Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

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

HOU-TEX

Ah, Football!
One of the best to ever play the position, imo.

One of the greatest players in NFL history is preparing to hang it up after the playoffs.

Ray Lewis, the Ravens linebacker and future Pro Football Hall of Famer, said today that he plans to retire following this season. The Ravens open the playoffs on Sunday against the Colts, in what will likely be Lewis’s last game in Baltimore.

“This will be my last ride,” Lewis said.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/02/ray-lewis-this-will-be-my-last-ride/
 
Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar disagree. He should never have had this many seasons. He should've been in jail.
 
lol MS is so over rated

star-trek.gif
 
lol MS is so over rated

...said no one ever. :fingergun:

Singletary and Lewis are so close in records that a good argument could be made either way. The main reason I give Singletary the nod is that Lewis has called him his mentor. Singletary coached Lewis for two seasons with the Ravens, btw. Video

They were both captains of the two best defenses in the last 30 years. I'd go back farther in time, but the 1970's Steel Curtain is easily considered the best ever. Both of these cats look up to Jack Lambert.
 
...said no one ever. :fingergun:

Singletary and Lewis are so close in records that a good argument could be made either way. The main reason I give Singletary the nod is that Lewis has called him his mentor. Singletary coached Lewis for two seasons with the Ravens, btw. Video

They were both captains of the two best defenses in the last 30 years. I'd go back farther in time, but the 1970's Steel Curtain is easily considered the best ever. Both of these cats look up to Jack Lambert.

The Steel Curtain is not even in the top 3 much less the best ever. Hell, you'd have to find at least one season to try and compare instead of trying to use a decade of a defense. Statistically the Ravens Defense blew their defense out of the water the year they won the SB. The Ravens played against waaaaaayyy better offenses. The Ravens won their SB with nothing but defense and were the first team to ever win a SB with straight defense and no offense.

And by your theory, you're basically saying that these guys are better because they were older. I could argue that LB"s before Lambert were better by that notion just because they were older. Now days LB's like Ray Lewis have more responsibilities though. Lambert and Singletary weren't practically coaches on the field the way Ray Lewis has been. Not to the same level any way. And I don't see what Singletary being a mentor has anything to do with him being better. That just means he coached him at one point. Ray Lewis was already a HOFer before Singletary ever coached him any way.

The only LB that is really even close to being in the discussion to Ray Lewis is LT, and Ray Lewis was easily better because he wasn't the detriment to his team like LT was. LT helped his teammates to get into trouble and to do tons of bad things off the field. Ray Lewis helped his teammates to stay out of trouble and to buy into everything they were doing on the field. He helped to even minister some of his teammates and help them with their faith in the lord.

Ultimate leader on and off the field. Best LB of all time. Best defensive player of all time. Best leader of all time. This is an opinion of course, but there is a ton of evidence to back up that claim as a strong argument.
 
Type in Google "greatest NFL defenses of all time".

Everyone (but the brilliant Tex) agrees that it's the Steel Curtain.

Here's your "one season", dood:

In the 1976 season, the Steelers' defense was a juggernaut, arguably the greatest defense of all time. After the Steelers started 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, the Steelers' defense took over for the remaining nine games. The Steelers recorded five shutouts, including three in a row, during this stretch. During this nine-game stretch the Steelers allowed a total of two touchdowns (in the same game) and five field goals. The defense allowed an average 3.1 points per game and the team had an average margin of victory of 22 points. Eight of the Steelers' starting eleven defensive players were selected for the Pro Bowl that year. Four would be selected to the Hall of Fame.

Source

So whatever, man. Your credibility just went out the window.

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

You dissing the Steel Curtain! BWAHAHAHAHA!! :joker:

I'm not dissing the Ravens D (like you seem to be with the Steel Curtain). I'm just a NFL history fan, and your take of trying to make them look bad is so freakin' whack that I find your post to be humorous than anything else. "Humorous" as in uneducated full of shit.

I think a case could be made that Ray Lewis is G.O.A.T. I said it earlier. So very much unlike you, I can see both sides.

You and your agendas. So obvious! lol :spin:
 
I went from despising Lewis and having little respect for him to debating if he was the greatest player I ever saw live.

He's top 5 alltime on defense. LT and Butkus are the only two I immediately have above him.

ESPN puts Reggie White ahead of him but I hesitate at that.
 
Type in Google "greatest NFL defenses of all time".

Everyone (but the brilliant Tex) agrees that it's the Steel Curtain.

Here's your "one season", dood:

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. That's by far the most important stat of any stat of a one year defense. They gave up the least amount of points and won the SB doing it as well. Points is always the most important stat when describing an entire unit that win a SB. To not allow teams to score. They only gave up "23 points in four games of the playoffs!!". Show me where the Steelers dominated a post season like that even in their run oriented era. Their best season was 1976 where they lost in the playoffs. I've always said that whether it's on offense or defense. Points are what matter when comparing one unit against the other. The Ravens gave up the least. The only team that gave up less were the Vikings (Purple People Eaters) way back in the day and they weren't even playing in 16 game seasons either, nor did they win it all like the Ravens did. The Vikings like the Steelers didn't play with these complex offenses either where QB's routinely were throwing for 3,500 to 4,000 yards a season. A defense dominating like the Ravens and Bucs did is a lot harder now days then it was back then.

For a 14 game season the Steelers were the best I'd say in their era where the defenses had a much better advantage to dominate back then. In a 16 game season the Ravens only allowed 152 points to their entire season. The Steelers allowed 138, which would be a 14 point difference from two games.

So whatever, man. Your credibility just went out the window.

My cred went out the window because you posted some link? Yet you didn't even pay attention to the meat and the potatoes of which made the defenses so great?? Okaaaaayyy. Hell, the 1976 Steelers didn't even win the SB that year either.



You dissing the Steel Curtain! BWAHAHAHAHA!! :joker:

I'm not dissing the Ravens D (like you seem to be with the Steel Curtain). I'm just a NFL history fan, and your take of trying to make them look bad is so freakin' whack that I find your post to be humorous than anything else. "Humorous" as in uneducated full of shit.

I think a case could be made that Ray Lewis is G.O.A.T. I said it earlier. So very much unlike you, I can see both sides.

You and your agendas. So obvious! lol :spin:

Didn't diss the Steel Curtain. They were great, but they had a few HOF's on offense as well. The Ravens didn't have squat. They had a garbage QB, a decent rookie RB who barely posted a 1,000 yards, and total garbage at WR. The only good offensive player they had really was Ogden on the O line. The Steelers however had a HOF QB which the most important position on the field who had already led his team to 4 SB's, a HOF WR, and a HOF RB. Yeah, they had a great defense and all, but their run is extremely legendary because they won 4 SB's. They won those 4 SB's in an era that favored defenses a lot more then they do now, and they also didn't have free agency where player movement is all over the place like it was for the Ravens who never had a great QB much less a HOF one. I'd put the 85 Bears and the Bucs defenses above the Steelers as well. The Bucs were probably a close 2nd to the Ravens.
 
I dont have a horse in this race and would like to consider myself impartial. I'd offer the better defense didnt just give up the least points to opponents. Defensive scoring and turnovers would have to be a consideration as well since they do and can have a direct impact on the scoreboard. Dont know who's ahead in either of those categories...
 
Total points allowed per game:

Ravens (152÷16 = 9.5)

Steelers (138÷14 = 9.857)
 
I dont have a horse in this race and would like to consider myself impartial. I'd offer the better defense didnt just give up the least points to opponents. Defensive scoring and turnovers would have to be a consideration as well since they do and can have a direct impact on the scoreboard. Dont know who's ahead in either of those categories...

Good point. I've never looked that up. I'll see if I can find the stats for that, as I'd like to compare the Bears, Bucs, Steelers and the Ravens. My first guess is that the Ravens or the Bucs had the most. But that's a valid point.

I think the Ravens had the worst offense out of all of those teams though. The Steelers had by far the best players on offense to help the entire team out though.
 
Good point. I've never looked that up. I'll see if I can find the stats for that, as I'd like to compare the Bears, Bucs, Steelers and the Ravens. My first guess is that the Ravens or the Bucs had the most. But that's a valid point.

I think the Ravens had the worst offense out of all of those teams though. The Steelers had by far the best players on offense to help the entire team out though.

How in depth are we willing to get here? At some point you have to consider the strength of competition for each team as well.

Stats i've found on espn for 2000 ravens include:

23 ints/26 fumbles recovered for a total of 49 turnovers (holy crap)...however i dunno if that includes special teams fum rec or not.
1 defensive td.

Finding 76 steelers defensive stats from a credible source looks a little harder to find...still looking.
 
Didn't diss the Steel Curtain. They were great, but they had a few HOF's on offense as well. The Ravens didn't have squat. They had a garbage QB, a decent rookie RB who barely posted a 1,000 yards, and total garbage at WR. The only good offensive player they had really was Ogden on the O line. The Steelers however had a HOF QB which the most important position on the field who had already led his team to 4 SB's, a HOF WR, and a HOF RB.

They won those 4 SB's because of the D. The fact is without the 4 SB's Bradshaw, Swann, Stallworth and Harris are all edge players to make the HOF. There has long been controversy too many of them made the HoF based on the team results. The Ravens didn't have squat? - Jamal Lewis posted 1364 yds with Priest Holmes adding 588 yds. Plus they added over 500 yds receiving. Shannon Sharpe was hardly nothing as an O player nor was Ismail. Yes Banks and Dilfer were game managers but then again I don't think much of Bradshaw.

Having said that, this is all so subjective it is almost useless. Team sport and all. Defense doesn't work alone.
 
Well, like powda i have no horse in this race but what i'll say is that when people compare defenses, they always compare them to the 85 bears...64 sacks, 34 ints, 4 defensive TD's...they also only gave up like 7 pts in the entire playoffs...thats unheard of...they just simply wreaked havoc unlike any other defense the league had ever seen then and imo, since. The only knock is that they did it only that 1 year...but considering how dominant they were, u couldnt expect a repeat performance.

The only reason i discount those steelers teams is b/c they were just so stacked everywhere, and midway thru their run in the 70's their identity kind of changed from defense to offense...
 
I'm a little partial to the Steel Curtain since, as a Cowboy fan, I had to watch them as a kid in the late 70s beat up my team. They were stacked. Heck, Doomsday was the same way, they just won't have the stats. I'm also a little partial because I think the talent pool back then was much better, especially in the playoffs when you had to play the best of the best. The last 2 decades have been watered down with the number of teams making it and the quality of players on offenses. The 85 Bears, when watching games, still impressed me more than the Ravens.

My Top 3 are Steelers and then Bears and 3rd is Ravens
 
Ravens gave up 165 pts all season long.


In the playoffs, they gave up 1 TD, 3 FG's= total

in th SB, the Giants only score came on a KO return- the D pitched a shutout.
 
I feel dumb saying this...and I know theyre not in the same category as any other team mentioned but Buddy Ryan's oiler defense was the funnest to watch.

I'm to young to remember the 85 bears or anyone before them.
 
I feel dumb saying this...and I know theyre not in the same category as any other team mentioned but Buddy Ryan's oiler defense was the funnest to watch.

I'm to young to remember the 85 bears or anyone before them.

Will never forget Buddy throwing Gilbride under the bus and calling the offense "chuck n duck" - he was right too. Chiefs had a great defensive gameplan to limit the passing game and we choked, per usual under Pardee. God was Michael Barrow, Bishop/Dishman/Robertson, Ray Childress et al a bunch of animals. Some truly great players and that defense hit HARD.
 
I've always thought of the '85 Bears defense to Mike Tyson.

Came on the scene quickly, scared the begabbers out their opponent, left nothing but wreckage in their wake, won the big one, then *poof* they were gone.

For me

1. Steel Curtain
2. '85 Bears
3. Ratbirds

As for best ILB, not going to get into it. My opinion has been mentioned here but I'm not about to argue about unprovable opinions.
 
Will never forget Buddy throwing Gilbride under the bus and calling the offense "chuck n duck" - he was right too. Chiefs had a great defensive gameplan to limit the passing game and we choked, per usual under Pardee. God was Michael Barrow, Bishop/Dishman/Robertson, Ray Childress et al a bunch of animals. Some truly great players and that defense hit HARD.

Bubba mcdowell and william fuller were personal favorites. (Not sure though that either actually played durring ryan's short tenure.)

If you were a kid back then you had to love givens and the electric slide.
 
I've always thought of the '85 Bears defense to Mike Tyson.

Came on the scene quickly, scared the begabbers out their opponent, left nothing but wreckage in their wake, won the big one, then *poof* they were gone.

I think thats actually a pretty solid analogy.

When your defense is credited with spurring the philosophy behind the west coast offense...an offense still in popular use 30+ years later...it's pretty good.
 
I think thats actually a pretty solid analogy.

When your defense is credited with spurring the philosophy behind the west coast offense...an offense still in popular use 30+ years later...it's pretty good.

The niners had that offense going before the '86 Bears IIRC. Walsh had it implemented for their win over the Dolphins in the SB.
 
I've always thought of the '85 Bears defense to Mike Tyson.

Came on the scene quickly, scared the begabbers out their opponent, left nothing but wreckage in their wake, won the big one, then *poof* they were gone.

For me

1. Steel Curtain
2. '85 Bears
3. Ratbirds

As for best ILB, not going to get into it. My opinion has been mentioned here but I'm not about to argue about unprovable opinions.

Nice analogy on the Bears.

OK I know Cowboys hating is a city pass time here but the Doomsday D does deserve some credit - 15 years with their worst ranking being 10th. Better than the Steel Curtain over that stretch while individual years vary.
 
The niners had that offense going before the '86 Bears IIRC. Walsh had it implemented for their win over the Dolphins in the SB.

Thats likely very true...i suppose a lot of framework for the wco was already in place, and i've heard/read numerous Bill Walsh quotes about it as well.
 
Thats likely very true...i suppose a lot of framework for the wco was already in place, and i've heard/read numerous Bill Walsh quotes about it as well.

He was lucky to have one of the smartest QBs of alltime. Didn't hurt.
 
Well seventeen years is a lot for the NFL player. As Lewis has been playing in the league nearly all of his life about.
 
Well seventeen years is a lot for the NFL player. As Lewis has been playing in the league nearly all of his life about.

For perspective:

Singeltary 11 years
Lambert 10 years
Lt 12 years
 
Well seventeen years is a lot for the NFL player. As Lewis has been playing in the league nearly all of his life about.

Its not just that he lasted 17 years. It was the level of his play. He was no "pro bowler in name only" type like Lomas Brown, Richmond Webb (always the two poster boys for me on that). Every year he was consistently damn good, if not great and an incredible leader. Their defense has been at a high level and intimidating for 14 years and he's the main reason.

Just a great player and one I sure as hell wish had been on my team.
 
Nice analogy on the Bears.

OK I know Cowboys hating is a city pass time here but the Doomsday D does deserve some credit - 15 years with their worst ranking being 10th. Better than the Steel Curtain over that stretch while individual years vary.

That's what I mentioned above. When the Cowboys used to play Steelers in SB in late 70s and Dallas played Orange Crush, Doomsday had as much talent as anyone.
 
Why didn't he wait till the end of the season?

You know, I'm betting he did this to give them extra emotional ammo..... Fkkr.....

Motivating till the end!!!
 
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.

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? :rolleyes:

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).
 
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 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.







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.

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? :rolleyes:

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.






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

tumblr_mg0hwwfem61qjfxauo1_500.gif
 
Back
Top