Back in October -- coincidentally, after Hines Ward ended Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers' season with a vicious (but legal) block -- the Steelers' all-time career receptions leader learned that the division-rival Ravens had put a bounty on him for their Week 15 get-together. Which, if you don't have access to a calendar, is this Sunday's game.
Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs, who originally admitted to the bounty on an Atlanta radio station, later claimed that he "misspoke," presumably to avoid the iron fist of Commissar Goodell.
Ward, for his part, made light of the situation, but just in case there's any remaining doubt, Ray Lewis would like to reiterate the Ravens' strict "no bounty" policy.
"Absolutely not. We don't put no freakin' bounties on another man," said Lewis, whose team hosts Pittsburgh Sunday.That sounds good, but it isn't the same story the Ravens were telling after the two teams met back in September and Lewis broke Rashard Mendenhall's collar bone.
"Just play the game, man. The game is the game. The game will take care of itself. That's why you put on helmets and shoulder pads. ... You're going to hit or be hit. That's the bottom line about this game."
Whatever, it won't much matter. The Ravens and Steelers routinely knock the crap out of each other, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expecting nothing less. "I think a lot of guys are going to be limping out of there on both sides. I'm just hoping we're up on the scoreboard when we're limping out."
History is against Pittsburgh; they haven't won in Baltimore since 2002, and two years ago, linebacker Bart Scott almost ran through Big Ben. A Ravens victory would put both teams at 10-4 and make for a very interesting final two weeks of the regular season.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-11-2008 @ 10:02PM
nfl fan said...
Who cares about Ghay Lewis. Bettis used to put a bounty on him everytime they played. How many times did he get run over by Bettis? I lost count. Watch what happens to Flappo!! Steelers don't talk dew dew like the ravens. They just smash you in the mouth.
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12-12-2008 @ 9:40AM
Tony said...
You must have not watched those games. Bettis hardley ever ran Lewis over as a matter of fact did he ever run lewis over. I know Lewis put bettis on jacked up before though!!
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12-12-2008 @ 10:39AM
nfl fan said...
My little friend. If you ever watched a game between those 2 teams when Bettis played, he ran him over at least 1 time a game. Lewis was scared to hit Bettis straight up. I'm an nfl fan and love when these two teams played but listen when i tell tou my little friend.....Bettis is the one that jacked up Lewis.
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12-12-2008 @ 11:54AM
Mr. Puddles said...
I don't remember what year, or what game, but I remember Krieder out of an I formation laying Ray-Ray on a brutal lead block. Was a thing of beauty!!
12-14-2008 @ 1:04AM
Nothin but.........real talk! said...
OMG! It is unbelieveable what I am hearing out there.............It's painful for my ears to hear so much trash being spoken about RAY LEWIS #52. Hands down, he is the thrill of the NFL...........who else comes out on the field with that much intensity, EVERY single game?????? No one! That's right Ray, I'd like to think that I am your #1 fan and I got yo' back on this one. Yes, "The Bus" (Bettis) is that deal! I wouldn't take that away from him. But let's keep it real...............he is no RAY LEWIS! Ray is a threat...........whenever, however...........he's coming through! Who Ray touches............comes down! Sweetheart.......he's a fa sho athlete. NO way do I believe the man is gay. However, if he is..................he's more manly than most straight men out there so what difference does it make.
You talking all this junk about Ray, but I bet you get "HYPE" when you see my boy on that field. Running them boys over!!!!! Keep it real! Who doesn't?!?!?!?
P.S. Do me a favor...................STOP hatin on Ray!
12-12-2008 @ 3:42PM
Thatsabsurd said...
I remember Sport Illustrated doing an article on Ray Lewis saying he is the most over rated Defensive player there is. That he doesn't take on players by himself, he always throws off. That most of his numbers are assists and credit should be given to the other player.
Basically I think they were saying he is a pu$$y
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12-12-2008 @ 4:07PM
Khaine said...
I love the ignorance of Steeler fans...
Bettis was a good back, very powerful. But the hits between him and Ray were closely balanced with a slight edge to Ray. And his absence is why the Pit O has not been as good, they have not been able to replace that power.
I'm willing to bet both teams have bounties on certain players. But they can't let the ignorant public know... that would sound icky and bad.
As is always is when these teams clash, there will be a lot of hits and injuries. And because it is in B-town Pitt will get a big, fat L. Making the last couple games all the more interesting.
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12-19-2008 @ 6:28PM
RoethlisCrosby said...
Bettis' absence is why the Pitt offense has not been "good?" While I will admit I would love to have another back with the powerful style of Bettis, the offense has had success without him, especially in 07. FWP was leading the league in rushing with 2 weeks left in the season before his injury. He hasn't really been the same since, though. I vaguely remember Big Ben throwing 5 touchdowns against you guys in the first half at Pittsburgh last year. He didn't even play at Baltimore last year when we had the division wrapped up, and made the plays when it counted against them earlier this year.
Besides, I don't think that either team is going to have a lot of success running in this game. It's going to come down to quarterbacks making key plays. Joe Flacco has been very impressive this year especially as a rookie and I'm sure he's going to make some plays. But this is a game where I would definitely rather have the experience of Big Ben, and I expect him to make just a few more key plays than Flacco.
1-12-2009 @ 9:32PM
Robert said...
The key to victory for the steelers is protecting big Ben. Both teams have vicious defenses that love to create turnovers. The difference is the steelers usually create turnovers down the field while the ravens pride themselves for creating turnovers behind the line scrimage with the exception of Ed reed who in my opinion is the best at turning interceptions into touchdowns. Pitt is better at taking away the deep threat down the field while the ravens are better at causing havock in the back field. If Ben gets the right protection and is given time to throw the deep ball without being bounced around the Steelers can exploit the ravens secondary for big plays down the field opposite of Ed Reed.
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