Time To Smallow Some Pride And Take Reed And Lewis Out

[display name]

[url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-02/sports/bs-sp-preston-ravens-0103-20120102_1_john-harbaugh-ravens-reed-and-lewis"]http://articles.balt...-reed-and-lewis[/url]
I had been developing this idea for a while but it hit a new stride when it showed up in a Baltimore Sun article by Mike Preston. First I will evaluate the players:

Ed Reed. He and defensive coodinator Chuck Pagano have a history dating back to their days with the Miami Hurricans. Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens for their dominant defense in the 2002 NFL Draft. He quickly excelled in many ways. Reed had nine interceptions twice, and has 12 career TDs, including in special teams. He also was dominant mentally. He made people around him better and served as a lead on and off the field. However, there has been a disturbing trend recently. It has been going on ever since he picked nine passes in 2008. We have just let it slide because, well, you know it's Reeeeeeeeeeeeed! Possibly due to fear of re-aggravating his many injuries, Reed has struggled with tackling (sometimes does not even try) and deep coverage skills. While we (myself included), have been hitting on guys like Bernard Pollard, Domineque Foxworth, Corey Ivy, Frank Walker, Cary Williams, and others for their faults, Reed's have been blown off.

Ray Lewis is in better shape. But barely. With a Super Bowl XXXV MVP, 13-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL DPLOY (2000, 2003), 16-year veteran (1996-present), larger-then life leadership, charities, religiouse beliefs, physical toughness, and repsect, Lewis has been almost worshipped. The leader of the famous Baltimore Ravens defense for 16 years, Lewis would never miss tackles, and could help out in pass coverage. (Just look on youtube for his, Terrell Suggs's Reed's, and others' defining moments!) However, he too has started to slide. Besides looking very confused in pass coverage, Lewis has even missed a few tackles here and there. His situation took a viral turn for the worst when he suffered a turf toe and missed a month! One curious fact, the defense arguably played even better with Ray as a coach on the sidelines than when he was in. Lewis looked rusty as the defense surrendured 34 points to the San Diego Chargers a few weeks ago. I would definetly keep Lewis in most of the time, but take him out in passing situations. He has very capable backups in Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe.

This will be tough for Head Coach John Harbaugh to do, I know. But would you keep them in all the time and risk a disastor deep in the postseason? Say, having Mike Wallace of Wes Welker blow by Ed Reed, Ray Lewis attempting a backpedal to cover Rob Groncowski? I love these guys too, but Harbaugh needs to have a talk with both and figure something out. I say never have Ray cover anyone again, and to limit when Ed plays, since it sometiems hurts the team when he is always in.

[codizzle]

Smallowing as I get my reat up

[lgcs27288]

[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/34853_doh.GIF[/img]

[redrum52]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1325627067' post='933763']
Smallowing as I get my reat up
[/quote]


Lol. Watch when I catch you slipping.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1325627067' post='933763']
Smallowing as I get my reat up
[/quote]
#winning

[codizzle]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1325627460' post='933784']

#winning
[/quote]
Unlike the OP

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Preston has to be the worst writer for any team in the NFL.

None of the players talk to him. None of the coaches talk to him. He just tries to muster up some drama to have anyone discuss him.

[1/28/01]

This guy still writes somewhere? Better yet, people still read it and then re-post it????? Yikes!!

[gabefergy]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1325627728' post='933799']
Unlike the OP
[/quote]
He just needs a little more reat before his next post.

[PuRock]

Yea lets pull the HOF guys out of lineup for our first playoff game. Hell no!!! Why change what we have going. Now is not the time. If you are going to do it, let it start during the offseason.

I have this gut feeling that Reed will force some key turnovers in this playoffs and have big games. I'm expecting him to show up all the fans calling for his head.

[BmorBirds]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1325627773' post='933800']
Preston has to be the worst writer for any team in the NFL.

None of the players talk to him. None of the coaches talk to him. He just tries to muster up some drama to have anyone discuss him.
[/quote]

I agree, he also has single handedly killed watching "Touchdown Baltimore" with Tom Davis for me. I seriously want to fall asleep when I hear this guy talking.

[1/28/01]

Poetic justice....they kill it in the playoffs and then go out on top. WITH Raymond "I catch everything even remotely close to me" Berry IN Indy!! You can't write this ish!

[codizzle]

The day I see tim Tebow "running over" ray is the day I will highly question how much I really daydream

[Militant X 1]

another thread about this? smh! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]

~Mili

[redrum52]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1325627923' post='933807']
Yea lets pull the HOF guys out of lineup for our first playoff game. Hell no!!! Why change what we have going. Now is not the time. If you are going to do it, let it start during the offseason.

I have this gut feeling that Reed will force some key turnovers in this playoffs and have big games. I'm expecting him to show up all the fans calling for his head.
[/quote]


The reat is going to help the over 30 club. That and not having to travel will do wonders. I honestly see the defense returning to earlier season dominance during the playoffs. I see Reed and Lewis giving these next games everything they got left to accomplish their goals as champs. Though I will miss the team this week it will be good not to stress them winning or losing. Can just watch for fun without as much attachment.

[usmccharles]

This is easy to some up...its called Injuries. Lewis is still recovering from his toe injury as its apparent he cant push off too well, and reeds shoulder/neck is still an issue. Two weeks of rest and you think its a good idea to sit these guys? Wow. Lewis was never the biggest, fastest, or strongest...but he for sure is one of the smartest and im not ready to tell him to sit at the begining
Of a superbowl run. They got us here....lets let then finish what they started and worry about re-evaluating them in the off season.

[Crabcakes&Football]

Just watch. Ray and Ed are both gonna make clutch game sealing plays in the playoffs.

[bauer77]

As soon as i clicked the article, and i saw the name Mike Preston in the link, i closed it. He needs to give it a reat.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

The Ravens were #3 in scoring Defense. They were also #3 in total Defense (#2 vs the run/#4 vs the pass).

I am sure those 1.9 receptions, 22.75 yards per game, and 0 TDs Ray Lewis gave up were the reason they didn't finish higher in those categories.

BENCH HIM!

[flynismo]

Preston needs to smallow his pride and just admit that his articles are garbage.

[arnie_uk]

Display name, see here for Ray Lewis

[url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/44012-ray-gets-picked-on-in-coverage/page__pid__933810__st__100#entry933810"]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/44012-ray-gets-picked-on-in-coverage/page__pid__933810__st__100#entry933810[/url]

And see here for Ed Reed

[url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/44104-ed-reed/"]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/44104-ed-reed/[/url]

READ THE FORUMS!

[Ravenseconbeast]

If I have known anything about Football, its that Ed Reed and Ray Lewis always shows up GAME TIME. Just remember the game between Indianapolis vs Ravens with Ed Reed 3INT vs. Peyton Manning.

These guys will sacrifice their body for that ultimate goal(and possibly their last chance). To see a playoff without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed is a CRIME!

[CapoRocky]

You guys really are sensitive, but everyone ages and slows down some day. Still, Reed and Lewis will start as long as they can suit up.

[The Raven]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1325626960' post='933759']
[url="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-02/sports/bs-sp-preston-ravens-0103-20120102_1_john-harbaugh-ravens-reed-and-lewis"]http://articles.balt...-reed-and-lewis[/url]
I had been developing this idea for a while but it hit a new stride when it showed up in a Baltimore Sun article by Mike Preston. First I will evaluate the players:

Ed Reed. He and defensive coodinator Chuck Pagano have a history dating back to their days with the Miami Hurricans. Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens for their dominant defense in the 2002 NFL Draft. he quickly excelled in many ways. Reed had nine interceptions twice, and has 12 career TDs, including in special teams. He also was dominant mentally. He made people around him better and served as a lead on and off the field. However, there has been a disturbing trend recently. It has been going on ever since he picked nine passes in 2008. We have just let it slide because, well, you know it's Reeeeeeeeeeeeed! Possibly due to fear of re-aggravating his many injuries, Reed has struggled with tackling (sometimes does not even try) and deep coverage skills. While we (myself included), have been hitting on guys like Bernard Pollard, Domineque Foxworth, Corey Ivy, Frank Walker, Cary Williams, and others for their faults, Reed's has been blown off.

Ray Lewis is in better shape. But barely. With a Super Bowl XXXV MVP, 13-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL DPLOY (2000, 2003), 16-year veteran (1996-present), larger-than life leadership, charities, religiouse beliefs, physical toughness, and repsect, Lewis has been almost worshipped. The leader of the famous Baltimore defense for 16 years, Lewis would never miss tackles, and could help out in pass coverage. (Just look on youtube for his, Terrell Suggs's Reed's, and others' defining moments!) However, he too has started to slide. Besides looking very confused in pass coverage, Lewis has even missed a few tackles here and there. His siuation took a viral turn for the worst when he suffered a turf toe and missed a month! One curious fact, the defense played even better with Ray as a coach on the sidelines than when he was in. Lewis looked rusty as the defense surrendured 34 points to the San Diego Chargers a few weeks ago. I would definetly keep Lewis in most of the time, but take him out in passing situations. He has very capable backups in Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe.

This will be tough for Head Coach John Harbaugh to do, I know. But would you keep them in all the time and risk a disastor deep in the postseason. Say, having Mike Wallace of Wes Welker blow by Ed Reed, or Tim Tebow running over Ray Lewis? I love these guys too, but harbaugh needs to have a talk with both and figure something out. But let's
[/quote]

"You have reached your quota of negative votes for the day"

[True]

Ed has been targeted like 30 times in pass coverage so he really doesn't get that many chances to make a play on the ball. Not his fault QBs are avoiding his side of the field...

Ray isn't great at pass coverage but to me McClain and Ellerbe are no better and get burned quite often...

At least with Ray you have someone who can read the offense and rely on his instincts to make the play with great anticipation.

[Gordo52]

wow. just wow.[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/banned.gif[/img]

[bpytnjr58]

I can only wish that i was as old and washed up as Reed & Lewis![img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/eyes.gif[/img]

[display name]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1325628529' post='933833']
Just watch. Ray and Ed are both gonna make clutch game sealing plays in the playoffs.
[/quote]
Yeah we've been saying this all year. Every game it's "I feel a Reed pick-six coming!" Fast Fact: He hasn't had one since 200NINE! I usually don't like Preston but this was a good one. Hate on it all you want but you'll regret it!

[PuRock]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1325628839' post='933848']
You guys really are sensitive, but everyone ages and slows down some day. Still, Reed and Lewis will start as long as they can suit up.
[/quote]

I'm not saying they aren't slowing down. I just find it hard to believe people want them benched right before the playoffs started. If you are going to make a bold adjustment like this, you do it in like Week 10.

As for Reed it isn't even so much father time, its just his desire to hit and tackle. I personally think he has been sort of preserving himself to make this playoff run. And I fully expect to see a fired up 'incarnation' of Reed in these playoffs.

But Reat will be a huge help to all of our vets.

[display name]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1325629497' post='933861']

"You have reached your quota of negative votes for the day"
[/quote]
But I haven't! -1