When To Find Lewis' Replacement?

[theFRANCHISE]

Let's get it out of the way first: we all love Ray Lewis. Without Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense (let alone the team itself) would not have had the reputation it's had for the past decade.

It's a testament to his conditioning that Lewis was able to finish 12th in individual tackles last season -- better than virtually 85% of tacklers in this league. As for passion for the game, #52 is second to none.

With that said, unfortunately, no one can play football forever.

That begs the question at hand: when is the right time to find Ray Lewis' replacement?

Keep in mind, this does not speak to the abilities of Ray Lewis right now; for all we know, he'll continue to play at a relatively high level for the rest of his career. However, that career will soon come to an end whether even Lewis himself would like to admit. It may not be this season, it may not be next season, but eventually, we will see #52 make his last NFL tackle.

Although people are high on Tavares Gooden and other young Ravens, there will still be a void left by Lewis' departure. Also, should Bart Scott remain a Raven after his contract year, he will still be a veteran with his 30th birthday in sight. With these factors in mind, I find it difficult to imagine someone currently on this roster filling Lewis' fairly-large shoes.

That reality leads me to believe that the next #52 (whom I doubt will actually wear #52, but that's a different story), may be found in the draft. Question is, should that player be pursued in the 2009 draft, or 2010?

Adding to that, should the team wait until Lewis retires to find his replacement, or should the team be proactive in finding that heir apparent so as to allow him guidance on the field from Lewis himself?

To add to the complexity of the situation, should the Ravens even consider finding Lewis' replacement through free agency as opposed to the draft?

Discuss.

[justifythegame]

Let's get it out of the way first: we all love Ray Lewis. Without Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense (let alone the team itself) would not have had the reputation it's had for the past decade.

It's a testament to his conditioning that Lewis was able to finish 12th in individual tackles last season -- better than virtually 85% of tacklers in this league. As for passion for the game, #52 is second to none.

With that said, unfortunately, no one can play football forever.

That begs the question at hand: when is the right time to find Ray Lewis' replacement?

Keep in mind, this does not speak to the abilities of Ray Lewis right now; for all we know, he'll continue to play at a relatively high level for the rest of his career. However, that career will soon come to an end whether even Lewis himself would like to admit. It may not be this season, it may not be next season, but eventually, we will see #52 make his last NFL tackle.

Although people are high on Tavares Gooden and other young Ravens, there will still be a void left by Lewis' departure. Also, should Bart Scott remain a Raven after his contract year, he will still be a veteran with his 30th birthday in sight. With these factors in mind, I find it difficult to imagine someone currently on this roster filling Lewis' fairly-large shoes.

That reality leads me to believe that the next #52 (whom I doubt will actually wear #52, but that's a different story), may be found in the draft. Question is, should that player be pursued in the 2009 draft, or 2010?

Adding to that, should the team wait until Lewis retires to find his replacement, or should the team be proactive in finding that heir apparent so as to allow him guidance on the field from Lewis himself?

To add to the complexity of the situation, should the Ravens even consider finding Lewis' replacement through free agency as opposed to the draft?

Discuss.

Ray Lewis will play another 3-4 years unless he suffers a major injury. We will not begin to look for a replacement until then, especially not next year because we still have serious holes to fill. I'm pretty sure Lewis' replacement will be found with a first round pick, thats just how the ravens operate. We are not a team like the redskins that just sign big name free agents and lessen the chemistry of our team. The earliest we draft Lewis' replacement is probably 2010. But it all depends on the players in the particular draft and talent involved. We would be looking for a guy like Patrick Willis. A guy like Bart Scott does not even compare to Ray Lewis and cannot fill Lewis' shoes. Scott is a great player, but he is not a playmaker. He can be used like an OLB coming off the edge and getting a ton of sacks, but that is only due to guys like Trevor Pryce, and an unbelievable DL and the Ravens D. I don't even think we will resign Bart Scott unless he wants to take a paycut next year. As for the 2009 draft, we need a first round OT really bad, more than any other team in the NFL. If we don't draft one, Joe Flacco will end up like Kyle Boller. I just don't see how we would not draft one unless we trade for a pro bowl T this season (maybe suggs for one and some draft picks... who knows). I dont see the ravens going after a LB in the first round next year at all.

[berad]

This is a tricky subject, because the NFL is so unpredictable. Ray will retire, we can all be certain of that, hopefully as a Raven. The tricky thing is, though, an actual target for his replacement. You never know if a big-time player will become available in FA or desire a trade (ex. London Fletcher / Jon Vilma). On that same note, you never know if the team will find a "diamond in the rough" in the draft; countless numbers of superstars have been drafted in the low rounds. That being said, high draft picks are risky, even though I trust the organization with all my fanhood.

Blah, Blah, Blah that paragraph is a bunch of gibberish and me trying to reason with myself.

Personally, I don't think we should "search" unless Ray is gone and retired and there is no clear-cut, young, talented heir to the MLB position.

[RavensIQ]

I think we have to ask ourselves a more appropriate question...Can Ray Lewis be replaced?

[sk_rhino]

I don't know when Ray's going to get replaced but he's lobbying for special teams guys to make the next cover of Madden. He seems pretty fired up for Devin Hester to get a shot.

http://www.dasgamer.com/ray-lewis-talks-ma...n-hester-cover/

[rayvenfan_52]

This is a pretty hard question to ask any team about finding a replacement for their Face of the Franchise player. Itd be really hard to find someone who could fill in for Ray Lewis, Peyton Manning, Ladanian Tomlinson and on and on and on. The real question is (like someone posted before) will there be a person who could fill the shoes for that person? I hope there is someone for Ray Lewis as well as Jonathan Ogden.

[theFRANCHISE]

This is a pretty hard question to ask any team about finding a replacement for their Face of the Franchise player.

That's why I asked it. You know I couldn't make it easy on everyone.

Meanwhile, in response to the earlier question about whether it's even possible to replace Ray Lewis, I know where you're coming from, but at the same time, it's less about finding someone who can play at the same Hall-of-Fame level, and more about finding someone who can match his leadership and intensity on the field.

Remember, Ray Lewis' importance to this team goes beyond his outstanding play -- it's been his mere presence on the defense that has helped it rank annually in the top 10 over the past decade.

[RavensIQ]

That's why I asked it. You know I couldn't make it easy on everyone.

Meanwhile, in response to the earlier question about whether it's even possible to replace Ray Lewis, I know where you're coming from, but at the same time, it's less about finding someone who can play at the same Hall-of-Fame level, and more about finding someone who can match his leadership and intensity on the field.

Well if that's the case then yes. Given our track record with Line Backers throughout the years (which is a pretty talent list) I don't think we will have a hard time at all finding a Talented MLB once Ray retires, but maybe....we already have with Tavaras Gooden?

But as far as replacing Ray Lewis? Ray is a once in a life time football player, your never gonna replace a guy like that. Whoever plays in his spot when he leaves i'm sure will be more than qualified, but at this rate we might have to wait another 4-5 more years for that to happen.

[rayvenfan_52]

Im hopin Tavares Gooden just fills the role perfectly. Not replaces... I repeat "fills the role perfectly". Just good enough to cover his area and get what needs to be done finished. I hope Ray teaches him how to play with intensity and just teaches him everything he needs to be great. I also hope they hire Mike Singletary again. That would just be AWESOME. Imagine how good our LBs would be after being taught from him. Afterall our Face of the Franchise player was his coach for a while.

[MyNameIsEarl]

I think Tavares Gooden is gonna be 'the guy'. He a Miami alumni, And he will have had a good few years of tutelage from Ray himself for a few years before taking over. He's ideally placed to be B-more's next MLB.

[MJSMOOTH]

in 2 year we must find a new MLB that is a beast

[foreversunny23]

Perhaps more importantly, what kind of contract should we give him after the current one expires?

Obviously it will be hard to replace him. We need someone who has not only talent, but that energy that is so infectious. That energy that just pumps everyone up. Tavares Gooden is a possibility (he was called Baby Ray after all). It's good that the two of them are roommates during training camp. Gooden can learn so much from Ray. Hopefully the answer is already on our team and we won't have to search.

[BloodRaven]

I think replacing Ray Lewis will be like replacing Jonathan Ogden. A significant dropoff no matter who takes over.

[Shadowalker]

I refuse to talk about this subject until Ray Lewis decides hes ready to retire. Until then he is the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens.

[FerrariFan87]

Ray can never be "replaced" just as J.O. will never be replaced (boy do we see this now!) and like Ed Reed will never be replaced. All we can hope to do is mold our guys now (and in the future) into a Ray Lewis-type of LB. Although, the passion and intensity that Ray displays play in and play out just can't be matched or replicated. That being said, Ray may still have 3-5 more good years left, so I feel that this discussion is VERY premature... but still a good one

[rayvenfan_52]

You guys seriously cant believe Ray Lewis has 3-5 years in him do you? What position does he play again? As much as I would love for him to play another 3-5 seasons with Baltimore I just cant see it. Especially playing at MLB. 1 year is the minimum with 3 being the most is more realistic. I personally (As in what I really hope happens) hope that Tavares Gooden is... better yet becomes the answer after Ray Lewis.

[RavensIQ]

You guys seriously cant believe Ray Lewis has 3-5 years in him do you? What position does he play again? As much as I would love for him to play another 3-5 seasons with Baltimore I just cant see it. Especially playing at MLB. 1 year is the minimum with 3 being the most is more realistic. I personally (As in what I really hope happens) hope that Tavares Gooden is... better yet becomes the answer after Ray Lewis.

BLASPHEMY!!!

[foreversunny23]

You guys seriously cant believe Ray Lewis has 3-5 years in him do you? What position does he play again? As much as I would love for him to play another 3-5 seasons with Baltimore I just cant see it. Especially playing at MLB. 1 year is the minimum with 3 being the most is more realistic. I personally (As in what I really hope happens) hope that Tavares Gooden is... better yet becomes the answer after Ray Lewis.

The way Ray Lewis trains and takes care of himself, there is no reason why he can't play 3+ years.

[rayvenfan_52]

BLASPHEMY!!!

Yes I will come out and say my own words are BLASPHEMY to myself. I seriously hope he has atleast 3 more seasons with us due to old age and the position he plays. I know Ray Lewis could play forever Mentally but like McNair. His body may not be able to do what his mind sees him doing.

This is how I will be whenever I see our team on the field without Ray on Defense

[Sub-Zero]

As long as we have great depth and a great system in place, we don't necessarily need to find him but if we could get an emotional leader who plays at a high level that plays on another position on defense, that would be just as fine.

[Corvus]

I would imagine this is one of the reasons we drafted Tavares Gooden, not only because he is a solid prospect, but because of the obvious connection to Ray with the U. I know the two are getting along great, Tavares is watching, asking, and learning and Ray is more than happy to show how to be an NFL linebacker.

[BloodRaven]

I mean a better question would be..when does he become a liability to the team on the field? he has stayed in shape and held off any significant dropoff but it will happen eventually. But if Zach Thomas can play the position well as slow as he is maybe Ray could play another 5 years?

[judge]

I'm sure that I am not the only one who heard the recent Ray Lewis interview where he discussed his regiment of staying in shape throughout the year. The reason this man is capable of outperforming other players in the league despite injury is the fact that he lives football and the conditioning that it takes to be where he is like no one else.

Ray is a valuable asset, as no one here will argue, and I feel that he will continue on as a raven, and hope that he will transition into a player/coach role, instead of outright retiring.

I also see Ray as the type of guy who has the personality to become a TV personality, but feel that his value to the defensive squad goes beyond his play on the field. He needs to become a coach of some sort, in addition to the role he already plays as a mentor to the younger players on the squad.

Ray Lewis should forever be a Raven!