The other side of Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis has built a reputation as a perennial Pro Bowl middle linebacker because of his ability as a run stuffer. The Ravens have credited him with more than 100 tackles in 11 of his 13 NFL seasons. He's been over 200 tackles three times.

The only two seasons Lewis failed to amass 100 tackles ended abruptly with October injuries. He collected 85 tackles in five games in 2002 before a shoulder injury ended that season. Then he collected 77 tackles in six games in 2005 before a torn hamstring ended that season.

So Lewis has been a dominant player on first and second downs – the traditional running downs – with an average of 12.2 tackles per game in his career. But few linebackers in history have played third downs as well as Lewis, either.

His 28 career interceptions rank eighth all time among linebackers. He has returned those interceptions 464 yards and scored two touchdowns. He has two more interceptions in the postseason for 54 yards and a score.

"My career has always been around the football, one way or another," Lewis said. "That's my philosophy. When the ball's snapped, find it. Whether it's running to the ball or catching it. Good things always happen to linebackers who get to the football."

Lewis has intercepted Troy Aikman, Kurt Warner, Steve McNair, Mark Brunell, Jeff Garcia and Eli Manning. He intercepted Oakland's Jeff Hostetler in his first NFL game in 1996 and has three two-interception games in his career. He finished among the league leaders with six picks in 2003.

Lewis says no interception stands out.

"They all do," Lewis said. "I can remember all of them because the linebacker always has to be in the right place to intercept a pass."





(dallasnews.com)