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Rex Ryan could bring Ravens' Ray Lewis to Jets defense


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Rex Ryan could bring Ravens' Ray Lewis to Jets defense

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Wednesday, January 21st 2009, 1:04 AM

amd_lewis-warmup.jpg Lecka/Getty Ray Lewis is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in March

Brett Favre or Ray Lewis?

If you're a first-year coach and could pick one of the future Hall of Famers, who would it be? Things would have to fall a certain way, but at some point over the next several weeks, Rex Ryan could be faced with that choice.

Favre's future with the Jets is uncertain, and Lewis, whom Ryan coached for 10 years with the Ravens, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The Jets are $10 million over the projected 2009 salary cap (that includes Favre's $13 million salary), so it's unlikely they would be able to afford both.

No doubt, Ryan will be pelted with Favre-related questions when he's introduced Wednesday morning at the Jets' headquarters in Florham Park, N.J. Will he lobby Favre to return? Does he even want the fading, 39-year-old quarterback? How long will he wait for the puff of smoke to emerge from Favre's ranch in Mississippi?

Favre, who has a torn biceps tendon in his legendary right arm, is believed to be leaning toward retirement. If he quits, his entire salary would come off the books. That, combined with a couple of relatively painless roster cuts, would create enough cap room to pursue Lewis.

"He's a once-in-a-lifetimer, he really is, not just as a player, but as a person and as a leader," Ryan said of Lewis after Sunday night's loss to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game - his final game as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. "He's just tremendous."

Lewis, 33, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, is well-versed as an inside linebacker in Ryan's 3-4 system, and the Jets will have an opening because incumbent Eric Barton will be a free agent. Even though they want to re-sign Lewis, the Ravens may let him test the open market to determine his value.

They have to make some tough financial decisions. Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs also is set to become a free agent, along with highly regarded inside linebacker Bart Scott.

It's hard to imagine Lewis playing for another team after 13 seasons in Baltimore, where he's as much a fixture as crab cakes, but did anyone picture Favre on a team other than the Packers? It's worth noting that when Ryan was the Ravens' defensive line coach, from 1999 to 2004, his players once made a pact, agreeing they'd play out their contracts and follow him if he ever went to another team.

Ryan isn't going to have a lot of cap flexibility - the Jets are paying for last year's spending spree - but he will try to acquire a Baltimore defensive player to help the holdovers make the transition to his system.

Forget about Suggs; the Jets already have too much money invested in outside linebackers. In fact, Ryan's pet project will be former No. 1 pick Vernon Gholston, who washed out as a rookie. Scott makes the most sense, although Lewis is exactly the kind of leader that would galvanize the talent on defense.

"I think I made Ray, to be honest with you," Ryan joked. "He was an average player until I got him."

Meanwhile, Ryan faces an enormous issue at quarterback. Owner Woody Johnson has said he wants the QB back, but Ryan will have input into the decision, according to team sources. It's important to remember Ryan's background with the Ravens: They won a Super Bowl in 2000 with a journeyman quarterback (Trent Dilfer) and reached the conference title game this season with a rookie (Joe Flacco). He might not want a celebrity quarterback, especially since he's planning to build around his defense and the running game.

Aside from Favre, the quarterbacks on the roster are Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff and Eric Ainge. In 2007, Clemens went 3-5 behind a poor line, failing to win over the organization. The front office is high on Ratliff, but he's never taken a regular-season snap. Welcome to the Jets, Rex.

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Never mind Ray Lewis, with the hiring of Rex Ryan, you should have this pic as the "centerpiece" of your new avatar...how did his defense handle noodle arm in the playoffs?

Yeah, and the Jets defense isn't anywhere close to Baltimores. Just because Rhodes says he plays like Ed Reed, doesn't mean he actully does. Also, Baltimores line and linebackers are far superior to NY's, and Ryan won't be able to give all of his attention to the defense. As a head coach he has to concentrate on all 3 phases, not just 1.

I don't want to be a dick, but Ryan will not be your teams savior, with or without Ray Lewis.

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Yeah, and the Jets defense isn't anywhere close to Baltimores. Just because Rhodes says he plays like Ed Reed, doesn't mean he actully does. Also, Baltimores line and linebackers are far superior to NY's, and Ryan won't be able to give all of his attention to the defense. As a head coach he has to concentrate on all 3 phases, not just 1.

I don't want to be a dick, but Ryan will not be your teams savior, with or without Ray Lewis.

I know you don't want to be a "dick", but guess what? You're a dick.

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Yeah, and the Jets defense isn't anywhere close to Baltimores. Just because Rhodes says he plays like Ed Reed, doesn't mean he actully does. Also, Baltimores line and linebackers are far superior to NY's, and Ryan won't be able to give all of his attention to the defense. As a head coach he has to concentrate on all 3 phases, not just 1.

I don't want to be a dick, but Ryan will not be your teams savior, with or without Ray Lewis.

Hey troll, remember this gem?

If you'll notice, I only post in threads related to the Miami Dolphins. The title of this thread has 'Dolphins' in it.

so therefore you failed at not wanting to be a dick!!

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I know you don't want to be a "dick", but guess what? You're a dick.

so says the guy whose team finally snuck in a playoff game (and lost)....first one since Dan Marino's last game...

That's the one big difference between Jets and Fins fans; at least we will SAY when our team sucks

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Yeah, and the Jets defense isn't anywhere close to Baltimores. Just because Rhodes says he plays like Ed Reed, doesn't mean he actully does. Also, Baltimores line and linebackers are far superior to NY's, and Ryan won't be able to give all of his attention to the defense. As a head coach he has to concentrate on all 3 phases, not just 1.

I don't want to be a dick, but Ryan will not be your teams savior, with or without Ray Lewis.

you just worry about the fact that your team of sperm burpers is going to suck next year.

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so says the guy whose team finally snuck in a playoff game (and lost)....first one since Dan Marino's last game...

That's the one big difference between Jets and Fins fans; at least we will SAY when our team sucks

Huh, I must have been imagining the 4 playoff games Miami went to with Jay Fiedler :rolleyes:

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you just worry about the fact that your team of sperm burpers is going to suck next year.

Are you one of those JI immigrants?

We haven't been properly introduced, I'm CJ and as of right now, I have senority and a higher post count than you, so a little respect would be appreciated ;)

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Are you one of those JI immigrants?

We haven't been properly introduced, I'm CJ and as of right now, I have senority and a higher post count than you, so a little respect would be appreciated ;)

lol.....trolls don't get seniority on a jets fan site. you mioght be king of the trolls around here....but in the land of the jets fan you're just a teal and orange ass jockey.

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lol.....trolls don't get seniority on a jets fan site. you mioght be king of the trolls around here....but in the land of the jets fan you're just a teal and orange ass jockey.

Believe it or not, the Patsy trolls rule the roost around here, I'm merely a prince among them.

How about, instead of "orange and teal ass jockey" we just stick with AFC East Chams ;)

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Believe it or not, the Patsy trolls rule the roost around here, I'm merely a prince among them.

How about, instead of "orange and teal ass jockey" we just stick with AFC East Chams ;)

Yep, Chams sounds about right.

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Believe it or not, the Patsy trolls rule the roost around here, I'm merely a prince among them.

How about, instead of "orange and teal ass jockey" we just stick with AFC East Chams ;)

The worst AFCE champs this decade... something to be proud of.

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Are you one of those JI immigrants?

We haven't been properly introduced, I'm CJ and as of right now, I have senority and a higher post count than you, so a little respect would be appreciated ;)

That doesn't matter. All trolls are subhuman, and should be treated as such.

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