[News] Round 4: Ravens Draft OT Alex Lewis At No. 130

[BR News]

Baltimore added its second offensive tackle of the draft with the 6-foot-6, 312-pounder from Nebraska.

View the full article

[Run Pass Pass Punt]

This is the absolute number 1 guy I was excited for heading into the draft! Can't wait!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

So we're ok drafting a guy who spent 45 days in jail on assault charges, but take a guy who took bong hits off our board? Seems odd.

[Raven4Life!]

So we're ok drafting a guy who spent 45 days in jail on assault charges, but take a guy who took bong hits off our board? Seems odd.

According to Coach Harbaugh.....We did not take Tunsil off of our board until after he was drafted by the Dolphins.

We drafted Stanley.....Because the Ravens had him rated higher on their board than Tunsil.

[Drinkmore Beer]

Good-bye, Hurst.

[jazz1988]

So we're ok drafting a guy who spent 45 days in jail on assault charges, but take a guy who took bong hits off our board? Seems odd.

There's big difference between the two. When Lewis had his incident with the assault charges that was not recent or during the draft process. On the other hand Tunsil incident happen recently and it was definitely bad timing for him.

[Halshayeji]

Our Oline is finally complete. 5 good starters and 3 solid backups.

[Aunka_Beatmon]

Wow Ravens really laying down the double standard on this pick.

[Beef]

"According to a police report, witnesses said Lewis pushed Bussey's head into a brick wall, then both Lewis and Webb pushed him to the ground and began punching him.

"Mr. Lewis, a much bigger man, took Mr. Bussey's head in two hands and repeatedly slammed it against a brick wall," prosecutor Ken Kupfner told the court."

[MTRavensFan]

From that exact same article:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_25390118/alex-lewis-ex-cu-buffs-lineman-sentenced-45

"I have no doubt alcohol was a major factor here," (Boulder District Judge) Butler said. "This was a classic example of too much alcohol, too much testosterone, bad result."

Lewis... lost his football scholarship but told Butler he is doing well in school and has acknowledged he has a problem with alcohol.

"Day in and day out, I thought about what I did...It scares me to know I had an impact on someone else's life, hard to come to terms with the fact that I had a problem, but I did get help. ... Off the field, I've grown exponentially as a man."

That's tough stuff for a 21 yr. old to come to grips with. Another great read about his road back from that night:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11466333/alex-lewis-path-nebraska-cornhuskers-was-anything-smooth

"Alex Lewis' darkest moment of the past 16 months did not come in prison.

His darkest moment came in a Colorado courtroom as he listened to testimony from the family of Bussey, who suffered after the assault from the effects of a concussion.

"It's hard on me, as a person, to hear another family struggling because of you," Lewis said. "Not only that, but a son struggling. I can only imagine my mother crying the same way. I'm sorry for it. I'm growing up, and I'm learning from it."

Sometimes really good people do really horrible things under the influence of too much alcohol. Like Ray Rice, he's paid his dues and then some. If the Ravens, looking at the last three years, believe he is sincere, and deserves another chance, then maybe we should, too.

[KidNme]

The guy has a mean streak and that's what we look for in an Offensive or Defensive line guy, among other things.
Another thing, Alcohol isn't illegal, Marijuana is. I personally believe it's backwards there but none the less, it is what it is. If he's sincere about his statements, I believe the Ravens clubhouse is the best place for a guy like that. The "Family" will take into the fold and lead him into this next phase of his life. Take advantage young man, you have a once in a lifetime opportunity here that stemmed from your whole body of work and not just one incident. You've earned your right to be here now, earn the respect of the coaches and your team mates and follow their lead. You're in great hands!

[Raven'evermore]

 He acknowledged he has a problem with alcohol.  So that he means that he still has a problem with alcohol.  Where's the evidence to the contrary?  I also don't believe that he has as much remorse as he says.  I could be wrong, but I don't care for it when someone starts out saying that they feel bad for their victim, but then right away begin talking about themselves and how they've learned from the experience.  Who cares?  It's more like they're just trying to put a positive spin on themselves.  Not buying it.