31 replies to this topic

[757RavensFan]

Since there won't be much to talk about until the draft around here, I thought it would be a good idea to have a daily post about each Ravens player. The purpose is to give your opinion on that player, their role on the team and his pros/cons as he contributes to the team.

No flame war since everyone's opinion about a player is just that, their opinion! Try to keep the discussion about that player and only that player. No need to discuss who should start over him or who we should get in FA to replace him. Since he's currently a Raven, will talk about his role as a Raven.


IMHO, he will go down as the greatest defensive player to ever play the game. He's already hands down the best lineback to ever play the game. If it wasn't for his trouble w/ the law early on his career he could quite arguably be the face of the NFL and a global marketing icon.

His knowledge of the game is unmatched and even though he has "lost a step", it doesn't seem to matter w/ him b/c he 95% of the time knows where the play is going.

Some of my favorite plays by Ray Lewis:
- stopping Sproles on 4th down to secure the victory for the Ravens.
- every tackle against Eddie George
- knocking Dustin Keller senseless
- decleating someone on kickoff

[tctony]

Ray is the man. Even with his lost step there are only a few linebackers better than him. Great player and great mentor for people on this team - teaching them how to play like a Raven.

[TDubbs]

What else is there to say about Ray that has not been spoken already? Ray Lewis IS Baltimore Ravens Football, he is a once in a lifetime player that we have been blessed to see play only for this team.

[Alexir]

When ESPN did that special column on "Any Era Players" I smiled. I waited every day to see where Ray would end up and I had him at top 2. He truly is the best linebacker of all time (sorry Butkus, sorry LT) and It is going to be devastating when he retires. This team has been his for the whole time it's been here and not seeing him on the sidelines won't feel the same.

[chesapeakeaviator]

Players like him cannot be replaced. He redefines what it means to be an MVP.

[Bltravens]

Alexir, on 08 February 2012 - 12:41 PM, said:

When ESPN did that special column on "Any Era Players" I smiled. I waited every day to see where Ray would end up and I had him at top 2. He truly is the best linebacker of all time (sorry Butkus, sorry LT) and It is going to be devastating when he retires. This team has been his for the whole time it's been here and not seeing him on the sidelines won't feel the same.

Ehhh I dont know about LT, but he's better than Butkus was for sure. Ray is the best MLB of all time, bar none. But LT revolutionized the game as well as the position.

[The Raven]

Bltravens, on 08 February 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Ehhh I dont know about LT, but he's better than Butkus was for sure. Ray is the best MLB of all time, bar none. But LT revolutionized the game as well as the position.

I'm not sure you can completely compare them though, LT played outside, Ray inside.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

757RavensFan, on 08 February 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

Since there won't be much to talk about until the draft around here, I thought it would be a good idea to have a daily post about each Ravens player. The purpose is to give your opinion on that player, their role on the team and his pros/cons as he contributes to the team.

No flame war since everyone's opinion about a player is just that, their opinion! Try to keep the discussion about that player and only that player. No need to discuss who should start over him or who we should get in FA to replace him. Since he's currently a Raven, will talk about his role as a Raven.


IMHO, he will go down as the greatest defensive player to ever play the game. He's already hands down the best lineback to ever play the game. If it wasn't for his trouble w/ the law early on his career he could quite arguably be the face of the NFL and a global marketing icon.

His knowledge of the game is unmatched and even though he has "lost a step", it doesn't seem to matter w/ him b/c he 95% of the time knows where the play is going.

Some of my favorite plays by Ray Lewis:
- stopping Sproles on 4th down to secure the victory for the Ravens.
- every tackle against Eddie George
- knocking Dustin Keller senseless
- decleating someone on kickoff

Enjoy....

[Bltravens]

The Raven, on 08 February 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

I'm not sure you can completely compare them though, LT played outside, Ray inside.

No you can't completely compare the two but as I said, LT forced OC's to create the 2 TE set to combat him. He changed blocking schemes he was so devastating, Ray destroyed people in the same capacity as LT though.

[Ed_Reed20]

JohnnyBoy8102, on 08 February 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

Enjoy....

That play never gets old. Ray telling Chris to come out, him detonating Keith Burns, Billick running the down sideline, a Broncos lineman getting drilled at the 40-yard line, the look on Shanahan's face. All priceless.

[The Raven]

Bltravens, on 08 February 2012 - 08:30 PM, said:

No you can't completely compare the two but as I said, LT forced OC's to create the 2 TE set to combat him. He changed blocking schemes he was so devastating, Ray destroyed people in the same capacity as LT though.

True. And, LT is the reason Left Tackle's get paid so much.

That kinda ironic, LT destroyed LTs...

[Ravens<3]

JohnnyBoy8102, on 08 February 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

Enjoy....

Best video ever

Edited by Ravens<3, 08 February 2012 - 09:04 PM.

[TreTheRaven]

JohnnyBoy8102, on 08 February 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

Enjoy....

There's other team linebackers and there's Ray.

[GrimCoconut]

Whenever I think of Ray Lewis, I remember this:


"In that game, he'll tell you, I said 'One of us will make the game-winning play. I saw McNair drop back, I gave Eddie a look because he broke--sharp. As soon as he broke, I pulled. I saw him turn, and I saw the ball come off his hands. And honestly, I'm sitting there like 'Wow'. It's like, right here. I remember Eddie grabbing my leg, and I remember snatching my leg from Eddie. And running down that sideline...I could not here a sound."

And this:

"Now, even people that didn't like me got to watch me. I went into a gladiator mentality. I went into a gladiator mode. We was in grudge matches. It was pure dominance. We were trying to be the greatest all time, bottom-line. And that's what they put before us, let's go and get it. I'm a natural born leader. Just by looking in a man's eyes and saying 'Look, I'm not telling you something for my benefit. I'm telling you something for the benefit of us'."

The bottom-line is Ray Lewis is a special player. It's not just what he does on the field, the big hits, the playmaking ability, the intimidation, the intelligence to break down plays, the leadership. What makes Lewis the greatest is his play off the football field. He is a leader and inspires people beyond football. His imprint has crossed the entire league. He mentors players on other teams who want a taste at greatness.

To quote him,

"Greatness is by yourself. Nobody else can make you great"

He is my favorite athlete, not just my favorite NFL player. When he retires, it will be a sad day in Baltimore. He has earned his place in Canton.

[GrimCoconut]

And once you think you have him figured out, here's this:

[TreTheRaven]

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Ed_Reed20, on 08 February 2012 - 08:36 PM, said:

That play never gets old. Ray telling Chris to come out, him detonating Keith Burns, Billick running the down sideline, a Broncos lineman getting drilled at the 40-yard line, the look on Shanahan's face. All priceless.

Love that part nearly 10 years later. lol

[Alexir]

Wow, I miss Billick. Great Head coach, just never had a QB.

Ray Lewis is cut from a cloth of rarity. He Broke the mold. It saddens me that one day I will be explaining to my children the legacy of Ray Lewis and they will never truly understand what it's like to see him come out of the tunnel or hear him pumping up his team. The man has the heart of a King. Ray Lewis the Lion-Hearted.

[Tiz]

Ray's passion is what I love about him.
My favorite play is the hit on bam morris.

[Militant X 1]

JohnnyBoy8102, on 08 February 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

Enjoy....

i remember that game....LOL! not only was it good that Ray blew that defender up...BUT...did you see Billick running down the sidelines shouting..."Goooooo?"

~Mili