spjets Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Camp tour: Personally, Lewis ready to show he's still boss Aug. 7, 2005 By Clark Judge CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Clark your opinion! Ravens: Five things to know WESTMINSTER, Md. -- It's shortly after practice, and Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis isn't interested in talking about the Ravens' "46" defense, its impact on him or its impact on opponents. What he wants discuss is where he's headed, and for the moment, it's not toward the legions of spectators clamoring for autographs. Don't believe the smile; Ray Lewis says he's serious about becoming the league MVP. (AP) Lewis will accommodate them, but not before he first gets something off his chest. "You know what I expect from myself this year?" he said, stopping to towel off his face. "MVP of the league. Not defensive MVP. MVP of the league. If I don't come away with MVP of the league it's highway robbery." Someone alert the sheriff's patrol because there are a couple of things Ray Lewis should know before we proceed here: 1.) A defensive player hasn't won the award since linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986, and 2.) every recipient since Taylor has been either a running back or quarterback. Lewis shrugs. He likes his chances. "It's going to be the first time (in a long time) a defensive player wins the MVP," he said, "so watch me." It's hard not to. When Lewis is on the field, you can't help but follow him. Hey, even when he's not on the field, you can't ignore him. He acts up for cameras in pregame intros. He plays to his audience on the field. He races sideline to sideline to bury ball carriers. He hammers quarterbacks. He produces interceptions and forces fumbles. He even throws blocks. Remember Chris McAlister's 107-yard return of a deflected field goal three years ago? Remember who threw the critical block? Uh-huh, it was Ray Lewis. Yes, Lewis can do it all, despite reports to the contrary. There was some loose talk last season that Lewis lost a step -- at least, that's what Lewis and coach Brian Billick insist they read -- and some of it was based on a Monday night performance against Kansas City, where cameras caught Pro Bowl guard Will Shields riding Lewis out of a play. It's a touchy subject, with Lewis pointing out that he and then-linebackers coach Mike Singletary reviewed the videotape and found him solo blocked only twice. But it didn't matter. The damage was done. TV uncovered evidence of Kryptonite in Baltimore that evening, and Lewis suffered for it. Now, one season later, it's payback time. Lewis is fixed on proving the skeptics wrong, and you had better believe him here because coordinator Rex Ryan's "46" defense is perfectly suited to his seek-and-destroy abilities. Baltimore Ravens Out of Nowhere Man LB Rod Green It seems that when we talk about the Ravens we always end up talking about linebackers, so we have another for you -- second-year pro Rod Green. A former fifth-round draft pick out of Central Missouri State, Green will serve as a designated pass rusher -- and look for him to gain significant time with rookie Dan Cody out for possibly the season. Green isn't big -- he's 6-2, 250 -- but he's aggressive, with great upper body strength to take on offensive tackles. Five things to know "He was a great player in a 3-4 defense," said Ryan, "and he was the best middle linebacker in the league the past couple of years. But if you had Dick Butkus and you played him in a 3-4, it would be a waste. You want him free to run and hit so when that back cuts back, Ray Lewis is there." So far, the results aren't just encouraging; they're frightening. In Baltimore's scrimmage against Washington on Saturday, Lewis was everywhere, producing four tackles, one sack and one deflected pass in 15 snaps. It was Lewis at his best, and it offered a glimpse into what may be in store for opposing clubs. "This defense," said Billick, "suits Ray Lewis better than any defense we've ever run." Think about what he just said. Lewis is a seven-time Pro Bowl choice, a two-time NFL defensive MVP and someone who three times had 200 or more tackles in a season -- including 2004. Now Billick and the Ravens think they have a defensive scheme to make him more effective than ever. In fact, they think they have a scheme that can make their entire defense more effective, more intimidating, more dominating than at any time since 2000. And it all starts with the man in the middle. "Once again the microscope is where I need it to be," Lewis said. "It's back on me again because they think I lost a step, and that's the truth. "I've got (a newspaper) where they say, 'What can you expect from Ray Lewis? He was blocked a couple of times last year.' So they think I'm losing a step. Wow. Just because I was blocked they think I'm losing a step?" Maybe someone should consult those Washington linemen. "I hope people think Ray's lost a step," said Billick. "I hope people think they don't have to game-plan for him. I hope they think they exposed him because it's going to be fun to watch him absolutely annihilate them." It's never been hard to find Ray Lewis on the football field. You just follow the ball, and sooner or later, he appears. Only this year he's after more, much more, than just the football. "Every year I have something to prove," he said, "but this time it's personal." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 They missed the entire quote: Ray Lewis, "To the voters of the MVP Award. I better win, OR ELSE." He makes a convincing case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionelRichie Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 do you remember the MNF game last year where he was mic'd up? it seemed like he was an actor playing a football player - and he stunk that game up. he has always been a great football player but that game was a disgrace, you could actually see him looking at the monitor and the camera to make sure they were covering him. reminded me of leon from the commercials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlatoani Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 I think Ray is the best MLB in football, but I saw that game obviously, i'm a chiefs fan, and he got his a** handed to him. He should keep his mouth shut and go on with his career, i can count more than twice he was blocked one on one by waters, shields and even welbourn, I got it taped, i dont know which game he saw along with singletary. Ray----> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 He's had a few seasons when he was great. But now he's just an above average LB. This is still he same "don't say Sheet" rat who demanded $15 million in salary, which prompted league-wide laughing. His act is gonna get real tiring when the talent evaporates completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 is he as valueble as Ed Reed at this point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 is he as valueble as Ed Reed at this point? Ed Reed was miked up for a Game..Besides being a great player he's funny as hell!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 I thought he was already the Most Valuable Prisoner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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