Watch Ray Lewis the next time the Ravens play

[muggins]

He still has the intensity. I wouldn't want to meet him outside a party for sure.

[jorge380]

Ray will be playing football till his 40's come around.Look at Seau, these type of linebackers on a good team bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.

[burnwood]

He is still a beast.

Ray was never a blitzer anyway. His strengths are instinct and tackling. Mike Nolan started the trend with blitzing Ray. I never liked it because it took him out of the play too often. You don't see him blitzing as much in this defensive coaching regime.

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

When there's a ball carrier to be tackled he can still position himself well and shed blockers. That cause there's no quick change of where the ball is going and he doesn't need to get forwards trough a blocker. Also in the run game you can sort of wait for the runner to come to you if you're positioned well, which he is most of the time.

Well then why aren't any other tacklers there first?

[Blue_Monkey]

At the risk of sounding hostile, I don't think it's an opinion that he's just not an overall beast anymore, it's a fact.

If it was simple, the Ravens would be better off only using him in running situations. Ray is hurting the defense being out there for all plays. But he's the emotional leader of the whole franchise so you can't demote him yet.

[burnwood]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

If it was simple, the Ravens would be better off only using him in running situations. Ray is hurting the defense being out there for all plays. But he's the emotional leader of the whole franchise so you can't demote him yet.

Have you seen the defense without Ray on the field? It's laughable.

[Blue_Monkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by burnwood

Have you seen the defense without Ray on the field?

No cause they've never been on without him in 2009.

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

At the risk of sounding hostile, I don't think it's an opinion that he's just not an overall beast anymore, it's a fact. If it was simple, the Ravens would be better off only using him in running situations. Ray is hurting the defense being out there for all plays. But he's the emotional leader of the whole franchise so you can't demote him yet.

Ok, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. General sentiment... 14 year vet Ray Lewis isn't as good as rookie Ray. No problem. Grunt and I were talking about this before. But there is a difference between not being heads above everyone else in the league and needing to be a part time player. Ray was never a blitzer (as mentioned above). He's blitzed more later in his career than he did back in the day, and I'd say most of the time he either gets to the QB or causes them to move or rush. That sack on Favre should've been as big as the tackle of Sproles but bad personnel/play calling gave Favre another chance to throw a bomb afterwards.

If you really think he's just an "emotional leader" then you must have just watched clips of one game or something. As confused as the D has looked this year, my guess is the success they have had comes more from Ray reading the offensive players and set and positioning people more than any call from the sideline. Losing Rex hurt... losing Ray would've been a bigger blow.

[burnwood]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

No cause they've never been on without him in 2009.

Actually they have been on the field without him in 2009. Don't state opinion as fact.