No. 18: The ultimate defender

[Guest Birdfan]

In the continuing series of USAToday's Top 25 players of the last 25 years.

Ray Lewis has been the lifeblood of the Baltimore Ravens' defense for the past decade. But he might also be the NFL's most physically dominating player during the same span, an achievement that has earned him the 18th spot on USA TODAY's list.

Read it here (with link to the complete list so far): Story on Ray

By the way, Rod Woodson was number 22, so Ray ranked higher than Rod.

[raysqueen]

ray is one of the best of all time, no question! i know i am a homer, but he should be alot higher than 18, top ten at best!

[Tiz]

Thanks for the link Birdfan.

It was nice seeing Rod Woodson and even Mike Singletary on there too.

[Controled_Chaos]

looks to be a pretty solid list so far anyone wanna take a stab on who will be number 1

[Tiz]

looks to be a pretty solid list so far anyone wanna take a stab on who will be number 1

My guess is between Jerry Rice, Emmith Smith and Walter payton

[Jesse Conroy]

I knew the reason of terrible defense in the 2002 season, but just seeing it in data makes me happy.

If you notice in the last six years we have had great years for defense, except for 2002, but it states we were 22nd Ray Lewis only playing 5 games that year due to injured shoulder.

I don't know what we will do without him when he retires.

I am quite sure he will become the Ravens Defense Coordinator though.

[Guest Birdfan]

I am quite sure he will become the Ravens Defense Coordinator though.

If he does decide to go into coaching (which would actually surprise me), I see him starting like Mike Singletary as ILB coach. It takes a long time to work up to DC in this league. Nobody just starts out there. Coaching and playing are two very different skills.

The DC has a lot of administrative duties in addition to coaching and Ray's interests seem more along the lines of becoming a business man.

[Controled_Chaos]

i dont see Ray coaching right away once he decides to hang it up.....personally i think the Defense will still be among the top when is he gone it wont be the same without him doing the dance and the pre game and all but i still think we will be fine Bart Scott will step up as a leader same with Ed Reed

[Tiz]

If he does decide to go into coaching (which would actually surprise me), I see him starting like Mike Singletary as ILB coach. It takes a long time to work up to DC in this league. Nobody just starts out there. Coaching and playing are two very different skills.

The DC has a lot of administrative duties in addition to coaching and Ray's interests seem more along the lines of becoming a business man.

I think people look at Jack Del Rios quick move from LB Coach to HC and figure it's a given for all good former players. They forget that Mean Joe Greene has not been anything other than a DL coach and has been coaching for several years.

I would love to see Ray as a coach because I think he would bring the passion that is required to the position but I don't think he'll be a DC right away.

[willis mcgahee run u over]

for the past 25 years id say

1-Payton

2-Smith

3-Rice

4-Lott

5-Ray Lewis

6-Barry Sanders

7-Montana

8-White

9-Martin

10-Elway

11-Campbell

12-Tomlinson

13-Deion Sanders

14-Young

15-Brady

16-Singletary

17-Tiki

18-Rod Woodson

19-Zach Thomas

20-Harrison

21-Holt

22-Favre

23-Sapp

24-Urlacher

25-Spikes

[willis mcgahee run u over]

**** forgot to put in strahan and lawrence taylor

giants fans here dont freak out

[Tiz]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...rs_N.htm?csp=34

Primetime is in at #16

[Reed_4_President]

ray is one of the best of all time, no question! i know i am a homer, but he should be alot higher than 18, top ten at best!

I agree totally he deserves to be "ALOT" higher up there.