Ray Lewis: Greatest LB of All Time?!

[flaccopoe]

Ray Lewis is the best LB of our era and arguably the best of all time. He has 1336 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 67 passes defended, 17 forced fumbles, 31 INT and 3 TD. He's won 2 Super Bowls, 1 Super Bowl MVP and 2 DPOY Awards, 1 of only 3 LBs to ever do so. He's been to a MLB/ILB record 13 Pro Bowls and a record LB record 10 All-Pro Swelections, tied with Lawrence Tayor. Lewis hold the record for most tackles in a postseason, with 51. He started more games at MLB than anyone in NFL history.  Only Jessie Tuggle has more tackles than him.  No other player has 40+ sacks and 30+ INT.  He's been the face and leader of his franchise throughout his career and is one of the most well-known players of our generation. All this despite being just 6'1". His only possible competition on the All-Time List would be:

Mike Singletary

 

Leader of the greatest defense of all time, the '85 Bears; highlights of this magical season include a 15-1 record, a record-tying 2 fumble recoveries in Super Bowl XX 109 solo tackles and 10 defended passes.  Was invited to 10 Pro Bowls.  He had 885 solo tackles while on the best defensive dynasty of all time.  In 1990 against DEN, he had a personal best 10 solo tackles and 10 tackle assists.  Was also below average size, at 6'0".

 

Lawrence Taylor

 

Scion of 2 Super Bowl winning teams.  Was probably the greatest pass-rushing LB of all time; had 132.5 sacks, excluding the 9.5 sacks he recorded before the stat was officially kept), averaged almost 11 sacks/season.  He truly revolutionized the offensive line: the 2 TE formation and the halfback position were created specifically in response to his fierce play; offensive guardmen were used to confromt him on the blitz, a job that was originally performed by the RB.  He also came up with the idea to smack the ball out of the QB's hand for a fumble instead of tackling the QB.  However, his reckless drug and alcohol consumption and soliciting prostitutes set a bad example for players and may have held him back from greater acheivements. 

 

 

Assessing the aforementioned LBs, I would have to say Ray Lewis is the best of the 3.  He had the most consistent and versatile career of the 3 throughout his exhaustive 16-season career.  He was a monster at pass-rushing, run defense and pass defense, a deadly trio.  Only 4 other LBs have more interceptions than him and Donnie Edwards (96-08) is the only modern LB in his stratosphere.  Additionally, his leadership and personal habits were impeccable.  He preached the game and lived a life dedicated to the game.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

"Oh sugar" - Deon Sanders 

[flaccopoe]

"Oh sugar" - Deon Sanders 

 

What, are you a Dick Butkus fan?

[sliceanddic3]

Anyone who votes for anyone other then Ray wouldn't be on this board hahaha

[flynismo]

You can always find great pass rushers. Only one Ray.

[flaccopoe]

Anyone who votes for anyone other then Ray wouldn't be on this board hahaha

 

There are some 49ers fans milling about somewhere. :p

[flaccopoe]

Wonder why that one person voted for Taylor?

[Guest Moderator 6]

* this poll is biased.

 

 

 

 

 

:268213:

[cobrajet]

In my world, Ray Lewis is the G.O.A.T. period!

[flaccopoe]

* this poll is biased.

 

 

 

 

 

:268213:

Well, 2 people have voted for Taylor so far, so... yay democracy?

[Sami84]

mind says taylor. heart says lewis.

 

mind wins..heart is emotional. in emotion we react..in mind we respond.

 

taylor. lewis 2nd of all time.

[berad]

Taylor is the only one who even has a shot. Ray being the emotional leader for so long, and doing it longer (and, in most cases, better) than these guys gets my vote.

[flaccopoe]

mind says taylor. heart says lewis.

 

mind wins..heart is emotional. in emotion we react..in mind we respond.

 

taylor. lewis 2nd of all time.

 

How is Taylor better?  He has the king of sacks, but Lewis was the king of sacks AND interceptions.  Not to mention he was a better leader.

[Guest Moderator 6]

Well, 2 people have voted for Taylor so far, so... yay democracy?

I guess lol.  We'll see where this poll is in a week in terms of percentages.

[5aiah]

I think the biggest things that push Ray over those two aren't stats or physical talent but instead the amazing leadership,the situations of his greatness, and his iconic value. First, Ray didn't just lead the defense he led the entire team. He did what the QB is supposed to is setting the tone for everyone and being a leader in the film room just as much as the weight room. When he took the field he was leading the team, the city, and Raven Nation into battle. Secondly when you look at those guys they were involved in dynasties that had good offenses as well as defense. In case you forgot stat wise the Titans defense was very similar to ours in 2000 even though it wasn't as talented. That is because the offense has a huge effect on the defense's performance. Players from that 00 team will tell you that the defense was under constant pressure and "wasn't able to pull out the entire book", or be aggressive and exotic as they would have liked. Crazy to say but we didn't even get to see the best of what those guys could do. With an offense like those guys had, Ray would have had an even more impressive playoff resume(in his prime),and that is scary. Lastly Ray Lewis is a true Ravens,Football,and Baltimore icon. No matter what decade or century it is, the Ravens will be defined by his spirit. The best known defensive player in football was always Ray since he broke out. He has been the face of defense in a League that is trying to kill it off, and will always be remembered as a symbol of what the game used to be in its prime. Best of all and closest to my heart when people think Baltimore, they think of Ray Lewis, and maybe seafood,the wire, and homicide, but mainly Ray Lewis. He actually best embodies the spirit of our city as well. Rough,tough,spiritual,mystical, and just extremely smart underneath in regards to achieving goals. He is THE Baltimore Icon. This isn't even close in my opinion, instead it would be more useful to have the greatest PLAYER of all time debate. My argument above stands for that questions as well. Ray Lewis is the Greatest Football Player Ever. Maybe we should be debating greatest athlete ever. Greatest person ever is pushing it but i will still make the argument on his behalf. B)     

[Sami84]

maybe in the context of ''greatest'' id say lewis. But taylor changed the game. Just a monster. I think lewis is a greater player..but man..when you watched LT in his prime..seriously just a monster...lewis has the greatest intagables. LT a freak. At his peak his impact as it pertains to destroying the opposing teams offense was second to none.

 

taylor had a higher peak. lewis greater player. But id take 1986 LT over any ray lewis for 1 season

[flaccopoe]

I think the biggest things that push Ray over those two aren't stats or physical talent but instead the amazing leadership,the situations of his greatness, and his iconic value. First, Ray didn't just lead the defense he led the entire team. He did what the QB is supposed to is setting the tone for everyone and being a leader in the film room just as much as the weight room. When he took the field he was leading the team, the city, and Raven Nation into battle. Secondly when you look at those guys they were involved in dynasties that had good offenses as well as defense. In case you forgot stat wise the Titans defense was very similar to ours in 2000 even though it wasn't as talented. That is because the offense has a huge effect on the defense's performance. Players from that 00 team will tell you that the defense was under constant pressure and "wasn't able to pull out the entire book", or be aggressive and exotic as they would have liked. Crazy to say but we didn't even get to see the best of what those guys could do. With an offense like those guys had, Ray would have had an even more impressive playoff resume(in his prime),and that is scary. Lastly Ray Lewis is a true Ravens,Football,and Baltimore icon. No matter what decade or century it is, the Ravens will be defined by his spirit. The best known defensive player in football was always Ray since he broke out. He has been the face of defense in a League that is trying to kill it off, and will always be remembered as a symbol of what the game used to be in its prime. Best of all and closest to my heart when people think Baltimore, they think of Ray Lewis, and maybe seafood,the wire, and homicide, but mainly Ray Lewis. He actually best embodies the spirit of our city as well. Rough,tough,spiritual,mystical, and just extremely smart underneath in regards to achieving goals. He is THE Baltimore Icon. This isn't even close in my opinion, instead it would be more useful to have the greatest PLAYER of all time debate. My argument above stands for that questions as well. Ray Lewis is the Greatest Football Player Ever. Maybe we should be debating greatest athlete ever. Greatest person ever is pushing it but i will still make the argument on his behalf. B)     

 

Couldn't have said it better!  Check out our FF Thread, btw, we need your 2 cents.

[Cville-Raven]

Of course Ray wins

[AsianRice]

Nothing will change my mind that Ray Lewis is the greatest of all time so mind me.....

 

 

The greatest warrior only kills thousands but the greatest leader is equal to the whole army.  Ray is the leader...............

[IH EART DA RAVENS]

Albert Haynesworth

 

*climbs back into time machine, returns to 2008*

[gabefergy]

LT and Ray played different positions/ different roles. Greatest ILB of all time is easily Lewis, best LB is tougher but I'd still say Lewis because of the longevity and unparalleled leadership and because I am biased :D

[Ravensfan23]

One thing about Ray that gets overlooked. He was able to still control a game from his LB position even though the NFL has moved to this pass happy league. Ray's mind and awareness was just great. He saw things that even the coaches didn't see on the field. He was able to coach other players and make them better even in games. I remember the playoff game vs the Chiefs in 2010. When Charles ran that long TD because Ngata got out of his gap, really just being over aggressive trying to make a play. Ray didn't bash Ngata and say it's your fault play better. He just showed him the photo of what was wrong and why it didn't serve the team for Ngata to try and make that play. Just do your job. That's huge, because a guy that's just focused on stats is probably mad at Ngata for not taking up a block. But imo Ray helped Ngata become a better player more then anything in that situation.

 

I've watched Ray his entire career and basically grew from a boy to a man while watching him so i'm clearly bias and won't deny it. I only get to see clips and highlights of those other guys greatness, but I witnessed Ray's first hand. The way he made everyone around him that much better is truly amazing. You can understand the young guys who look up to Ray, but the level of respect and admiration that veteran from other teams show Ray upon arriving is Baltimore show just how great of a leader and man Ray Lewis was. Some people still attack him and call him a fraud for his trial in 2000 and that's their right. But imo it's hard to keep up a sham for 17 years, so that would make Ray one helluva actor. The way he took to this City and community can't be talked about enough.

 

Ray Anthony Lewis had a goal that when people spoke about the greatest to every play the game his name would be mentioned. I would say mission accomplished.

[SuggsBarber]

maybe in the context of ''greatest'' id say lewis. But taylor changed the game. Just a monster. I think lewis is a greater player..but man..when you watched LT in his prime..seriously just a monster...lewis has the greatest intagables. LT a freak. At his peak his impact as it pertains to destroying the opposing teams offense was second to none.

 

taylor had a higher peak. lewis greater player. But id take 1986 LT over any ray lewis for 1 season

I;m kinda torn on this one too.Look,I bleed purple as much as everybody here, but I think we dismiss just how feared Taylor was in his prime.I mean, I'd give it to Ray because he played at a higher level for a longer period of time,but as I saw it, at the height of their careers,Taylor may have been more feared. But if you consider pass coverage as well, Ray overall is slightly better.

[H8R]

LT did one thing.... Get into the backfield . In today's NFL, he'd be a one trick pony.

People forget LT is number 9 in sacks, all time... Number 9! With today's left tackles? LT isn't a hall of famer, IMO. He revolutionized the game and created the need for a dominant tackle, but now that we have them? He wouldn't be nearly as dominant.

[Sami84]

i dunno about that. He was pretty good at stopping the run when required. Guy was a flat out monster. C'mon guys, this is freaking LT we are talking about here. Lets not be homers ( like other fanbases)

 

LT did one thing.... Get into the backfield . In today's NFL, he'd be a one trick pony.

[GrimCoconut]

Why is there even a question mark at the end of this thread? Should be a statement.

[Gordo52]

Yes.



And that doesn't tell the whole story. The leadership, the redemption, the longevity, the intensity, the # of DC'd he's helped make HC's. bias or not, I think he cemented it by going out on top.

I dont believe the Ravens would've won if he didn't come out and say this was his last ride. We'll never know but I truly believe that........plus JC taking over of course.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Give it some time. Ray Lewis is/will be considered the best LB of all time. Dont let us Ravens fans try to convince you, just ask Mike Singletary & Patrick Willis. They heraled Ray Lew as the best to ever play @ NFL

[5aiah]

LT did one thing.... Get into the backfield . In today's NFL, he'd be a one trick pony.

People forget LT is number 9 in sacks, all time... Number 9! With today's left tackles? LT isn't a hall of famer, IMO. He revolutionized the game and created the need for a dominant tackle, but now that we have them? He wouldn't be nearly as dominant.

That is just going way to far. Isn't a hall of famer? Might want to rethink that. 

[H8R]

That is just going way to far. Isn't a hall of famer? Might want to rethink that.

Maybe it is a bit far.... My point is, he's regarded as the best sack artist of all time but he's just now in the top 10. Id equate him to the Cowboys DeMarcus Ware... outstanding at rushing the QB, average in most other things.

Id say Bruce Smith and Reggie White were both better all around players.