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

[ROH522155]

Mike Florio's 2009 Super Bowl Pick: Steelers over Redskins. Enough said.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1323105257' post='896476']
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
[/quote]

X_______________________ Cosigned. Thank you.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1323136826' post='897031']
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/n...ay-lewis-return[/url]
[/quote]

I think its mental...they rise to the occasion without our leader...the question is how consistently could they maintain those stats?

[BloodRaven]

The entire defense especially the front 7 has improved progressively throughout the season, those stats have nothing to do with Rays absence.

[jdynamite]

Ravens Don't Need Mike Florio's Opinion!!

[jdynamite]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1323136826' post='897031']
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]
[/quote]

It's not a. Scary stat because the 13.3 is based off of a small sample size 3 games ( 2 of which against 2 teams with limited offenses 49ers stop Gore and snore is what happened, Browns offense has been struggling all year ).
The 16.9 is based from 9 total games.

[frezeal33]

I'm worried for when he leaves. He motivates us before every game, even if he's not playing. It'll be hard for our guys to get pumped up wihout him.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='frezeal33' timestamp='1323232225' post='898155']
. It'll be hard for our guys to get pumped up wihout him.
[/quote]

I doubt that...

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Some people in the media are trying to make a story out of the 16.9 ppg to 13.3 ppg difference with and without Ray.

What they don't realize is that the Ravens have played inferior offensive opponents in the 3 games. They have also controlled the clock and ran the ball more after the debacle 52 pass game for Flacco in Seattle.

Also, the 16.9 number (152 pts/9 games) with Ray is inflated due to:

1. Punt return by Patrick Peterson in Cards Game (7 PTS)
2. David Harris INT Return TD in Jets game (7 PTS)
3. Joe McKnight 107 yard kick return TD (7 PTS)
3. 2 FG from the David Reed KR fumbles + 1 FG a Hawthorne INT that started the Seahawks at the 4 yard line (9 PTS)
4. 2 FG on drives starting on the 36 and 26 due to a Ricky Williams fumble and Flacco INT in the Titans game. (6 PTS)
5. Flacco fumble on the 2 yard line in Cards Game that led to Beanie Wells 1 yard TD run (7 PTS)
6. Onside kick in Jax game that led to 4 play/4 yard drive and a FG (3 PTs)

In the 9 games that Ray has played in the Ravens have given up:

21 Points on return TDs (KR, PR, & INT Return)
25 Points (6 FG + 1 TD) when the opposition started at the 19, 18, 4, 36, 26, 2, 37

Take those 46 pts off of the 9 games that the Ravens have played with Ray and the average is 11.8. Even if you just want to take off the 21 Pts due to returns it is 14.6 per game average.

In contrast, in the 3 games Ray has been out the scoring drives are as follows:
7 plays-82 yards (TD)
7 plays-80 yards (TD)
5 plays-80 yards (TD)
10 plays-71 yards (FG)

9 plays-41 yards (FG)
13 plays-46 yards (FG)

6 plays-47 yards (FG)
10 plays-73 yards (TD)

The defense hasn't been pinned back by offensive turnovers and there hasn't been a return TD in the 3 Games. However, 2 of the 6 rushing TDs given up all season have been in the last 3 games Ray has missed.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

McClain, Ayanbadejo, Ellerbe, and McClellan have combined in the last 3 games for:

*5 Missed tackles (Ray has 4 total in 9 games)

*7/8, 103 yards, 39 yac, 118.75 QB Rating in Bengals Game
*4/6. 52 yards, 37 yac, 118.75 QB Rating in 49ers Game
*8/13, 57 yards, 39 yac, 96.4 QB Rating in Browns game

That is a total of: 19/27, 212 yards, 115 YAC, 113.2 QB Rating

For comparison on the season Ray is: 14/21, 154 Yards, 89 YAC, 1 int, 6 pd, 68.4 QB Rating

[Ravenseconbeast]

He was still dictating every aspect of the defense and coached, motivated, and gave insight of what every play was going to be to the players. He wasnt on field, but he was there.

[BloodRaven]

McClain and Ellerbe are solid, but neither will scare receivers into dropping passes or make a game winning clutch play, those intangibles are often the difference between winning or losing close games. So while we are well drilled and talented enough to dominate without him we are undoubtably better with him.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1323267395' post='898295']
McClain and Ellerbe are solid, but neither will scare receivers into dropping passes or make a game winning clutch play, those intangibles are often the difference between winning or losing close games. So while we are well drilled and talented enough to dominate without him we are undoubtably better with him.
[/quote]
Also why I think we need a high impact MLB in the draft. Ellerbe and McClain are definitely serviceable but neither of them are ever going to be top 5-8 MLBs in the league.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1323274194' post='898387']
Also why I think we need a high impact MLB in the draft. Ellerbe and McClain are definitely serviceable but neither of them are ever going to be top 5-8 MLBs in the league.
[/quote]

I see what you're saying, but do you think we need a top 5 ILB to remain a top 5 defense? the league is a little different to when Ray was in his prime and could take over games from the middle.

[AsianRice]

Whatever we need to to, coaches and players need to lock Ray Lewis up and release him in playoff; imagining a tiger without being fed for 3 weeks could do to his prey when he's released from the cage?....it's a scary thought for those ballers sneaking in the middle......

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1323274891' post='898399']

I see what you're saying, but do you think we need a top 5 ILB to remain a top 5 defense? the league is a little different to when Ray was in his prime and could take over games from the middle.
[/quote]
I dont think its as necessary as it was, having a high impact MLB seems to have taken a back seat to having high impact OLBs in regards to a 34 defense. We really need a young stud "C" that can handle the big NTs and DTs in our division as well. It just happens that this draft class has a better MLB crop than in recent memory.

Maybe Im just old fashioned, I see the MLB as the leader of a defense. The guy like you said takes games over from the middle and ruins running games and passes over the middle.

[Jamal]

For the short term, the D is stepping up. But have we really played any great offenses since Ray Ray got banged up? I wouldn't consider the Cincy offense great, and they put up what, 500 yards on us?

And its not like we have anyone good at the ILB position.

I don't know how any sensible person could say we're better off without Ray Lewis.

[LittleSuggs777]

IMO, Ray Lewis is one of the key leaders of the Ravens. His playing may not be as it once was, but Ray Lewis continues to deliver and perform. Ray Lewis is the heart and soul of the Ravens, and whether they need him to play or not, he is the encouragement and spirit of the team.

[jmckinney]

we need ray. for are deffense cant run without him still he is like number 2 in most greatest player hall of fame he's number one in my book!!! who's gonna pump us up. we need him for everything [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/ravensquote.gif[/img]

[Militant X 1]

i believe that when Ray returns vs the Chargers that he will be so energized that he will make plays all over the field. watch!

~Mili

[Marc2k6]

Wheather you think Ray is a need or not the defense has played well without him and to me it is good to see them do so. Ray's last day is coming sooner than later and the Ravens know they have player that can get the job done. Ray will be back soon but we have other guys that can get it done!