Mike Florio: "Ravens Don't Need Ray Lewis"

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/05/week-13-monday-10-pack-2/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/05/week-13-monday-10-pack-2/[/url]

Apparently, the Ravens are a better team without Ray? Does anyone truly believe this?

[Crabcakes&Football]

I don't believe we're a better team without him. But it's great to know that when he does retire we will be fine.

[lowrider]

There hasn't been a dropoff in our defensive play with him out of the lineup. His leadership is vital to our team, but our team has a lot of leaders in Suggs, McClain, Reed, Ngata, and Webb. Ray's performance has been good this year, but Ellerbe definitely can makes plays that Lewis can't anymore. Granted Ellerbe is far less consistent than Lewis. Take the good with the bad.

I think our depth at linebacker masks how good Lewis is still.

[ravensdfan]

It is definitely nice to know our D can still make a statement when the time comes for Lewis to retire. What gets lost here is something more than field time though. Big Ray was still on the sidelines coaching those boys up. All the players on all sides of the ball. His intelligence, football knowledge and motivation is what will be lost on that sad day that I hope is wayyyyyyy into the future.

[Ravenslifer]

I don't think he actually said we're better without him. What he is saying is that the Ravens are still capable of being a dominant defense without him. I think we all already knew that. But to say we're a better team without Ray Lewis is just not true, and I don't think that's what he meant.

[dirtybird10]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1323100580' post='896368']
I don't believe we're a better team without him. But it's great to know that when he does retire we will be fine.
[/quote]
Agreed, I was very concerned about us not finding a replacement for Ray by now to get him up to speed with out defense. However, after watching these three games, I am nowhere near as worried. Ray is great, and can still play well, but the man is 36 and slowing down each year. Our youth may not have the IQ of Ray, but they are more athletic at this point. One think I did notice early on in the Browns game is Hillis was hitting some holes that I think Ray would have sniffed out and plugged, but we got it under control early on so it did not become a real problem.

[usmccharles]

the plus with having lewis off the field is that his replacements will more than likely be faster. The negatives are obvious....

[JohnnyBoy8102]

The Bengals lit the D up for nearly 500 yards w/ Dalton at QB.

The D then played well vs Alex Smith and Colt McCoy.

I think people may be overreacting to the performances against these offenses.

Also, the Steelers have won games without Harrison or Woodley. The Texans have won without Mario Williams. The 49ers won yesterday without Patrick Willis for the final 55 minutes. Doesn't mean those teams are better without them.

[TreTheRaven]

His fire, his passion, his energy and intelligence for the game can never be replaced by anyone.

There will never be another #52 after he retires.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323100831' post='896376']
I think we all already knew that.
[/quote]


Ha. I started a thread last year, and life after Ray was one of the subjects ... very few people agreed that we'd be just fine without Ray.
It's very obvious that the retirement of Ray will be a sad day, almost a day of mourning for a lot of us, but his legacy will be our defense.

[Gordo52]

Ray is still on the sidelines lol. Thats still a huge impact for our defense

[colljb9]

Mcclain and Ellerbe were undrafted guys playing well with our team and are two very good up and coming linebackers. Our team, however, is not better without ray lewis because these two guys were groomed by lewis and know he will hold them two accountable for their play

[Militant X 1]

Ray is the greatest MLB ever! and his impact and legacy on the city of Baltimore, the NFL and in the heart of we the Ravens fans is undeniable! and...NO! i will not say the defense is better without Ray...but i will definitely say that they have "played well" without Ray! why? because Ray has been in their heads for years! he's taught our young linebackers and now, with him out healing up...they are performing! sure, they are faster than Ray..that is a given! but, let's never lose sight of the fact that they are performing for Ray because he has taught them about what it will take to hit the playoffs and make this Super Bowl run! it is awesome to see!

...this one's for Raaaaaay!

~Mili

[Dudeman]

Gotta love me some sugar, and he continues to be major motivation for the Ravens. People on our team don't just want to win for themselves, they want to win for each other and the fans. Ray is as big a part of that, as he is of anything else. So proud of our team and our city!

Let's have everyone keep doing everything they can to bring Ed, and Ray a Lombardi home. I used to wish we'd get one for Mason and Heap too but Ed, and Ray are much more deserving!

[Natty Boh]

I don't agree that the Ravens defense is better off without him. Saying a defense would be better off without Ray Lewis is like saying an offense would be better off without Peyton Manning. Now Ray Lewis won't be around forever and the Ravens need to learn how to get along without him and so far so good.

[K-Dog]

By definition no, we dont NEED, Ray Lewis.

But time and time again he is a playmaker, motovator, coach, leader. His value and worth to this team is with out measure.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1323100132' post='896357']
[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/05/week-13-monday-10-pack-2/"]http://profootballta...nday-10-pack-2/[/url]

Apparently, the Ravens are a better team without Ray? Does anyone truly believe this?
[/quote]


You can't replace instincts. He's got the best in the business. As for the "leadership" and "spirit" I think for most of the players on defense they don't need to get "riled up" so that's more for the fans than anything. But those instincts for the actual play on the field, can't replace that. BUT... the Ravens do not need a 50% Ray Lewis! LET HIM HEAL. I know he wanted to play this week, and even last week... but I still think he should sit out the Indianapolis game. Rest that toe. If there was ever a time where the Ravens need Ray Lewis, it will be in the playoffs.

[Tiz]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1323101219' post='896385']
The Bengals lit the D up for nearly 500 yards w/ Dalton at QB.

The D then played well vs Alex Smith and Colt McCoy.

I think people may be overreacting to the performances against these offenses.

Also, the Steelers have won games without Harrison or Woodley. The Texans have won without Mario Williams. The 49ers won yesterday without Patrick Willis for the final 55 minutes. Doesn't mean those teams are better without them.
[/quote]

This, plus I think ray woulda forced a turnover or two covering watson yesterday

[ravens615]

Ray Lewis is an on the field coach and a true leader/motivator. Can't beat that. Look at his presence on the sideline. He pulled Webb aside, I think it was the play after Jimmy Smith got his pick. My guess is he was telling him that he needs to make that play (he almost picked it off the play before) or talking to him about blown coverage downfield or blocking or something we didn't see on camera.

Assuming that I'm not getting plays mixed up and this is when the conversation happened/the substance of the convo was somewhat like this....

Then look at the influence it had:

Webb returned a punt to close out the game.

[Yoonkeem]

We need him as long as he decides we do.
Ray Lewis himself would know best how it would be without him,
and how the younger MLB's would fare.
McClain is stepping up,
and Lewis is helping him up.
i say McClain is the future?
Unless we go drafting lol

[indianstick]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1323109071' post='896537']
You can't replace instincts. He's got the best in the business. As for the "leadership" and "spirit" I think for most of the players on defense they don't need to get "riled up" so that's more for the fans than anything. But those instincts for the actual play on the field, can't replace that. BUT... the Ravens do not need a 50% Ray Lewis! LET HIM HEAL. I know he wanted to play this week, and even last week... but I still think he should sit out the Indianapolis game. Rest that toe. If there was ever a time where the Ravens need Ray Lewis, it will be in the playoffs.
[/quote]

sums up everything i was going to say, we will need him for the playoffs but what we don't need is a 50% ray lewis. The only thing that makes me mad is that ray lewis was on his way to another all pro year and it would of be great if he was the only 36 year to make the all pro team. But, him being on the sideline is key, I am praying that he eventually coaches for us. His motivation, experience and knowledge of the game is limitless.

[JO_75]

I like McClain but I don't know if he can be a # 1 ILB, I think he could be better with a star player playing next to him. I would love our LB core if McClain is playing next to someone like Burfict, Kuechly, or Te'o, along with Suggs and Kruger on the outside rushing the passer, I our defense would be deadly.

As for Ray, we have played good without him so far but until that day comes when he retires, then we will really know if we need Ray.

[scrock]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1323100580' post='896368']
I don't believe we're a better team without him. But it's great to know that when he does retire we will be fine.
[/quote]

this

[The Raven]

I think that three things have made his absence negligible, for lack of a better word. Negligible is definitely not the right one but I can't think of anything else right now. Anyway...

1. We haven't exactly played a dominant, well rounded offense. You can say the 49ers are dominant run offense but because of their inability to throw the ball we focused on the run game.

2. Not depth, but the rotation of backers. Pagano has done a great job at rotating the backers to use each of their skill sets to their full potential. In run situations you got Ellerbe, and McClain (and McClellan at one point), in passing you got McClain and Ayanbadejo. The way we have used our depth, is what has made our LBs look good!

3. Our defensive line is killin it. They're playing lights out right now and aren't getting nearly enough credit for what they do.

[balimore]

Nope. But it is true that NBC sports would be better without mike florio.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='Yoonkeem' timestamp='1323117950' post='896717']
We need him as long as he decides we do.
Ray Lewis himself would know best how it would be without him,
and how the younger MLB's would fare.
McClain is stepping up,
and Lewis is helping him up.
i say McClain is the future?
Unless we go drafting lol
[/quote]

I agree. McClain has shown that he can and may become the future of the middle... he is still young and will grow to become a leader. I don't think Ray retires until he feels that this defense is ready to move ahead on their own and McClain is ready to take over... that's Ray showing his true leadership and love for the Baltimore Ravens

[TreTheRaven]

Ray Ray is supposed to return December 18th for the Chargers game. He could have played against the Browns & Colts -- but the staff wants to give him more time to heal up.

There is also a pretty scary stat in this link without Ray...

16.9 PPG allowed with Ray.
13.3 PPG allowed without Ray.


[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7319947/report-balitmore-ravens-target-dec-18-ray-lewis-return"]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7319947/report-balitmore-ravens-target-dec-18-ray-lewis-return[/url]

[K-Dog]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1323136826' post='897031']
There is also a pretty scary stat in this link without Ray...

16.9 PPG allowed with Ray. [b]This is for nine games[/b]
13.3 PPG allowed without Ray. [b]This is for three games[/b]


[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7319947/report-balitmore-ravens-target-dec-18-ray-lewis-return"]http://espn.go.com/n...ay-lewis-return[/url]
[/quote]

Interesting none the less...

[codizzle]

[quote name='balimore' timestamp='1323134158' post='896957']
Nope. But it is true that NBC sports would be better without mike florio.
[/quote]
haha well done sir

[Tank 92]

The great thing about Ray is that his heart is beatin' inside every D player whether he is on the field or not. His acts of inspiration and guidance are no BS and are invaluable to this Team.

That said, I have to say it's pretty exciting to see McClain and Ellerbe running around the field like Tazmanian devils.
I think I've finally admitted to myself that Ray's decline in speed IS affecting his play. Just sayin'..........