However, the vast majority did not think it had anything to do with his play. It's the leadership and heart that he installs in the team that would be missed.
Before I go on I want to say one thing--want a crock of *&#%. Yes, the man is not the same guy that he was just a few years ago. Heck, he's been playing for 17 years; no one is half the player they once were if they manage to stay in the league for that long.
Maybe he didn't make as many play as he used to, but teams still had to game plan for him. If they didn't he was/is still good enough to make them pay for their lack of respect/fear in his abilities.
That had nothing to do with the leadership he brings to the team, which he most definitely does.That's all about him as a player. Without him blocking schemes can be adjusted to focus on other players making the life of opposing offenses much easier than it was with Lewis.
Rumors have now circulated that the veteran linebacker could end up coming back towards the end of the season. possibly during Week 15. Should that be the case the timing could not be better.
Back when he was hurt the consensus was that the team was now Joe Flacco's to lead. The defense couldn't be counted on to pull the team through games anymore; they needed to win on offense.
This couldn't come at a better time for Flacco. With his contract due to be negotiated at season's end it sure wouldn't hurt his bank account for him to prove that not only can he be an efective game manager, but he can be the catalyst that sparks the team to victory.
Now I dig Flacco. A lot of folks (at least ones that I know) didn't think much of a quarterback playing in the NFL coming out of Delaware. Personally, I thought the man had the talent and instincts that it takes to succeed in the NFL.
Overall he has done well, but I don't think he has quite proven that he can be the game-winner that a team wants to sink a boat load of money into to. Yes, he has taken the team into the post season, but they haven't gone real far yet. It seems as soon as they meet a team that has a good offense and a good defense (the kind that tend to make it into the playoffs) they lose.
So hear is his chance to prove that he is the man. Has he done it? Absolutely not.
Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers is a perfect example. Three out of six drives in the first half were three and outs, and they managed just 85 yards of total offense (and not because the Chargers defense is that good). They did enought to tie up the game in the second half, but they still had to go to overtime to win.
Were it not for an incredible play by Ray Riuce on 4th and 29 that might not have happened.
Fans of his can easily make an argument that he has done fine; that he has done enougtht to win. They would be right. However, if he is going to get the pay day that he wants he needs to be able to lead the team to dominant wins over competitors like Cleveland, Dallas, and Kansas City. The big wins over the likes of Oakland are good, but I'd be surprised if that was enough for management to write the kind of check that Flacco wants.
I still like Flacco, but I think he needs to step it up and has yet to do so. That is why the possible return of Ray Lewis can't come soon enough. The defense has been doing a decent job, but should he come back and force opposing teams to game plan for him once again (which they will).
An improved defense can only help an offense. Maybe if he is given a few more opportunities Flacco can be--how did he put it at the beginning of the season?--the best quarterback in the league.
Then there is the emotional lift the team will get as well. Something like that is virtually impossible to measure, but the return of Ray is something that anyone and everyone that watches football knows will be huge for the Ravens.
Should that come in time for the playoffs the rest of the AFC--and possibly the NFC--better watch out for the Ravens!
I still like Flacco, but I think he needs to step it up and has yet to do so. That is why the possible return of Ray Lewis can't come soon enough. The defense has been doing a decent job, but should he come back and force opposing teams to game plan for him once again (which they will).
An improved defense can only help an offense. Maybe if he is given a few more opportunities Flacco can be--how did he put it at the beginning of the season?--the best quarterback in the league.
Then there is the emotional lift the team will get as well. Something like that is virtually impossible to measure, but the return of Ray is something that anyone and everyone that watches football knows will be huge for the Ravens.
Should that come in time for the playoffs the rest of the AFC--and possibly the NFC--better watch out for the Ravens!
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