Watch Ray Lewis the next time the Ravens play

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

I made the thread to see if people still think that he's a beast just cause he's Ray Lewis and also to see how "personally" people take it if someone criticizes him. I'm 100% certain most people here have not watched him specifically when the Ravens D plays, they just know who he is, what he's done and how the commentators have hyped him up during the years (mostly the commentators were correct to do so). That's why I said watch him the next game and actually also during the rest of the season, not just for the next 3 plays. You'll see that that he's very inefficient except in run stopping and positioning himself for a ball carrier who doesn't have enough space to run away from him. But those two things he does extremely well. Btw, I never said he's the reason their D isn't that good. As a sidenote, watching Dawan Landry play coverage is cover-your-eyes stuff.

I think you drastically underestimate the people on this site.

You've been here a while so that observation surprises me, but I have found that a majority of the fans here are nothing like your typical weekly, office fan (you know, the guy who has idea who his team is playing until Friday then starts talking crap all day about how good his team is going to win.)

[Blue_Monkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

I think you drastically underestimate the people on this site. You've been here a while so that observation surprises me, but I have found that a majority of the fans here are nothing like your typical weekly, office fan (you know, the guy who has idea who his team is playing until Friday then starts talking crap all day about how good his team is going to win.)

Honestly, that wasn't my intention. I know there are a lot of people here who really know what they're talking about. Thank you for making your point in a nice way.

[Adam Dayton]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

You'll be amazed at how ineffective Ray is at this point in his career at anything else except stopping the run. He's potentially the best run stopper in the league right now and absolutely the best team leader as well. Obviously nothing wrong with his tackling either. Watch him blitz next game. He runs awkwardly right INTO any blocker and then pushes and shoves a little. I saw the sack he got on a blitz this week. No blocker was within 18 yards of him and he only ran for about 6 yards. And man, did those 6 yards look awkward from an athletic point of view. Watch him in coverage. He has no chance to physically make plays on the ball or stay with any receiver and unbelievably, he sometimes seems completely lost in coverage. I was amazed when I started seeing this. 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. Right now I wouldn't change anything and let him play cause of his stature within the team and excellent run stopping but starting next off season, I'd be easing Ray into a diminished playing role or retirement.

So you say he's the best run stopper in the league potentially, somethign which is extremely valuable for a linebacker, and yet you get mad when people say he's a beast? The fact is while he lost some speed obviously he is still surprisingly quick for his age and has made plays this year that are straight sideline to sideline vintage Lewis. As for coverage, he still can stick recievers and tight ends very well and is never "confused and out of the play" like you have been saying-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0oUPACk8K8&feature=fvw

This was from last year, and he's essentially the same player. Had Chad Johnson caught that ball the other game he would have suffered a similar fate. The fact is, you come across as a bit of a ***** who is annoyed at seeing people praise Ray Lewis while the defense itself is faltering. But the fact is, as much as you hate it, he's still a beast.

[KG]

Quote: Originally Posted by ThaShark28_316

Would you guys say the issue with B-More this year is Cornerback play? Or am I totally off base here....

I'd say that is one of the things. They have given up more big plays so far this year than any Ravens team that I can remember. Once their D gels with that offense they will be right back in the hunt.

[LBzrule]

Quote: Originally Posted by kgx2thez

I'd say that is one of the things. They have given up more big plays so far this year than any Ravens team that I can remember. IF their D gels with that offense they will be right back in the hunt.

fixed

[radiohead]

Quote: Originally Posted by ThaShark28_316

Would you guys say the issue with B-More this year is Cornerback play? Or am I totally off base here....

Yes, you're dead on.

[Blue_Monkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Adam Dayton

So you say he's the best run stopper in the league potentially, somethign which is extremely valuable for a linebacker, and yet you get mad when people say he's a beast? ... ... But the fact is, as much as you hate it, he's still a beast.

Way to get angry for no reason. And you are just saying this vs my that. I said watch him play-to-play and be objective.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

Way to get angry for no reason. And you are just saying this vs my that. I said watch him play-to-play and be objective.

It is hard to see a player in decline. I remember when LT was going to Pro Bowls based on the young LT. When a linebacker loses his depth and burst then he is closer to retirement. You creating a post is making people defend based on past performances or that great play against the Chargers.

Ray was a free agent and he came back to the Ravens because they wasn't much interest in him around the league and that isn't an insult but a fact all players will eventually face.

To the people that disagree just watch him play now and then come back to this post and make a comment.