Ray Lewis - Out For Cin @ Bal (Toe Injury)

[PuRock]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1321631498' post='875429']
This is big, a big loss in the middle for the Ravens defense. Ray Lewis in my mind is the best LB ever and to be out this game and most likely a few after is a big blow to the defense[b]. I would compare that to the Colts lossing Manniing on the offense side of the ball.[/b]
Ray Lewis is the anchor, the leader, so hopefully next guy up can step up and play decent football.
[/quote]

I wouldn't go that far. Our defense isn't going to shut down because Ray isn't out there. Not like the Colts do without Manning. It definitely hurts us in the run game. But there have been questions about Ray's ability in the pass game nowadays. He's still going to be on the sideline, his presence will still be felt.

[BenDufusberger]

I wonder if Ray's toe got hurt when Lynch juked him and JJ. Ray went down at wierd angles on that play.

Ugh , that would really add injury to insult......

[Carson16Lax]

Just means our D-Line is going to have to become fantastic to make up for the defensive "umph" we'll be missing. I don't think we'll have a problem..

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1321632455' post='875444']
I wonder if Ray's toe got hurt when Lynch juked him and JJ. Ray went down at wierd angles on that play.

Ugh , that would really add injury to insult......
[/quote]

I think that was the play... if my memory serves me correctly, he got up kind of gingerly after that... yikes.

[jus'_crAzy]

I think we're going to see a lot of zone/combo blitzes to not only confuse the rookie, but also to hide the fact that Ray's not out there. Lots of movement. You have to, right? I mean, I understand "next man up" but you can't just lose a HoF MLB and expect things to remain the same.

I'm anxious to see what B.A. and McClain's gonna do.

[PuRock]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1321633305' post='875459']
I think we're going to see a lot of[b] zone/combo blitzes to not only confuse the rookie[/b], but also to hide the fact that Ray's not out there. Lots of movement. You have to, right? I mean, I understand "next man up" but you can't just lose a HoF MLB and expect things to remain the same.

I'm anxious to see what B.A. and McClain's gonna do.
[/quote]

I would think we would do this even with Ray in there.

The best way for the Bengals to expose us without Ray there is to run it up the middle. Which is fine. But Cedric Benson and their RBs aren't scaring anybody in this game.

[tctony]

Nooooo.

It's next man up though, Ray has been preaching that for a long time. Time for Ellerbe and McClain to step up. I like Ellerbe as a run stuffer, not sold on McClain yet. Too bad both of them combined can't fill the jockstrap of Ray.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1321595284' post='875188']
you negative cats in here need to calm down!

sure, Ray is our leader and the energy he brings to the table is second to none and will be missed....BUT.....if the truth be told....this gives the Ravens a small glimpse of what they can be defensively in their moving forward without Ray for whenever he retires. hopefully, he has another 1-2 years left in his tank. so....next man up! let's see what we are working with and who will rise to the occasion on the defense to make plays. this should be interesting! let's go Ravens! win this...not for the gipper....but...for Ray-Ray! this one's...for Ray!

~Mili
[/quote]
Have you seen the other ILBs play before? Ayenbedejo is like the size of Pollard, Ellerbe and McClain are god awful in coverage, half the time Ray has to tell them their checks and coverages, and neither of them are adept blitzers.

[tctony]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1321634323' post='875477']
Have you seen the other ILBs play before? Ayenbedejo is like the size of Pollard, Ellerbe and McClain are god awful in coverage, half the time Ray has to tell them their checks and coverages, and neither of them are adept blitzers.
[/quote]

I like Ellerbe. Not sold on McClain yet.

[1/28/01]

As expected, most likely AT LEAST two games:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8243d4c0/article/toe-injury-to-end-ravens-lb-lewis-consecutive-starts-streak?module=HP11_headline_stack

[Gtown Purple]

This hurts us more for the 49ers game than this one.

[theFRANCHISE]

It's important to note that, even though Ray did not practice, that doesn't mean he won't play this Sunday or next Thursday. Ray Lewis is Ray Lewis and he's just about the only guy besides Ed Reed who's allowed to play without having practiced during the week.

(Yes, part of that is just me being overly optimistic and hopeful...)

[Jamal]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1321598386' post='875233']

I think we will be fine honestly, we have Daniel Ellerbe , He has some talent (very underrated and under used), you cant deny that. Only thing that has kept him from playing more is because of the celebration in the endzone or should i say before the endzone,lol, last yr in the preseason, he's been in Harbs dog house ever since. We will of course be missing Rays leadership but Ed , Suggs and H.N will pick up the slack. Plus Dont forget about Jameel McClain, he has been a beast this yr.
[/quote]
I'm not really worried about the leadership aspect. Reed and Suggs both seem like excellent leaders.

But isn't Ellerbee injured? Even if he isn't, he never really impressed me.

Where is that kid we drafted from Auburn? Really like him. (drawing a blank on his name)

[PuRock]

[quote name='Gtown Purple' timestamp='1321636319' post='875504']
This hurts us more for the 49ers game than this one.
[/quote]

I agree. Gore will make us notice that we are missing Lewis big time.

Hopefully we employ Ellerbe as he is one of our better run stuffing LBs. And make Alex Smith beat us. Which is possible.

[Suggs Package]

If we could somehow combine Ellerbe and Ayenbedejo into one person, we would have the perfect Ray Lewis replacement.

But I hope we don't play too much 4-3 because of this. JJ is an excellent OLB, but is way too big to be covering that much space for a whole game. My guess is that we'll swap out Ellerbe and Ayenbedejo based on down and distance.

But to get our best playmakers out there, I think we should use a 3-3-5 with Ngata/Cody/Redding, Suggs/McClain/Johnson/ and Williams/Webb/Reed/Pollard/Smith. I would want Pollard to be close to the line of scrimmage almost all the time.

[FerrariFan87]

Not so fast, guys...

[url="https://twitter.com/#%21/RavensInsider"]RavensInsider[/url] Aaron Wilson

[b]John harbaugh 'ray lewis may go he may not go its not career threatening' said you can never count him out[/b]

[theFRANCHISE]

Ray Lewis was not on the field for the portion of practice open to the media but it was unspecified whether he practiced during other sessions.

John Harbaugh says that he's is not officially ruled out on Sunday yet, was non-committal about his status. (via [url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/137586132492881921"]Aaron Wilson[/url])

This basically ties into my hunch that Ray is 50/50 and that we could conceivably see him on the field Sunday but in a limited capacity.

[bpytnjr58]

Even if he does not play the Defense will feel his energy from the sideline. They will step up on Sunday.

[Gtown Purple]

Yeah, the 49ers run alot of traps and powers between the tackles. Frank Gore runs to contact most of the time. Benson has had his good days against us in the past but the Bengals have won moreso on Dalton's arm this year than anything else.

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1321637583' post='875532'] I agree. Gore will make us notice that we are missing Lewis big time. Hopefully we employ Ellerbe as he is one of our better run stuffing LBs. And make Alex Smith beat us. Which is possible.[/quote]

[Gtown Purple]

That's just the cat/mouse game that coaches play. he knows full well what Ray's status is. he's just trying to force the bengals to prepare for more players. If ray is hurt he should sit. we will need him for the stretch run.


[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1321638252' post='875540']Not so fast, guys... [url="https://twitter.com/#%21/RavensInsider"]RavensInsider[/url] Aaron Wilson [b]John harbaugh 'ray lewis may go he may not go its not career threatening' said you can never count him out[/b][/quote]

[CapoRocky]

Ray Lewis, like Ben Grubbs, would never miss a game unless something was seriously wrong with their toe. The same goes for Evans's ankle injury. In my past posts, I know that I have been hard on injured players but I guess that's the way that we Italians were raised. In professional sports, the "suck it up and play through pain" approach doesn't always work. I just know that I rarely miss a day of work.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Crazed Bengal' timestamp='1321612746' post='875270']
I know Lewis is a very important part of the Ravens defense, but the Ravens have other players out there that still make their defense very potent. You guys have Reed and Ngata just to name two off the top of my head. I don't follow the Ravens, so those are the only two that jump out at me.

I hate hearing that Lewis is out because if the Bengals happen to win this game, it will not be against the Ravens are at full strength. In the back of my mind though,[u][b] I am kind of glad he is out and now the Bengals young QB may just survive this game[/b][/u], lol.
[/quote]

slow your roll bruh! lol

defensively...we still have Suggs, Ngata, J.J., McClain, Ellerbe, Kruger, Webb, Williams, Pollard and of course...ED REED to see to it that we get this game for our overall record, to take the division lead and to represent in Ray Lewis' absence!

~Mili

[757RavensFan]

Listed as questionable on the injury report. Id rather have him sit this week and be ready to go Thursday against Gore!!

[darklight1216]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1321638284' post='875541']
Ray Lewis was not on the field for the portion of practice open to the media but it was unspecified whether he practiced during other sessions.

John Harbaugh says that he's is not officially ruled out on Sunday yet, was non-committal about his status. (via [url="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/137586132492881921"]Aaron Wilson[/url])

This basically ties into my hunch that Ray is 50/50 and that we could conceivably see him on the field Sunday but in a limited capacity.
[/quote]
That's good to hear. I'm glad it's not a Gaither-esque definetly out situation.

Perhaps he might miss this game and end up being the only fresh Raven on the field for the Thursday Night Game. Of course, I'd prefer it if he plays both...

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1321637403' post='875528']
I'm not really worried about the leadership aspect. Reed and Suggs both seem like excellent leaders.

But isn't Ellerbee injured? Even if he isn't, [b]he never really impressed me.[/b]

Where is that kid we drafted from Auburn? Really like him. (drawing a blank on his name)
[/quote]

He has impressed me, Everytime i see him on the field , he is around the Ball. Gotta love that.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Suggs Package' timestamp='1321638130' post='875538']
If we could somehow combine Ellerbe and Ayenbedejo into one person, we would have the perfect Ray Lewis replacement.

But I hope we don't play too much 4-3 because of this. JJ is an excellent OLB, but is way too big to be covering that much space for a whole game. My guess is that we'll swap out Ellerbe and Ayenbedejo based on down and distance.

But to get our best playmakers out there, I think we should use a 3-3-5 with Ngata/Cody/Redding, Suggs/McClain/Johnson/ and Williams/Webb/Reed/Pollard/Smith. I would want Pollard to be close to the line of scrimmage almost all the time.
[/quote]
I like that set up , but i say rotate Kruger in there with Johnson, Johnson sucks in coverage and we all know he missed that Tackle with that sorry so called Juke move, if you want to call it that, Lynched did. Man if Johnson just stayed in his Lane we might have won the Seattle game and wouldnt be worrying about having to win every single game because it looks like the Stealers have a cake walk, except the 49ers, hope John gives Jim some help with that game.

[Ravensstrike4424]

i dont see Ray missing the game,id be shocked if he's not out there

[JO_75]

I don't think he'll miss it, I'd rather him be limited in practice and be held out just to mess with the Bengals to make them think Ray won't play, but since Marvin knows us so well I'm sure he'll game plan as if Ray is playing on Sunday.

Plus if he misses it... he can begin his training as Defensive Coordinator

[BenDufusberger]

This will be a game where Ray suits up , but is ordered to sit because the Ravens build up a big early lead. Then , in the second half , the Bengals gradually chip away , cutting the lead to only 9 points midway thru the 4th qtr. The Ravens go 3 and out and punt , and with 7 minutes to go in the game , Ray pulls on his helmet and takes the field , against the wishes of his coaches. The crowd goes nuts , naturally. Sure enough , on first down Ray blasts Benson for a 2 yard loss. M & T is rocking. On second down he does it again , making a diving deflection on a screen pass , but this time the crowd goes quiet , because Ray is having trouble getting up. The trainers rush out , helping him off the field. As they approach Harbs , Ray shakes his head , " I'm done ".

On third and 12 , Dalton completes a pass on a crossing pattern for the first down , right in Ray's territory. That's nothing , though , compared to what the fans will see next. The big screen shows the trainer pulling off Ray's shoe , and his sock is dripping with blood. Silence. His injury is much worse than we thought. But Ray insists on watching from the bench , and the trainers patch up his foot as best they can.

The Bengals work the ball down the field to the Ravens' 25 yd-line and stall , and settle for 3 pts. , cutting the lead to 6 with 3 minutes left in the game. The nightmare continues for Ravens' fans , however , as the Bengals recover their onside kick near midfield. The Bengals then run one running play after another , seemingly to humiliate the Ravens' defense while their injured leader watches from the sidelines. They eat up the ground and the clock with precision , placing themselves at the Ravens' 3 yd-line with seven seconds to go , and call a timeout to set up the final play. With a touchdown and extra point , they will defeat the Ravens at home , and in the worst possible way.

There's some crowd noise that begins building behind the Ravens' bench , which quickly escalates into a deafening roar. The big screen shows the reason. Ray is up , both shoes on , and he's hobbling over to grab his helmet. The trainer steps in front of him , shaking his head , "No!". Ray grabs the trainer by the shirt with his left hand , drawing back his right hand in a fist. The trainer signals , "OK! OK! ". Nobody can stop Ray now. He's on the field , barking out orders to his defense , lining everyone up for the last play of the game.

Strangely , as the Bengals count down to the snap , the Ravens' "twelfth man" is silent. It's as if the brain of every fan in M & T has devoted all its resources to seeing and hearing what is about to happen , and won't allow the vocal chords to interfere. They all stand up to watch , but then they don't move a muscle or make a sound.

This is it. As the ball is snapped , time slows to a crawl for every person in M & T stadium. Senses are amplified , the air is stilled.

The Bengals called the perfect play , and executed it perfectly as well. Another run by Benson , right up the middle , into a hole you could drive a truck thru. As Benson reaches the line , he's already at full speed , and his momentum alone would probably guarantee the score , even if the hole wasn't there.

Here's the thing , though. Ray Lewis knew what that play was going to be even before the Bengals called the timeout. He knew exactly where the hole would be , and exactly when Benson would hit it. And he made a date to be at that same place , at the same time , and also going at full speed. And Ray Lewis never stands up a date. On the contrary , you might say.

The fans first see the intial contact , then , a split-second later , hear the sound from the crash. Both are simply too much for human sensory systems to interpret , and every person blinks involuntarily at the same time as their brains try to sort out what's happening. In that blink of an eye , the play is over.

Ray Lewis is kneeling beside Benson , five yards behind the line of scrimmage , making sure he's OK. Benson' s helmet is a further ten yards downfield , and the ball is another 30 yds beyond that , in the middle of the field , still spinning like a top from the impact. No player from either team even attempted to retrieve the fumble. Why bother ? It was obvious which team had won , and deserved to win , the moment #52 walked on the field. The ref , exasperated , whistles the play dead and the game is over.

That was the football game. What happened in the stands of M & T at the end of the game would be another story. Let's just say that the engineers and architects who built the stadium didn't design it to withstand the decibel levels generated when a legend creates a legend. There needs to be some sort of legend(squared) building code.

For an idea of the mess it made , start this video at about the 3:40 mark :

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ft_enkr9c&feature=related[/media]

[TXRaven]

may be limited in number of snaps but I still think he is playing.