An Extension For Ray Lewis?

[The Fanatic]

Ravens discussing extension with Lewis (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens331,0,25349.story)

"Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said the team is in "open dialogue" with Lewis on a contract extension and would actively pursue him if he reaches free agency.

"If he becomes a free agent next year, I think the Ravens would probably outbid other teams," Bisciotti said today during a break at the NFL annual meetings. "We know Ray's value more than the other teams. We know the leadership he brings to the team. We know the commitment and the effort he gives to winning."

They got to be careful here...

Certainly, nobody that wears the purple and black on Sundays in the stands or at home watching on TV wants to see Ray Lewis wearing another uniform somewhere else, but they need to be careful here.

There is no way they can lock themselves into a large long term deal with an ageing MLB no matter how good he is.

Biscotti thinks he has 4-5 good years left in him.

I don't know, but paying him major bucks in a long term deal might not be the most prudent thing to do when clearly we are on the cusp of having to get younger in a rebuilding effort.

Discuss.....

[purplepoe]

I pretty much assumed he was gonna overpay for Ray.

It's pretty damn obvious that Bisciotti has a man crush on Ray and will give him what he wants. Whether that's power in the lockerroom, power throughout the organization, or more money.

Ray Lewis was a great player and is still a good player.

That's it.

PP

[Mista T]

I can't argue with your point, but I would be quite pissed to see Ray Lewis dressed in brown, slamming Joe Flacco to the turf in the 2009 season opener.

Ray Lewis' value to this team is enormous. Letting him go in free agency would rank right up there -- actually, it would top the list -- of front office moves which left a very bad taste in my mouth, such as:


trading Johnny U to the Chargers
trading Frank Robinson to the Indians
letting Mike Mussina walk to the Yanquis
cutting Dilfer after winning SB XXXV
losing Don Shula to the Dolphins

[jonboy79]

Eay is probably still worth AD money or close. It would help our cap situation.

[HoustonRaven]

There is nothing here to suggest this will be a "long term deal". In fact, this looks like yet another restructure in order to shore up some cap room.

Look, Ray is the face of the franchise. Just from a PR point of view, keeping Ray makes sense. Even with his diminished skills, his leadership to new players cannot be quantified. Does this mean we have to give him what he wants? Of course not! But Ray has been agreeable with the team when it comes to contract terms up to this point so this fan, for one, is not worried one bit.

[FHRaven]

I don't have a problem with them resigning Ray, but I'd rather not see them overpay for him. Unfortunately, these types of comments from the owner just make it easier for other teams to drive up his eventual price.

[PARavensJeff]

I can't argue with your point, but I would be quite pissed to see Ray Lewis dressed in brown, slamming Joe Flacco to the turf in the 2009 season opener.

Ray Lewis' value to this team is enormous. Letting him go in free agency would rank right up there -- actually, it would top the list -- of front office moves which left a very bad taste in my mouth, such as:


trading Johnny U to the Chargers
trading Frank Robinson to the Indians
letting Mike Mussina walk to the Yanquis
cutting Dilfer after winning SB XXXV
losing Don Shula to the Dolphins


Good post Mista Tm but Frank was traded to the Dodgers for Doyle Alexander amongst others I believe. I guess he was an old 35 then.

Bisciotti will never let Ray leave & his comments today just set the market for him. While Ray has been my favorite Raven, I don't think it's a wise move to overpay a contract for a player that most likely will not play at his top level until the end of it & leave us w/ a large cap hit. But I never want to see Ray in anything but Purple either. Like Fanatic said, they have to be careful here.

[AZRAVEN]

I pretty much assumed he was gonna overpay for Ray.

It's pretty damn obvious that Bisciotti has a man crush on Ray and will give him what he wants. Whether that's power in the lockerroom, power throughout the organization, or more money.
Ray Lewis was a great player and is still a good player.

That's it.

PP

Bingo!! You've hit the nail squarely on the head PP. I'm liking Mr Whimsey less and less and I seriously question is decision making. Besides which, why is he making this decision/announcement anyway, isn't that what Ozzie is around for??

[The Fanatic]

There is nothing here to suggest this will be a "long term deal". In fact, this looks like yet another restructure in order to shore up some cap room.

If Ray Lewis had multiple years left on his contract I'd agree about the restucturing part, but he doesn't.
He's in his last year of his last given contract.

Ray has been making noise here and there for a couple years now that he wants to get paid again.
I highly doubt Ray views himself the way somebody like Junior Seau does...
An ageing veteran that still just wants to play to try and win a championship with a team that has a chance, and will do so at a minumum rate to get that goal accomplished.

He will command a large signing bonus that will count against the cap for several years.
Possibly after he is gone if he is in fact resigned.

I think we'll get to see just how much Raven purple flows through his veins when the dust settles here.

He either takes a fair market deal giving the team a home town discount, or he bolts for the highest offer.

He is still a good player, but will he be worth a large signing bonus cap figure 3-5 years from now?
I doubt it.
I'd hate to see him anywhere else but here, but I'd also hate to see us over pay an ageing vet for PR purposes.

Biscotti should have kept his mouth shut regarding what he'd be willing to do financially to keep him.
He needs to learn how to give reporters generic or company line type answers when it comes to in house matters.

All he had to say if he was asked about resigning Ray Lewis was something to the effect of Ray Lewis is a Raven, and we'll certainly do our best to assure he stays a Raven until he retires. PERIOD!!!!

They need to be very careful here!!

[Ravens0587]

Since they are both businessman maybe Steve invests in an upstart Ray Lewis Business. Maybe as a result of this investment ray doesn't take as much money in a contract.

I'm not saying circumvent the cap but hey, I don"t think there are any rules to two businessmen making business deals right?

Or maybe they are banking on no salary cap for 2010.

Maybe these are just the rumblings of a tired tired man, I don't know, anyone agree, disagree, think im off my rocker?

[RavenScallywag]

that statement didn't suprise me...at the end of the day, we can say all we want about not overpaying for an aging player, but 31 other teams would be inquiring about Ray's availability if he hits the open market. He may be aging, but he's still better than average at the MLB position and most teams would love that and his leadership qualities.

I agree, we need to be careful, but I think we do need to try as hard as we can to keep Ray in purple and black, outside of promising him the moon.

[highwater]

I'm liking Mr Whimsey less and less and I seriously question is decision making. Besides which, why is he making this decision/announcement anyway, isn't that what Ozzie is around for??

I'm not opposed to extending Ray, but I also don't see why Bisciotti is making a public statement about it. Whenever an owner makes an announcement like this, it creates the perception that the owner is undermining his GM. Hopefully Ozzie and Bisciotti are on the same page on this issue, but even if they are, I still don't like hearing about it like this.

[Ravenswarrior19]

Anyone think the public comments today were made to appease Ray? Maybe the contract discussions are hitting a wall, and this was just a way to say "we know you are valuble".

[ravenjoe]

Whenever an owner makes an announcement like this, it creates the perception that the owner is undermining his GM. Hopefully Ozzie and Bisciotti are on the same page on this issue, but even if they are, I still don't like hearing about it like this.

Aw, come on now, when has SB ever undermined his GM?! The Billick firing; the hiring of Harbs (even though I think the selection was excellent); etc should not suggest to anyone that Ozzie is being undermined by Stevie B.:261695:

[3RDRowRaven]

Biscotti thinks he has 4-5 good years left in him.


4-5 years?? I would say 2-3 years at the most in my opinion.
I would like to see Ray Lewis retire as a Raven and I'm sure Biscotti would as well but at what cost? I could only imagine what the signing bonus would be....:179421:

[Hook]

Whenever an owner makes an announcement like this, it creates the perception that the owner is undermining his GM

WOW, thats a huge, HUGE, leap. Ray is the best player we've had here in baltimore since Rip. SB saying that he wants to keep him until ray retires is in no way undermining anyone in the FO. I would bet anyone on the coaching staff/FO (especially on the defensive side) would be pissed off if they let Ray go. I would also think that keeping Ray around would keep the fanbase at bay while they are rebuilding this thing.

I'm not sure why you are conceiving SB like this, It doesnt make any sense.

[psuasskicker]

Why does this say anything about how we're gonna overpay to get this guy back? Who knows what he's actually saying here. Maybe he's come out and saying that in an attempt to get another team out there to bid up the price on him, and will let him walk to someone else then. He can also just as easily negotiate with Ray where Ray says "I got [X ridiculous offer] from [Y ridiculous team], pay me more" and he tells Ray "Hey man, I did right by you and we want you to stay, your turn to do right by me and not try to rip us apart."

He hasn't made any commitments here. How 'bout waiting till he actually turns into Snyder and signs ridiculous contract after ridiculous contract before actually calling him out as such?

- C -

[highwater]

How 'bout waiting till he actually turns into Snyder and signs ridiculous contract after ridiculous contract before actually calling him out as such?

No one is calling him Snyder -- it just seems odd to some of us that he'd talk about this issue at all, especially since he also said that he wouldn't be involved in the negotiations. That's fine, but if he's not going to be involved in the negotiations, then why talk to the press about it?

It's really not a big issue, just the usual "it's the offseason so let's zero in on this for a day or two" thing.

[purplepoe]

Here is a more in depth Q&A.

Didn't Bisciotti say the players had nothing to do with Billick's firing?

:eyes:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens0401,0,5069310.story


SUN: Months removed from the coaching change, many fans still believe the players instigated the firing. How much influence did the players have in your decision?

SB: There were a lot of examples that my executive partners brought to me about the players' unhappiness. Again, that's evidenced in the locker room, in the weight room, on the bus and the planes and on the sideline. I'm not in any of those places. Just like my business, if a manager of one my offices gets fired or demoted, it's because of the unhappiness of quality individuals that he is in charge of leading [and] they have collectively lost confidence in their leader. It's our job to dive in there, listen to their complaints, find out how much truth is in it, whittle away the personal agendas and look at it as a whole. To say anything but they had a lot of influence in that decision would be wrong. They did. Because it's safe to assume that Brian's No. 1 job is to have the trust of his players. Fifty-three players aren't always going to be happy with his decision. But when the majority of them are griping and it becomes consistent -- the same concerns and the same arguments -- then it's our job to represent them like any leader should represent their charges.

SUN: Could it be dangerous for the players to feel empowered and they might feel they run the team?

SB: No, they are not running the team. I think people perform optimally when they have full faith and trust in their leaders.

It's pretty simple Steve. When you win nobody gripes. When you lose, everyone gripes.

What are you gonna do if this team loses again this year?

PP

[RavenFanatic2k6]

Ray also wants to win, and I have a feeling we aren't going to be able to offer enough money to make him stay if our QB situation is in the same state it's in now after this coming season.

[RAVENOUS52]

He must be resigned. You wanna see a fire sale on PSLs and attendance go down like hooker on payday? Let the best Raven ever leave town. Ray is a reasonable man and I'm sure he'll stay within the realm of reality with his asking price.

[AZRAVEN]

I surely hope you are wrong in this view, Ravenous52. I would hate to think so called Ravens fans would bail on the team simply because a player leaves regardless of who it was. But then, perhaps you are correct, as apparently, if you believe what many feel, the "fans" bailed on the Colts when they got pissed at Irsay thus setting the Mayflower vans in motion. I would have hoped the "fans" would have learned from that experience but perhaps not. Just remember the old adage those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it.

[Rxdoxx]

I don't have a solid grasp on what I think (yet)
I do know that SB is a sharp businessman.
Suscessful enough to have the change available to buy a NFL franchise and not at a run-down fire-sale bargain either.

I can't see him making the bidding war comment publically without him having some principle/purpose intended behind it. His track record tells me that.
SO what is he doing? Scaring others off? That will work for some (Bidwells...)
Telling the smart ones don't even think about it (Jones heard him I'm sure).

I'm also sure that there is a breaking point somewhere, like a Hutchinson poison pill clause,
I'm thinking that SB has some numbers in mind, and he did what he did to accomplish something.
The only backlash I can see from it is if some idiotic type owner takes it as a dare challenge and has to prove himself (a Snyder type comes to mind)

We fans got a message when he said it.
Ray got a message when he said it
The other owners got a message also.

Why did he say it? I don't think we have a chance of knowing exactly before a contract is inked. Maybe not even after, but definitely not before.

All I'm sure of is SB is too good at business for me to worry about his comment.

[jonboy79]

I agree it was a calculated move, but I think it was simpler. I think he wanted to make sure Ray showed up all offseason. He wanted Harbaugh to be the training camp story, not Ray Lewis. Just what this new head coach needs is his 'locker room patriarch" to hold out.

[Mwjergs]

In the era of the cap, the rules are different.

I can fully understand my fellow posters but, for a team that will be able to do little to improve itself into next season, what is the plan for the future? I don't want to get too ahead of things but some of the large contracts must be sorted out. Maybe not the 2001 purge, but some older players need to be replaced.

[bmore finest]

I'm fine with the comments made. Ray is the face of the Ravens. I for one can't take Ray in another color. Like all of us, I sure hope he truly bleed purple. But we all know money can change your blood type.
Overpaying is the likely choice. But maybe just give him a big signing bonus, with a low cap hit for say 3 more years. Don't let him hit the market, cause than we lose. At least 5 other teams will seek his passion. And will overpay .

[RustonRifle]

If Ray wants more than a cap friendly deal I hope he's suiting up elsewhere.

I'd like to see him get what's fair but I think he'll want more than that.
I don't believe his ego will allow him to accept anything less than dominant player money.


I like what Ray brings to the team but there is no way Ray has 5 years of top shelf performance left.


He's not dominant anymore, he's a quality 'backer in the mold of Zack Thomas.

[braven98]

get the deal done...he is the RAVENS period

[braven98]

btw the cap will be going away unless a new cba is approved

[Rayvens52]

I don't think we should be to worried about this cap room. This is a teamthat is 2 years removed from a 13-3 season. I am not saying this is not an issue at all, but lets not forget that more injuries than this team has ever seen hit last year. I think we need to do whatever it takes to keep Ray. We do not have a replacement for him in the locker room now or one i can see us picking up anytime soon. He is still IMO top 3 in the league. Again this is just my opinion but I think everyone including myself was just so pissed off with this past season we are forgettig the main reason for it injuries (QB play goes witthout saying at this point) We sign Ray and stay healthy again we can take the division IMO

[RustonRifle]

btw the cap will be going away unless a new cba is approved

So piss all over your cap in the unlikely event there aren't any cap restrictions?

This thinking is so cutting edge I wonder why teams all over the NFL aren't utilizing it.:261695:

[purplepoe]

So piss all over your cap in the unlikely event there aren't any cap restrictions?

This thinking is so cutting edge I wonder why teams all over the NFL aren't utilizing it.:261695:

Not to mention this is just a bunch of BS being tossed around.

There will not be an uncapped year.

PP

[braven98]

So piss all over your cap in the unlikely event there aren't any cap restrictions?

This thinking is so cutting edge I wonder why teams all over the NFL aren't utilizing it.:261695:

Im not saying spend like crazy just get the deal done with Ray so he can atleast be a Raven for life.

[purplepoe]

Im not saying spend like crazy just get the deal done with Ray so he can atleast be a Raven for life.

That might be a bit difficult if Ray wants to break the bank, dontcha think?

Or are you under the delusional assumption that Ray will give the Ravens a cap friendly deal.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

That might be a bit difficult if Ray wants to break the bank, dontcha think?

Or are you under the delusional assumption that Ray will give the Ravens a cap friendly deal.

PP

Actually, yes. And given his past history with salary negotiations, there is nothing "delusional" about thinking it will be a very accomidating deal.

When he returned from his Africa trip, he stopped all that fussing he was doing and made a win-win deal for both himself and the team. There is nothing in his history to suggest he will go for broke in the twilight of his career.

Ray has stated publicly he wants to retire a Raven. SB has stated the same. The two negate each other as far as negotiation tactics are concerned and that leaves us with a talented player who wants to stay here.

Show me something in his past that pins unreasonable salary demands to him and I will change my tune.

[TTRaven]

Ray Lewis is all about Ray Lewis when it comes to money. I would be shocked if he gave the Ravens a discount of some sort.

I understand that he is the face of this franchise and a fan favorite, but the Ravens have to be smart and do what's right for this football team. If Ray wants too much money you have to let him move on. The Baltimore Ravens are bigger than Ray Lewis. Players come and go, but the purple and black is here forever. Hopefully they will do what's best for the future of this team.



Ray has stated publicly he wants to retire a Raven. SB has stated the same. The two negate each other as far as negotiation tactics are concerned and that leaves us with a talented player who wants to stay here.


Show me something in his past that pins unreasonable salary demands to him and I will change my tune.

Most players say they want to retire with the team they've played their entire career with. This day in age it rarely happens. Saying he wants to retire a Raven and doing it are 2 different things. We'll see how much he wants to retire as a Raven when he's not offered the money he wants from them.

[purplepoe]

Actually, yes. And given his past history with salary negotiations, there is nothing "delusional" about thinking it will be a very accomidating deal.

When he returned from his Africa trip, he stopped all that fussing he was doing and made a win-win deal for both himself and the team. There is nothing in his history to suggest he will go for broke in the twilight of his career.

Ray has stated publicly he wants to retire a Raven. SB has stated the same. The two negate each other as far as negotiation tactics are concerned and that leaves us with a talented player who wants to stay here.

Show me something in his past that pins unreasonable salary demands to him and I will change my tune.

Excuse me?

Ray got the largest signing bonus ever for a defensive player when he signed the deal he is currently under. That deal was signed in 02 and runs through this season. I dunno what deal you are talking about that was a win/win for both sides.

Two years ago Ray told the team to trade him. He's been whining about a contract for a few years as well. Ozzie told him no.

I'm baffled as to why you think he won't ask for a ton of money. He still thinks he's the best.

He'll probably get it too seeing as our owner basically told the whole world that he'll outbid any team for Ray's services.

There is nothing in his history that would suggest Ray won't want to break the bank.

Mark Texeira has stated he'd love to play for the Orioles. Who cares? Suggs said he'd like to play for the Cardinals. Who cares?

Ray will do whatever is in the best interests for himself. Period.

I don't need to show anything. Just like I didn't need to show anything when it was clear that the players ousted Billick even thought Bisciotti initially said that wasn't the case. Guess what? 3 months later, it turns out it was exactly the case.

I don't need a direct quote to form an educated opinion of a situation. In fact, most quotes are worthless.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

Excuse me?

Ray got the largest signing bonus ever for a defensive player when he signed the deal he is currently under. That deal was signed in 02 and runs through this season. I dunno what deal you are talking about that was a win/win for both sides.

Two years ago Ray told the team to trade him. He's been whining about a contract for a few years as well. Ozzie told him no.

I'm baffled as to why you think he won't ask for a ton of money. He still thinks he's the best.

He'll probably get it too seeing as our owner basically told the whole world that he'll outbid any team for Ray's services.

There is nothing in his history that would suggest Ray won't want to break the bank.

Mark Texeira has stated he'd love to play for the Orioles. Who cares? Suggs said he'd like to play for the Cardinals. Who cares?

Ray will do whatever is in the best interests for himself. Period.

I don't need to show anything. Just like I didn't need to show anything when it was clear that the players ousted Billick even thought Bisciotti initially said that wasn't the case. Guess what? 3 months later, it turns out it was exactly the case.

I don't need a direct quote to form an educated opinion of a situation. In fact, most quotes are worthless.

PP

Excuse you! Gees. Simma.

Just because he got a good deal doesnt mean it was a bad deal for the team.

Yes, he did whine about a new deal but as I mentioned, once he got back from his Africa trip, he spoke publicly about how those demands were not good for the team and backed off. I guess it boils down to deciding if you still think Ray is the same guy before or after the Africa trip.

So, the premise still stands, IMO.

And Im baffled what Tex or the BB/SB debate has anything to do with cost of tea in China.

[purplepoe]

Excuse you! Gees. Simma.

Just because he got a good deal doesnt mean it was a bad deal for the team.

Yes, he did whine about a new deal but as I mentioned, once he got back from his Africa trip, he spoke publicly about how those demands were not good for the team and backed off. I guess it boils down to deciding if you still think Ray is the same guy before or after the Africa trip.

So, the premise still stands, IMO.

And Im baffled what Tex or the BB/SB debate has anything to do with cost of tea in China.

The difference between you and I is that you seem to take whatever a guy says at face value.

I brought up Tex because of your statement about Ray wanting to retire a Raven.

Tex has said numerous times that he'd love to play for the O's. Doesn't mean it's gonna happen. Suggs said he'd like to play for the Cardinals. Doesn't mean it'll happen. Ray said he wanted to retire a Raven. That means zippy to me. Nada.

Players, coaches, owners. They all say alot. And alot of what they say is BS.

I'm not saying Ray wants out. What I am saying is that Ray will do what's best for Ray ($$$) and if that means going to another team, then so be it.

But again, our owner has decided to pretty much play his hand extremely prematurely so all bets are off as to how much Ray might get now.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

The difference between you and I is that you seem to take whatever a guy says at face value.

I dont think I implied that at all.

Yes, I take his word until he proves me otherwise. He was contrite when he got back from Africa, signed a good deal and that was that. I also take into account his actions before AND after that trip.

Fast forward to today and I dont see or hear anything to suggest he's going to be a PITA.

[purplepoe]

I dont think I implied that at all.

Yes, I take his word until he proves me otherwise. He was contrite when he got back from Africa, signed a good deal and that was that. I also take into account his actions before AND after that trip.

Fast forward to today and I dont see or hear anything to suggest he's going to be a PITA.

Did he take a trip to Africa prior to signing his deal in 2002? I don't remember him taking a trip that was publicized before he signed the monster deal he is still on.

The only trip to Africa I recall being talked about was the one a few years ago.

And there was certainly no contract signed after that.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

Did he take a trip to Africa prior to signing his deal in 2002? I don't remember him taking a trip that was publicized before he signed the monster deal he is still on.

The only trip to Africa I recall being talked about was the one a few years ago.

And there was certainly no contract signed after that.

PP

2002's contract went well.

Just after the '04 season in 2005, Ray was making noise saying he wanted out of Baltimore, more money and was generally being an asshole. He then went on his trip to Africa, came back VERY contrite and signed a new deal pretty quickly after his return. The '05 was a new deal prior to the contact even coming close to its expiration, much like in 2002.

This year is the deepest Ray has gone into a contract without some sort of negotiation or new salary demand.

[purplepoe]

2002's contract went well.

Just after the '04 season in 2005, Ray was making noise saying he wanted out of Baltimore, more money and was generally being an asshole. He then went on his trip to Africa, came back VERY contrite and signed a new deal pretty quickly after his return. The '05 was a new deal prior to the contact even coming close to its expiration, much like in 2002.

This year is the deepest Ray has gone into a contract without some sort of negotiation or new salary demand.

Dude, come on now.

Ray did not sign a new deal in 2005.

He signed a 7 year deal in 2002. It runs out after this season.

Hate to break it to you Houston, but your argument holds no water when you say he came back contrite and signed a deal when that never happened.

And I don't think you are even correct about when Ray took his trip. From what I can find, it was in March of 2006.

PP

[TTRaven]

Ray signed his 7 year contract on 8/2/02. The deal was worth $50 million with a $19 million bonus. Ray requested a trade in 2005, and in 2006 said he wanted out of Baltimore. Ray took his trip to Africa after publicly questioning Brian Billick and voicing his displeasure with the Ravens through multiple media outlets. Like Poe said, that happened in 2006.

[FHRaven]

Dude, come on now.

Ray did not sign a new deal in 2005.

He signed a 7 year deal in 2002. It runs out after this season.

Hate to break it to you Houston, but your argument holds no water when you say he came back contrite and signed a deal when that never happened.

And I don't think you are even correct about when Ray took his trip. From what I can find, it was in March of 2006.

PP

Houston is another poster that prefers his own "facts" rather than the actual facts.

I expect Ray to think he is worth a lot more money than he actually is at this point in his career. Unless I missed it though, we have not seen any dollar amounts mentioned by either side. That tells me that either the negotiations are in very preliminary stages or they are pretty close to a deal.

I still don't see Ray signing a contract that doesn't make him at least appear to be one of the highest paid linebackers.

[UKRavenStockers]

The Seahawks supposedly got a hometown discout from Lofa Tatupu who is a 3 time pro bowler and widely regarded as one of the top young MLBs in the NFL. He is young and coming into the prime of his career, Ray is old and coming out of the prime of his career, I'd take his contract as a decent starting point:

$42mill and $18mill guaranteed.

I would ask Ray to come down from that as he isn't up to that level anymore and isn't likely to get back to his best again in his career. If he wants Urlacher money ($54mill I think that was with over $20mill in guaranteed money) then sorry I'm just not interested in paying him that much money, Urlacher isn't worth that much and neither is Ray, I severely doubt anyone would pay him that sort of money.

[HoustonRaven]

Dude, come on now.

Ray did not sign a new deal in 2005.

He signed a 7 year deal in 2002. It runs out after this season.

Hate to break it to you Houston, but your argument holds no water when you say he came back contrite and signed a deal when that never happened.

And I don't think you are even correct about when Ray took his trip. From what I can find, it was in March of 2006.

PP

I could have sworn Ray did some sort of restructure after his Africa trip.

TT jogged my memory and I stand corrected.

[RustonRifle]

Ray Lewis...Home team discount?

:laugh: You've got to be kidding. The rumblings made by Ray in the past showed he wasn't happy with his last contract which in my mind bears out he was overpaid given his injuries and play that was very good at times but not dominant over the whole length of the contract.

The last 6 years Ray has played 1 full season. Count 'em 1 season!!

Rays ego won't allow him to accept anything short than top dollar, bank on that.

Who knows we migth even see him play 16 games this season.

I'm sure some will disagree because ray walks on water when viewed by some eyes. No one player comes before the Baltimore Ravens.

[HoustonRaven]

I will agree 100% with one thing. If he starts fussing and asks for top LB money, I say ship his ass down the road. To pull that in a cap jail year is just plain dumb.

[Ravenswarrior19]

I will agree 100% with one thing. If he starts fussing and asks for top LB money, I say ship his ass down the road. To pull that in a cap jail year is just plain dumb.

Really, with us being in cap jail - it would probably help us to sign him to a new deal now. His cap number would certainly be less than the $8.5 M he is currently listed at.

[ravenwoman]

I was flabbergasted at the Steve Bisciotti interview in the Sun. I thought he was only going to speak to the media once a year?

It is totally stupid to talk about these contracts publicly. He should only say that "We will evaluate Ray Lewis's contract at the appropriate time." That's it. That is one quality I do admire about Ozzie Newsome. He keeps his business private and that is the way it should be.

Ray Lewis was an outstanding Raven, the best ever so far. However, his skills are slightly declining and who knows what this year will bring. To pay someone for their past performance is just plain dumb. It would be nice to bring him back on a year to year basis; but nothing more than a two year extension. This May, he turns 33. His playing days are numbered. The Ravens need to plan for the post J.O. and Ray era. It is better to let someone go a year too early than a year too late.

[purplepoe]

I will agree 100% with one thing. If he starts fussing and asks for top LB money, I say ship his ass down the road. To pull that in a cap jail year is just plain dumb.

He asked for a ridiculous extension a few years ago and was rebuffed by Ozzie.

He's gonna wanna get paid and get paid big.

PP