Lewis & Reed

As long as we're talking about all-time dominant defenders, let's not forget the Minister of Defense, Reggie White. For my money, White was every bit as dominant as LT, and he did it getting double teamed nearly every play, whereas Belichick often moved LT around to exploit matchups. White and LT are the two most disruptive defensive players that I've seen over 35+ years of avid NFL viewing.

Regarding the original post, Lewis is a top 3 MLB all-time (with Butkus certainly in that group). Reed is the greatest safety of all time IMO.

Lewis and Reed are certainly in the conversation for the best ever at their positions, but solid arguments can be made for a lot of guys.

Talk about underrated. Take a look at London Fletcher's stats compared to Ray Lewis. He had better stats in 2009, and still didn't make a pro-bowl. Nor is he ever mentioned as one of the premier players in the NFL, even-though he's out performed the best Linebacker in the NFL.

Ray Lewis Stats - Baltimore Ravens - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=964)

London Fletcher Stats - Washington Redskins - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=1680)

Talk about underrated. Take a look at London Fletcher's stats compared to Ray Lewis. He had better stats in 2009, and still didn't make a pro-bowl. Nor is he ever mentioned as one of the premier players in the NFL, even-though he's out performed the best Linebacker in the NFL.

Ray Lewis Stats - Baltimore Ravens - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=964)

London Fletcher Stats - Washington Redskins - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=1680)

Certain things you just can't measure statiscally. London Fletcher just isn't in Ray Lewis' category. There's no other way around that. And that's not to slight London, because a lot of good linebackers aren't in Lewis' category.

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.

Read it again he said he didnt do shit after Siragusa and Adams left until they replaced them with Ngata. So thats from 2001 to 2006.

Certain things you just can't measure statiscally. London Fletcher just isn't in Ray Lewis' category. There's no other way around that. And that's not to slight London, because a lot of good linebackers aren't in Lewis' category.
I completely disagree. Not to slight Ray Lewis but I believe that he and Fletcher are in the same category. There are only 2 differences between the 2 men. The first is that hands down Ray Lewis has more interceptions to his name. The second is that Ray Lewis played for one of the most dominating defenses of all time and won superbowl MVP with that team. He has always had a better supporting cast that always keeps him clean. Ever since the Superbowl he has always been in the limelight with his pregame pump up ritual and constant television interviews on major media outlets. Ray Lewis could lay a goose egg next season and still get more pro bowl votes and television interviews than Fletcher just from the notoriety, all because of the fact that he was a Superbowl MVP.

I completely disagree. Not to slight Ray Lewis but I believe that he and Fletcher are in the same category. There are only 2 differences between the 2 men. The first is that hands down Ray Lewis has more interceptions to his name. The second is that Ray Lewis played for one of the most dominating defenses of all time and won superbowl MVP with that team. He has always had a better supporting cast that always keeps him clean. Ever since the Superbowl he has always been in the limelight with his pregame pump up ritual and constant television interviews on major media outlets. Ray Lewis could lay a goose egg next season and still get more pro bowl votes and television interviews than Fletcher just from the notoriety, all because of the fact that he was a Superbowl MVP.

You crazy.

You crazy.

Holy shit! That is the most compelling piece of information that I've heard this decade. Tell me, where did you go to school... Harvard? I already know that I'm crazy, what you cannot tell me is that I'm wrong.

You crazy.


Best post of 2010 (so far), you got a long way to go buddy but it may just hold up.

If you read it with a Mexican dialect, it is hilarious.

And I asked are Ray Lewis and Ed reed the best players to ever play their positions? I'm only 23 so I really never saw lott or LT play in their primes, but there is no doubt in my mind that in the 17 years that I've watched football that Lewis is the best LB I've seen. He is simply dominant, and as far as reed goes.. He has got to be the best playmaking safety ever. I just wanted to discuss something different ( plus I'm bored). What do you all think?

Its hard to say the best ever.
But, Ray Lewis is one of the best LBs i've seen play.
He's been consistent, he's rarely hurt, he's made game changing plays, he's made big hits, he was a main cog in one of the NFL's best defenses, he's the pillar of an NFL franchise, and more importantly he's a great leader.

If i was building a defense and i could pick 1 MLB (in their prime) i would have to pick Lewis.

This play is quintessential Ray Lewis:
NFL Videos: Playbook: Ravens 4th-down stop (http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/09000d5d812d10db/Playbook-Ravens-4th-down-stop)

Now when it comes to Ed Reed i'm gonna agree with you, Ed Reed is the best FS i've ever seen. I think he has the most picks since he came into the league, he causes a bunch of fumbles, and he's outstanding PR

Just this year he made 2 of the best interception's i've ever seen from the safety position.

These 2 plays clinch it for me:
Against the Colts-listen at the 6:13 mark

NFL Videos: Playbook: Colts vs. Ravens recap (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-playbook/09000d5d81477828/Playbook-Colts-vs-Ravens-recap)

And this play was just sick, he starts running a dead sprint before Carson even makes the throw! He caught the int in stride and ran it back for 6 awesome...
NFL Videos: WK 5 Can't-Miss Play: Reed puts up points (http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/09000d5d8134eab6/WK-5-Can-t-Miss-Play-Reed-puts-up-points)

And one thing that both players hang their hats on?
Film Study!