[Opinion] Ray Lewis Won't Retire

[sflegend89]

I don't need to hear it from Ray to know that this truth is evident. Ray won't go out like this, anyone who knows how Ray Lewis lives his life knows this isn't the end of the road.. not quite yet. Ray always talks about legacy, the question that is the epitome of his existence that you hear time and time again from him is "What will your legacy be when your gone?". Ray Lewis won't accept an injury as the final chapter of his Football Legacy.

The body is damageable, bones break, muscles tear, But nothing can deny the Heart of a Lion. We love you Ray, here's to a speedy recovery!

[ghost1986]

I'm not saying he will, but if he does decide to hang it up, I wouldn't blame him. You can't ask any more of him. One of the best LB's to ever play the game. Not just because of his vicious hits and instincts but also for his leadership.

[J-man]

Either way, I'll support his decision. I would love to see him play as a Raven forever, but if he thinks it's time to hang it up, then he should do it.

[Purple Nurple]

Gutted at the thought.

[Gordo52]

Got excited reading the title, like I thought he came out and said it.

I agree, it would just suck if we won it all without him. Well suck for him, and his fans.


Makes me dislike Lee Evans and Cundiff even more.

[BmoreInBmore]

Its time, the game is changing, its becoming faster, offenses are learning how to attack more traditional defensive formations; Lewis is an amazing player, arguably the greatest ILB of all time and ive loved him as a player and leader for our team. That being said how many 37 year olds are still playing the linebacker position? To my knowledge just Ray, and there is a good reason for that. There is no doubt he can still play, but at what level? At the end of the day we all get old, and we can no longer do the things we were once capable of. With some very unique players their aura tends to transends their actual capabilites, this is clearly the case with Lewis. He is not just a player he is a icon, he is the face of the Ravens franchise, he symbolizes the attitude of our city, he is the only player remaining from our Superbowl team, and he is legend in his own time. But, its time for someone else to assume the mantle now; we can never replace Ray; however, we can grow and learn from him. I hope he moves on and I hope this defense and franchise do as well.

[Renediffie]

If Ray feels he cant come back at his own level then i would support him retiring. He is definetely still playing at a high level but how long can he keep that up? I would just hate to see him keep on going long after his skills deminish as we have seen with countless other players in the past.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

Even if he does retire I believe he will come back to football in a different role.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='BmoreInBmore' timestamp='1350377453' post='1192323']
Its time, the game is changing, its becoming faster, offenses are learning how to attack more traditional defensive formations; Lewis is an amazing player, arguably the greatest ILB of all time and ive loved him as a player and leader for our team. That being said [u][b]how many 37 year olds are still playing the linebacker position? To my knowledge just Ray[/b][/u], and there is a good reason for that. There is no doubt he can still play, but at what level? At the end of the day we all get old, and we can no longer do the things we were once capable of. With some very unique players their aura tends to transends their actual capabilites, this is clearly the case with Lewis. He is not just a player he is a icon, he is the face of the Ravens franchise, he symbolizes the attitude of our city, he is the only player remaining from our Superbowl team, and he is legend in his own time. But, its time for someone else to assume the mantle now; we can never replace Ray; however, we can grow and learn from him. I hope he moves on and I hope this defense and franchise do as well.
[/quote]

[b]London Fletcher - Redskins 37 yrs old[/b]
Takeo Spike - Chargers 35 yrs old
Larry Foote - Steelers 32 yrs old
Mike Peterson - Falcons 36 yrs old
Brian Urlacher - Bears 34 yrs old
Bradie James - Texans 31 yrs old
Bart Scott - Jets 32 yrs old
James Harrison - OLB Steelers 34 yrs old
Keith Brooking - OLB Broncos 36 yrs old
Paris Lenon - Cardinals 34 yrs old

these are just a few other "older" cats that are still playing LB other than Ray Lewis.

~Mili

[BmoreInBmore]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1350402394' post='1192534']
[b]London Fletcher - Redskins 37 yrs old[/b]
Takeo Spike - Chargers 35 yrs old
Larry Foote - Steelers 32 yrs old
Mike Peterson - Falcons 36 yrs old
Brian Urlacher - Bears 34 yrs old
Bradie James - Texans 31 yrs old
Bart Scott - Jets 32 yrs old
James Harrison - OLB Steelers 34 yrs old
Keith Brooking - OLB Broncos 36 yrs old
Paris Lenon - Cardinals 34 yrs old

these are just a few other "older" cats that are still playing LB other than Ray Lewis.

~Mili
[/quote]

I realize there are other older linebackers out there, but the point its when he returns he is 38, I said he is still capable of playing but it becomes of a question of at what level. Obviously, what he provides in leadership is still extremely valuable, in my opinion more valuable than what he has to offer on the field at this point. And many of the players you listed are 5 or 6 years younger than Ray, so yeah they may be older but 5 or 6 years is a huge difference.

[BmoreInBmore]

[quote name='BmoreInBmore' timestamp='1350411773' post='1192672']
I realize there are other older linebackers out there, but the point its when he returns he is 38, I said he is still capable of playing but it becomes of a question of at what level. Obviously, what he provides in leadership is still extremely valuable, in my opinion more valuable than what he has to offer on the field at this point. And many of the players you listed are 4, 5 or 6 years younger than Ray, so yeah they may be older but even 3 years is a huge difference.
[/quote]

[redlobster]

Time to accept it and look for the next player that can effectively fill the MLB void. Lewis will be 38 and coming off of a major injury, at some point the team has to begin to look ahead. Even if he returns, I would question his ability and the team's coaching staff if he is to play all 3 downs, and if he isn't a 3 down player his salary is too much.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='BmoreInBmore' timestamp='1350411773' post='1192672']
[u][b]I realize there are other older linebackers out there[/b][/u], but the point its when he returns he is 38, I said he is still capable of playing but it becomes of a question of at what level. Obviously, what he provides in leadership is still extremely valuable, in my opinion more valuable than what he has to offer on the field at this point. And many of the players you listed are 5 or 6 years younger than Ray, so yeah they may be older but 5 or 6 years is a huge difference.
[/quote]

in your original post you said; [u][i][b]"how many 37 years olds are still playing that position? to my knowledge just Ray!" [/b][/i][/u] that is why i posted other LBs that are in their upper to mid 30s. sure, many of the players i mentioned are 5-6 years younger than Ray but that is still old for that specific position. London Fletcher is 37 just like Ray and he is still playing at a high level as well. Ray will be 38 next year but BEFORE the injury i believed that he had at least another year left in him after this season. only time will tell now!

~Mili

[theblackdog]

I will respect whatever Ray decides to do, but I don't foresee him just leaving now. We've seen how passionate he still is to get out there on the field, and he wouldn't just drop that. I see him pushing himself to heal up and come back next year as if he never left. The only thing that would stop it is if the healing is delayed or it doesn't truly heal. Otherwise I hope we see him back next year, and maybe with a second ring already.

[mdrsharon]

Age means nothing.
If he has the ability and the strength, Ray will be back next year.
Somehow, I believe he will make it happen.

Farvre played until age 41!

Rock on Ray!!

[Tank 92]

It all depends on the healing and rehab of his injury. If Ray cannot perform at a high level, he is too proud of a man to go out on the field and look feeble.

Here's to a speedy recovery and rehab Brother Ray. We need to see you back next year bangin'!

[K-Dog]

I find it intresting Webb was placed on IR today and Lewis was not.

Hmmmmmmm. Could it be that there is a glimmer of hope he could be staying on the roster in hopes of recooping enough to play football in January or FEBUARY !?!?!!?!

What an amazing story that would be. I mean if any can do that its Ray Lewis.

[T3hRaven]

Am I really the only one who hopes Ray does retire? It's time for the team to move on into the future, and he has lost a step.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350443057' post='1193191']
Am I really the only one who hopes Ray does retire?
[/quote]

Probably.

[PDO]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350443057' post='1193191']
Am I really the only one who hopes Ray does retire? It's time for the team to move on into the future, and he has lost a step.
[/quote]

I hate to see him go out this way.

Hate it.

I don't think we can afford to pay him what he's slated to be paid.

I don't think we can possibly cut him.

So... in a sad way, a part of me hopes he does.

This team desperately needs cap space to extend Flacco, and having Ray come in for his swan song as the expense of Boldin or Reed probably isn't for the best.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350443057' post='1193191']
Am I really the only one who hopes Ray does retire? It's time for the team to move on into the future, and he has lost a step.
[/quote]

I think we had already begun to take steps to "move on" prior to Ray's injury. But you don't just abandon the heart and soul of your Team in a quick severance. He has, and continues to mean much more to this organization than just his play on the field.

Has he lost some abilities? Yes he has, But he is still better than 80% of the ILBs in the league and by no means has hurt us being a starter. That said, there is some truth to the statement that we need to "move on". He can't play forever and we have to begin the transition, albeit painful, to the "post Ray Ray" era. Wow! I wonder what that will be like...............

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1350443057' post='1193191']
Am I really the only one who hopes Ray does retire? It's time for the team to move on into the future, and he has lost a step.
[/quote]

yes,nope your wrong.

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='redlobster' timestamp='1350414855' post='1192734']
Time to accept it and look for the next player that can effectively fill the MLB void. Lewis will be 38 and coming off of a major injury, at some point the team has to begin to look ahead. Even if he returns, I would question his ability and the team's coaching staff if he is to play all 3 downs, and if he isn't a 3 down player his salary is too much.
[/quote]

ignorant.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

This is the only time i will ever believe what i am about to say but the game does not decide rays future, Ray decides and i know he will not go out on nothing less then his terms and that is being an active warrior and he can go out knowing he called the shots and an icon of the game. The folks who say all of those negative things about Ray should be ashamed. He has redefined his position, Was our Superbowl MVP and a game changer day in and day out. No true fan would talk trash about him. He is one of the true greats of the NFL and even the best players in the game today will say the same and that tells you something.

We all love you Ray Ray.
Get well soon as the game will not be the same without you.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

Friends eventually Ray does retire (no time soon though). Do you think he will take a year or 2 away from the game and come back as a DC with the Ravens or be here in some capacity. I would love that.

Here is why i think he would be a great DC here.

first and foremost he is a very inspirational guy and seems to get the best out of everyone around him.

Second, he knows the game like no one else.

Third, he believes the game needs to be played hard for the entire 60 minutes.

Last but not least he will have the players respect and that will make it so much easier for the guys to believe in strategy.

Is this an outrageous idea to think he could be here as a DC or in any capacity ?

[1/28/01]

It has been said a gagillion times that the man does not want to coach (at least right away) in any capacity when he retires, but spend time with family, watch his kids and stew in his own legacy for a while.

[Militant X 1]

i like what Stephen A Smith said here about Ray not retiring soon...[i][b]“There’s no way on earth Ray will retire. There’s no way on earth he should retire in my estimation. He will be back and he will be back with a vengeance.”[/b][/i]

~Mili

[CapoRocky]

Ray has a few years left on his contract but that will not be the deciding factor to determine when he finally hangs up the helmet and pads. I think that he will do some soul-searching this time and he will know when he is going out of the game. Hello, Hall of Fame, I'm ready for you to measure me for a jacket and make a bust of me.

[CapoRocky]

How do you get to Canton? Hard work and being the best player on the field at your position for most of your career.

[msufan]

I think it will depend on how the team finishes the season. If we win the SB do I think it may be a very hard thing for him not to retire he is still going to be the emotional leader on the sidelines all we lose is him physically being on the field.