And this is why Ray Lewis IS invaluable

[Tspot-D-Ravenator]

“Ray came on the field and said, ‘Good teams don’t let teams hang around, somebody has to do something, we have to all make a play,’” said McAlister, whose career-high sixth interception gave Baltimore a 16-7 lead with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. “At that moment, he came out and made a statement: ‘Great teams bury and finish their opponents, and this is our opportunity.’”

And there have been quite a few people over the past few years that have said, "Ray is done"..."He is not the same player he used to be"...."We should trade Ray while we can still get something for him":insane:

Ray Lewis' passion for the game makes other defensemen step their game up a notch higher! He is an intangible that teams can't do anything about..I'll take a washed up Ray Lewis over any other linebacker in the NFL any day! :thumbup:

[RavensNTerps]

no one thinks Ray is done.

But I do think it's not even close between who I'd rather have on the roster, between Ray and AD, if it comes to it.

And I also think we can still get a 3rd-4th round pick for Ray, and use the money to re-sign AD...i'm all for it.

[skaybaltimore]

It's kind of a tough call with Ray. Looking at last year, he seemed to be done. Looking at this year, he seems pretty damn good. Who knows. Look at Jr. Seau. Or all those years Tex Hendrix played great for the Raiders after everybody was sure he was done. Tough call on Ray.

GO RAVENS!!!

[skaybaltimore]

Hey Tex. Well, you know your opinions here are gold, man. Absolutely gold.

(But tell me, Tex...if we put Ray, McNair, and Boller in a small room...with only a couple hundred hand grenades...which one do you think would emerge unscathed? J/K Tex.)

GO RAVENS!!!

[RAVENOUS52]

Ray is the brains and the heart of our Defense.

He makes everyone around him better. Period. End of Story.

[Mista T]

And I also think we can still get a 3rd-4th round pick for Ray, and use the money to re-sign AD...i'm all for it.

I would't trade Ray, even at this stage of his career, for a 1st round pick. You seriously under rate his impact to the team, but let me sum it up: last year, with Ray out much of the season: 6-10. This year, Ray leads the NFL's #1 defense: 13-3.

[Art-Florida]

I would't trade Ray, even at this stage of his career, for a 1st round pick. You seriously under rate his impact to the team, but let me sum it up: last year, with Ray out much of the season: 6-10. This year, Ray leads the NFL's #1 defense: 13-3.

I am not a Ray Lewis fan. I got turned off early with the events in Atlanta and last year iced it. However...the man has helped the Ravens to a LOT of victories, and one has to acknowledge his talent.

He was a force at linebacker and still is a good one, but for how much longer?

Getting a 1st round draft choice for Lewis? in a heartbeat.

[skaybaltimore]

I don't know for sure, obviously, but I have a feeling Ray is the type of player that will be able to play at a high level as long as he wants to. It appears that this season, he really wants to play, and that's definitely an asset. But as far as how long it will last, I think it's impossible to say.

As far as a 1st round choice for Ray -- I think I'd rather have Ray.

GO RAVENS!!!

[sailorsam]

I think he's lost a step from his prime, but he's still one of the best, if not the best. I hope he can finish his career here, maybe take a pay cut as he ages and play part-time; he can be valuable in the locker room. I'm told that lots of good teams will keep a vet around for character and leadership (more so in baseball).
as for Atlanta...I did some pretty stupid stuff myself when I was 24. hopefully we learn, grow and move on.