Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

First, let me state that this is not a thread suggesting that Ray Lewis should come to Washington, so please don't change the subject. The Baltimore Sun ran an article about Ray Lewis' free agency and they mention a rumor that the Cowboys are interested in Lewis:

[url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/01/ray_lewis_2.html]Ravens Insider: Cowboys interested in Ravens' Lewis? - The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer. - baltimoresun.com[/url]

This will be interesting to see develop. I think that Ray Lewis IS the Baltimore Ravens and it will be interesting to see what Baltimore and Lewis will do.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

Guess Jones isn't happy with Zack Thomas.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=SmootSmack;521603]Guess Jones isn't happy with Zack Thomas.[/quote]

This makes me laugh:

"Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room."

Didn't he seriously believe his team was going to make the playoffs this season? And someone should tell Jones that he is the main reason there are problems inside the locker room (bringing in head cases and a soft coach).

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I wouldn't want to see this, not so much because of fear of Lewis actually bringing some leadership & accountability to the pokes, rather I just wouldn't want to see him leave the team he's forged an identity with.

If they actually signed him, it would be boom or bust. The trade for R. Williams last year was kind of desparate, and you could say the same thing about this (if it happens). They would have to let some of their current fa's go I would think, Canty in particular

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

The link isn't working for me right now but there is something to the same effect in the Dallas papers. I saw it yesterday and the Dallas media was talking about ZT as if Dallas cutting him was imminent.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

This is the link to the main Ravens Insider page, hopefully this works:

[url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/]Ravens Insider - The inside scoop and analysis on the team from The Baltimore Sun's Ravens columnist and Ravens beat writer. - baltimoresun.com[/url]

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Ruhskins;521604]This makes me laugh:

"Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room."

Didn't he seriously believe his team was going to make the playoffs this season? And someone should tell Jones that he is the main reason there are problems inside the locker room (bringing in head cases and a soft coach).[/quote]

Trouble in Big D?

[url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/012009dnspocowlede.3f77524.html]Sources: Dallas Cowboys often tardy, undisciplined in '08 | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News[/url]

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I think BAL would be crazy to let Ray go. Soul of that team.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I like Lewis but he's clearly not the same player he once was. They can have him.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

Maybe TO can show Ray how to do his pre game contortions right, like he did a few years ago.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzhUi-7U-Ho[/ame]

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;521612]I like Lewis but he's clearly not the same player he once was. They can have him.[/quote]

I agree he's not the same player but his presents on the field and his leadership still carries that team IMO. I don't think he would do any other team as much good.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

Please!!!!!!!! No more Bruce Smith!!!
Sorry for the attempted hi-jack

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I seem to be having trouble getting to and around the internet today. None of the posted links work for me. Is their something going on that would flood the web with traffic??? <sarcasm font off>

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Hog1;521615]Please!!!!!!!! No more Bruce Smith!!!
Sorry for the attempted hi-jack[/quote]

Thats about right Hog.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I hope that the Cowboys are strong next year so it will be all that better when we beat them next year. I think TO and Ray Lewis wouldn't mesh. You think the locker room is bad now, add someone who isn't a, "I love me some me" kind of player and see what happens.

I hope Danny Boy is taking a real long hard look at how Jerry Jones handles than team and learns his lesson once and for all. I think he has shown signs of letting go but we'll see.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

WE already have a great LB in Fletcher, he's no Lewis but we need to add youth not old age!! IDK why Dallas wants him and why Baltimore would let the best player in their short history leave.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

London Fletcher is that heart of this defense an still playing extremely well.

The Ravens will only let Ray Lewis go if they think he isn't worth the money anymore. I hope he goes to Dallas and adds to their cap problems.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=SmootSmack;521608]Trouble in Big D?

[URL="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/012009dnspocowlede.3f77524.html"]Sources: Dallas Cowboys often tardy, undisciplined in '08 | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News[/URL][/quote]

Wow. That team is such a circus.

One thing I didn't know that this article points out is that Romo is a bit of a diva himself. Consistently poor practice habits, taking criticism personally...

Also, it sounds like the whole Jason Garrett phenomenon from last offseason was kind of overblown. The guy went 0-3 in head coaching interviews the past few weeks, their offense struggled much more this year than last, and it sounds like his relationship with Romo and TO is pretty strained. All the defensive players lost respect for Brian Stewart, and on and on and on.

This is great!! I bookmarked this article so I can read it whenever I'm in a bad mood.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

Me too. Jerry Jones just might be the next Al Davis

This is great!! I bookmarked this article so I can read it whenever I'm in a bad mood.[/QUOTE]

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

Their fall worries me some because they may have hit bottom and the only way to go is up. If JJ & Wade can't instill some discipline in the team next year, things are gonna be really ugly. Based on talent they should still have a winning team. I hope the drama can go on & bit longer, as I hate to say it, but we'll need help winnng games in 09!

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=freddyg12;521662]Their fall worries me some because they may have hit bottom and the only way to go is up. If JJ & Wade can't instill some discipline in the team next year, things are gonna be really ugly. Based on talent they should still have a winning team. I hope the drama can go on & bit longer, as I hate to say it, but we'll need help winnng games in 09![/quote]

The Cowboys are wasting a roster loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, which is fine with me. Until they hire a coach who can lead and command respect, and until Jerry Jones backs off, they will never be a true contender, IMO.

I'm willing to bet that if Parcells hadn't left, they would have made a trip to the SuperBowl either this season or last season.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

I don't think Lewis is going anywhere. Wouldn't be surprised to see both Suggs and Scott gone though

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;521626]WE already have a great LB in Fletcher, he's no Lewis but we need to add youth not old age!! IDK why Dallas wants him and why Baltimore would let the best player in their short history leave.[/quote]

Please read the first post stating that this is not a "Ray Lewis to the Redskins" thread.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=SmootSmack;521665]I don't think Lewis is going anywhere. Wouldn't be surprised to see both Suggs and Scott gone though[/quote]

I would think Suggs would be their top priority, I wouldn't mind if the Skins took a run at him.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;521679]I would think Suggs would be their top priority, I wouldn't mind if the Skins took a run at him.[/quote]

How would you play Suggs? DE or LB?

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Ruhskins;521682]How would you play Suggs? DE or LB?[/quote]

I would go 1st and 2nd downs at LB, 3rd down put his hand down at DE.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;521612]I like Lewis but he's clearly not the same player he once was. They can have him.[/quote]

I don't know. He still looks pretty damn good to me. Just ask Rashard Mendenhall.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=GMScud;521657]Wow. That team is such a circus.

One thing I didn't know that this article points out is that Romo is a bit of a diva himself. Consistently poor practice habits, taking criticism personally...

Also, it sounds like the whole Jason Garrett phenomenon from last offseason was kind of overblown. The guy went 0-3 in head coaching interviews the past few weeks, their offense struggled much more this year than last, and it sounds like his relationship with Romo and TO is pretty strained. All the defensive players lost respect for Brian Stewart, and on and on and on.

This is great!! I bookmarked this article so I can read it whenever I'm in a bad mood.[/quote]

I don't even know why Garrett is getting interviews. There were many times his offense looked un prepared and he had same games where his play calling was terrible.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;521679]I would think Suggs would be their top priority, I wouldn't mind if the Skins took a run at him.[/quote]

It depends on how much money it will cost them, really. Did you know that the Ravens have something like $12 million in dead cap money owed to Ogden and McNair?

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=skinsfan69;521704]I don't even know why Garrett is getting interviews. There were many times his offense looked un prepared and he had same games where his play calling was terrible.[/quote]

I agree. Maybe it was left-over fascination from their 13-3 season in '07, after which JJ made him the highest paid assistant in the NFL. For a while there it looked inevitable that he would take over for Phillips, now I'm not so sure he's even safe as OC if '09 looks anything like '08.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=SmootSmack;521705]It depends on how much money it will cost them, really. Did you know that the Ravens have something like $12 million in dead cap money owed to Ogden and McNair?[/quote]

What's the rule on a player retiring as far as the salary cap is concerned? I thought with Ogden hanging it up, they wouldn't have to pay him. Guess not.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

If Lewis is brought in and TO retained i think there will be fireworks... TO might finally get the beating he's long deserved. Haha.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=The Goat;521711]If Lewis is brought in and TO retained i think there will be fireworks... TO might finally get the beating he's long deserved. Haha.[/quote]

Especially if TO does this in the locker room.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzhUi-7U-Ho]YouTube - Terrell Owens Mocking Ray Lewis[/ame]

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;521622]I hope that the Cowboys are strong next year so it will be all that better when we beat them next year. I think TO and Ray Lewis wouldn't mesh. You think the locker room is bad now, add someone who isn't a, "I love me some me" kind of player and see what happens.

I hope Danny Boy is taking a real long hard look at how Jerry Jones handles than team and learns his lesson once and for all. I think he has shown signs of letting go but we'll see.[/quote]

The Little Danny and Jerry are two peas in a pod. The Little Danny emulated Jerry by going about hiring his coaches in the same manner as Jerry did. It was assistants first then the Head Coach last.
I have seen nothing as of yet to make me think that The little Danny is showing signs of letting go and if he is, please show something...anything, that can validate your assumption.
As far as Lewis going to dall ASS, The Rats with Wings owner has already stated that Lewis isn't going anywhere.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=MdBluefinCrab;521794]The Little Danny and Jerry are two peas in a pod. The Little Danny emulated Jerry by going about hiring his coaches in the same manner as Jerry did. It was assistants first then the Head Coach last.
I have seen nothing as of yet to make me think that The little Danny is showing signs of letting go and if he is, please show something...anything, that can validate your assumption.
As far as Lewis going to dall ASS, [B]The Rats with Wings owner has already stated that Lewis isn't going anywhere[/B].[/quote]

He's the best player in their team's history, he can still get it done on the field, and he's a great leader. They should give him a 2 or 3 year extension and let him finish his career where it started.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=GMScud;521795]He's the best player in their team's history, he can still get it done on the field, and he's a great leader. They should give him a 2 or 3 year extension and let him finish his career where it started.[/quote]

Not sure about being their best player but he is the heart and soul of that team and brings leadership.
I might offer him a 1 or 2 year contract but you have to watch the money as Suggs and their other LB (?) are up for new contracts also. They are on the up side of their careers where Lewis is on the down side.
I'm sure that the owner will work something out as he has stated that Lewis is staying in Baltimore.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=MdBluefinCrab;521798][B]Not sure about being their best player[/B] but he is the heart and soul of that team and brings leadership.
I might offer him a 1 or 2 year contract but you have to watch the money as Suggs and their other LB (?) are up for new contracts also. They are on the up side of their careers where Lewis is on the down side.
I'm sure that the owner will work something out as he has stated that Lewis is staying in Baltimore.[/quote]

He's not their best player right now (Ed Reed), but he's the best player in Raven's history IMO.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=GMScud;521802]He's not their best player right now (Ed Reed), but he's the best player in Raven's history IMO.[/quote]

History...yes.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=GMScud;521795]He's the best player in their team's history, he can still get it done on the field, and he's a great leader. They should give him a 2 or 3 year extension and let him finish his career where it started.[/quote]

totally agree with you.

Re: Ray Lewis and Free Agency
 

[quote=MdBluefinCrab;521798]Not sure about being their best player but he is the heart and soul of that team and brings leadership.
I might offer him a 1 or 2 year contract but you have to watch the money as Suggs and their other LB (?) are up for new contracts also. They are on the up side of their careers where Lewis is on the down side.
I'm sure that the owner will work something out as he has stated that Lewis is staying in Baltimore.[/quote]

That other linebacker is Bart Scott. Wouldnt mind getting him if the price is right