't hold your breath for Ellerbe.

How many guys have gone into the dog house and survived on this team?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1295920569' post='623613']
I wouldn't hold your breath for Ellerbe.

How many guys have gone into the dog house and survived on this team?
[/quote]
Ya I'm definitely not holding hope for Ellerbe, at this point at jack LB I'd settle for a physical, intense, smart LB and not even hold extreme athleticism as a nice side treat.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1295919665' post='623582']
[b]I don't really see [/b]any "beast of a MLB" in the draft this year. Jones, Wilson, and Sturdivant are the best three in the draft this year. I wouldn't call any of them "beasts" though.
[/quote]

just cause you don't see them doesn't mean that they aren't out there!

[berad]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1295919665' post='623582']
I don't really see any "beast of a MLB" in the draft this year. Jones, Wilson, and Sturdivant are the best three in the draft this year. I wouldn't call any of them "beasts" though.
[/quote]

Ray was, what, the fourth LB drafted in 1996? So, it's possible. Not saying that any players in this draft have the potential to be the next Ray Lewis [i](not even close, I believe)[/i], but anyone can surprise you.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1295921660' post='623636']
Ray was, what, the fourth LB drafted in 1996? So, it's possible. Not saying that any players in this draft have the potential to be the next Ray Lewis [i](not even close, I believe)[/i], but anyone can surprise you.
[/quote]

Oh I know that, I'm just saying the ILB/MLB talent isn't that high or deep this year. Ray was a stud coming out of college, there aren't that many stud MLB/ILB this year, it's more OLB this year.

[berad]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1295922024' post='623645']
Oh I know that, I'm just saying the ILB/MLB talent isn't that high or deep this year. Ray was a stud coming out of college, there aren't that many stud MLB/ILB this year, it's more OLB this year.
[/quote]

Entirely agreed. None of the ILBs are truly dominant this year. And, honestly, we may never see another Ray Lewis in this league. He's one of a kind.

[BloodRaven]

We don't need another Ray, some of the best linebackers in the league weren't even drafted.

[charchboii]

dont mean to be harsh but gooden is one of the worst ILB ive seen

[True]

Probably will have to go through the draft. I think Terrell Suggs was the last LB the Ravens drafted in the 1st round.

While Ozzie has gotten some pretty solid LB over the course of years, I think he still has to invest in 1st round talent this time around. Can you imagine how much more of a beast Suggs would become if he had someone opposing him to help occupy linemen?

If Kindle is cleared health wise then that would be even better. I hope he recovers well by April.

[Shammy]

[quote name='charchboii' timestamp='1295923165' post='623668']
dont mean to be harsh but gooden is one of the worst ILB ive seen
[/quote]

i think he would be a better OLB

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='charchboii' timestamp='1295923165' post='623668']
dont mean to be harsh but gooden is one of the worst ILB ive seen
[/quote]

Thats not harsh thats the truth. Everyone was enamoured by him because he's fast and wore 52 at the U.

[PuRock]

[quote name='charchboii' timestamp='1295923165' post='623668']
dont mean to be harsh but gooden is one of the worst ILB ive seen
[/quote]


[quote name='Shammy' timestamp='1295923997' post='623685']
i think he would be a better OLB
[/quote]

I think he'd be better in the CFL or XFL.

[Ravens1991]

Out of the young 3 there is no debate that Ellerbe is the best. McClain can be a back up i think he improved throughout the season. But GOoden doesnt even belong in the NFL and this is coming from a Miami fan. He overpursuses more then any LB I have ever seen. He is as physical as Samari Rolle, and is as fragile as Samari Rolle falling off of a sky skraper.