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Screw this guy! You guys can have this over the hill bum!! I hope you guys doesn't overpay for this guy.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...,4938240.story
Lewis says he won't give Ravens hometown discount
Linebacker tells NFL Network he considers Cowboys, Jets as attractive options in free agency; "If you don't play less, you don't take less"
By Jamison Hensley | [email protected]
4:02 PM EST, February 5, 2009
Ray Lewis told the NFL Network yesterday that he wouldn't give the Ravens a hometown discount in free agency and considered the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets as attractive options.
A 10-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, Lewis would become an unrestricted free agent in three weeks if the Ravens don't sign him to a new contract or use the franchise tag on him.
At the end of the season, both owner Steve Bisciotti and linebacker Terrell Suggs brought up the possibility that Lewis might take less money to stay with the team.
But Lewis said there would be no discounts.
"I don't play less," Lewis told the NFL Network in Hawaii, where he will play in the Pro Bowl. "If you don't play less, you don't take less. That's just life."
Only a week ago at the Super Bowl, Lewis told The Baltimore Sun that his thoughts heading into free agency were "nobody else's business" and his decision was "between me and God."
Lewis, though, was more candid this week, acknowledging that he would be open to joining the Cowboys and Jets if he didn't re-sign with the Ravens.
When Lewis was asked about the Cowboys' dysfunctional locker room, Lewis explained that the team needed "one general" and that needs to come from a player and not a coach.
"I don't see all of that outside stuff that they're talking about what goes on in Dallas," Lewis said. "I see Dallas as a great opportunity. It's always been America's Team. It's just a great place to play football."
Lewis surprisingly said he wouldn't have a problem playing with Dallas wide receiver Terrell Owens.
It was only in 2004 when Owens spurned a trade to the Ravens which caused a feud between him and Lewis. Not only did Owens later mock Lewis' pre-game dance after scoring a touchdown, he then mentioned the murder charge brought up against the middle linebacker in 2000 to show he wasn't "the bad guy."
But it seems like Lewis has either forgiven or forgotten.
"I can definitely play with T.O," Lewis said. "I think T.O. is a great, great person. I just love him. I love his work ethic. I love everything about him. So, playing with T.O. is easy."
Another team that would draw Lewis' interest is the Jets.
Lewis said it's a match because of his relationship with Rex Ryan, his former defensive coordinator who recently became head coach of the Jets.
"That opportunity by itself looks attractive," he said. "That just sounds right. It's like, 'Wow, if something does happen where you're not back in Baltimore, the Jets wouldn't be bad.'"
Lewis said he hasn't talked to Ryan about the chances because he can't. Under NFL rules, teams can't speak to players currently under contract with other teams.
Because Lewis' deal doesn't officially expire until the end of the month, conversations with other teams would be tampering.
Lewis, however, said he liked "the upside" with the Jets.
"You go take a young Jets team that has a lot of talent across the board," Lewis said. "You wiggle 52 into that equation, then that team goes from just being OK to 'let's go win this.' That scenario is attractive."
But Lewis never said he has ruled out coming back to the Ravens.
He continued to call Baltimore "my city" and seemed disappointed that the Ravens didn't address his contract situation earlier.
Before this year, the Ravens have never allowed Lewis to enter the final year of a contract. It would mark the first time in Lewis' 13-year career that he would reach free agency.
"The uncomfortable thing about me is that I'm even having this conversation," Lewis said. "With everything I've given to that city, I've always felt that this is one conversation that I would never have and didn't want to have. That scenario in Baltimore ... that's nothing I don't love about my city."
Last edited by florige; 02-05-2009 at 04:38 PM.
Screw this guy! You guys can have this over the hill bum!! I hope you guys doesn't overpay for this guy.
we don't have much to overpay him with, especially with ware being re-upped.
an overpaid old linebacker is not on the list of Cowboys needs.
which means he'll probably be a Cowboy next year
I was partially joking when I said that he was over the hill. But I don't know what kind of money he is expecting to draw at his age.
Lewis would rape T.O
Rats would be crazy to let him walk. He isn't the player he once was, but he is the face and the symbol of that franchise. He ought to retire a Rat.
In an interview with the NFL Network (via the Baltimore Sun via Pro Football Talk), Lewis said he wouldn't take a hometown discount to stay in Baltimore. He mentioned the Cowboys and Jets, who just hired ex-Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan as head coach, as attractive options.
Lewis declared that the Cowboys need "one general" when asked about the dysfunctional Valley Ranch atmosphere. He said that needs to be a player, not a coach. And he obviously believes he'd be a great fit for the job.
"I don't see all of that outside stuff that they're talking about what goes on in Dallas," Lewis said. "I see Dallas as a great opportunity. It's always been America's Team. It's just a great place to play football."
Owens made fun of his dance, brought up the old murder charges on Ray Lewis and Ray "loves T.O."
umm ok
Whats funny is a few years ago Ray Lewis said he would gladly pay for less if it meant winning more Super Bowls. I guess that went out the window.
A few years ago Ray Lewis knew he had one more big contract in him. But this is it for him. So I can see sorta where he is coming from in a way. And if he can get a huge payday out of either Dallas, or the Jets it is still a win-win for him. They are both still pretty much a contender as the Ravens are.
Do the Ravens play a 4-3? Where would Lewis fit in the Dallas 3-4? Take over for Zach Thomas?
3-4
I think Lewis plsyed RILB
So it would be Ware, Ellis (or Spencer), Lewis and James covering Ratliff, Canty (or someone better if drafted/signed), and Spears. Not bad if Lewis can get those heads to actually play football and stop ing with each other. Don't know if he'd have much effect on the offense, and that's where the real chemistry problems are.
Ok, So that would add to the team of felons. Nice!!!
Only he's not a felon.
Although they don't need a linebacker I think a natural leader like Lewis would be a huge lift for the team.
Ok, charged with murder.
It's all about money.
Dallas needs a safety,offensive line man,a back up QB and a new owner.
We ing need a safety! But imagining Ray and Ware together is a nice dream.
If both were 25
the ravens play a 3-4 as do the jets. I think he might end up in NY with his buddy
Yeah, and the Spurs had a shot at Corey Maggette. I've been around long enough to know when a guy's talking to increase his value.
The thing is Maggette was in his prime when he was posturing.
And Ray Lewis is looking for his last contract. He'll act like anything's attractive to make Baltimore pony up more money. The only chance the Cowboys have of getting him is if they severely overpay, to which I say no thanks.
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