[News] Late For Work 11/18: Ray Lewis' Take On Joe Flacco's Inconsistent Play; Ravens-Cowboys Predictions

[Minionhunter]

If you are really honest with yourself, you'll admit Ray Lewis's fiery speeches have always been equal parts performing for the camera and motivating the troops. To me this is totally an example of the former - saying something provocative to put the spotlight back on himself, and to draw ratings for the new TV show he works for. Nothing more. It is a selfish, petty and also untrue statement.

I am not a Flacco fanboy but long ago I accepted that Joe is not an extroverted guy - that doesn't mean he isn't passionate about the team and about winning. He clearly is. Go watch his last play from last season, when his knee had just been demolished, and he stayed on the field anyway. Go look for photos of his leg after the 2009 playoff games, when his thigh was one giant bruise and he played anyway. Ray Lewis is no idiot, he saw these things too, so it's obviously a publicity stunt.

This nails it. Get Ray to say something stupid, then hype it up and comment on it = Ratings! Same as steal underpants - - = Money! (South Park Underpant gnomes ep).

[eze17]

I don't think Dixon is being underutilized, the Ravens are simply bringing him along slowly because of his injury. We've already got three of our rookie draft picks on IR (although I still never heard what Henry's injury was, anyone know the specifics?), and Alex Lewis is pretty much done for the rest of the regular season...So I've no problem with making sure that Dixon is 100% before unleashing him. The guy has shown some decent flashes of his potential, and he should be nice and fresh for the second half of the season.

[robbie29]

I will really, really be hoping for an upset on Sunday obviously.
But...Joe's success depends on his O Line. Lewis is already out, and although Yanda will be playing, he'll likely be at less than 100%.
Defense will do probably fare well, but the Cowboys are 8-1 for a reason- they know how to exploit opponents' weaknesses and win games. I'm sure they've figured out that constant pressure on Joe = short offensive series and eventually the D will tire and give up big plays. A tired Defense going against Elliot and Dez and Prescott...not a good thing.
Let's hope Joe undergoes hypnotherapy before the game and truly believes it's the postseason. Then we may get a QB performance worthy of $126 million...

[eze17]

Sorry Joe, but sometimes the truth hurts...also Ray Lewis is the all time #1 Raven and is still missed on the field and locker room...He doesn't need the attention!

Ray Lewis will ALWAYS need the attention...One of the greatest Raven's, but the guy just loves being in the spotlight, and will always promote himself in any way possible. Not faulting him for it, but it is the truth...And to be honest, we don't know how much he's missed in the locker room seeing how almost all the players on the team never played with him...some of these guys may think he's an old foggie and wish he'd shut up telling them how to play - we fans can't say how some of the new generation of players on the team feels.

[ravenwildman]

The Cowboys are just a football team, nothing more, beating them anywhere just takes commitment hard play and heart to meet them head on. I see an upset coming! GO RAVENS! CB 25

[Ravens_Flock]

Joe 100% lacks passion, has never played with it. He has had streaks of playing very WELL. But he is not a team leader type, and he is the exact opposite of "fiery". No one can really make a strong argument against that fact. So Ray isn't wrong, and people should not be knocking or attacking THE single greatest Baltimore Raven of all time, if the man has something legit to say about our literally struggling QB.

I have never once considered Joe "elite". He is GOOD. But he's just Joe. That's all he's been for years, and that's all he's going to be. And you cannot deny the fact, that he seems to have regressed these last few years. He had a bright spot because of Kubiak's system. But the three seasons surrounding that island, have not produced very flattering stats for our veteran QB.

And this isn't something that's going to change. Joe is Joe, and that's all he's ever going to be. He is not a passionate, fiery leader, like a Drew Brees, or a Cam Newton. He's just Joe. And as long as he's our QB, that's what we'll have to work with. It is what it is.

[steelraven]

1 hour ago, Minionhunter said:

And Ray Lewis getting hurt almost cost Joe his ring. Ray was disingenuous not to mention that Joe, super bowl MVP Joe with the exact same demeanor, was the reason he got his second ring. We won that super bowl because of Joe's amazingness and despite the ineffectiveness of an injured Ray.

I didn't know the defense of ineffective in the playoffs or super bowl, you must've watched a different playoff run than I did. The defense basically was mute when Lewis was out, they lost 4 of their last 5. And when he came back they started back playing Ravens defense.  And we all know Jacoby Jones should've won that Super Bowl MVP. 

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Joe 100% lacks passion, has never played with it. He has had streaks of playing very WELL. But he is not a team leader type, and he is the exact opposite of "fiery". No one can really make a strong argument against that fact. So Ray isn't wrong, and people should not be knocking or attacking THE single greatest Baltimore Raven of all time, if the man has something legit to say about our literally struggling QB.

I have never once considered Joe "elite". He is GOOD. But he's just Joe. That's all he's been for years, and that's all he's going to be. And you cannot deny the fact, that he seems to have regressed these last few years. He had a bright spot because of Kubiak's system. But the three seasons surrounding that island, have not produced very flattering stats for our veteran QB.

And this isn't something that's going to change. Joe is Joe, and that's all he's ever going to be. He is not a passionate, fiery leader, like a Drew Brees, or a Cam Newton. He's just Joe. And as long as he's our QB, that's what we'll have to work with. It is what it is.

If any player has to rely on other players to get them fired up to play, that is a weak excuse. It is each man's responsibility to prepare themselves to play to the best of their ability. To try and suggest that that is on Joe's shoulders is a low blow. These are professional athletes earning big dollars.

Even if Joe were to take Ray's take and become more fiery, let's not forget what makes Joe great, his ability to stay calm and not wilt under pressure. Yes he has bad games, but I never see him give up mentally and check out even when things are not going great. Once you get involved in trying to pump up team mates all the time, it makes it very difficult to not ride those waves of emotion without bottoming out in bad situations.

[Crusader]

Its was PASSION that kept the 49Ners out of the end zone in 2012 on 4 tries. Fans have passion and bonded with Ray because he had a lot of Passion. Joe treats it like just a job and pays the bills. That's fine, but you will be pushed aside by someone who has more passion. Remember Joe said "Its just football" on the Late-night show after the Super Bowl.

[b93333]

No doubt Ray owes his second ring to Joe... there is also no doubt that Joe's level of play has never been the same since he signed that mega-contract. I'm guessing Ray is offering some constructive criticism in the hopes it will spark greater effort out of Joe this Sunday and going forward.

[eze17]

Ha-HA, Bart Scott just called out Ray Lewis, said Flacco got that 2nd ring for you dude...

[Daddyfatsacks]

I'm sorry, but Ray is absolutely right. All of the great QB's give off an energy. A certain level of intensity. Flacco, not so much. And he did't win the Super Bowl alone. He did play above average that run, but he gets sole credit for the Super Bowl because he did his job and didn't make any major mistakes? I remember our defense playing pretty well. Ray Rice saved us in San Diego. Jacoby, well he was Jocoby. Then Boldin.

[metalraven]

I really do not think it is fair that Ray Lewis questions Joe's passion for the game. I don't think it's fair for anyone to question it. Who are we to say how anyone should show their passion. People are different and show their emotions differently........Just because he doesn't show his the way that Ray did, does not mean he doesn't have it. Joe is just not that guy....so what, get over it. Quite frankly, even though I admire Ray for his passion, sometimes, in my opinion....I think he went overboard.  In the same way that I admire Ray for his emotion, and passion for the game....I admire Joe for his so called "lack of" of it.     

 

"Question" Joe's passion? There is no question - He DOES NOT HAVE ANY.

[metalraven]

I'm sorry, but Ray is absolutely right. All of the great QB's give off an energy. A certain level of intensity. Flacco, not so much. And he did't win the Super Bowl alone. He did play above average that run, but he gets sole credit for the Super Bowl because he did his job and didn't make any major mistakes? I remember our defense playing pretty well. Ray Rice saved us in San Diego. Jacoby, well he was Jocoby. Then Boldin.

Yes sir. About time someone outside of us realistic fans point it out. Ray over Joe ANY FREAKING DAY.

[metalraven]

Ha-HA, Bart Scott just called out Ray Lewis, said Flacco got that 2nd ring for you dude...

And who got Bart's ring? Oh ya, he doesn't have one.

[metalraven]

Its was PASSION that kept the 49Ners out of the end zone in 2012 on 4 tries. Fans have passion and bonded with Ray because he had a lot of Passion. Joe treats it like just a job and pays the bills. That's fine, but you will be pushed aside by someone who has more passion. Remember Joe said "Its just football" on the Late-night show after the Super Bowl.

Yep. I agree with you here.

[metalraven]

  2 hours ago, Minionhunter said:

And Ray Lewis getting hurt almost cost Joe his ring. Ray was disingenuous not to mention that Joe, super bowl MVP Joe with the exact same demeanor, was the reason he got his second ring. We won that super bowl because of Joe's amazingness and despite the ineffectiveness of an injured Ray.

I didn't know the defense of ineffective in the playoffs or super bowl, you must've watched a different playoff run than I did. The defense basically was mute when Lewis was out, they lost 4 of their last 5. And when he came back they started back playing Ravens defense.  And we all know Jacoby Jones should've won that Super Bowl MVP. 

Solid points

[metalraven]

  2 hours ago, Minionhunter said:

  4 hours ago, baltimore1975 said:

Sorry Joe, but sometimes the truth hurts...also Ray Lewis is the all time #1 Raven and is still missed on the field and locker room...He doesn't need the attention!

And Ray Lewis getting hurt almost cost Joe his ring. Ray was disingenuous not to mention that Joe, super bowl MVP Joe with the exact same demeanor, was the reason he got his second ring. We won that super bowl because of Joe's amazingness and despite the ineffectiveness of an injured Ray.

I love Ray, but he is letting the Ravens down here attacking an injured Joe with a 2nd and 3rd string line who can't protect him.

Here we go again. "Poor, inured Joe. Boohoo." It's about time someone other than us fans without purple glasses tell it like it is. I swear, you and a few others are just here to "protect" Joe like you're his online bodyguards. Yes, it is not all of Joe's fault, be he certainly carries a huge part of the blame. "Bad o line and injuries" did not cause him to throw 9 bone headed ints. Stop excusing the guy. Joe needs to step the hell up and start playing like he cares.

[metalraven]

Thank you, Ray! Spot on!

[metalraven]

Remember when Joe said 'I think I'm the best quarterback in the NFL'?

[respecttheRaven]

14 minutes ago, metalraven said:

"Question" Joe's passion? There is no question - He DOES NOT HAVE ANY.

Passion is a feeling......you have no idea how Joe feels. You do not have to show it to feel it. 

[metalraven]

  26 minutes ago, metalraven said:

"Question" Joe's passion? There is no question - He DOES NOT HAVE ANY.

Passion is a feeling......you have no idea how Joe feels. You do not have to show it to feel it. 

Know that saying: "Actions speak louder than words"?

[metalraven]

  26 minutes ago, metalraven said:

"Question" Joe's passion? There is no question - He DOES NOT HAVE ANY.

Passion is a feeling......you have no idea how Joe feels. You do not have to show it to feel it. 

His stupid statue pose after FINALLY throwing a TD instead of a pick gives you a clue as to where his head is. Or heart, if you will.

[Moderator 3]

Quote

“If it’s a series or something hasn’t been going right, he’ll come in the huddle and say something to get us going,” Aiken said. “He does it. He just doesn’t do it for cameras.”

I'll just leave this here.

[metalraven]

"Leave Joe alone! He's got a booboo." - Flacco's online body guards

[respecttheRaven]

1 minute ago, metalraven said:

"Leave Joe alone! He's got a booboo." - Flacco's online body guards

[metalraven]

  3 minutes ago, metalraven said:

"Leave Joe alone! He's got a booboo." - Flacco's online body guards

Is supposed to be someone waking Joe up from his slumber? Maybe it'll work!

[Tru11]

29 minutes ago, Moderator 3 said:

I'll just leave this here.

uhhh that actually looks bad.

the offense has been downright pathetic so im not sure what he was saying to get this offense going cause the only place they went so far is nowhere.....

[outkast1]

Joe had passion ! when he needed to renew his contract.

[Daddyfatsacks]

Joe had passion ! when he needed to renew his contract.

Truuuuuue! Lmao.