What Do You Think of Ray Lewis's Comments?

[Cville-Raven]

We had them in third and long if I remember correctly and the defense blew it. How about Jason Snelling running over Landry?

Oh trust me I'm not trying to make excuses for them, they blew. They gave up a couple easy completions to Tony G as well.

[redrum52]

As far as I'm concerned, it's been the defense giving up late points in most of our losses in Joes time here . Sure, Joe can throw up a few clunkers but he also has the stones to drive the team down the field in the waning minutes for a victory. Look at the Steelers series alone... how many times did the defense allow a rediculous play at the end of the game to cost us? The defense gave up 30 pts a game how many times in the playoffs last year? Joe and the offense answered the bell. How about when Flacco had the lead in NE only for the defense to allow Tom Brady to QB sneek for a TD? Or how about in Atlanta a few years back when the defense was allowing TDs at will and Joe brings us all the way back for the DEFENSE to allow a long TD pass to lose the game?

How about the pick to Troy in the AFCCG, Flaccos fumble last year against Denver, the pick against the Steelers in the playoffs in 10, the fumble in 10 on the Troy blitz, the pick 6 against the Bears?  The picks early in the Texans blowout last year, the stinker in Jacksonville, one of the worst qb perfomances against the Jets in 11?  That's off memory.  I know the defense has given up leads, especially in 2010 and last year, but you can't fault the defense most the time cause the offense decides in the last 4 minutes they want to score when the defense is playing a decent game the rest of it.  If the defense let most of the games get out of hand, I would be more understanding, but most of the time the offense just doesn't show up, or produce on the level you would expect professionals to do so.

[The Raven]

How about the pick to Troy in the AFCCG, Flaccos fumble last year against Denver, the pick against the Steelers in the playoffs in 10, the fumble in 10 on the Troy blitz, the pick 6 against the Bears?  The picks early in the Texans blowout last year, the stinker in Jacksonville, one of the worst qb perfomances against the Jets in 11?  That's off memory.  I know the defense has given up leads, especially in 2010 and last year, but you can't fault the defense most the time cause the offense decides in the last 4 minutes they want to score when the defense is playing a decent game the rest of it.  If the defense let most of the games get out of hand, I would be more understanding, but most of the time the offense just doesn't show up, or produce on the level you would expect professionals to do so.

You mean a rookie throwing a pick to a great safety? A handful of fumbles as a result of blindside pressure?  The picks that sailed on desperation and hope because nobody was open?  A bad QB performance against a great defense? You can cherry pick stats for both sides, and while a few of these have merit, they are also things that even Brady and Manning do.

 

Remember when Suggs stripped Brady? Wait, which time was that? Three times, right? Remember when we picked off Brady? Remember when Manning threw two picks to lose in the AFCCG? Remember when Manning threw a pick six that essentially lost the SB to the Saints? Hey look! I guess you can make anyone look bad when you cherry pick numbers. :D

[H8R]

How about the pick to Troy in the AFCCG, Flaccos fumble last year against Denver, the pick against the Steelers in the playoffs in 10, the fumble in 10 on the Troy blitz, the pick 6 against the Bears? The picks early in the Texans blowout last year, the stinker in Jacksonville, one of the worst qb perfomances against the Jets in 11? That's off memory. I know the defense has given up leads, especially in 2010 and last year, but you can't fault the defense most the time cause the offense decides in the last 4 minutes they want to score when the defense is playing a decent game the rest of it. If the defense let most of the games get out of hand, I would be more understanding, but most of the time the offense just doesn't show up, or produce on the level you would expect professionals to do so.

Once again... Defense: Loaded with All Pros Offense: How many? 1, Rice and those days are done. The Bears game: Allowed a back-up QB to beat the defense . Texans: we couldn't stop them AT ALL, Same with Denver... The Steelers games? Allow Ben scramble around for 20 seconds... Suggs not being able to sack him on third down, Ben throws it away... Webb gets beat on what? 4th and around 20? The Holmes catch, Antonio Brown running down the field wide open? Heath Miller wide open in the endzone? Allowing back SCRUB QBs to beat the defense ? Allowing Issac Redmond run over starting Safties inside the 10...

[H8R]

You mean a rookie throwing a pick to a great safety? A handful of fumbles as a result of blindside pressure? The picks that sailed on desperation and hope because nobody was open? A bad QB performance against a great defense? You can cherry pick stats for both sides, and while a few of these have merit, they are also things that even Brady and Manning do.

Remember when Suggs stripped Brady? Wait, which time was that? Three times, right? Remember when we picked off Brady? Remember when Manning threw two picks to lose in the AFCCG? Remember when Manning threw a pick six that essentially lost the SB to the Saints? Hey look! I guess you can make anyone look bad when you cherry pick numbers. :D

Agree'd . My point is this , how many potential HOFs have we had on defense ... then how many on offense? I expect more from a defense full of veterans with tons of accolades. Even Brady's SuperBowls were won on the leg of the kicker... Ray is a bit selfish

[redrum52]

You mean a rookie throwing a pick to a great safety? A handful of fumbles as a result of blindside pressure?  The picks that sailed on desperation and hope because nobody was open?  A bad QB performance against a great defense? You can cherry pick stats for both sides, and while a few of these have merit, they are also things that even Brady and Manning do.

 

Remember when Suggs stripped Brady? Wait, which time was that? Three times, right? Remember when we picked off Brady? Remember when Manning threw two picks to lose in the AFCCG? Remember when Manning threw a pick six that essentially lost the SB to the Saints? Hey look! I guess you can make anyone look bad when you cherry pick numbers. :D

You mean like how most people will find some number to defend Flacco?  Some of you are too sensitive towards the Golden Child...

 

 Look my post was to prove that the defense doesn't fail Flacco, like the post I quoted was trying to point to.  I also said the OFFENSE doesn't produce how it should.  I guarantee if we honestly looked at every game of Flaccos career here, and split up into which team, offense, defense or special teams, the part of this team which hasn't carried it's share of the weight, most of the blame is on offense.  I'm not pinning everything on him.  In that same Steelers playoff game, Ray Rice fumbled before the Flacco pick, that's the OFFENSE.  If you think otherwise then there is no point continuing this.

[Strength.52]

Exactamundo. I'm studying journalism, and they told me the same thing. It's simple. I like that last line. "Write the headline without becoming the headline." Funny, because every headline Ray's made since joining ESPN has been because of sensationalism and putting himself in the story. Ray is the headline, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

  Both you and the person you commented are are going "by the book" ... What you said applies to 99% of journalism, but it is totally different in Ray's case - he is ONE YEAR removed from playing on the team and asked to give his opinion: Of course he will mention his experiences last year ... He could literally say anything and it could be a headline anyway 

[The Raven]

  Both you and the person you commented are are going "by the book" ... What you said applies to 99% of journalism, but it is totally different in Ray's case - he is ONE YEAR removed from playing on the team and asked to give his opinion: Of course he will mention his experiences last year ... He could literally say anything and it could be a headline anyway 

 

If he could say anything and make a headline, how come the only headlines he's made are ones where he inserted himself into the story? 

[Strength.52]

I suppose so. Worth noting though that his ego is the biggest of the holy trinity by far. Cal and Johnny U made headlines with their play, and never with words.

  You've posted several times criticizing Ray's self-serving attitude and ego, yet you seems reluctant to elaborate in detail with examples of Ray being self-serving for himself ... 

 

  As I've mentioned before, there's a difference between Team ego and personal Ego - For the last decade, ray lewis did EVERYTHING he possibly could for his team to win, He has Team Ego, it's not a selfish ego

 

From Bill Russell's Book: In it Russell sets forth the concept of “team ego,” writing, “I was the most egotistical player they would ever meet. My ego is not a personal ego, it’s a team ego. My ego demands — for myself — the success of my team.”

[BmoreBird22]

Also guys, lets not act like our defense didn't show up last year either. What was the score at halftime of the SB and didn't we pick off Brady and Manning to seal the deal on the wins including making a stop on 4th and goal in the SB to seal the victory? Also, that same D shut down the Colts in the playoffs too. Throughout Joe's whole career, I would say the D has bailed him out way more than he's bailed them out.

The defense gave up 10 fourth quarter leads...

[BmoreBird22]

That's false, what did Brady have with him at the beginning of this year and several times throughout his career? Flacco has had talent around him, especially earlier on. Decent WR core, good Rbs, good TEs, good defense. Stop it man,lol. You guys are going Flacco bonkers or something. I understand he's our QB but everything doesn't have to be peachy said about him, you can admit to his negatives too.

Look at his stats before 2007. Look at his stats before Gronkowski got back this year. Tell me how good he was. Not at all.

[The Raven]

  You've posted several times criticizing Ray's self-serving attitude and ego, yet you seems reluctant to elaborate in detail with examples of Ray being self-serving for himself ... 

 

  As I've mentioned before, there's a difference between Team ego and personal Ego - For the last decade, ray lewis did EVERYTHING he possibly could for his team to win, He has Team Ego, it's not a selfish ego

 

From Bill Russell's Book: In it Russell sets forth the concept of “team ego,” writing, “I was the most egotistical player they would ever meet. My ego is not a personal ego, it’s a team ego. My ego demands — for myself — the success of my team.”

 

You want an example? Calling himself the general during his "last ride" that he shoved down everyone's throat. All he could talk about in the post season was his last ride and how he was the general. It's one thing for Suggs and co. to call Ray the general, but for Ray to call himself the general is pretty conceited. Another one, one that I've already said, is how he inserts himself into the stories he "analyzes." He called out our leadership a month or so ago and then brought up his own leadership. If that's not self-serving, I don't know what is.

[Ravenslifer]

I really don't get where these comments come from - one, I can't compare a a guy in his 6th year to guys who've been in the league 12+ years - why don't you compare his 6th year to theirs?  Second, Manning has played with 5 or 6 first round draft picks at WR or TE and 2 first round RBs - the only first round picks Joe has ever played with were what was left of Todd Heap and Mark Clayton, who was a bust the front office spent too much time trying to justify.  Brady had Welker, Moss, and a pros pro like Troy Brown.  When Flacco had similar guys - Boldin, Pitta, Mase, Heap - he put up the numbers.  Joe has Torrey, and after that Jones who did nothing for years in Houston and has been injured, Dickson returning from injury and with questionable hands, Doss who was cut earlier in the offseason, injured Ray Rice, had ancient Stokely and still has ancient Clark, both his RBs are averaging less than 3 yards a carry.

[Strength.52]

If he could say anything and make a headline, how come the only headlines he's made are ones where he inserted himself into the story? 

    You're not making any sense - By "inserting himself into the story" do you mean simply reflecting on his experiences, you know what analysts do? I don't get your criticism at all - I'm seriously lost what you think Ray is doing wrong ...

 

  I didn't see Ray say this stuff live, but most likely, he was asked specifically, "What is the difference between this years' Joe Flacco and last years' Joe Flacco" (That seems to be the question to the 1st quote) - So he was probably asked his opinion ... I don't get what you're whining about: He's doing his job

[The Raven]

    You're not making any sense - By "inserting himself into the story" do you mean simply reflecting on his experiences, you know what analysts do? I don't get your criticism at all - I'm seriously lost what you think Ray is doing wrong ...

 

  I didn't see Ray say this stuff live, but most likely, he was asked specifically, "What is the difference between this years' Joe Flacco and last years' Joe Flacco" (That seems to be the question to the 1st quote) - So he was probably asked his opinion ... I don't get what you're whining about: He's doing his job

 

If you think an analyst's job is to reflect on his own experience then you need to go take Intro to Mass Communications/Broadcasting/Journalism at your nearest community college. His job is to analyze and he's simply not doing that. 

[BmoreBird22]

Thats a lengthy post and can't address all of it, but lets address some of what doesn't add up.
 
1.  We were not 12-4 last year.  Our record was 10-6.  I don't think you can string together 16 games in any order where we finish 12-4, but you're welcome to try.
 
2. Ray Lewis was still very effective last year. I think he had 12 tackles or more in the Denver Playoff Game. If he had trouble in one game it was in the Championship trying to cover Vernon Davis, but Davis was hot.  We won with Ray, don't be badmouthing him now.
 
3. Ray is right about Joe. Our quarterback has limitations, but he has abilities that make up for them. He's not a young Peyton and he's not a lucky Brady.  But he's got a better arm than both of them and he just needs a little time. Give him time to set his feet and look out.

Not sure why I said 12-4. Living too far in the past. I'm sorry about that.
Tackles mean little. Ray could get 100 tackles, but what does it it mean if they're 5, 6 yards down the field?
All quarterbacks need pieces to help play into their strengths, simple as that

[Strength.52]

You want an example? Calling himself the general during his "last ride" that he shoved down everyone's throat. All he could talk about in the post season was his last ride and how he was the general. It's one thing for Suggs and co. to call Ray the general, but for Ray to call himself the general is pretty conceited. Another one, one that I've already said, is how he inserts himself into the stories he "analyzes." He called out our leadership a month or so ago and then brought up his own leadership. If that's not self-serving, I don't know what is.

    Oh really? You mean the Playoffs last year when Ray DECLINED every interview during the PO's and intentionally stayed out of the spotlight away from the field? Seriously, the only media he did was when he announced his retirement and the required interviews for Media Day ... All the other fuss about Ray during the PO's was from the media, not from him

 

    About the leadership thing: He was telling what he believed to be true (He did not just mention himself also, he mentioned Reed and other guys) and what most people would agree with ... This goes back to my previous post that Ray is not like others, being "Fake humble" and being scared to mention themselves in any context, even when it could add to their job duties or it's the truth, for fear that people like you would take it the wrong way

 

  Ray calls himself the "General" - Yeah, who cares? Walter Payton called himself "Sweetness" - Does any of this matter? Ray called Joe Flacco the "General" during the PO's too ... Was that self-serving?

[redrum52]

Once again... Defense: Loaded with All Pros Offense: How many? 1, Rice and those days are done. The Bears game: Allowed a back-up QB to beat the defense . Texans: we couldn't stop them AT ALL, Same with Denver... The Steelers games? Allow Ben scramble around for 20 seconds... Suggs not being able to sack him on third down, Ben throws it away... Webb gets beat on what? 4th and around 20? The Holmes catch, Antonio Brown running down the field wide open? Heath Miller wide open in the endzone? Allowing back SCRUB QBs to beat the defense ? Allowing Issac Redmond run over starting Safties inside the 10...

The defense has had pieces, but don't act like there have never been All-Pros on the offense.  Rice might not be finished yet, would say it's a little premature to judge someone on 1 bad season?  If that's the case then Joe Flacco should retire.  For the Bears game you could say our qb was outplayed, and a big difference that game was TURNOVERS.  Joes lead to 10 points against a defense missing many key pieces.  The Texans game was an all around bad performance by the team as a whole.  The Steelers playoff game the defense scored 7 points to help build a half time lead.  You mention the big play, which was a terrible coverage, but what about the offense coughing the ball up 3 consecutive times giving the Steelers excellent field position?  You can say scrub qbs beat you, but how about you look at the scores of most those games and realized OUR OFFENSE DID NOTHING TO HELP OUT THE DEFENSE.  If not for Jacoby we probably lose in Pitt last year.

 

Agree'd . My point is this , how many potential HOFs have we had on defense ... then how many on offense? I expect more from a defense full of veterans with tons of accolades. Even Brady's SuperBowls were won on the leg of the kicker... Ray is a bit selfish

2 HOFS, who many people are saying should've been out the game for years.  The offense has had pieces and still not executed, the same way the defense with HOFs hasn't produced at times.  The offense has just proven to be more unreliable.  

[Strength.52]

If you think an analyst's job is to reflect on his own experience then you need to go take Intro to Mass Communications/Broadcasting/Journalism at your nearest community college. His job is to analyze and he's simply not doing that. 

   He was most likely asked SPECIFICALLY about Joe Flacco ... A guy he knows very well - Of course he's expected to reflect on his own experiences: +, you act like Ray went on and on about himself, all he did was "I" - he was never talking about himself at all ...

 

  Again, you are going by the textbook - Ray is ONE YEAR removed from playing and he was asked about his team / teammates , being expected to talk about HIS experiences, what is so hard to understand about that?

[BmoreBird22]

Also, anyone playing football before knows it's no way a 37 year old man suppose to keep up with the fastest TE in the game anyway so Davis owning Ray in the SB is no big deal, he was suppose to be doing that to a old Ray Lewis playing on his last leg while he's in his prime.

It was actually all tight ends, for the most part. The Ravens gave up less yards and touchdowns to tight ends without Lewis.

[redrum52]

I'll admit when the defense has bad days, no problem, but when your offensive playbook is run, run, pass, punt, what do you want them to do?  

 

Let's also acknowledge that most new rules created are tailored to HELP the offense.

[BmoreBird22]

Hes a year removed from the sport..... give it time man but when speaking about the Ravens being a year removed, how can he
not make it about him?

By realizing it's a different team and he's not on the team...

[BloodRaven]

If anyone has earned the right to speak their mind about the team its Ray. 

[gabefergy]

I'll admit when the defense has bad days, no problem, but when your offensive playbook is run, run, pass, punt, what do you want them to do?  

 

Let's also acknowledge that most new rules created are tailored to HELP the offense.

So Flacco is handicapped by poor playcalling too is what you are saying.

[redrum52]

So Flacco is handicapped by poor playcalling too is what you are saying.

YES.  We know its not always him, but other qbs have had bad lines and no wrs.  You can't keep turning the ball over.  That pick he threw cost the team at least 3 points.  I don't know why you all think some of us are Anti-Flacco.  OFFENSE.  I didn't say FLACCO.  I wanted Cam gone since 10 and thought he should've been given more conrol for while now.  I've still even said this team won't succeed unless the offense is ran through him.  At the same time don't spout out excuses when he's playing poorly.  Also, if they are a product of bad play calling that means the defense and special teams units should be given the same leeway.

[BmoreBird22]

For all of you saying that Ray is okay to say all this because he was a Raven and it's about the Ravens, there are examples of him being an egomaniac when it's not about the Ravens. 

What about the Ahmad Brooks hit? He just flashes his credit card and wants to make it known that he's the most upset about it. He brought it back to him, not the actual hit or rules in question.

What about the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito scandal? Ray made it known that they needed veteran leadership, which is true, but if he's there, it wouldn't have happened. Now, why did that need to be said? He has no ties to the Dolphins, never played for them, isn't in the NFL anymore. Why did he need to bring that full circle back to him?
That's what I hate. It's all about Ray.

[gabefergy]

YES.  We know its not always him, but other qbs have had bad lines and no wrs.  You can't keep turning the ball over.  That pick he threw cost the team at least 3 points.  I don't know why you all think some of us are Anti-Flacco.  OFFENSE.  I didn't say FLACCO.  I wanted Cam gone since 10 and thought he should've been given more conrol for while now.  I've still even said this team won't succeed unless the offense is ran through him.  At the same time don't spout out excuses when he's playing poorly.  Also, if they are a product of bad play calling that means the defense and special teams units should be given the same leeway.

Show me the QB that has no WRs, no OL, and no run game and is still putting up numbers.

 

That pick was not his fault. Brown ran the wrong route.

[redrum52]

Show me the QB that has no WRs, no OL, and no run game and is still putting up numbers.

 

That pick was not his fault. Brown ran the wrong route.

Where did I say put up numbers?  I just don't want to see the picks.  Even with Brown running the wrong route, Smith was still wide open and wasn't it just 1st down?  

 

Some of Flaccos best games this season weren't necessarily big games, but he didn't turn the ball over.

[BmoreBird22]

 

  Both you and the person you commented are are going "by the book" ... What you said applies to 99% of journalism, but it is totally different in Ray's case - he is ONE YEAR removed from playing on the team and asked to give his opinion: Of course he will mention his experiences last year ... He could literally say anything and it could be a headline anyway 

What I got out of that was, "That applies to all cases except Ray Lewis."

[BmoreBird22]

 

  You've posted several times criticizing Ray's self-serving attitude and ego, yet you seems reluctant to elaborate in detail with examples of Ray being self-serving for himself ... 

 

  As I've mentioned before, there's a difference between Team ego and personal Ego - For the last decade, ray lewis did EVERYTHING he possibly could for his team to win, He has Team Ego, it's not a selfish ego

 

From Bill Russell's Book: In it Russell sets forth the concept of “team ego,” writing, “I was the most egotistical player they would ever meet. My ego is not a personal ego, it’s a team ego. My ego demands — for myself — the success of my team.”

All his comments are circled back around to him, for example, his comments about how the bully scandal down in Miami doesn't happen if he's there. Why did he need to say that if he was not apart of the team and will not be for the foreseeable future? We don't see Ray Rice, the face of anti-bullying in Baltimore, getting crazed about it, yet Lewis took a very tough subject and just turned it to himself.