Lewis & Reed

Well this is interesting, apparently Reed is considering retirement: NFL News Feed: Reed says he'll consider retirement - Mark Maske (http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2010/01/reed-says-hell-consider-retirement.html)
I will believe it when I see Brett....ehr Ed do it

I get choked up when I think about our beloved Sean Taylor. What a shame!

ST would've been up there with Reed for sure...

Just to point out one thing, Ray Ray (by his own admission) didn't do shit until they drafted Ngata to replace Siragusa and Sam Adams. He credits the solid DT's with allowing him to play and dominate in his style. I think Lewis was blessed with a system that Marvin Lewis installed, that he mastered and was able to adapt to suit his strengths. Remember he isn't exactly a superstar in coverage. This meant that he had a GM, various coaching staffs, and an ownership structure that were willing to build around him and to allow him to be a field general of the defense. That type of freedom and support is rare for other LB's around the league. Urlacher has/had some elements of that but even his word doesn't hold the clout that Ray's does in B'more. Ozzie went out and drafted the guys to address positions that Ray Lewis personally (and publicly) lobbied for. Those guys turned out to be studs too (one after the other). I don't think LT had that level of support on and off the field throughout his career.

I get choked up when I think about our beloved Sean Taylor. What a shame!

One day i was off work and the wife and kids were gone. I went to youtube and watched a few ST vids.... waterworks started and i had to turn it off. RIP #21

ST would've been up there with Reed for sure...

Just to point out one thing, Ray Ray (by his own admission) didn't do shit until they drafted Ngata to replace Siragusa and Sam Adams. He credits the solid DT's with allowing him to play and dominate in his style. I think Lewis was blessed with a system that Marvin Lewis installed, that he mastered and was able to adapt to suit his strengths. Remember he isn't exactly a superstar in coverage. This meant that he had a GM, various coaching staffs, and an ownership structure that were willing to build around him and to allow him to be a field general of the defense. That type of freedom and support is rare for other LB's around the league. Urlacher has/had some elements of that but even his word doesn't hold the clout that Ray's does in B'more. Ozzie went out and drafted the guys to address positions that Ray Lewis personally (and publicly) lobbied for. Those guys turned out to be studs too (one after the other). I don't think LT had that level of support on and off the field throughout his career.

I remember the draft when they selected Ngata, didnt Ray pretty much give the FO an altimatum like draft this guy or i retire?

I strated watching football in 1972 . LT and Lott IMO were as good as it gets . Reed is awesome , I also think Troy P. < Steelers > is top notch . Lott was a pro bowl CB and FS ... had we drafted Lott in '81 , then D. Green '83 ... I say we have 1 more V. Lombardi trophy siiting @ Redskins park . 53 is right , K. Houston was awesome , a 100% HOF'er !! Butkus , Lambert and Singletary were mean mothers , I would guess that R. Lewis should be talked about as all time greats . Sadly we will not see ST going into the HOF as a 9-10 time pro bowler .

ST would've been up there with Reed for sure...

Just to point out one thing, Ray Ray (by his own admission) didn't do shit until they drafted Ngata to replace Siragusa and Sam Adams. He credits the solid DT's with allowing him to play and dominate in his style. I think Lewis was blessed with a system that Marvin Lewis installed, that he mastered and was able to adapt to suit his strengths. Remember he isn't exactly a superstar in coverage. This meant that he had a GM, various coaching staffs, and an ownership structure that were willing to build around him and to allow him to be a field general of the defense. That type of freedom and support is rare for other LB's around the league. Urlacher has/had some elements of that but even his word doesn't hold the clout that Ray's does in B'more. Ozzie went out and drafted the guys to address positions that Ray Lewis personally (and publicly) lobbied for. Those guys turned out to be studs too (one after the other). I don't think LT had that level of support on and off the field throughout his career.

So you're saying that Lewis, while great, owes a lot of his success to several other factors that fell into place for him? OK, but my question is, how does that make him different than nearly every other great player in the history of football? No man is an island in the ultimate team sport.

And I think it's tough to argue that LT didn't have a solid situation himself. He played on historically great teams.

L.T is easily the best linebacker that i have seen. Lott and Reed are 2 totally different players. and with the way the rules are right now, Lott would dramatically have to change his game. he played on toughness, and physicality. all of his helmet to helmet stuff is now illegal. Reed is a down right play-maker. i would say that Woodson was the closest thing to Reed.

ST would've been up there with Reed for sure...

Just to point out one thing, Ray Ray (by his own admission) didn't do shit until they drafted Ngata to replace Siragusa and Sam Adams. He credits the solid DT's with allowing him to play and dominate in his style. I think Lewis was blessed with a system that Marvin Lewis installed, that he mastered and was able to adapt to suit his strengths. Remember he isn't exactly a superstar in coverage. This meant that he had a GM, various coaching staffs, and an ownership structure that were willing to build around him and to allow him to be a field general of the defense. That type of freedom and support is rare for other LB's around the league. Urlacher has/had some elements of that but even his word doesn't hold the clout that Ray's does in B'more. Ozzie went out and drafted the guys to address positions that Ray Lewis personally (and publicly) lobbied for. Those guys turned out to be studs too (one after the other). I don't think LT had that level of support on and off the field throughout his career.

Ngata wasn't drafted until 2006. Ray was drafted in !996. To say he "didn't do shit" until Ngata got there is just wrong.

Looks like Ed Reed is mulling retirement. He's dealing with a bad neck injury.

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed unsure if he'll return next season; receiver Derrick Mason, too - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4833327)