Ray Lewis Retiring: “This will be my last ride”

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Sorry, but the Ravens defense averaged less points per game as far as what they gave up to opposing defenses in a 16 game season.

Why didn't the Ravens defense carry that team to multiple Super Bowl championships the way the Steel Curtain did for the Steelers?

Matter of fact, why did they only make it to ONE Super Bowl?

Perhaps education and knowledge is a good thing...Look at their competition for a deeper understanding. They did not get to play St. Mary's Sisters of Charity every year...

Why the 2000 Baltimore Ravens Defense Isn't One of the Best of All Time

the Ravens faced some horrendous quarterback play. Three of the quarterbacks they faced off against -- Akili Smith, Couch and Leaf -- are considered to be three of the top ten busts of all-time.

Outside of those three, there was Kent Graham, Jamie Martin, Doug Pederson, Spergon Wynn, Scott Mitchell, an over-the-hill Troy Aikman, a turnover-prone Jake Plummer and Jay Fielder, who had started one career game prior to the 2000 season.

The point I'm trying to make is that the Ravens defense did so well because of a slew of mediocre quarterbacks. Other than the ones listed directly above, they faced off against Mark Brunell, Vinny Testaverde, Steve McNair, Kordell Stewart and Brad Johnson. That's not saying much.

-----------------------------

Baltimore's defense faced zero All-Pro quarterbacks in the 2000 regular season. Zero.

Many teams would have been able to put up gaudy numbers on defense when playing quarterbacks of that caliber.

-----------------------------

There's no doubt that the Ravens' defense in 2000 was stupendous. The cast holds numerous records from that season, but people have to take into account the opponents they faced. Of the eleven different teams they faced in the regular season, only two made the playoffs -- the Titans and the Dolphins.

Furthermore, seven of the eleven different teams they played finished the regular season with a record of 8-8 or worse, including the Chargers, who went 1-15. The Browns finished 3-13 while the Bengals' record was 4-12. The Ravens played both of those teams twice.

I'm not taking anything away from the Ravens' defense. They had a tremendous season, but I don't agree that they're in the same company as the 1985 Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain, Lombardi's Packers and others.

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Didn't diss the Steel Curtain.

The Steel Curtain is considered one of the top defenses of all time. Not just one man's opinion, but the perspectives of HoF players, coaches, fans, media, NFL Films, the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Heck, even RAY LEWIS is on NFL Films talking about the Steel Curtain as being the best defense he's ever seen.

But I guess YOU know more than the man you are talking about, right?

So yeah, your statement is asinine and certainly indicative of disrespect.

The Steel Curtain is not even in the top 3 much less the best ever.

p.s.

The only LB that is really even close to being in the discussion to Ray Lewis is LT

Pay attention to the converstation.

Mr teX said "GOAT mlb..."

I quoted it and mentioned Mike Singletary.

Lawrence Taylor played OUTSIDE linebacker (i.e. "mlb" = MIDDLE linebacker).

[NitroGSXR]

I don't look at Singletary the same anymore after his recent coaching stint with the 49ers. He lacked an overall understanding for the game. He weirded me out with the pants and all episode.

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by NitroGSXR

I don't look at Singletary the same anymore after his recent coaching stint with the 49ers. He lacked an overall understanding for the game. He weirded me out with the pants and all episode.

I never saw him play since I was too young, so my only impression of him is as a coach. I know he was a terrific player and a HOFer, but I think it does hurt his legacy a little since he was such a terrible head coach.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by NitroGSXR

I don't look at Singletary the same anymore after his recent coaching stint with the 49ers. He lacked an overall understanding for the game. He weirded me out with the pants and all episode.

I think Singletary would still be the coach of the 49ers if he didn't embarrass them with that on camera melt down.

He wasn't canned because of on field results, he was getting results. The 49er team you see now, is an extension of Singletary's team which is an extension of Nolan's team.

OT; I'd like to see Nolan get another shot at HC.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by NitroGSXR

I don't look at Singletary the same anymore after his recent coaching stint with the 49ers. He lacked an overall understanding for the game. He weirded me out with the pants and all episode.

That was very weird. I expected more from him as a HoF player.

But I separate MS the player and MS the coach. His skills were obviously on the field and not so much as a sideline leader.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Why didn't the Ravens defense carry that team to multiple Super Bowl championships the way the Steel Curtain did for the Steelers?

Uuumm, maybe because they had awful QB play for the majority of the decade once their defense became great. They went through several QB's with Flacco being the best they could find. They would have been to other SB's if it wasn't for the other great defense in the league for the entire decade which was the Steelers. The only reason why the Steelers beat the Ravens in the post season in several of those match ups is because one team had Big Ben and the other had Flacco and the other Ravens QB's.

As far as the Steelers of the 70's, I already mentioned that they had Bradshaw, Harris, and Swann. I mean, 3 HOF's on the offense didn't help one bit did it?? Lol! How you could even ask a stupid question like that when comparing a team that had 3 HOF's on that offense to the garbage that the Ravens have had on offense from not only QB's, but also WR's to help the QB's that were never really that good. Why didn't the Ravens win 4 SB"s like the Steelers did? Well there is an offense and a defense that makes up a team and to act like the Ravens were even comparable on offense is a literally a joke.

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

The Steel Curtain is considered one of the top defenses of all time. Not just one man's opinion, but the perspectives of HoF players, coaches, fans, media, NFL Films, the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Never even once said they weren't right up there with all the best of the best teams. Never dissed them or disrespected them. You're reading what you want to read and making up stance that I never pushed.

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Heck, even RAY LEWIS is on NFL Films talking about the Steel Curtain as being the best defense he's ever seen. Matter of fact, why did they only make it to ONE Super Bowl?



But I guess YOU know more than the man you are talking about, right?

So yeah, your statement is asinine and certainly indicative of disrespect.

Well how could Ray Lewis have watched himself?? Kind of hard to do that. The Steelers might have been the best defense he ever watched. They were one of the best ever. Arguably were the best ever from a full decade standpoint. Ray saying that about teams he watched before he played has nothing to do with the comparison though. Not even sure why you thought that was a point.

And as far as as asinine, if you're going to act like this isn't even a close comparison and that the Ravens aren't arguably the best ever for one season, well you're entire thoughts here are asinine and so is your pissy little attitude just because someone is challenging your initial statement.

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Pay attention to the converstation.

Mr teX said "GOAT mlb..."

I quoted it and mentioned Mike Singletary.

Lawrence Taylor played OUTSIDE linebacker (i.e. "mlb" = MIDDLE linebacker).

I know what was said, and I know who "I" compared Ray Lewis to. I never called LT a MLB either, so why don't you pay attention to what you're reading. I stated that the only guy who I think is comparable as far as being the greatest LB of all time is LT which has to do with his impact all around. I already explained why Ray Lewis's impact was stronger though. I'd definitely put Ray Lewis over SIngletary as well.

[STEEL BLUE TEXANS]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Why didn't the Ravens defense carry that team to multiple Super Bowl championships the way the Steel Curtain did for the Steelers?

Matter of fact, why did they only make it to ONE Super Bowl?

Jamal Lewis tore his ACL in the preseason the following year and Priest Holmes had already left to KC. They're already anemic offense got even worse. They still made it to the playoffs and won a game but the offense was too much to make up for. After the 2001 season they had a salary cap purge where they lost the majority of their defense.

[bckey]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

That was very weird. I expected more from him as a HoF player.

But I separate MS the player and MS the coach. His skills were obviously on the field and not so much as a sideline leader.

I think part of his problem as a head coach was that he probably wasn't ready for that job yet. IIRC he went from lb coach to head coach. Thats a pretty big leap.

As far as the greatest defense is concerned I give the nod to the Steelers. Keep in mind these guys in the 70's weren't as big and fast as these guys were on the Ravens and in todays nfl.

And I have never understood all the praise Ray Lewis gets. Announcers even saying they are better because of him. wtf? Heard that one this morning on nfl network. The guy was never convicted but neither was OJ. The guy changed his story so many times after the murders that it became a joke. Then there was the missing bloody white suite. Yes he is a great person NOW but does that excuse 2 murders? Maybe knowing he got away with it drives him in some way to be a better person and somehow balance the scales out. I do believe he truly turned his life over to Jesus and that is fantastic. But never coming clean will haunt him forever.

Fans are just as guilty when they excuse crimes committed by stars because they want to see them perform.

[HOU-TEX]

Just saw this one another team's MB and thought it was pretty funny. I like Ray too, but this was too good

[BullNation4Life]

Ray Lewis is/was inspiring. Everything he said made you want to go out and hit somebody...

Don't believe me, watch this and tell me you don't want to go crack some skull with #52...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyETMuf8Mew


"LEAVE... YOUR... MARK!!!"

[NitroGSXR]

Originally Posted by BullNation4Life

Ray Lewis is/was inspiring. Everything he said made you want to go out and hit somebody...

Don't believe me, watch this and tell me you don't want to go crack some skull with #52...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyETMuf8Mew


"LEAVE... YOUR... MARK!!!"

I watched it but it didn't do nothing for me.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Never even once said they weren't right up there with all the best of the best teams. .

Your words:

The Steel Curtain is not even in the top 3 much less the best ever.

[/credibility]...

As far as the rest of your post, I know better than to go down that rabbit hole with you. You talk down to people instead of talking with them. I have no desire for your arrogant condescension when I know the ultimate outcome will be some lame attempts to belittle me and maybe an "agree to disagree" finality.

It's not worth my time, and quite frankly, your argument style bores me.

So have the last word. I wish I had kept my mouth shut in Ray's thread, because I've got tremendous respect for the guy and consider him in the G.O.A.T. conversation. My comments were merely to illustrate how badass he has been by comparing him to the best.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by BullNation4Life

Ray Lewis is/was inspiring. Everything he said made you want to go out and hit somebody...

Don't believe me, watch this and tell me you don't want to go crack some skull with #52...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyETMuf8Mew


"LEAVE... YOUR... MARK!!!"

I didn't watch it, but is that Madden video?

If it is, that thing is epic...

[playa465]

Originally Posted by Rey

I didn't watch it, but is that Madden video?

If it is, that thing is epic...

yup yup, its the madden video

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Your words:



[/credibility]...

As far as the rest of your post, I know better than to go down that rabbit hole with you. You talk down to people instead of talking with them. I have no desire for your arrogant condescension when I know the ultimate outcome will be some lame attempts to belittle me and maybe an "agree to disagree" finality.

It's not worth my time, and quite frankly, your argument style bores me.

So have the last word. I wish I had kept my mouth shut in Ray's thread, because I've got tremendous respect for the guy and consider him in the G.O.A.T. conversation. My comments were merely to illustrate how badass he has been by comparing him to the best.

The truth sure do take a bite.

[Ghostform]

Hes supposedly close to a deal with ESPN... wonder if hes going to be wearing any white suits while hes on the air

[HOU-TEX]

Call me old or just uninformed, but what does G.O.A.T. mean?

[gtexan02]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Call me old or just uninformed, but what does G.O.A.T. mean?

Greatest Of All Time

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Call me old or just uninformed, but what does G.O.A.T. mean?

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Greatest Of All Time

Which I just don't get because back in the day (going Grandpa Simpson here, "That was the style at the time....") being the goat was a bad thing. Nobody wanted to be the goat because that was the guy everyone blamed for the loss or whatever bad thing just happened.

Oh well, things change.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Greatest Of All Time

Thanks, gtex

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

Which I just don't get because back in the day (going Grandpa Simpson here, "That was the style at the time....") being the goat was a bad thing. Nobody wanted to be the goat because that was the guy everyone blamed for the loss or whatever bad thing just happened.

Oh well, things change.

I was right there with ya, Herv. That's why I had to ask what it meant