The latest rumor circulating had the Ravens already completing a deal with inside linebacker Ray Lewis.

The deal apparently was in the drawer, and the Ravens were ready to announce it as soon as the season ended.

But that's not true, according to Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

"There have been no negotiations," Newsome said. "We'll sit down and meet with Ray's people as soon as the season ends. Nothing has changed."

(baltimoresun.com)

7 proCanes will be heading to Hawaii in February for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. They are: Clinton Portis, Jon Beason, Jeff Feagles, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed.

Brandon Meriweather, S, New England. This is the kind of breakout game that can launch a player's career. Six tackles -- three of them behind the line of scrimmage -- plus one sack, two passes defensed and the most important forced fumble of his two-year career. With 1:56 left in the fourth quarter, he leaped over the line to sack Seneca Wallace, forcing the fumble that essentially ended the game. With injuries already battering the defense, and Vince Wilfork, Tedy Bruschi and James Sanders leaving the game with more of them, young guys like Meriweather have to come through for this team to make it to January.

Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore. When will he slow down? 2014? The more I watch the Ravens, the more I marvel at his staying power -- and not just the staying power to hang around. He's excelling the same way he was in the Ravens' Super Bowl year, and he's leading the same way too -- at 33, in his 13th season. In the 24-10 beatdown of the Redskins (it could have been much worse), Lewis had 13 tackles (three for loss), two quarterback hits and a 13-yard sack.

(cnnsi.com)

The motto this year for the Baltimore Ravens' defense has been "next man up." When Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle went down with injuries this season, they had players step up and fill the void - a system defense, if you will.

The system? Ray Lewis.

The linebacker, who in his 13th NFL season should be in the twilight of his career, instead remains one of the best at his position in the league and is again leading a powerful Ravens defense that has not allowed a touchdown in the last 10 quarters.

It is a defense with great talent, from perennial All-Pro Ed Reed at safety to outstanding linebackers Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott and a tough defensive line led by Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata.

But the brains and brawn of the defense the Washington Redskins will face Sunday night is the same as it was when the Ravens marched through the 2000 season on their way to a Super Bowl championship - Lewis.

At the Ravens' training facility Wednesday, Suggs was asked about his defense's ability to put points on the board.

"Our chances are better when we have the defense making plays," Suggs said, adding, "and it always helps when you have Ray Lewis."

The presence of the nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker and two-time NFL defensive player of the year has not appeared to wear thin. If anything, Lewis' impact on this team is stronger than ever, as he has grown to be a tremendous on-field defensive coordinator.

"Just watch the man before the snap," Suggs said. "He has a lot going on. That is why he is the leader. He pretty much kind of guides us. I kind of tend to guess sometimes, but he knows. He tells me, 'This is coming, that is coming.'"

His ability to read defenses frustrated Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh during Baltimore's 34-3 win over Cincinnati last week so much that Houshmandzadeh felt compelled to ask Lewis about it on the field.

"T.J. came up to me after seven straight plays and asked, 'How do you know what every play is going to be?'" Lewis said. "I said, 'I do a lot of studying.' He said, 'No, it's something you're watching, something you're seeing.'"

Lewis said he works harder than ever to be prepared for each opponent, not just for his position but to make the calls for everyone else on defense as well.

"I sit down and go through films for hours, so it is second nature for me," Lewis said. "I can say, 'OK, I've seen this before.' It is about getting my players in the right position so they can make plays."

Someone asked Lewis how many plays can he see coming. "It's a high amount," he said.

That is no idle boast. Lewis leads the team with 84 tackles. The Ravens' run defense, ranked third in the NFL, hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 31 games. Baltimore is second in turnovers this season with 23 and has the top-ranked defense on third down. It ranks among the league leaders in nearly every defensive category.

Lewis is careful to spread the credit around, including Baltimore's defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan.

"We have a mentality that everybody has bought into, and that is to find the football," Lewis said. "We just are playing where we are supposed to be.

"The run we are on comes with a lot of guys really buying into the system," he said. "Rex is doing an incredible job of getting us in the right schemes and things like that. There is a lot of credit to go around. And the offense is controlling the ball a lot. We're not going three-and-out. So it is a lot of different things, the way we are playing right now."

Ryan is the third defensive coordinator Lewis has played for. The one constant throughout the Baltimore Ravens' era of defensive excellence has been Lewis. In fact, Lewis - even with the stain of an obstruction of justice conviction in a fatal 2000 stabbing - has become the identity of Baltimore sports.

The Lewis era doesn't appear to be close to ending, either. When asked whether he thought he had a season like this left in him, when it appeared he was on the downside of his game, the 33-year-old Lewis replied: "Men and women lie, but numbers don't. You just keep playing football. You don't care what people say. Bottom line is you line up and ask the people playing against me. You just play the game the same way and approach it the same way you did in Year one as you do in Year 13 with the same passion, the same dedication."

(washigtontimes.com)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. One of the greatest middle linebackers in football history.

Now, the Ravens’ Ray Lewis can add another title to his illustrious career: The Godfather of the NFL.

While Lewis is known for slamming players to the ground, he is the first to pick them up off the field, becoming a confidant to many around the league.

From Chargers OLB Shawne Merriman to Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu to Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Lewis has mentored the NFL’s young superstars on the game, training regimen and, most importantly, life.

Lewis estimated that he talks, sends text messages to and counsels 15 to 20 players on some days.

“It’s a rush for me. It’s a high for me,” Lewis said. “My greatest legacy will not be about how hard I hit on the field but how many people I was able to bless.”

Lewis first runs into players at the Pro Bowl and at different social events. The meetings usually end with Lewis giving out his cell phone number.

When players find themselves with a problem, that’s when Lewis usually hears from them again.

It was just last training camp when disgruntled Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco phoned Lewis for advice.

Lewis’ message: Stop complaining and start appreciating life in the NFL.

“He’s my spiritual father when I’m having problems,” Ocho Cinco said earlier this season. “Ray has been there for me through everything. Ray is really the only reason I’ve somewhat shut up and calmed down and came back and refocused my energy on helping my team get to the playoffs and all my energy being positive.

“So, Ray is really the reason I’m back here happy, smiling and ready to go again.”

Lewis routinely will call players and tell them a favorite scripture passage. He’ll remind them to drink the right amount of water. He’ll even chat for a half-hour about dissecting the screen pass, like he did recently with 49ers LB Patrick Willis.

Before the Ravens’ Monday-night game at Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, Lewis received a text message from Willis, his newest pupil, which read: “Show me what you got because you know I’ll be watching.”

“It turns into a real brotherhood from our conversation,” Lewis said.

But Lewis knows the connection extends beyond a brotherhood.

He has become a father figure to many players, much like Shannon Sharpe and Rod Woodson were for him years ago.

“When I was a child, that’s the thing I never had,” said Lewis, 33, who was raised by his mother. “As a man, that’s what you’re looking for — some real good advice from somebody they can trust.”

While Lewis seems to be giving so much — advice, time and energy — he insists that he receives more in return.

“What I get out of it is watching these guys grow,” he said. “That’s the reward for any parent. When you instill something in a kid and you get it put into fruition, you’re like, ‘Wow. He really listened.’ ”

Lewis has not only grabbed the attention of the players around the NFL. After recent injury-marred seasons, Lewis is playing like an elite linebacker again.

Run up the middle of the Ravens’ defense at your own risk. Draws don’t work, and neither do screens.

“It’s getting to the point with Ray where it’s almost ridiculous,” Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. “He’s a phenom. His contact and tackling is as crisp and as good as I can remember. He is still flying around and is always in the right spots. If I had to describe one thing about Ray that stands out, I couldn’t, because he is the total package.”

The Ravens are in a transition season with a new coach in John Harbaugh and a new quarterback in Joe Flacco.

The one constant has been the Ravens’ top-notch defense, whose determination comes from Lewis.

That was proven in Week Three, when the Ravens trailed the Browns 10-7.

On the third play of the third quarter, Lewis crushed Kellen Winslow over the middle, dislodging the ball from the Browns’ physical tight end. CB Chris McAlister plucked the ball from the air and ran 12 yards to the Cleveland 12-yard line, setting up the go-ahead touchdown in the Ravens’ 28-10 victory.

“He just knew he had to make a play, and that’s what leaders do,” Ravens ROLB Terrell Suggs said of the Lewis hit. “I mean, were y’all shocked?”

The biggest surprise is how Lewis can maintain this level of play.

After years of chasing down running backs, all of the NFL’s great middle linebackers eventually found something they themselves couldn’t elude — time.

Bears star Mike Singletary decided to retire after 12 seasons, before his play declined. Pittsburgh’s Jack Lambert walked away after 11 years because of a severe toe injury. And the Bears’ Dick Butkus stopped after nine seasons because of multiple knee injuries.

So, how can Lewis continue to remain in Pro Bowl form after 13 seasons?

His play on the field is dictated by his work off it.

His workouts are legendary. He still runs steep hills with a log on his back. He is constantly in the sauna and always is stretching, which helps to cut down on injuries.

At home, he has hired a personal chef, who cooks fish and vegetables. He keeps himself hydrated by drinking two gallons of water daily.

Then, at night, Lewis watches hours of film. He’ll pick up how a lineman puts his hand down on certain plays. He’ll note how a running back stands before a screen play.

These details help him predict where the ball is going before it is snapped.

“My greatest reward is in my sacrifice — how much film I watch,” Lewis said. “Some of them might want to run a screen or try to run in my area. I’m like, ‘Are you serious? You don’t think I watched that all week?’

“I would never want to be in my 20s again. I know too much right now.”

Colts QB Peyton Manning has a firsthand knowledge of Lewis’ film work.

“There’s many a time when I’ve heard Ray calling out our plays, and he’s been pretty accurate at times,” Manning said.

Lewis’ psychological game even extends to running backs. With some vicious head-on hits, he is putting fear into opposing runners. He ended Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall’s season in Week Four. It was the same back in 2000 when he train-wrecked Jerome Bettis, Corey Dillon and Eddie George.

“I was pretty intimidated by him, and I was on his team,” Ravens LOLB Jarret Johnson said.

Still, how long will Lewis remain on the team?

Lewis is scheduled to make $6.5 million in the final season of a seven-year, $50 million contract. That included a $19 million signing bonus (an NFL record at the time).

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said earlier this year that the team would actively pursue Lewis if he reaches free agency.

“If he becomes a free agent, I think the Ravens would probably outbid other teams,” Bisciotti said at the NFL meetings in March. “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.”

This is the first time the Ravens have allowed Lewis to reach the final year of his contract.

There is a possibility that the Ravens could use the franchise tag on Lewis to keep him for another season. Lewis hopes it won’t come to that.

“If the season ends and I’m a totally free agent, for the first time in my life I will be totally free,” he said. “You know what that feels like for a man? It’s one thing to deal with a contract. It’s one thing to deal with life without a contract. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel to make my own decision.”

(profootballweekly.com)

This week’s NFList takes a look back at five of Ray Lewis’ most memorable games through the eyes of two of his former coaches (ex-Ravens LB coach Maxie Baughan and head coach Brian Billick), a former competitor-turned-colleague (former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, who later served as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator) as well as Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Here are the games, listed in chronological order. All statistics provided by the team; NFL official statistics may vary:  

1) Sept. 1, 1996: Lewis’ professional debut
Lewis’ stat line: nine tackles and an interception in the Ravens’ 19-14 win over Oakland, a performance for which Lewis earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Background: The game marked the return of the NFL to Baltimore after a 12-year absence. Maxie Baughan, in his first season coaching the Ravens’ linebackers after coaching the Buccaneers’ linebackers for four seasons, remembers the young Lewis fondly:

"We knew he could do some of the unusual things a linebacker does, and he proved it that day. (Lewis) could run underneath a block, whereas most players can’t do that, because they would (end up) behind the ballcarrier. That was one of the things that stood out more than anything about him. Plus, we knew he could take coaching.

"His total package, being Defensive Player of the Week (in his debut) and the interception, eight or nine solo tackles, that tells you have a darn good football player. His play was not a surprise to me, and his play since then wasn’t a surprise. I felt when I went down and worked him (at Miami, Fla.) that he could be what he was today.

"Only two teams were there (at the workout at Miami) — the Cardinals and the Ravens. In fact, he missed his plane. He was up in Lakeland, I guess, where he lived. We had to wait like three hours. … My wife was still in Tampa, and she went down there with me. It was a special workout. In fact, my wife said, 'I hope he’s worth this three-hour wait.' And I said, ‘He is.' ”

2) Sept. 14, 1997: Ravens tip Giants 24-23 as Lewis has career day
Stat line: 25 tackles, two passes defensed; earned PFW Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Background: By 1997, the Ravens had assembled the makings of an excellent front seven led by Lewis, who was improving by leaps and bounds in his second NFL season. Giants head coach Jim Fassel, then in his first season on the job, had this to say of Lewis:

"He’s got the rare combination. He’s got the tremendous athletic talent, but also the tremendous competitiveness. … It’s a rare, rare cat.

"They covered him up, and when they cover up your middle linebacker, he’s got to make plays. And he made them.”  
3) Jan. 7, 2001: Ravens beat Titans 24-10 in AFC divisional playoffs
Stat line: 12 tackles, one interception (Lewis’ legendary steal of the ball from Titans RB Eddie George, which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown, giving Baltimore a 17-10 fourth-quarter lead).

Background: The Ravens and Titans split a pair of games in regular-season play before meeting a third time in the postseason in one of the more memorable matchups in divisional-round history.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, then the club’s vice president of player personnel, drafted Lewis with the No. 27 pick in the 1996 draft. Here’s his recollection of one of Lewis’ greatest games: 

"I think you picked the game that has the one play in my mind. 

"We had played Tennessee a lot. The ability to control Eddie George was going to be the key to the game, as well as (Steve) McNair breaking out of the picket. Ray inserted himself into a position where every time Eddie got the ball, he was part of the tackle. And when Steve would break out of the pocket, he was there.

"They had converted some first downs in years past by dropping the ball off to Eddie George. … Ray willed himself to that interception. He was not going to be denied. It was a play that we needed to be made to win the game, and he willed himself to make the play.

4) Jan. 28, 2001: Ravens rout Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV
Lewis’ stat line: 11 tackles, four passes defended, game MVP honors.

Background: Less than a year after he was arrested and charged with murder in an incident that occurred hours after Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Lewis led the Ravens to victory in Tampa. The murder charges were dropped, and Lewis eventually pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, but the controversy followed the Ravens into their biggest game in franchise history.

Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, in a memorable press conference on Super Bowl Media Day, staunchly defended Lewis and criticized the media for continuing to bring up the controversy. “As much as some of you want to, we are not going to retry that,” Billick said famously. “It's inappropriate, and you're not qualified.”

Billick, now an analyst for Fox, said the repeated recounting of the Lewis incident served to create an “us-against-the-world mentality.” He also noted that Lewis, known for his legendary intensity, took it to another level before the Super Bowl. “Ray was as driven and as focused as any player I’ve ever been around,” Billick said.

Fassel recalled the difficulty of preparing for Lewis and the Ravens’ defense — and how Lewis was one step ahead that entire game:

"I had talked to a couple of coaches, and the one thing they told me is, ‘They are faster than they look on tape.’ And I said, ‘Wait a second, they are fast on tape!’  

"He’d drop into zone coverage, and we couldn’t get anyone to run away from him. We’d throw the ball, and he’d be hitting them as the ball got there."

Billick remembered a defense for the ages playing with incredible confidence:

"They knew what New York was going to do before New York did. You knew they weren’t going to be able to run. It was recognition and anticipation. Here they were in a Super Bowl, and they wanted the shutout, and they would have got if it wasn’t for the kickoff return (by the Giants' Ron Dixon)."

5) Jan. 3, 2004: Titans tip Ravens 20-17 on last-minute field goal in AFC wild-card round
Stat line: 18 tackles (then a team postseason record — one he later broke) in the final game of a season in which he earned league Defensive MVP honors for a second time.

Background: Less than two years after the Ravens turned over much of the roster because of salary-cap concerns, they were back in the playoffs. Rex Ryan, then the club’s DL coach, recalled the club’s defensive strategy vs. Tennessee:

"We played a lot of straight, odd defense — just 3-4 defense — and it was more quarters coverage. Basically he was having to two-gap guards that game, but he did it, and he was still an awesome player. He was making plays everywhere. He tried to will us to victory, but they got us in the last (minute)."

(pfw.com)

First of all, a disclaimer: What I've transcribed below can - and probably will - be misconstrued as Ravens LB Ray Lewis taking shots at Giants RB Brandon Jacobs. Having been in the Giants' locker room for five seasons now, I know they'll use these words as motivation.

But having been around all kinds of football players, especially a prideful middle linebacker in Antonio Pierce, I know what Lewis was saying and it wasn't anything close to the shots the Browns were taking at Jacobs.

With that said, here's what Lewis said on a conference call with reporters a few minutes ago when asked about Jacobs:

"He's a physical back. He plays the game very physical. The only way to stop somebody like that is to run into him full-speed. That's the game of football. The name of football is hit or be hit. So the bottom line is I don't care how big his size is, how big none of that is. Football is football. And when you strap on your chin strap, I don't care how big you are, deal with whoever's got the ball and let life take care of itself. You just know, as a middle linebacker, you don't want to start letting them get into your secondary like you see the Eagles and a lot of people did, like big gaping holes to where he's getting up on your corners and your secondary, I don't think that's an even match. But when you're dealing with the front seven where linebackers meet running backs and fullbacks and things, then let it take care of itself. Our job is to not let him get to our secondary because he can be an imposing threat back there."

Again, when you look at the above, you might be tempted to infer Lewis is saying he and the rest of Baltimore's front seven can easily handle Jacobs. That's not the case. And if anyone expected a guy like Lewis to come on the conference call and even hint about how much he's worried about playing Jacobs for the first time, well, then you don't know Lewis, you don't know middle linebackers and you don't know football.

When asked about Jacobs' size and the disparity between him and the average back, Lewis displayed the swagger I'm talking about and the cockiness you need to play in the middle in the NFL:

"Okay, so what are you going to do? Run from it? You just play football. I don't look at the schedule, look at somebody's weight and say, 'Oh, guess what, he's 260. I can't run into him.' Hell no, I'm chasing him. It doesn't matter. Size has never mattered in this game. And the day you put size in this game, you lose all your credibility on why you play the game. You play the game for that. I remember these same stories about how big Eddie George was - so big and so bruising. Okay, let football take care of itself. That's what it's always done and always will do.

Strong words? Sure. A shot at Jacobs? No way. Just a guy who's confident in himself, as he should be.

(nj.com)

Ray Lewis earned the defensive award with a team-high nine tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed in Baltimore's 41-13 drubbing of Houston on Sunday. It was his third career two-interception game. The Lewis-led Ravens also limited the Texans to just 75 rushing yards.



(sportsnetwork.com)

Who's hot?

1. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Ray Lewis put together arguably his best game of the season in a 41-13 blowout victory over the Houston Texans. Lewis was dominant against the run--leading the team in tackles with eight--and jumping the passing lanes with two interceptions of Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Throughout his career, Lewis has always had an uncanny knack for finding the football and did so again Sunday with another performance that was vintage Lewis. It's been apparent all year that the 13-year veteran can still bring it.

2. Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens
Is it us, or does Baltimore seem to have a different 100-yard rusher every week? Last week rookie Ray Rice had the hot hand. This week it was veteran Willis McGahee, who returned from a knee injury and rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. No matter who is getting the carries, it all equals success for the Ravens. Baltimore has a four-game winning streak and is averaging 33.5 points per game during that span. The consistent running game and ability to control the clock against opponents are major reasons why.

3. Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
A major reason for new Browns quarterback Brady Quinn's success last week were the numbers put up by tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. He had a season-high 10 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort against Denver. It marked the first multi-touchdown game for Winslow since high school. It's clear that Cleveland's offense under Quinn will take on a much different look and will focus more on short passes to the tight ends and running backs. So Winslow could be in for a big second half of the season with the quarterback change.

(espn.com)

Ray Lewis isn’t going anywhere when the 2008 season comes to a close.

Since starting the season WITHOUT a contract for 2009 and beyond, there has been speculation in Baltimore that #52 might be on his way out…as the team defers to a younger (and cheaper) linebacking corps headed by Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott.

It’s not gonna happen that way.

Ray’s staying.  And he’ll eventually wind up inking a 5-year deal that will help the team fork over a mammoth signing bonus and yet not strap the team salary-cap wise through 2013.

As for Suggs and Scott…who knows, they MIGHT stay too.

But if there’s a pecking order - and make no mistake about it, there IS - you can rest assured that Ray is at the front.

A Ravens official confirmed all of this with me earlier this week by saying, “Ray’s going to be in Baltimore next year and for a while after that…it’s been discussed and reviewed and nothing has changed in our mind. Ray is going to be here and he’s going to finish his career in purple.  We know the numbers, financially, and we’re going to make them work.”

Makes sense to me.

He’s been so good for so long they should just permanently re-name the team the “Ray-vens”.

And this year, in particular, he’s ramped up his game and geared down his talk.  Gone are the days when Ray would throw out cryptic hints about money, his future and the possibilities of having to do business elsewhere.

I guess the promise of a $16 million dollar signing bonus can make a man see things a bit more clearly, huh?  

As one Ravens’ staffer said, succinctly: “Ray’s value to us is much higher than it would be with any other team in the league.”  Agreed.  He’s been to this franchise what Johnny Unitas was to the old Colts franchise. 

None of this should come as much of a surprise.  Owner Steve Bisciotti has talked openly - in interviews with Baltimore newspaper and radio - of hoping to sign Ray to a long-term deal that would keep #52 in purple and reward him for the decade-plus work he’s done in Baltimore.  

Ray deserves every penny of whatever he gets at the end of this season.

He’s the best player in the history of the franchise and arguably the best player in the league since 1996.

As for Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott, it’s a shame their paydays might be diminished by Ray’s deal, but that’s the price you pay when you’re working in concert with a Hall of Famer.  In the end, though, both of those players will make a nice salary in 2009 and beyond in large part BECAUSE of #52, not in spite of him.

“Ray’s not going anywhere…” was another comment offered to me.  ”We want him to finish his career in Baltimore and Ray wants to finish here too.  And we think Ray still has a lot of good football left - and so does he.  Ray’s going to retire a Raven, plain and simple.”

The status of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement and the potential for an uncapped season in 2011 makes it even more difficult for teams to enter into long term contracts with players right now…but the Ravens want Ray Lewis and Ray, well - Ray wants to get paid…in Baltimore.  Barring a change in heart by either party, you can keep those #52 jerseys clean and break ‘em out every September for the next few years.

I’m glad that issue has been put to rest.

Now, back to the playoff hunt.

(wnst.com)

OWINGS MILLS, Md.: Ray Lewis has played for three head coaches, three different defensive coordinators and has been surrounded by an ever-changing cast of supporting players.

One thing, however, has remained constant throughout his brilliant 13-year career: Lewis taking charge in the middle of a stout Baltimore Ravens defense.

Lewis is the leading tackler on the second-ranked defense in the NFL, and his contribution goes well beyond mere statistics. He is the unquestioned leader on the field and in the locker room, whether it be barking orders on a third-down play, organizing film-study sessions or answering questions from an inquisitive rookie.

"He does more than any player I've been around," Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said Wednesday. "He just loves the game. I know he's a talented guy that can do a lot of things in life, but I can't see him ever not doing football. He puts everything he's got into it. It's amazing to watch."

Lewis is 33, yet he still plays middle linebacker like the 21-year-old rookie drafted out of Miami in 1996. It's hard to imagine, but this version of Ray Lewis might be even better, because the experience he's gained outweighs any physical shortcomings that come with 13 years of exchanging blows at one of the most demanding positions on the field.

When Lewis came into the league, he depended primarily on his instincts to make plays. Now, he supplements his talent with rigorous offseason preparation and hours of film study.

"I think I've grown in so many areas. I don't think I can explain them all," Lewis said. "I think every year you gain a level of wisdom. That's the game of football."

Lewis has led the Ravens in tackling in six of seven games this season. He also has a sack, has knocked away five passes and forced a fumble. That only begins to explain his importance to a young defense that listens to Lewis as readily as Ryan or head coach John Harbaugh.

"He's flying around like he did 10 years ago, when I first got here," Ryan said. "He enjoys playing with the guys, leading the guys. Heck, leading me and everybody else. He's a special guy."

During the early years of his career, Lewis relied upon veterans such as Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe for guidance. Now he's the one doling out advice, doing his part in the NFL version of the circle of life.

"Me being in that position, I'm more of a tutor to a lot of the younger guys, trying to teach them about the game," he said. "My offseason is always preparing for when the games come. That's the fun part. Then you just raise the young guys to always play on a high level. The game just continues to get better and better as you get older."

And so, incidentally, does Lewis.

"I can't ever see him getting old," Ryan said.

As an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, Harbaugh developed a lofty opinion of Lewis by viewing film and watching him play on an occasional Sunday. Now that he sees Lewis on a daily basis, he's even more amazed.

"Here's a world-class athlete, a Hall of Fame type of athlete, you kind of wonder what makes a guy like that tick. The thing I've been so impressed with is his work ethic," Harbaugh said. "I mean, this guy does it all. He does it in the physical side in the offseason, he practices hard, he studies tape. Everything you ever heard about Ray Lewis is true."

Not exactly. Ravens rookie defensive back Haruki Nakamura formed his own opinion of Lewis before arriving at camp, then quickly found out that he was dead wrong.

"When you come in here as a rookie, especially as a defensive player, you know Ray Lewis is a big, tough, mean football player," Nakamura said. "Then you see him in person, and he's one of the classiest guys you'll ever meet and one of the best teammates you'll ever have."

The way Lewis is playing this season, he's got an excellent chance of being selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the 10th time. By the time he quits, that number could easily exceed a dozen. How much longer can he go?

"Easily another three or four more years," he said, "but it's going to take care of itself however it comes out. ... Life is freaking incredible, and loving football is what I do."

Given that he enjoys teaching and sharing life lessons with younger people, Lewis might make a good coach after he finally decides to retire. Then again, those traits could serve him well in a different avenue of life.

Asked about plans after football, Lewis replied, "I'll be coaching my kids."

(iht.com)

Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson was having a conversation with several others about NFL veterans when linebacker Ray Lewis' name was mentioned.

And Johnson, like the others in his group, started shaking his head in disbelief.

"What is this, his 13th year or something?" Johnson said. "He is still explosive and still has great instinct. He is going strong when other players his age are slowing down. I don't think he is ever going to slow down. I hope not."

He hasn't slowed down this year. In fact, he looks a lot like the Ray Lewis who was about to enter his prime in 1999. Lewis, 33, had a great season last year when he had 120 tackles and earned a ninth trip to the Pro Bowl.

Right now, he looks better than last season. He looks better than he has the past five years. What gives?

"It's getting to the point with Ray where it's almost ridiculous," Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "He's a phenom. His contact and tackling is as crisp and as good as I can remember. He is still flying around and is always in the right spots. If I had to describe one thing about Ray that stands out I couldn't because he is the total package."

In four games this season, Lewis has 30 tackles, including 21 solo. He has knocked down four passes and forced one fumble. If you're thinking about throwing a pass in the flat, forget it because Lewis is eating up everything.

Draws don't work, and neither do screens. Lewis is even putting running backs in the hospital again (see the Pittsburgh Steelers' Rashard Mendenhall) like he did in 2000 when he train-wrecked Jerome Bettis, Corey Dillon and Eddie George.

"When I first got here, I was star-struck by Ray," said Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the team's first-round pick in 2006. "You see him on TV, and it's exciting because he plays with so much passion. And since I've been here, he hasn't changed. He plays with so much emotion, and everybody else just follows him."

On the field, though, it's Lewis who sometimes follows Ngata. The former University of Oregon standout has been a major reason Lewis' play has improved the past three seasons. Ngata is a defensive lineman who plays like an offensive lineman.

Ngata doesn't just hold up offensive linemen, keeping them away from Lewis. He also moves them out of the way and creates lanes for Lewis, who looks like a running back coming through gaping holes.

No wonder Lewis lobbied Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome for a big defensive tackle several years ago.

"That big old rascal is just coming into his own," Ryan said of Ngata. "He just doesn't move people; he moves them with one hand."

Lewis is better with Ngata, but we're still seeing the vintage Lewis, as well. He is running sideline to sideline stalking running backs and tight ends (see the Cleveland Browns' Kellen Winslow). His fast pace on the field is matched by his intensity in the huddle.

"Ray talks a lot on the field," Ngata said. "He is always trying to find the pulse, whether we're too calm or too excited. He has a way of ramping us up each day, getting us ready for Sunday."

Lewis' workouts are legendary. He still runs that hill at Oregon Ridge with a log on his back. He is constantly in the sauna or whirlpool and always is stretching, which helps to cut down on injuries.

It's amazing he has suffered few major injuries throughout his career. It's just as incredible that he hasn't slowed down much despite his reckless style and the way he abuses his body.

But a major part of Lewis' game is intimidation. Psychologically, he can scare opponents before the game starts.

"I was pretty intimidated by him, and I was on his team," Johnson said.

So far, it has been a near perfect season for Lewis. During training camp when new coach John Harbaugh was trying to establish a presence with his players, there were veterans who were slow to believe in him. Lewis could have been one of them and led a small revolt. After all, he was a veteran, and he didn't need long meetings and a lot of contact in practices.

Instead, Lewis didn't balk and was always one of the first on the field. He didn't complain, and he even scolded some of those who did.

"It's great to have the opportunity to coach a football team that Ray Lewis is on," Harbaugh said. "Just watching practice, you see why he is one of the all-time greats, why he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer and why he believes he has a lot of football left in him. Because he does."

(baltimoresun.com)

Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore. I know, I know. The Ravens lost Sunday, a painful defeat at the hands of the Titans in which they let Tennessee drive the length of the field in the fourth quarter to win. But the play of Lewis over the last eight quarters simply must be recognized. In the narrow losses to Pittsburgh and Tennessee, Lewis has 20 tackles, two sacks, two passes deflected, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. He still hits like Mike Tyson. The other night, he broke Rashard Mendenhall's shoulders, knocking him out for the year, on a simple tackle up the gut. These two great games have come in his 165th and 166th pro contests.

(cnnsi.com)

Baltimore- Ray Lewis dropped an interception just before halftime. Early in the third quarter, Baltimore's inside linebacker delivered the pivotal hit.

His collision with Browns tight end Kellen Winslow led to Chris McAlister's interception and triggered a 21-point flurry to help the Ravens rally for a 28-10 victory Sunday.

The play energized Baltimore's defense, which notched three interceptions and registered five sacks against Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.

Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and MVP of Super Bowl XXXV, added four solo tackles.

"Were ya'll shocked?" said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who posted two sacks. "I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of when."

Down, 10-7, Baltimore had to cope with watching a teammate, safety Dawan Landry, strapped to a gurney carried off the field late in the second quarter. At halftime, Lewis rallied the team, Suggs said.

"I don't think there is a more vocal leader, and just a leader, period, in the NFL than Ray Lewis," Suggs said. "He knew we had to make a play."

Three plays into the third, with the Browns facing third-and-3 on its 17-yard line, Lewis struck. He hit Winslow, who was running a 7-yard route in the middle of the field.

The ball fell into the arms of McAlister, who returned it to the Cleveland 12. Four plays later Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to put Baltimore ahead for good.

Lewis said he didn't think Anderson would make that throw.

"I had two choices," Lewis, a 13-year veteran, said. "Either go for the interception or the receiver."

Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle said Lewis relies on instincts.

"People put entirely too much emphasis on age," Rolle said. "He knows the game. He's the greatest middle linebacker in history of this league."

Reed said extensive film study helped lead to his 32-yard interception return for a touchdown on Cleveland's next possession on Anderson's throw behind Syndric Steptoe.

Reed said the Browns ran the identical play two downs earlier. He told McAlister to provide deep coverage so he could play the ball.

"I just felt it," said Reed, who posted his ninth career interception return for a score. "I knew that was it. So when [Anderson] threw it, I just thought, 'Catch it.' "

(cleveland.com)

The October issue of Men’s Fitness magazine features a profile of Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis and the magazine has sent out some advance Lewis quotes from the story.

In the piece, Baltimore's No. 52 tells the magazine several things local fans have heard before, plus the fact that he’d like to play four or five more years saying he would like them to be as a Raven.

Here are some excerpts from the piece supplied by the magazine.

This apparently is Lewis reflecting on being in the final year of a seven-year contract.

“I respect the business but when I dedicate my life to this organization, the saddest question I've ever had to answer is, Am I going to be a Raven? Job wise, you don't play with somebody like that. But it's about football now. If you get caught up in [the business] you get too sour. Bottom line is, I'm going to play four or five more years. But I'm a Raven. I bleed purple.”

On mentoring younger teammates and opponents (he was recently credited for providing counsel to the Bengals’ Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson.

“A lot of them call me the Godfather. They ask you certain things and they're craving [knowledge]. A man's pride sometimes gets in the way. But when you see another man go through adversity, you're able to step back and realize, Hey, I can learn something from that guy.”

On his pre-game dances during player introductions.

“When I'm doing all that [dancing], that's me looking at God and saying how amazing He is. It's His stage. For me to walk out of that tunnel and give somebody hope, that's Him. So when you see me make that cross, and then I come out, that's blessing them. …. I'm thinking, This is another freaking opportunity, right now. Do not cheat this moment.”

(baltimoresun.com)

In two years DeMeco Ryans has developed into one of the best young linebackers in the NFL.

Now the 2006 Rookie of the Year will play the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis, one of the top linebackers of all time.

"When you talk about middle linebackers, he's the guy," Ryans said. "He's the guy that everybody looks up to. Everybody wants to be the Ray Lewis of their team. The type of leader that he is, the way he has all his guys rallied around him, that's the template for every other middle linebacker on his team."

Ryans remembers first watching Lewis when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001. He was impressed with the way any shot of him would just show him and a running back because he was so fast.

Lewis and Ryans spent time together at the Pro Bowl this year. Ryans said the 13-year veteran has an aura about him.

"You see him and he's that guy," Ryans said. "That's Ray Lewis, that's the man. That's the guy every other middle linebacker looks up to. So being out there and playing with him, it was great for me. It was a great inspiration to be out there playing with a guy you watched go out and dominate guys."

Ryans had 283 tackles in the two seasons and Lewis has 223 in the same span. Lewis said he hasn't seen Ryans play much, but that from the little he has seen he thinks he has a "bright future" in the game.

"I just like the way he hustles to the ball," Lewis said. "He really loves to play the game and he understands the game. When you come into the league that young and understand the game like that, I think you have a head start."

Ryans hopes he can become the kind of leader for the Texans that Lewis is to the Ravens. He also wants to one day have his name mentioned alongside Lewis as one of the game's elite linebackers, but knows he'll have to help the team improve to get to that point.

"It's going to take getting to the big game," Ryans said. "What Ray has done, he's done it on a big-time level in the Super Bowl. He's led his team in the playoffs."

(dallasnews.com)

CINCINNATI -- At some of his lowest points in the offseason -- many of them self-inflicted -- Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson (who legally changed his last name to Ocho Cinco) would get a call from his father figure in Baltimore, ready to suggest a Bible verse and some advice.

Linebacker Ray Lewis told the self-promoting receiver that he needed to change. Instead of being unhappy with his team, Lewis told him that he needed to be grateful to be in the NFL.

Stop complaining. Start appreciating. Get back to playing.

"That was the same message I relayed to him and a couple of other guys around the league that were going through the same thing," Lewis said Wednesday, in a conference call. "I was like: Keep your peace. Let the business side of the business take care of itself, but keep your peace and always stay who Chad is, and that's just loving the game of football."

The Pro Bowl receiver has changed, though not in all the ways his coach had hoped.

He has stopped grousing over the Bengals' refusal to trade him. He's been more upbeat around his teammates. He's worked through an ankle operation that slowed him at the start of training camp and an injury to his left shoulder in the second preseason game.

In that regard, he listened to the advice.

"He's my spiritual father when I'm having problems," the receiver told sports writers in Baltimore on Wednesday. "Ray has been there for me through everything. Ray is really the only reason I've somewhat shut up and calmed down and came back and refocused my energy on helping my team get to the playoffs and all my energy being positive.

"So, Ray is really the reason I'm back here happy, smiling and ready to go again."

He hasn't shed the self-absorption, though.

Last week, he legally changed his last name from Johnson to Ocho Cinco. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he wants to be called by his new name, but declined to talk about it any further.

It's unclear whether he'll have his new name or the old one on his uniform Sunday for the season opener in Baltimore. Coach Marvin Lewis -- who hates the receiver's self-promoting stunts -- said it's up to the NFL to decide what name goes on his uniform.

"It's not a stunt," Lewis said. "He changed his name. It's a legal document. He's been wanting to do this since March. It's kind of water under the bridge at this point for us."

Spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail to the AP that the league hasn't addressed the question yet.

Asked if the new name is one of the changes that resulted from Johnson's talks with Ray Lewis, the Bengals coach laughed loudly.

"That's a very good question," he said. "We're going to figure Chad out now?"

Ray Lewis, who at age 33 is three years older than the receiver, has noticed a change in attitude when he talks to him on the phone.

"These are the things that he has grabbed onto, to say that life is life, life is good," the linebacker said. "You can be a true role model to some people and show people what life is about when you really challenge yourself to be great every day."

Asked about the name change, Ray Lewis chuckled.

"It's whatever it is," he said. "If that's the way he feels he wants to be called, then let him go by that."

(espn.com)

The Ravens don't want anybody to read anything into it, but middle linebacker Ray Lewis did sit on the bench while his teammates were being introduced Saturday night for the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. There were other times during the game when he sat alone on the bench while the rest of the defense was huddled up on the sideline. The last time these kind of things happened Lewis was irked at management because he didn't get a new contract.

Lewis is in the final year of his current deal.

So with that said, I won't read anything into it. Not one bit. Nothing.

Maybe Ray was on the sideline waiting to get his ankle taped, or plotting his next pre-game dance. Maybe he was trying to scope out the landscape and the logistics in case he wants to make his intro dropping out of a helicopter.

But let's not read anything into this. Maybe he just wanted to be alone.

(weblogs.baltimoresun.com)

The Baltimore Sun reports Ravens ILB Ray Lewis played only a few series wearing the defensive radio helmet against New England Patriots, but he seems to like it so far. This past offseason, NFL owners approved the installation of defensive transmitters in helmets. Quarterbacks have used offensive helmet transmitters since the policy was adopted in 1994. "It's cool," Lewis said. "It gives you the same advantage our offense has had. I think you will be able to test it more once you get in front of the crowd and not have to run to the sideline every play or signal in for three or four guys. So I think that's going to be great."

(ffmastermind.com)

WESTMINSTER, Md. — It would be easy to assume that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is not as fast as he used to be and that he does not deliver those punishing hits like he once did.

Then, a rookie running back like Ray Rice tries to pull a juke move while going up the middle at the Ravens training camp.

Wham!

Lewis makes his usual thunderous introduction.

Lewis might be 33 and heading toward the twilight of his NFL career, but he is not ready to cave in to Father Time easily.

In fact, he thinks he still has a lot of football left in his tank as he enters the final year of his contract.

“One thing I always say is that if you’re older, then there’s a lot of wisdom and a lot of knowledge, and if you take care of your body, with the longevity of this game, you can play as long as you want,” Lewis said.

There were rumblings last season that Lewis had lost a step, despite leading the team in tackles for the 10th time in his career with 120.
Lewis has a quick answer for those who believe his skills have diminished.

“All I have to do is invite them into my defense,” said Lewis, a nine-time Pro Bowl choice. “We were the only defense who didn’t see a 100-yard rusher last year. So, we are OK with that.

“So, inviting people to come see me up the middle is not a good thing to do. Most of the time, they are just trying to get away from me.”

It has been that way since the Ravens drafted Lewis out of the University of Miami in the first round in 1996, the team’s first year after moving from Cleveland.

The Ravens also drafted offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden that year. He retired after last season.

While Ogden has watched some of preseason camp from the sideline, Lewis remains in the middle of it all, imploring the Ravens defense to keep up its intensity and doing his best to confuse the three quarterbacks vying for the starting job, including former University of Delaware star Joe Flacco.

Then there are the countless lessons he teaches to young players like Rice.

“I told Ray Rice that [running] north and south wins,” Lewis said. “If you see me in that hole, bouncing [outside] sometimes works, but in this business it doesn’t. Never go east and west.

“It’s a little thing like that that you can teach these younger guys.”

John Harbaugh, in his first season as Ravens head coach, feels like he has an extra coach in the defensive huddle.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to coach a football team that Ray Lewis is on,” Harbaugh said. “Just watching practice, you see why he is one of the all-time greats, why he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer and why he believes he has a lot of football left in him. Because he does.”

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan laughed when he thought back to the team’s first mandatory camp in May.

“It was funny; when he could have held himself [out] and wasn’t really going to practice, he was going to do individual drills [only],” Ryan said. “Then, when we called 11-on-11, he couldn’t help himself. He had to jump out there.

“I think he just wanted for all the new coaches to see that, hey, this is Ray Lewis. He made some spectacular plays, like we always have seen.” To Ryan, Lewis is a freak of nature.

“I know eventually he’s going to have to slow down,” Ryan said. “I just don’t see it happening in the near future. He looks tremendous. He is in great shape, and that age is just a number right now.”

(delawareonline.com)

WESTMINSTER, Md. — Thirteen seasons later, Ray Lewis isn't much different from the 21-year-old rookie who played middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens with his own brand of passion and enthusiasm.

At the first full-team practice Friday under Ravens first-year coach John Harbaugh, Lewis directed the defence and sprinted toward running backs as if it was the middle of October. He even took the time to offer some fatherly advice to rookie running back Ray Rice, who dared try to juke a tackle before Lewis planted him in the ground.

"I told him, 'If you see me in the hole, bouncing around sometimes works. But in this business it doesn't. North and south wins, never go east and west,"' Lewis said.

Who can blame Rice for trying to avoid Lewis, a nine-time Pro Bowler and one of the best linebackers in the NFL?

"Not one of the best. The best," insisted defensive co-ordinator Rex Ryan, now in his 10th season with Baltimore. "I just know he was the best when I got here and he's the best now. Still."

The Ravens went 5-11 last season, but it sure wasn't Lewis's fault. He led the team in tackles for the 10th time and was the focal point on the only defence in the league that did not allow a 100-yard rusher. He missed the last two games with a finger injury, but says his 33-year-old body has never felt better and that the experience he's gained over the past 12 years have only served to make him better.

"Old is a lot of wisdom and a lot of knowledge, and if you take care of your body the way I take care of my body, you can play as long as you want," he said.

Opposing quarterbacks and running backs who believe Lewis might have lost a step after playing in 162 games have been extended an open invitation to venture into the middle of the Baltimore defence.

"Most of the time they're trying to get away from me," Lewis said with a chuckle.

Lewis was drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 1996, the team's first year of existence, along with offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden. While Ogden watched from the sideline Friday after announcing his retirement last month, Lewis zipped through the two-hour practice with the zeal of a kid trying to make the team.

Not that it came as any surprise to his coaches and teammates. Lewis loves playing football, and will never take it easy on the field - even during a seven-on-seven drill under the hot summer sun. Because if he doesn't try his hardest, then Lewis won't maintain the high standard he sets for himself.

"The amazing thing is, he keeps coming out here every single year trying to get better," Ryan said. "I think that's why he maintains such a high level of play."

Lewis long ago earned the respect of his teammates. He is the unquestioned leader of the defence, and not merely through leading by example. His feet are always in motion, and so is his mouth.

"He's still the same guy who tells us whether to look for a run or a pass, still the same guy who talks it up before the snap," tackle Kelly Gregg said. "You'd think in your 13th training camp you'd sort of slow down, but not Ray. He runs the show."

Harbaugh, a former assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, got a taste of Lewis' enthusiasm during minicamp. Seeing the linebacker in shoulder pads at training camp made Harbaugh appreciate how sweet it is to have Lewis on his side.

"It's great to have an opportunity to coach a football team that Ray Lewis is on," he said. "Just watching practice today, you can see why he's one of the all-time greats and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and why he believes he's got of football left in him. Because he does."

It seems hard to imagine that someone who has played in all those games for all those years can still be effective at a position that requires speed, agility and a rock-hard body. Then again, who says there's an age limit for an athlete to play like a champion?

"They said Michael Strahan was old, but he beat every tackle in front of him and won a Super Bowl. That's what I appreciate about me and all the other guys I see, whether it's Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen (of the NBA champion Boston Celtics)," Lewis said. "I think age is for everybody else who's done it before and still wants to do it - or someone who doesn't want to pay you a whole lot of money."

Lewis is signed through the 2008 season. If the Ravens expect to bring up his advancing years when negotiating a new contract, Lewis will simply tell them that he's a better player now than when he accepted his last deal in 2003.

"Anytime you can be healthy at this point in your career, you're like, 'I don't ever want to be 25 or 26 because I know too much right now and I'm way past where I was,"' he said. "So now, coming into camp is more fun for you because you're in the best shape of your life and know how to take care of your body way better than when you were younger.

"Now you can really appreciate the game."

(ap.com)

The Carroll County Times reports Baltimore Ravens new HC John Harbaugh said that ILB Ray Lewis, 33, may be substituted for on third downs more often than in the past, he doesn't seem to have to lost much speed and posted his second-highest total with 10 pass deflections last year. "I know eventually he's going to have to slow down, I just don't see it happening in the near future," DC Rex Ryan said. "That age is just a number right now. He's an unusual guy." Regarded as a future lock for the Hall of Fame, Lewis said he is in top shape due to grueling workouts and a strict diet and weighs 255 pounds with nearly six-percent body fat.

(ffmastermind.com)

Within the collective heart of the three-man Baltimore linebacking corps beats just one mantra this year: Show me the money. Ray Lewis might say he bleeds purple, but he's entering a contract year and he's desperate for his career's last big splash of green. The Ravens wisely didn't give into his entreaties for a new deal this offseason, and hope to get a monster year out of a player whose reputation has surpassed his production of late.

Baltimore's Bart Scott likewise is in the final season of his contract, and needs a bounce-back performance if he's going to remain in the Ravens' plans. And then there's Terrell Suggs, who the team franchised this offseason at $8.5 million, but failed to come to a long-term agreement with. An extension must now wait until after the season, when Baltimore figures to make him its leading priority in terms of potential free agency.

The linebackers' dash for the cash should make things interesting for Baltimore's veteran-laden defense this season. The Ravens, one would think, will benefit from the chase. At least before Lewis, Scott or Suggs do.

(cnnsi.com)

No deal is imminent, but the Ravens and Pro Bowl LB Ray Lewis are closer to agreeing to a new contract that will allow him to play two more seasons, and finish his career in Baltimore if he desires. The Ravens believe that Lewis, about to enter his 13th season, can be a dominant player for two more seasons even though he has showed signs of slowing down. The most interesting aspect will be the relationship that develops between Lewis and first year coach John Harbaugh, who is trying to establish his own presence on a team that has had a lot of sour veteran players in recent seasons, including Lewis. ...

(sportingnews.com)

TMZ.com, a Web site that tracks all things salacious in the celebrity world, is reporting that a Phoenix-area company is suing Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis for nearly $5,800 for what TMZ says were hostesses who were provided for a Lewis event at the last Super Bowl.

To be clear, the suit itself identifies whatever Lewis is supposed to owe money for as "promotional services." If the word hostess is in the lawsuit and I missed it, I apologize.

An odd thing about the suit is that it identifies some of the defendants thusly: "Ray and Jane Doe Lewis are husband and wife and are nonresidents of Arizona."

If the Ravens' linebacker is married, that's news to me and also to the team. Here's a copy of a suit posted by TMZ.

(baltimoresun.com)

Ray Lewis has reportedly bought into new Ravens coach John Harbaugh's more demanding offseason approach.
Lewis, entering a contract year, knows the only team he's going to get a big extension from is the Ravens, so he'd better buy in. Lewis also needs to stay healthy, and perhaps the more intensive program will help him do that.

Sources tell me that the most pivotal Raven in terms of being a team bellwether -- middle linebacker Ray Lewis -- has fully signed on to Harbaugh's program and has embraced Baltimore's culture change in all ways. If nothing else, Lewis is no dummy. He's seeking one more huge contract before retirement beckons, and he knows he has no shot of getting it from the Ravens -- or anyone else -- if he doesn't play ball and play it well this season.

"Ray wants the whole world to see who the real Ray Lewis really is,'' a Ravens source said. "The perception of him out there, it isn't right. Ray is totally in line with things here this year and has grabbed onto it as his own.''

(cnnsi.com)

10. Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers: It didn't take long for Carolina's 2007 first-round pick to shift from the weak side to the middle, but it'll probably take much longer for anyone to move him out of that spot. Beason ranked third in the league in total tackles last season and tied for second in solo stops. He made eight or more solo tackles in a game eight times and got his hands on seven passes, picking off one. Losing Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker up front might leave more blockers for Beason to sift through, but he has the tools to remain among the league's tackle leaders. 

12. Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints: Perhaps no Jet was as negatively affected by the hiring of head coach Eric Mangini as much as Vilma. At 230 pounds, Vilma is the lightest starting middle linebacker in the league (at least until rookie Jordon Dizon officially enters the lineup), and that fact is even more pronounced in a 3-4 defense. Such a scheme creates more traffic in the middle and allows more guards to get to the linebacker level. Vilma had trouble moving through the extra bodies to make his usual number of plays. As if that weren't bad enough, knee surgery ended his 2007 at midyear. If his knee is ready and holds up this year in the Saints' 4-3 scheme, Vilma — who led the league in tackles in 2005 — could outperform this ranking. 

13. D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos: It has to be kind of tough being D.J. Williams. You come into the league and perform quite well as a rookie starter on the weak side. So, of course, the team brings back Ian Gold and shifts you to the strong side. Two years later, the team pulls the plug on middle starter Al Wilson and decides that you'd fit in well there. Despite some natural confusion in the new role, you rank second in the league in tackles in 2007. Obviously, it's then time for you to return to the weak side. Williams' new old role could well be the best spot for him. Although he's bound to face fewer tackle chances than in the middle, he could make more big plays (sacks, interceptions). At the very least, maybe he can finally settle into one role. 

25. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens: This might seem low on the list for Lewis, but the Ravens leader has played a full 16-game schedule just once in the past six seasons. At 33, Lewis can still get it done, though. His solo tackles were on pace for the low-to-mid 90s in each of the past two seasons, had he not missed two games in each. He's just a year removed from a career-high five sacks and has picked off two passes in two straight years. Nevertheless, durability is a worthwhile concern, as is the fact that he made five or fewer solo tackles in eight of 14 games in 2007. 

In a week or two, we could be hearing some news about the team's negotiations with veteran star linebacker Ray Lewis. There has been some movement on both sides, and it's getting close to the point where it's either going to get done, or it's over for a while. The Ravens want to treat Lewis well because of what he has done for this franchise, but they can't afford to overpay a player entering his 13th season. There has been no progress in the talks with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. The two sides aren't even talking right now.

(cnnsi.com)

BALTIMORE -- Enjoy Ray Lewis while you can.

Because in a few years, the future Hall of Fame linebacker plans to separate himself from the NFL completely -- with no second-guessing and no regrets.

"When it's time for me to hang up those cleats, there is no coming back,'' Lewis said. "There is no 'Yeah, I feel good again and I'm in better shape.' Because I know what I give every day of my life, and that is complete focus on my task at hand.''

That current task is bringing Baltimore back to prominence. Just two years ago the Ravens were Super Bowl contenders after a 13-3 season, but injuries and inconsistent play resulted in last season's 5-11 finish.

Despite nine Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl MVP on his résumé, Lewis says he is training harder than ever. Increasing his workout regimen with age is a trick he learned from former teammates Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe, who played 17 and 14 years, respectively.

Lewis, who turns 33 Thursday, is in his 13th season and believes his intense training will help him play "another three or four years, easily.'' He arrived at minicamp in midseason form last weekend, weighing 255 pounds with 6 percent body fat and biceps large enough to make running backs cringe.

In addition, there is a newfound energy about Lewis. He was running around the practice field last week like a 23-year-old and was playful in the locker room with actual 23-year-olds, such as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

"You appreciate it more,'' said Lewis. "You appreciate why you play the game, why you mentor these young kids, and why you go through the ups and downs of this business. So my energy is more incredible now than I think it's probably ever been, probably because of the excitement of everything that's going on."

Much of the optimism in Baltimore revolves around the hire of rookie head coach John Harbaugh, who replaced Brian Billick after nine seasons.

Harbaugh spent the past few months with both hands over his ears, blocking out any public perception about his new team and particularly as it pertains to Lewis.

There is speculation in Baltimore that Lewis' strong personality could make it difficult for a first-time head coach to put his imprint on the team. Harbaugh is in the process of running a much tighter ship than Billick, and the theory was that if Lewis wasn't on board, the locker room would be tough to win over.

Harbaugh said his relationship with his star player is the "complete opposite" of what outsiders expected.

"I didn't know if it was going to be a problem or a solution, and Ray has been beyond a solution,'' Harbaugh said. "Ray is every bit the leader than probably anybody in the history of the NFL. That is a big statement. But I've been in the league 10 years now, and I can't imagine there being a better leader in this league than Ray Lewis.''

This season marks a contract year for Lewis.

Baltimore is in a tough spot because all three starting linebackers potentially could hit the open market after the 2008 season. Bart Scott is at the end of a three-year deal he signed before the 2006 season, and Terrell Suggs was given a one-year franchise tag in February.

The Ravens currently are negotiating extensions with both Suggs and Lewis, but there are no guarantees either will reach an agreement by the start of the regular season.

"I've never got caught up in that,'' Lewis said. "If anybody has ever bothered to check with my career, everybody knows there has never been a camp where I've held out.

"There's never been a contract problem with me -- and it will never be that with me -- bottom line."

According to Lewis' timeline, his next contract likely will be his last.

Before long he will join the recently retired Brett Favre and Steve McNair as three throwback players of this generation who could transcend any era. Whether it's linebackers Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus or Mike Singletary, you can envision Lewis lining up next to those players and fitting in perfectly.

But Lewis says he will be prepared when the next phase of his life arrives. That phase will include business ventures and, most importantly, family time.

Lewis' children tug at his heart every day. Most recently he mentioned a track meet that he regrettably missed because of his obligations at Ravens camp.

It's a delicate balance of family and football that Lewis finds increasingly difficult to manage. That is part of the reason Lewis plans to remove himself from the spotlight once he retires, because it will open another door to become the ever-present father he wants to be.

"It's a push-pull [situation],'' Lewis said candidly. "My kids are young enough now. But when they start getting to that age where they are in high school, I want to be there to say, 'I got this. I'll go shopping for everything,' and things like that.

"So that part of life, man, that is exciting once you actually put everything into it that I want to put into it."

(espn.com)

Ray Lewis is not the superstar he once was, but he remains a very good linebacker and is still a leader on the Ravens' impressive defense. He watches tape extensively and always works very hard on and off the field, which pays big dividends on game day. Many times he will recognize what his opponent is looking to do before the snap, but his body can't always do what his mind wants at this advanced stage of his career. However, he can still relay what he sees to his teammates pre-snap. He remains a bone-crushing striker, who very rarely takes false steps in his pursuit of the ball carrier and is an overall intimidator. Lewis led his team with 121 tackles in 2007 and was invited to the Pro Bowl for an amazing ninth time.

While Lewis is still going strong, his partner in crime Bart Scott took a step backward in 2007. The Ravens' defense sets up in different looks, which tend to confuse the offense. When the Ravens show a 3-4 look, Lewis and Scott both play on the inside, but when they use a more traditional 4-3 scheme, Lewis is the middle linebacker and Scott plays on the weak side. Either way, the ball carrier is often funneled in their direction, which gives Lewis and Scott plenty of opportunities to make big plays. Scott was a terror in 2006, but he simply did not impact games in the same fashion this past season. Look for Lewis and the rest of the defense to help Scott return to his dominating Pro Bowl form.

Lewis is an influential veteran who will provide invaluable insight to rookie LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden has a lot of talent and could potentially play any linebacker spot in a 4-3 scheme or either inside spot in a 3-4 scheme. He went to the University of Miami, like Lewis, so Lewis should take a special interest in Gooden's development. Baltimore has not drafted a linebacker with Gooden's skills since selecting Edgerton Hartwell in the fourth round of the 2001 draft. That is a great tribute to just how reliable Lewis has been over that span. Gooden eventually could replace Lewis and should immediately light a fire under Scott.  

(espn.com)

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Ravens and MLB Ray Lewis have hit a stalemate in talks regarding a long-term extension.

Schefter says the sides are nowhere near an agreement. The Ravens know Lewis won't take plays off just because he's in a contract season, it'll be up to him to lower his asking price if he wants to stay in Baltimore.

(rotoworld.com)

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Ray Lewis is prepared to divorce the Ravens if the sides do not agree on a contract extension.

Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract, addressed the issue this week on the NFL Network.

“Would I play somewhere else? The business creates that,” Lewis said. “We have to understand that — no matter what you do and how you try to do it — if you understand that, then the game of football is fun for you. It never changes for you. So, if you do go somewhere else, you go have a great career somewhere else.”

Lewis also said his football legacy could extend beyond Baltimore.

“I believe your legacy is not [decided] by the city, I believe it’s the way you play the game, no matter what color jersey you have on” Lewis said. “I’m a Raven, though. I’m a Raven for life. Purple and black is just what I do. But, the business side? If it takes off, it takes off.”

The 12-year veteran was just named to his ninth Pro Bowl. But the Ravens are negotiating a contract extension for linebacker Terrell Suggs, and Ozzie Newsome, the team’s general manager, has not acknowledged talks with Lewis’ representatives.

Lewis already is one of the highest paid players at his position — he is scheduled to make $6.5 million next season — and a similar contract extension could cripple the salary cap-troubled team.

“[When] I’m not able to compete — at whatever level I feel I’m not able to compete in this league — then I’ll walk away,” Lewis said. “I’ve got too much football left in me.”

Lewis has one big supporter — owner Steve Bisciotti.

Bisciotti told reporters last month that Lewis is still one of the game’s best.

“You see Ray Lewis running around this year doing what he did at 32 years old,” he said. “There’s no end in sight for Ray Lewis.”

(examiner.com)

According to the Baltimore Sun, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said that in early negotiations with linebacker Ray Lewis about an extension, Lewis has asked for Peyton Manning type money.

Wow. Just, wow. It that’s true, which is should be coming from the GM’s mouth, I’m just speechless.

Sure, Lewis is still the defenses trademark player, and can still intimidate and hit players. However, he’s clearly past the prime of his career, being thirty-three, and I don’t even think the Ravens should give him good money for a linebacker.

Manning signed a seven year, $99.2 million extension. Ya, no one is going to give Lewis that. He probably wouldn’t of even got it in the prime of his career.

If Lewis, who’s contract is up at the end of this season, can get the delusion that he’s an unstoppable middle force in his mid-twenties out of his head, than he might be able to reach an agreement with Baltimore before the end of the 2008 season. However, the fact that he’s asking for this much in preliminary discussions tells me that he’ll be demanding a lot when the talks get serious, which I doubt the Ravens are willing to pay.

Lewis’s possible departure has prompted many to believe that the Ravens could take a linebacker, specifically Kieth Rivers, with the eighth pick. If Matt Ryan is there, than they’ll take him, but Rivers is a possibility.

This article also notes that the team likes guard Branden Albert. With Jonathan Ogden possibly retiring, this wouldn’t be a bad pick.

Also, it appears that the Ravens won’t be moving up to ensure they get Ryan, as they aren’t willing to offer enough to the Rams or Falcons.

(nflsource.com)

Ray Lewis was in attendance as the Ravens broke for their first offseason minicamp on Thursday.
This was unexpected with Lewis having skipped the start of the offseason program and in a contract year. He doesn't normally take part in voluntary work. Trevor Pryce (pectorals) and Chris McAlister (knee) also participated.

(rotoworld.com)

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.”

This is the first time the Ravens have allowed Lewis to reach the final year of his contract.

(insidecharmcity.com)

February 29, 2008. First Floyd Mayweather signs with the WWE, now MediaTakeOut.com is hearing whispers that NFL's Ray Lewis is close to signing on to the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts league.

According to a person who works at U.F.C., the Baltimore Ravens star linebacker and the league have been negotiating for months and are close to closing the deal. The insider told MediaTakeOut.com, "Ray Lewis was an All-American wrestler in high school, and he's just an all around bad a**. He'll fit in perfectly here."

And the insider claims that the deal wouldn't interfere with Ray's NFL career. He explained to MediaTakeOut.con, "We're not looking to sign him on full-time, just a match or two a year - and he can handpick the opponent ... He has such a big name that it will do wonders for the sport."

(mediatakeout.com)