Bart Scott wasted little time in following his defensive coordinator Rex Ryan from Baltimore to New York, leaving behind the greatest leader the NFL has ever seen in the process. Ray Lewis, indisputably headed for the Hall of Fame once he retires, is also a free agent. And if we believe all the pre-free agency scuttlebutt, he was also in the Jets' sights. Now that the club has reportedly thrown $40 million-plus at Scott, their fondness for Ray-Ray may have waned. Or not, it's early. Either way, one thing seems clear: Lewis won't be going back to the Ravens, a team he's carried on his back for more than a decade.
According to NFL.com's Adam Schefter, Lewis isn't all that excited with how Baltimore's front office has handled his impending free agency. In particular, it sounds like he wanted a lucrative new deal before ... well, now. That he doesn't have it -- even though the organization has publicly stated that they'll match any offer Ray-Ray might receive from other interested parties -- means that the Ravens are dead to him, so to speak.
... [S]ources close to Lewis were adamant Friday that one of the game's greatest defensive players will not return to Baltimore and his career with the team is over. For some reason, Lewis has been rubbed the wrong way in the lengthy negotiations that have occurred between he and the Ravens. Now, Lewis is determined to move on, even if there is no obvious suitor. ...Schefter points out that with the Jets presumably out of the picture only the Cowboys remain as an obvious suitor. The problem: Jerry Jones has said Dallas won't be active in signing big-named players this off-season, although I don't think many people would be shocked if those talking points changed in the coming days.
[O]ne of Lewis' confidants was asked if it were possible that the Ravens now could change their linebacker's mind.
"Not if you knew Ray like I knew Ray," was his response. He even mentioned retirement as a possibility ahead of returning to Baltimore and insisted it was not a negotiationg ploy. "That's Ray," the source said.
As for Lewis, he'll "take a couple of days, ponder his plans and then come up with his gameplan."
Oh, and the Ravens might want to think about how they're going to replace half their linebackers next season. Yes, it's nice to have Terrell Suggs back, but Jaret Johnson doesn't scare a lot of people, especially when the guy he's playing next to isn't named Ray.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-27-2009 @ 2:57PM
country said...
Bring Lewis to Philadelphia!
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2-27-2009 @ 3:35PM
billy said...
Philadelphia? Haha! It doesn't matter who Philly gets, they'll never win the big game.
2-27-2009 @ 4:31PM
rklapsley said...
Don't worry RAY RAY, Al Davis will come calling soon
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2-27-2009 @ 5:04PM
you sexy stud said...
the way B-more stood behind Ray during his big trial....and now he's telling the city he will never play here again....guess he's hit his head too many times! Bye Ray....good luck....good riddens!
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2-27-2009 @ 5:35PM
sandmlayton said...
c'mon jerry bring ray to big D. Ellis lewis and d ware. Bring out the body bags for portis, westbrook and jacobs.
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2-27-2009 @ 8:10PM
Ted Babs Soesbee said...
Yes!!Please take Ray Lewis! Another has been,old criminal, for Dallas! Can you imagine T.O. and Ray Lewis in the locker room? Ray wont be able to plat with Dallas like he does in Baltimore. He doesnt have a good enough D-line like he used to. Dallas is now the place where careers go to die! Trying to win a playoff game with HAS-BEENS doesnt work..ask Washington. Notice I said PLAYOFF game...yeah, they cant even win a playoff game!! hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
2-27-2009 @ 6:12PM
lfunchesc21 said...
Only one team for Ray-Ray - the Steelers. He would be right at home and would be a perfect fit their type of killer defense.
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2-27-2009 @ 7:28PM
eagledon805 said...
Will Bart Scott be thrilled to re-unite with Ray Lewis?
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2-27-2009 @ 7:53PM
Jt said...
Good Luck Mr. Lewis....
If you must go, so be it. However,I'll bet the Ultimate Uniform you will wear next is Standard Issue County Orange..
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2-28-2009 @ 3:54PM
sevinm said...
Ray Lewis on the Steelers? Seriously? He'd get his ass beat and told to shut his mouth the first day. The reason Pittsburgh is in contention nearly every year is that they don't play around with such punks. As much as Santonio Holmes meant to us this year, he will be G-O-N-E if he screws up again. Lewis is an obnoxious fake...bark, bark, bark...
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3-01-2009 @ 7:51PM
BigDaddy said...
funny how you just can't seem to give a man his props huh? Ray lewis is well respected defensive player all through the league and they still fear the hits he delivers criminal or not! The man can play the game!
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3-02-2009 @ 7:43AM
Donna D said...
The way Baltimore stood behind him in his trail-
and all he can do it bad mouth them now --
BYE MOVE ON -- No one cares !!!!!!!
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3-02-2009 @ 1:38PM
lra2688 said...
Ray Lewis will NEVER find another group of fans that will support and embrace him the way the Baltimore fans have. I have had the opportunity in my line of work to talk to people around the country, whenever the name of Ray Lewis comes up, there is obvious distaste from fans from other cities. Baltimore fans have always supported Ray. He will not get that in Dallas..or anywhere else. He should retire now, since he doesn't want to be in Baltimore any longer and it is clear no other team wants him.
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