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If you can't tell, I don't think much of Ray Lewis. Absolutely amazing football player, and the negatives that his 'leadership' brings were worth it at one time, but he's not that player anymore. He's still very, very good, but he's also a large part of the reason why the Ravens are consistently undisciplined.
You don't follow the Ravens, so I'm not going to fault you, but you're completely and totally off in that statement; Ray Lewis is the reason for Baltimore's success.
Ray isn't very smart, he has a giant and annoying ego, and he lied to the police about a murder, but when it comes to his contributions on the football field through physical play and intangibles, he is priceless.
I do agree that Ray shouldn't be faulted for scorers giving him credit, though.
Last edited by Baltimorefan06; 10-05-2009 at 10:12 PM..
You don't follow the Ravens, so I'm not going to fault you, but you're completely and totally off in that statement; Ray Lewis is the reason for Baltimore's success.
Ray isn't very smart, he has a giant and annoying ego, and he lied to the police about a murder, but when it comes to his contributions on the football field through physical play and intangibles, he is priceless.
I do agree that Ray shouldn't be faulted for scorers giving him credit, though.
I agree with everything except for this part. Ray Lewis is one of the smartest football players in the NFL. Nobody can read a QB like Ray and that's why he is a future HoFer. The fire and passion he brings onto the field can only be matched by Brian Dawkins and he motivates that Defense.
So what do you think he does exceptionally well THIS season? He isn't a liability. I'm just not sure how much of an asset he is beyond the replacements that are available year-to-year.
Besides leading a high ranking defense in tackles?
Besides reviewing so much tape that he can drop a player like Sproles four yards deep in his backfield on the game-deciding play?
Besides motivating the entire team?
Besides hitting every gap that his linemen provide?
I agree with everything except for this part. Ray Lewis is one of the smartest football players in the NFL. Nobody can read a QB like Ray and that's why he is a future HoFer. The fire and passion he brings onto the field can only be matched by Brian Dawkins and he motivates that Defense.
I didn't mean football smarts.
Last edited by Baltimorefan06; 10-05-2009 at 10:19 PM..
Besides leading a high ranking defense in tackles?
Can't use number of tackles unless you can find 7 unassisted tackles by him in the Pats game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baltimorefan06
Besides reviewing so much tape that he can drop a player like Sproles four yards deep in his backfield on the game-deciding play?
Great play by him. So how many hours of tape did it take for him to realize that being in the backfield on 4th down is a good thing? And I assume all this book learnin' will translate into a similar play soon?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baltimorefan06
Besides motivating the entire team?
That is a cheerleader. Or mascot I guess. Can you explain why the Ravens surrounded Ray Ray with unmotivated players?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baltimorefan06
Besides hitting every gap that his linemen provide?
Hitting them with what? Silly noises?
That is all you've got? He gets lots of tackles on the stat sheet (most of which are imaginary), watches lots of tape (I'll take your word for it), motivates his team (like the scary Raven on the scoreboard) and hits gaps (though not resulting in solo tackles or QB pressure).
Let me help you a little. Here are some skills a linebacker might possess:
Rushing the passer
Covering backs/TEs/slot receivers
Stout against the run
Ray Ray was an all-pro at all of these at one point in time. Which of these, or others that you can actually see on the field, does he excel at NOW?
-Ray is absolutely great at rushing the passer as he, like I said, hits every gap that his linemen create which, logically, results in hits on the quarterback.
-His role isn't, and hasn't ever been to cover backs/TEs/slot recievers.
-He is stout against the run as is evidenced by his takedown of RBs on game deciding-plays, and role as leader of the team in tackles even at his mature age. Like I said.
How can we have a debate about Ray Lewis' skills when you a) don't watch the Ravens and b) disregard statistics?
-Ray is absolutely great at rushing the passer as he, like I said, hits every gap that his linemen create which, logically, results in hits on the quarterback.
-His role isn't, and hasn't ever been to cover backs/TEs/slot recievers.
-He is stout against the run as is evidenced by his takedown of RBs on game deciding-plays, and role as leader of the team in tackles even at his mature age. Like I said.
How can we have a debate about Ray Lewis' skills when you a) don't watch the Ravens and b) disregard statistics?
Sorry, but gotta fail you on this one.
- Ray Ray is certainly not great at rushing the passer. No sacks, few QB hits. Given how often the Ravens blitz and the other front 7 talent, this is even worse than you might think.
- Ray Ray most certainly does have responsibilities in coverage. He just doesn't make plays in coverage any more. Unlike your contention, he was excellent in coverage as recently as 3-4 years ago.
- Ray Ray is still solid against the run, but no way near great. Still has top notch instincts (the Sproles play you continue to mention like it happened several times), but he is generally a day late and a dollar short...resulting in his generous assists total.
If you are going to hang your hat on statistics, you have to:
a) Include the lack of sacks, QB hits, passes defensed, etc.
b) Account for the massive difference between his tackle statistics and reality. Seriously, you can not find 7 solo tackles in the Pats game. Not his fault, but his tackle statistics are a joke.
I have seen quite a few Ravens games (they are my local AFC team unfortunately) and generally attend 1-2 a year (brother-in-law has season tickets). Ray Ray is still a contributor at age 34, which is outstanding in my book. Just can't call him great and maintain any football credibility.
Re: Ray Lewis's premature 4th down celebration
Linear Mode
