Who Should Fill Ray's Shoes?

[sflegend89]

[b]I hate thinking about it, but one day Ray Lewis will take off that Ravens helmet for the final time. Although no player will ever truly fill Ray's shoes, who will be the next great MLB in Baltimore?[/b]











[center][b][size=5]"The Favorite[/size][/b]"[/center][center][u][b][size=5]Jameel McClain[/size][/b][/u][/center][center][size=5][b]Baltimore Ravens[/b][/size][/center][center][img]http://www.csnbaltimore.com/common/medialib/342/578968_617x262.png[/img][/center]

[b]Like Many of Baltimore's LB's McClain was signed as an undrafted free agent coming out of Syracuse. Under the tutelage of Ray Lewis, McClain has unquestionably raised his game up another level every year he's been here. He played an excellent game against SF with Ray on the sidelines and definitely rose to the occasion and led the defense well.[/b] [b]Is he Ray's long term replacement? The verdict is still out if you ask me. But at just 26 years old McClain is more than a viable option.[/b]






[center][b][size=5]"The Perfect Storm"[/size][/b][/center][center][size=5][b][u]Vontaze Burfict[/u][/b][/size][/center][center][size=5][b]Arizona St.[/b][/size][/center][center][img]http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/624/808/126089267_display_image.jpg?1322683105[/img][/center]


[b][size=4]Burfict started as the top ILB prospect in this year's draft and was a lock to be a top 10 pick. [/size][/b]
[b][size=4]But recently his stock has fallen a little and he's now slated to go as low 20 or as high as 12 . Burfict has great size at 6'3, 250lbs. He's known for playing with a high intensity, very emotional and has many leadership qualities Ray has. He also has a bit of a mean streak and has tendencies to start fights and rile people up. He reminds me of Jameel McClain as far as attitude. He's a special player no doubt and I would love nothing more than to see him in Purple and Black. The only draw back is we might have to give up too much to move up and snag him. It's not necessarily Ozzie's M.O.[/size][/b]

[b][size=4]Burfict is my #1 choice.[/size][/b]




[center][size=5][b]"The Long Shot"[/b][/size][/center][center][size=5][u][b]Manti Te'o[/b][/u][/size][/center][center][size=5][b]Notre Dame[/b][/size][/center][center][img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zfcsRnX8v5w/TORFY3J1nPI/AAAAAAAAANU/Fn6tC-FUjO8/s1600/Manti+Te%2527o+2.jpg[/img][/center]
[center][b][size=4]The good news is Te'o is still slated to go low enough that we could possibly move up to get him. The bad news is his stock is rising and Te'o will have many teams trying to swipe him besides us. 6'2, 255 lbs. The kid's an ox, get's off blocks well, great insticts/nose for the ball. Reminds me of Junior Seau. Another kid I would love to have in Baltimore, but as long as he doesn't stink it up at the combine we will have to trade up to get him.[/size][/b][/center]



[center][b][size=5]"The Realistic Draft Pick"[/size][/b][/center][center][u][b][size=5]Dont'a Hightower[/size][/b][/u][/center][center][size=5][b]Alabama[/b][/size][/center][center][img]http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/001/624/811/124049343_display_image.jpg?1322689609[/img][/center]
[b]At 6'4, 260 lbs. Hightower's size is tremendous. He also plays for a great defense under Nick Saban and would transition well to the NFL in my opinion.[/b] [b]Ozzie seems to like players from Alabama and I think Hightower is our most realistic option at this point. He's known for having a mean streak similar to Burfict however his draft status was more affected by it. Right now I don't think we would even need to trade up to get him, It's more a question whether Ozzie think he's the right fit. Hightower is my #2 behind Burfict.[/b]




[center][size=5][b][b]"The New Identity[/b]"[/b][/size][/center][center][u][size=5][b][b]Luke Kuechly[/b][/b][/size][/u][/center][center][size=5][b][b]Boston College[/b][/b][/size][/center][center][b][img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/SwvkYLfnk4I/AAAAAAAAb80/KBDHQyyXwFc/s400/Luke+Kuechly.jpg[/img][/b][/center]
[b]Much like Te'o and Burfict depending on who you ask he will go almost anywhere outside the top 10. Kuechly isn't overly aggressive or vocal, he would be a complete change in identity for the defense which turns me off to him. Not a big hitter, but a good form tackler. He won't break the game open for you but he will play solid, mistake free football for 60 minutes.[/b]









[b].[/b]

[Romo Ravens]

Good post. 'Taze gets my pick.

[Ravenslifer]

I love Te'O as a prospect. Like Kuechly as well. I have one of them in the mock draft I'm creating myself. Don't know what to make of Burflict, because he's got a huge bust factor with his attitude problem. Not really a fan of Hightower at all. I think Saban's players and system make him look better than he is. Hightower also, in my opinion, can't be more than a 2 down LB in the 4-3 because of his lack of range, which makes him less versatile than the others. We run a base 3-4 I think, so he could play, but being fluid and versatile is something I think is important for this defense.

[blitzking33]

Who I want: Vontaze
More realistic:: FA or McClain.. I won't be upset if McClain and Ellerbe are the 2 men in the middle after Ray leaves.

[Gordo52]

Its obvious.....The one who Ray has taught, and has stepped up ......Mcclain

[Irish Raven]

Great post

I want Hightower and yes it's a realistic draft pick

And Ozzie just loves his Alabama players, oh yeah

[blitzking33]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/35cfr85.jpg[/IMG]

I know it probably wont happen. But, imagine him in all black, behind Ngata and Cody, doing this to the QBs we face each year.

Mark Sanchez would piss his pants. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/229031_rofl.gif[/img]

[SideStep77]

I honestly don't see this as being a debate, it has to be McClain. He's been here under Ray, played with Ray, and has already filled Ray's shoes on a few occasions. To me it is obviously going to be him and I hope it will be.

[gabefergy]

I like Te'o the most as a prospect, but I doubt he falls to us. The more I watch Hightower the more I like him, and he could realistically be on the board when we pick. I think he could start for us immediately if needed and you have to love his upside. Burfict is probably the most physically gifted, but mentally I am not sure he is ready to play for the Ravens.

As for McClain, he has shown me a lot this year and he obviously has the most experience. I think he is fine in the short term, but he isnt quite the playmaker I would like to have at ILB for the long term. I like Ellerbe too, but feel similar towards him as I do about Jameel.

[Dudeman]

I have to say someone else and my reasoning's have little to do with the talent of these defenders, and I mean them no disrespect. But a player of a Ray Lewis caliber is a once in an era kind of guy.

We wont see the like of it for another 10-20 years, and sadly it may not be for the Ravens. Some say that Patrick Willis will take the mantle of the "Lion King" when Ray Lewis retires, but Willis has a lot of resume packing to do to catch up with Ray. Let's say to even qualify a reasonable comparison would involve Defensive Player of the Year award.

But wait! It get's better. Ray has 2 DPOY's, and also happens to be a super bowl mvp. He's working on 13 or so Pro-Bowls, and really hasn't shown much sign of slowing down. Can anyone say that before Ray got hurt that he had hit the wall? No effin way! Sugar just needs some rest, or he risks aggravating and extending the severity of his injury.

Oh and I almost forgot that he is the presiding chairman of the board for the 30+ sacks, and 30+ ints (if I am not mistaken it may be over 40 sacks/ints) club.

[Radinho84]

i would take the guy who has proven himself on the nfl level and that´s mcClain. he played very good for us the last games and i don´t like the rookie hype at all. they have to prove themselves on a total different level at first before we talk about replacing the best lb of all time.

i thin mcclain can be the middle linebacker we need if ray is gone. he will never be as good as ray. he will never be the leader ray was. no player will ever be able to fill those shoes. but do we need that? we have suggs mcphee ngata webb smith cody kindle(perhaps) cary pollard kruger to name a few and the duties of ray will be spread among those guys.

we don´t need the best middle linebacker in the nfl to be a complete defense. we just need a good one and i think we have those in mcclain and ellerbe already...

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

McClain is going to be one of our starters next year. He's solid but unspectacular. I think we draft a difference maker early next year. Burfict would be my choice but I'd be happy with any of the guys you listed.

[BloodRaven]

I think Ellerbe and McClain have shown they're more than capable of taking over.

But out of this years crop I like Te'o and Kuechly as both are high character/work ethic players. Te'o has a better physical skill set but Kuechly has the best instincts.

[Ravens Lover]

I just cant bring my self to vote there will never be another Ray Lewis

[Natty Boh]

There won't ever be another "Ray Lewis" with everything that man brings to the table. There is no filling those shoes.

[D-Rey]

The question the OP is asking is, who is going to take over the #1 MLB spot after Ray retires. Not who is going to take over his legacy there. Somebody is going to have to man that spot. I think it will be McClain, atleast for the short term.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1322881894' post='892839']
I like Te'o the most as a prospect, but I doubt he falls to us. [b]The more I watch Hightower the more I like him, and he could realistically be on the board when we pick[/b]. I think he could start for us immediately if needed and you have to love his upside. Burfict is probably the most physically gifted, but mentally I am not sure he is ready to play for the Ravens..
[/quote]

I agree, from reading about Hightower, I did not think to highly of him. He is big, and has not had to be an every down player in Alabama's system. However, after watching him play in a few games I have been as impressed with him as anybody this season. I saw him leap over the line to disrupt a play in the back field a few weeks ago that looked like Polomolu back there. Seems very atheletic and can deliver some really big hits. I would still probably rather have Burfict or Teo but I think Hightower would be a really nice addition to our Defense, but I guess its really all up to what Oz decides and he ultimately knows best.

As to the OP's questions. I think it is certainly going to be McClain. He has had a rather solid season and improving every game. He will not be half the linebacker Ray was but he can be a solid replacement since Ray is not now what Ray once was. Ellerbee if he could just stay healthy will be a nice guy to step up too.

[RavenDefense]

The Dude Vontaze Burfict Is Beast , I Watch Some Of Arizona St Games And Hes The Definiton Of A Old School Linebacker !
- But I Doubt He Goes To Us , With The Eagles Picking Ahead Of Us This Year .

[blitzking33]

[quote name='RavenDefense' timestamp='1322930834' post='893042']
The Dude Vontaze Burfict Is Beast , I Watch Some Of Arizona St Games And Hes The Definiton Of A Old School Linebacker !
- But I Doubt He Goes To Us , With [b]The Eagles Picking Ahead Of Us This Year .[/b]
[/quote]
That was the worry with Jimmy Smith during this years draft too though. We all thought Jimmy was going to be an Eagle.

[colljb9]

Vontaze Burflict got benched because of his attitude problem in their last game. This guy is a walking personal foul, a terrible attitude, and a great talent...i really dont know what to think of him. Personally i like the guy from Boston College the best because he plays under control and is a tackling machine with decent range and plays very smart

[ravensfan520]

McClain... will take his spot... other than that I like our linebacker group with Albert, Ellerbe, and if we resign JJ I think he could move to the inside... no one can replace Ray Lewis... he is Baltimore Ravens football... but we have good linebackers and a core of young talent that can perform well enough to move in the right direction... the biggest question is who fills in for Ed Reed when he retires... is it zibby, nakumura, or even webb moving to free safety. Those 2 are players that can never be replaced we would just have to move on and hope that their replacements can play well enough to start a new trend. So in final my vote goes to McClain and we draft a high motor linebacker that can grow into the spot...

[arnie_uk]

Burflict is going to fall like Daquan Bowers, mar my words, if we want him, we take him at pick 64 (last in the 2nd) - when you get benched and have a rep as bad as him, in the few months prior to the draft, and all reports coming out, is hes a bit of a (word i cant say) teams wont risk him.. unless its someone like the bengals who dont mind bad people

[grape drank]

I hate how every year everyone assumes the position we need is going to get picked up all in the first round until theres no more dece prospects. MLB's are RARELY selected in the first round. Everyone says the eagles need LB help...yeah they DO! at OLB and ILB, who's to say they won't take advantage of an equally strong OLB class? I believe Manti will be taken first, and Burfict may even fall into the 2nd round. I think we may go O line in the first

[hawkprey]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1322936646' post='893100']
Burflict is going to fall like Daquan Bowers, mar my words, if we want him, we take him at pick 64 (last in the 2nd) - when you get benched and have a rep as bad as him, in the few months prior to the draft, and all reports coming out, is hes a bit of a (word i cant say) teams wont risk him.. unless its someone like the bengals who dont mind bad people
[/quote]
Yeah if he's falling now, he could fall VERY far by the time the draft comes.Bowers was supposed to go 1st or 2nd overall a few weeks before the draft. Unless he dominates the combine, Burfict might even have a 3rd round grade in a few months.

[Ravensstrike4424]

how about we talk about this when Ray Lewis Retires

[PeRK82]

Here is a highlight clip of Vontaze Burfict, he has my vote, dude is a beast.



[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7achvXsy3Q"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7achvXsy3Q[/url]