Merged Source: Ray Lewis possible return dates

[wayne]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1354022773' post='1235599']
a ilb is only as good as the Line in front of him.

Our line was awful at the start. Lewis, ellerbe, McClain were all awful. Then Suggs comes back, Tyson steps up, jones begins playing better, Cody gets more playing time than kemo, and the whole line is better.

Then ellerbe completely breaks out, McClain improved, you think that's a coincidence? It's not.

Lewis' plays just didnt drop of a cliff 6 months after the afc game. The lost weight didn't help, but the fact linemen over half his size could get on him like never before, probably in his career had a lot to do with it. If Lewis was playing now, fit, behind the line that's improved greatly, he would be playing like he has the last couple of years and there would be threads questioning how this machine does it.

But, our oline was poor, as poor as I've ever seen it in our history, and that leads linebackers to be poor. If you know anything above the nfl you know it all starts in the trenches. You name the best linebacker, then look at their dline, 95 percent of them had great dines. Look at the cards, 49ers, us normally, steelers normally, see how the play of their linebackers has dropped? You think it's coincidence their dline has deteriorated? No. Cowboys and lee, heck even chase Blackburn was signed of the street and done brilliantly for the giants behind that oline.

How often do you see willis or bowman have to shred a dlineman 5 yards upfield? Never because their dline keeps them clean, same as Daryl Washington.

Ray Lewis will look like a totally different man when he returns if our dline keeps playing this well.

Ellerbe is playing like one of the best ilbs in the league at the minute, can you honestly say he is?
[/quote]

Post of the year right here. Almost every position in football, its a ying and a yang to it ( correlation ). The ILB yang is the D-line obviously and the greatest ILB's in NFL history have had good D-lines in front of them b/c honestly, if a 300+ lb lineman is able to constantly get to a 240 lb LB, they are going to win that battle 90% of the time.

[Gordo52]

So happy about this. I miss seeing 52 on the field so much, even if he was having a not so good season.

Ellerbe and McClain have really stepped it up in his absence. I'm comfortable with us moving foward with them as our mlbs for the future.

[1/28/01]

Hey, all you people saying "come back when youre 100%", "get fully healthy and then..."and the like, duh! Do you all really think the Ravens FO, Ray and the medical staff would rush him or anyone for that matter? I mean really?!?!

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1354022773' post='1235599']
a ilb is only as good as the Line in front of him.

Our line was awful at the start. Lewis, ellerbe, McClain were all awful. Then Suggs comes back, Tyson steps up, jones begins playing better, Cody gets more playing time than kemo, and the whole line is better.

Then ellerbe completely breaks out, McClain improved, you think that's a coincidence? It's not.

Lewis' plays just didnt drop of a cliff 6 months after the afc game. The lost weight didn't help, but the fact linemen over half his size could get on him like never before, probably in his career had a lot to do with it. If Lewis was playing now, fit, behind the line that's improved greatly, he would be playing like he has the last couple of years and there would be threads questioning how this machine does it.

But, our oline was poor, as poor as I've ever seen it in our history, and that leads linebackers to be poor. If you know anything above the nfl you know it all starts in the trenches. You name the best linebacker, then look at their dline, 95 percent of them had great dines. Look at the cards, 49ers, us normally, steelers normally, see how the play of their linebackers has dropped? You think it's coincidence their dline has deteriorated? No. Cowboys and lee, heck even chase Blackburn was signed of the street and done brilliantly for the giants behind that oline.

How often do you see willis or bowman have to shred a dlineman 5 yards upfield? Never because their dline keeps them clean, same as Daryl Washington.

Ray Lewis will look like a totally different man when he returns if our dline keeps playing this well.

Ellerbe is playing like one of the best ilbs in the league at the minute, can you honestly say he is?
[/quote]
I agree here. As a resident in the Bay area, all you ever hear is how great willis is, and how he is the legend to wear 52, not ray (I live in the most deliusional, and liberal part of America, It's the fog). But Justin Smith should have(no offense to Sizzle) won DPOY. I am glad he won it, but Smith is one hell of a player. Bowan is a solid LB, and nothing more. Washington might be the best LB in the NFL soon, but Dockett and Campbell are pretty formidable. You were talking about no Suggs, an unhealthy Ngata (Who is a pernerial DPOY award canidate, may be the most athletic player to ever play DT), a young courtney, a young Kruger, and a young D in general. Some seasoned veteran will fit nicely. Ray did have a great D-Line at the beggining of his Career, but he could shed the tacklers, and at this point in his career, is still playing at a high level. Ray Returning is for the better, and Jimmy Smith will help us, the delusional fans out here were mad that Jimmy didnt fall to the second round out here, and they also think that he was playing at a pro bowl level (I thought he did for all cept the Texan game as well, he's a [b]good [/b]corner). We have a tough D that was banged up. Jimmy and Ray will return to help us get to the promise land. Then we lose Ray and Ed... Only bad thing about winning the SB

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1354022773' post='1235599']
a ilb is only as good as the Line in front of him.

Our line was awful at the start. Lewis, ellerbe, McClain were all awful. Then Suggs comes back, Tyson steps up, jones begins playing better, Cody gets more playing time than kemo, and the whole line is better.

Then ellerbe completely breaks out, McClain improved, you think that's a coincidence? It's not.

Lewis' plays just didnt drop of a cliff 6 months after the afc game. The lost weight didn't help, but the fact linemen over half his size could get on him like never before, probably in his career had a lot to do with it. If Lewis was playing now, fit, behind the line that's improved greatly, he would be playing like he has the last couple of years and there would be threads questioning how this machine does it.

But, our oline was poor, as poor as I've ever seen it in our history, and that leads linebackers to be poor. If you know anything above the nfl you know it all starts in the trenches. You name the best linebacker, then look at their dline, 95 percent of them had great dines. Look at the cards, 49ers, us normally, steelers normally, see how the play of their linebackers has dropped? You think it's coincidence their dline has deteriorated? No. Cowboys and lee, heck even chase Blackburn was signed of the street and done brilliantly for the giants behind that oline.

How often do you see willis or bowman have to shred a dlineman 5 yards upfield? Never because their dline keeps them clean, same as Daryl Washington.

Ray Lewis will look like a totally different man when he returns if our dline keeps playing this well.

Ellerbe is playing like one of the best ilbs in the league at the minute, can you honestly say he is?
[/quote]
[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1354029086' post='1235658']

This is all this thread needs to hear. Nail on the head right here. Lewis in his prime would be having a bad season if he was playing behind that atrocious Dline we marched out in front of him at the start of the season. Kruger, Jones.McPhee, Kemo, hurt Ngata, Upshaw/McClellan?
[/quote]
[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1354040729' post='1235844']


Thank you. Really great post here! Lets see if you get a response now...
[/quote]
[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1354050577' post='1236103']



This. Nothing else really needs to be said.
[/quote]
[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1354053734' post='1236214']


Post of the year right here. Almost every position in football, its a ying and a yang to it ( correlation ). The ILB yang is the D-line obviously and the greatest ILB's in NFL history have had good D-lines in front of them b/c honestly, if a 300+ lb lineman is able to constantly get to a 240 lb LB, they are going to win that battle 90% of the time.
[/quote]

Great posts guys. Really hit the nail on the head.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1354079069' post='1236870']
Bowan is a solid LB, and nothing more.
[/quote]

Just wanted to comment on this. I'd give him a bit more credit. I understand that he's a beneficiary of playing behind a terrific DE and DT. But he does line up closer to the lesser of the two in Ray McDonald. In most of the times that I've watched him, he looked to be an excellent run defender and a very good pass defender as well. The stats also support that, with his 42 stops ranking 4th among his position peers, and his numbers in coverage are even more impressive. Bowman's allowed just 22 receptions on 38 targets and an opposing QB rating of 67.2, numbers that you would expect out of a high quality CB. I personally believe that he's a notch above being just solid, although that's just my opinion.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1354081453' post='1236879']
Just wanted to comment on this. I'd give him a bit more credit. I understand that he's a beneficiary of playing behind a terrific DE and DT. But he does line up closer to the lesser of the two in Ray McDonald. In most of the times that I've watched him, he looked to be an excellent run defender and a very good pass defender as well. The stats also support that, with his 42 stops ranking 4th among his position peers, and his numbers in coverage are even more impressive. Bowman's allowed just 22 receptions on 38 targets and an opposing QB rating of 67.2, numbers that you would expect out of a high quality CB. I personally believe that he's a notch above being just solid, although that's just my opinion.
[/quote]
I'll give you pass protection. But the run D is mostly bc of a good Dline and a good Willis next to him.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1354081640' post='1236880']
I'll give you pass protection. But the run D is mostly bc of a good Dline and a good Willis next to him.
[/quote]

I understand your point, but I can't discredit him just because of those players. He's been impressive in run support in the times that I've watched him. There's no doubt more certainty with Willis, especially since there was a period in 2007 when he excelled without Smith, who's been nothing short of an absolute terror in San Francisco. However, unfortunately, there is no time period that could be pointed to where Bowman was a starter without the supporting cast. And to his defense, he's had little help in the middle of that line. Isaac Sopoaga has struggled mightily in 2012, even reportedly being handled by an H-back in run defense. I'd take things with a grain of salt if his outputs were just above average. But it's hard to ignore the fact that he finished 2011 with an eye-popping 80 stops, which not only led the NFL, but were also double digits ahead of the second placer. Until his production takes a nose dive, I'd personally prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[LouieDaLug]

The national media see's what I see.

[url="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8676607"]http://espn.go.com/v...clip?id=8676607[/url]


Almost word for word....I wonder is they have been reading this board

[quoth_the_raven_neverscore]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1353940897' post='1234590']
Did you folks see this? While I would love to have him back on the D, I would prefer him to be healthier even more. It would be huge, of course, but having him healthy for the playoffs would be even greater.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/26/ray-lewis-could-be-back-by-week-15/"]http://profootballta...ack-by-week-15/[/url]
[/quote]


as long as he's ready to go for the playoffs, i'm happy

[The Raven]

[quote name='LouieDaLug' timestamp='1354152169' post='1237632']
The national media see's what I see.

[url="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8676607"]http://espn.go.com/v...clip?id=8676607[/url]


Almost word for word....I wonder is they have been reading this board
[/quote]

Lol media! Lol ESPN!!! Lol credibility flying out the window!

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1354170029' post='1237763']
Lol media! Lol ESPN!!! Lol credibility flying out the window!
[/quote]
Lol Jaworski! He knows nothing.

[TreTheRaven]

December 16th. Hm.

If so, all I have to say is -- welcome back, Ray Ray!

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8693816/ray-lewis-baltimore-ravens-expected-return-dec-16-according-team-source"]http://espn.go.com/n...ing-team-source[/url]

[b]Edit:[/b] [s]Mods could you just merge this with my other thread of Ray, please? Sorry, I had forgot about that one, and just change the topic.[/s]

Thanks!

[K-Dog]

I am telling you its all about Peyton.

Not that I want to be THAT GUY, but what if it is Rays last season.
He tears his triceps, goes on IR, comes back, beats Peyton finally, goes to the Super Bowl and wins.
What an amazing story ! What a way to go out.

Again, not that I am trying to be THAT GUY.
I know Ray wants to beat Peyton before he goes out.

[SecretAgentMan]

Peyton and Ray are two greatest players of the last era. On offense it is the Peyton era, and on D it's the Lewis era. I want him back for that

[PuRock]

According to ESPN, Lewis is expected to return to practice on Wed. With a expected return date against the Broncos.

Will be just like old times. Lewis and Manning barking out orders.

[Desert]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1354644996' post='1246516']
According to ESPN, Lewis is expected to return to practice on Wed. With a expected return date against the Broncos.

Will be just like old times. Lewis and Manning barking out orders.
[/quote]

Sorry but I think that scenario would be one of Ray's biggest humiliations in his career, Peyton is playing lights out right now. There is not a Ravens defense scheme that can stop them. It will be a BLOW OUT!

[i82much]

I understand where everyone is coming from, but let's not forget the weight loss issue either. That may have been a mistake, and if you see Ray being less effective against the run that may be part of the cause. Yeah - Ray is not what Ray used to be. But if there is anyone that is going to come back from an injury at this age and figure out a way to have a positive impact on a football team, that person is Ray Lewis.

I think Ray is going to surprise some naysayers. Of course that is a completely biased opinion - I love me some Ray Lewis.

[The Raven]

Imagine if our dline was playing as well as they are now, back when Ray was healthy. Wouldn't that have been nice?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Desert' timestamp='1354690285' post='1247167']
Sorry but I think that scenario would be one of Ray's biggest humiliations in his career, Peyton is playing lights out right now. There is not a Ravens defense scheme that can stop them. It will be a BLOW OUT!
[/quote]
So he's supposed to take an extra week to save some of his reputation, which is infallible anyways?

That's the total opposite of a leader and the total opposite of everything Ray stands for on the football field.

[Bltravens]

ps. That facemask Lewis was wearing at practice was diiiiirty.

[redlobster]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1354742202' post='1247579']
ps. That facemask Lewis was wearing at practice was diiiiirty.
[/quote]

Hope he wears it with the tinted visor the next time he takes the field, it was a bad aXX looking mask

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1354742202' post='1247579']
ps. That facemask Lewis was wearing at practice was diiiiirty.
[/quote]

You aint kidding. Isnt Suggs wearing one similar now?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1354744136' post='1247600']
You aint kidding. Isnt Suggs wearing one similar now?
[/quote]
Suggs has one of a similar design but his bars all run north and south. Lewis' seemed like they were all on a 45 degree angle into a single north and south bar.

[K-Dog]

He looked a bit heavier too.
Are we seeing yet another Ray Lewis rebirth?

I hope so.