Ray Lewis - can we, should we, how much?

To answer the first question...

I think we have the ammo it would take to get this deal done. I'v read that he wants out of Baltimore. He's at the twilight of his carreer, and Balt won't win anytime soon (I think). So it would make sense for him to want to be on a super bowl contender.
We have draft picks, and salary cap space. We even have players we can trade (ie beisel, brown, starks). So imho it is plausible.

Should we trade for RayLew... He's a great player, and even those who don't like him have to admit that. The question is does he have anything left in the Tank? Which I think he does. The other knock on him is his over the top attitude which I just view as intensity. We like intensity, it would just be a matter of refocusing his intensity in different ways... We have leaders from whom he could learn to lead from... Rodney, Richard, keep the ra ra ra me me me stuff out. Hug your teammates after a good play instead Ray. And don't EVER- EVER do that worm wiggle thing in Foxboro. We come out as a team.

Now the question I am the most interested in... What would it take to get him? I'v heard on another post a third round pick... I doubt that. Probably a second... Which is a deal I would do in a heartbeat, and then resign him to a long term deal that would keep him here and make his cap impact this year minimal. Hell even throw in Beisel to give Balt a rangy chase-type MLB to replace the one we traded for.

In replying please try to answer all three questions

Can we?? Any body could afford him

Should we???? No- too much hype , not enough substance

What would it cost??? to much...

I would rather have re-signed McGinest. I am willing to bet Belichick sees it that way also...would be a bad move for the locker room and why lose the pick.

Younger is the way to go for me. Lewis is going to be 31 in may and has just started the "injury years" IMO. If you could get him cheap (a 3rd or 4th rounder) then maybe but I think Baltimore would never give him up for that.

no........

Yes

Ray Lewis is still a great middle linebacker. Would I give up a lot for him... No. As far as him being a problem in the locker room.... I don't know what you are talking about. This guy is one of the best leaders in football. He is an outspoken version of Bruschi. Ray Lewis will not go see the trainer until all of his teammates leave so that they don't see him as someone who needs help. The man would be a great fit for the Patriots, and even if he and Bruschi are getting towards the ends of their careers, we would still have the best 1-2 MLB punch in the NFL.

No! Too much hype, too much ego, too much freaking dancing! The idea is to get younger at linebacker. Why cut a greybeard like Willie to save money and then give the money to an overrated, aging greybeard like Ray?

Ray's stats include Tackles/Assists/In The General Area and Piled on Afterwards.

No thanks ... I'd rather sign a McKinnon - a guy who is good, just stuck on a bad team. He'll appreciate the winning more than the recognition.

Not a Patriot

I just watched an NFL Films documentary on linebackers this week in which he dumped repeatedly on the 3-4, stating that linebackers should be taking on running backs, not OL. They tried him in a 3-4 in Baltimore and he hated it; he does not like playing a role in a system, supporting a result; he likes to be the focus and center of most results. Whatever his qualities (and they are a mixed bag), he is not a Patriot.

DCPatriot said:

I just watched an NFL Films documentary on linebackers this week in which he dumped repeatedly on the 3-4, stating that linebackers should be taking on running backs, not OL. They tried him in a 3-4 in Baltimore and he hated it; he does not like playing a role in a system, supporting a result; he likes to be the focus and center of most results. Whatever his qualities (and they are a mixed bag), he is not a Patriot.

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What he said!!!

Lbaron said:

To answer the first question...

We have draft picks, and salary cap space. We even have players we can trade (ie beisel, brown, starks). So imho it is plausible.

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We no longer have Brown and Starks, they have been cut long ago buddy.

The only reason I would see for signing Lewis is if he can bring some short term presence to the ILB position and mentor some draftees. I would be happy to sign him at 1.5-2 mill, but not above that.

No thanks

He's all done, put a fork in him.

Secondly, he's not a good guy for our system. At his age, he doesn't want to start shedding offensive guards - he just wants to make plays.

Jdubh3 said:

The man would be a great fit for the Patriots, and even if he and Bruschi are getting towards the ends of their careers, we would still have the best 1-2 MLB punch in the NFL.

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We need ILBs for the 3-4 not MLBs, and there is a difference. As DC mentioned, not only is Ray Ray not well suited for ILB in a 3-4 scheme, he has gone on record several times as saying it's not the right scheme for him, and he doesn't like it.

Based on that alone, I'd pass. Tedy's got enough work to do teaching the ILB position to Monty, let's not try to make him tutor a grumpy misplaced veteran MLB too.

Yes, NO, 0$$$$ :rocker: