Ray Lewis retiring at the end of the season

[The Franchise]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter

Ray Lewis announced he is retiring at the end of the season.


Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora

So Ray Lewis says he'll retire at end of the season. And as I've been reporting Ed Reed could be gone too. Sun could be last game for both

[MotherfuckerJones]

Could be interesting for Ravens next year and that defense

[Rain Man]

Thank you for helping my morale after a tough season. Let's just hope that he fades away and doesn't get a job at a network. His ego makes Terrell Owens look like a trappist monk.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Damn.

Gonna miss watching that guy play. One of the best.

[Dayze]

Best LB of all time, IMO.
if not, definitely top 3.

I'd loved to have had a LB like that.

[Mile High Mania]

Good careers.

[Deberg_1990]

Crime Rates will rise if Ray Ray quits playing.....

[MotherfuckerJones]

Would not want to be the Colts this weekend. They will play all out

[Bowser]

Definitely the best linebacker of the last 15 years. It was fun watching him on the field.

[Rain Man]

Crime Rates will rise if Ray Ray quits playing.....

In his retirement announcement, he said he hopes to spend more time working in the community and stabbing people.

[Dayze]

lol

[Bump]

Best linebacker to ever play IMO. That man is gonna make one hell of a head coach someday.

[MotherfuckerJones]

I remember watching Chiefs v Ravens in 99 and be awed by Ray Ray

[lcarus]

I still remember him cryin like a bitch on MNF when Tony Richardson and the o-line kept targeting him with double teams and such lol. "ITS NOT POSSIBLE!"

[morphius]

I still remember him cryin like a bitch on MNF when Tony Richardson and the o-line kept targeting him with double teams and such lol. "ITS NOT POSSIBLE!"
No, the best part was him complaining about being double teamed when in fact it was normally either T Rich or one of the Guards taking him out of the play 1 on 1.

[lcarus]

No, the best part was him complaining about being double teamed when in fact it was normally either T Rich or one of the Guards taking him out of the play 1 on 1.

Lol true. There were definitely a couple double teams in there too though. Good times.

[gblowfish]

Hire him as our next DC!

[gblowfish]

No, the best part was him complaining about being double teamed when in fact it was normally either T Rich or one of the Guards taking him out of the play 1 on 1.

The game he got stoned in, he was being owned by Will Shields. That's one reason Shields will be in the Pro Football HOF soon.

[Hammock Parties]

I bet he'll be the next guy to do something horrible in retirement.

[Chief Roundup]

Ray and Ed will huge losses for the defense and team.

The Ravens might be headed into a retooling period after this season. The loss of a couple of 1st ballot HoF players.

[rabblerouser]

I bet he'll be the next guy to do something horrible in retirement.

well, he's gotta be the first NFL rookie to be investigated for double homicide...

adios, Killer.

[lcarus]

The game he got stoned in, he was being owned by Will Shields. That's one reason Shields will be in the Pro Football HOF soon.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z6oRy0p5Byo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[rabblerouser]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z6oRy0p5Byo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

the good ol' days...

[Chief Roundup]

I bet he'll be the next guy to do something horrible in retirement.

Sure hope not. He is a very charismatic person. He is very passionate and has done a lot of traveling giving motivational speeches. Ray should be able to do whatever he would like to next whether that is a motivational speaker, coach or some other position within the world of football.

[Simplicity]

Well I would hope Will Shields took him out on that play. The guy has how many pounds on Ray?

[OmahaChief]

I bet he'll be the next guy to do something horrible in retirement.

Highly doubt it. His son committed to play football at Miami so I think that will help keep him out of trouble.

[lcarus]

the good ol' days...

Yep. Now I'm off on a tangent...watching Priest Holmes and Dante Hall videos on youtube. God damn it.

[suds79]

Well I would hope Will Shields took him out on that play. The guy has how many pounds on Ray?

So what we learned is that a 320 lb man generally wins vs a 260 lb man? Got it.

[lcarus]

So what we learned is that a 320 lb man generally wins vs a 260 lb man? Got it.

It wasn't that he blocked him. It was Ray's reaction to us running down their throats that was funny. Couldn't find that though

[morphius]

Highly doubt it. His son committed to play football at Miami so I think that will help keep him out of trouble.
I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up as a talking head on one of the NFL pregame shows, or some show on the NFL channel.

[ChiefMojo]

One has to remember that Ed Reed is likely to retire after this season also. The Ravens are going to look a lot different (they have already been playing without key guys from time to time anyways). Newsome is a awesome GM but he is going to have to strike gold again. At this moment the Ravens are who they are... a 10 win team that is aging fast.

Ray Lewis is arguably one of the top 3 greatest LB's of all-time!

[The Franchise]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up as a talking head on one of the NFL pregame shows, or some show on the NFL channel.

I believe that he's stated before that he wants to coach at Miami.....the Hurricanes...not the Dolphins.

[Chief Roundup]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up as a talking head on one of the NFL pregame shows, or some show on the NFL channel.

He would be good on Inside the NFL if they still even produce that show anymore.

[DJ's left nut]

Sadface....

I loved watching the guy play. One of the best ever.

[Simplicity]

So what we learned is that a 320 lb man generally wins vs a 260 lb man? Got it.

Considering Will Shields is a HOFer and his job is that.... Yes.

[DaKCMan AP]

Ray Lewis is one of the best to ever play LB (don't forget LT & Butkus).

Ed Reed is the 2nd best safety of all time, IMO (behind Ronnie Lott).

[lcarus]

This guy is fit to coach a fuckin defense. Talk about a good motivator

[DJ's left nut]

the good ol' days...

Damn.

Terrell Suggs has been around a lot longer than I thought. I would not have expected to see him in that clip.

[ptlyon]

Now watch, Clark will be flying to Baltimore to interview him for a head coaching position...

[lcarus]

Come on Clark. Affter Balt loses throw the checkbook at this guy for DC or LB coach lol. I'd take Ray Ray motivating Hali, Houston, DJ and company

[bobbything]

It wasn't that he blocked him. It was Ray's reaction to us running down their throats that was funny. Couldn't find that though
That game was great. We were 0-3 at that point in the season. Our offense just dominated their front 7 that game. They had Lewis mic'd up and he was constantly bitching about being dominated.

I remember one of the TD's we ran a play action and threw it to Jason Dunn (who caught all of like 10 passes the whole season). Lewis' response was something along the lines of, "Just takin' whatever they can get!"

That always made me laugh. As if somehow the TD wasn't worth as much because Dunn caught the pass.

[Strongside]

Hire this guy as DC.

[Deberg_1990]

That game was great. We were 0-3 at that point in the season.

If i remember right, we were 0-4 before that game? Overall, an extremely disappointing season.

[chagrin]

sorry if repost

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8803174/ray-lewis-baltimore-ravens-says-retiring-season

[Dante84]

Thread done.

[Dayze]

on the front page holmes.

[lcarus]

That game was great. We were 0-3 at that point in the season. Our offense just dominated their front 7 that game. They had Lewis mic'd up and he was constantly bitching about being dominated.

I remember one of the TD's we ran a play action and threw it to Jason Dunn (who caught all of like 10 passes the whole season). Lewis' response was something along the lines of, "Just takin' whatever they can get!"

That always made me laugh. As if somehow the TD wasn't worth as much because Dunn caught the pass.

Yeah lol. Great times. I remember that game well for some reason. Dante Hall winning it on his return. I recall feeling really high after that win. Even though, like you said, we were only 1-3

[lcarus]

Hire this guy as DC.

I'm with you lol. Nice sig btw. Can you send me a red cap and a speedo?

[Deberg_1990]

That game was great. We were 0-3 at that point in the season. Our offense just dominated their front 7 that game. They had Lewis mic'd up and he was constantly bitching about being dominated.

I remember one of the TD's we ran a play action and threw it to Jason Dunn (who caught all of like 10 passes the whole season). Lewis' response was something along the lines of, "Just takin' whatever they can get!"

That always made me laugh. As if somehow the TD wasn't worth as much because Dunn caught the pass.



If i remember right, we were 0-4 before that game? Overall, an extremely disappointing season.

Nope, you were right...we started 0-3, but were 1-4 at one point.

[lcarus]

If i remember right, we were 0-4 before that game? Overall, an extremely disappointing season.

Didn't we end up 10-6 and missing out on the playoffs because we needed Pitt to lose to Detroit? Or was that a different season?

[Deberg_1990]

Didn't we end up 10-6 and missing out on the playoffs because we needed Pitt to lose to Detroit? Or was that a different season?

The Ravens game mentioned was 2004. We finished 7-9. You are thinking of the next year 2005.

[bobbything]

If i remember right, we were 0-4 before that game? Overall, an extremely disappointing season.
We could have been, but I thought it was only 0-3; because I remember hearing some stat that said no team that started 0-4 had ever made the playoffs. Then we won that game and everyone thought we were golden.

That season was frustrating. Our defense was just as bad as it was the previous season. Our offense started off a little sputtery at the beginning too, which didn't help things. That Carolina game we could have easily won. We were on the one yard line going in to score, up 7, and, for whatever reason, we decided to pass. Green throws a pick-6 that was run back about 105 yards. Instead of being up by 14, the game was tied. It went to hell after that.

We followed up that Ravens performance with a bad loss at Jacksonville.

Green threw too many INTs early on. He snapped out of it but it was too little too late. We lost a lot of close games that year.

[Iowanian]

Count me on the list who doesn't think he's a top LB.

He's good yes, but he's been part of a good system and surrounded by great talent.

I've always thought he was an asshole and haven't forgotten his being part of a murder. He shouldn't even be in the league IMO.

Won't miss him and I don't really like Baltimore, so I guess it's a bonus.

[Deberg_1990]

Just looked it up.....you were right Bobby.

We were actually 3-8 at one point in 2004. Ouch.......


http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/kan/2004.htm

[listopencil]

I'm sure it will be a very intense retirement.

[Simplicity]

bbQQQQQQQQQQ

[Rain Man]

We could have been, but I thought it was only 0-3; because I remember hearing some stat that said no team that started 0-4 had ever made the playoffs. Then we won that game and everyone thought we were golden.

That season was frustrating. Our defense was just as bad as it was the previous season. Our offense started off a little sputtery at the beginning too, which didn't help things. That Carolina game we could have easily won. We were on the one yard line going in to score, up 7, and, for whatever reason, we decided to pass. Green throws a pick-6 that was run back about 105 yards. Instead of being up by 14, the game was tied. It went to hell after that.

We followed up that Ravens performance with a bad loss at Jacksonville.

Green threw too many INTs early on. He snapped out of it but it was too little too late. We lost a lot of close games that year.

Wow. I don't even remember all of the games from this season. I'm feeling a little inadequate right now.

[jd1020]

I love the "sorry if repost."

I'm sorry for anyone that asks something of you, you lazy ****! It's only in the first few threads on the front fucking page!

[Fire Me Boy!]

Completely new news!

[rabblerouser]

We could have been, but I thought it was only 0-3; because I remember hearing some stat that said no team that started 0-4 had ever made the playoffs. Then we won that game and everyone thought we were golden.

That season was frustrating. Our defense was just as bad as it was the previous season. Our offense started off a little sputtery at the beginning too, which didn't help things. That Carolina game we could have easily won. We were on the one yard line going in to score, up 7, and, for whatever reason, we decided to pass. Green throws a pick-6 that was run back about 105 yards. Instead of being up by 14, the game was tied. It went to hell after that.

We followed up that Ravens performance with a bad loss at Jacksonville.

Green threw too many INTs early on. He snapped out of it but it was too little too late. We lost a lot of close games that year.

I remember Tynes missing a couple kicks that actually cost us a game or two.

Opening up in Denver that year on MNF was a bad omen. Eric Hicks biting on that that bootleg and Bartee giving up the sluggo...

That Jacksonville game just kind of...slipped away. It was so imminently winnable...

The Atlanta and Indy game were the highlights. And when we beat the sleeves off Denver @ Arrowhead, but we had already lost 9 games by then...

And I thought that season was just SO horrible. HA!

[bobbything]

Wow. I don't even remember all of the games from this season. I'm feeling a little inadequate right now.
I don't remember many of them, but I remember a few because they stung. I was at that Carolina game and in the end-zone when Green threw that pick. 14 point swing right there.

I remember the Atlanta game where we scored 50+ points and every single one of the TDs were rushing. Atlanta came in with the #1 rushing defense and we blew a nasty fart in their face by running for like 500 yards. That game got Blaylock a fat contract from New York.

I remember beating Indy too that year. That was fun.

Those Vermeil teams weren't great, but they were good. And that offense gave us every opportunity to win every single game. Many Vermeil bashers slam him because he never won anything. But even with that horrid defense, I felt like we had a chance every game.

I thought that 10-6 team in 2005 was very, very good. We missed the playoffs but I felt like we could beat just about anyone. The Philly game and the Dallas game we had no business losing. None. We could have very easily been 12-4 that year and we were playing very well at the end.

I would have taken us against anyone in the playoffs.

So sad to see us now; even if it wasn't ever "great".

[Rain Man]

Count me on the list who doesn't think he's a top LB.

He's good yes, but he's been part of a good system and surrounded by great talent.

I've always thought he was an asshole and haven't forgotten his being part of a murder. He shouldn't even be in the league IMO.

Won't miss him and I don't really like Baltimore, so I guess it's a bonus.

This is more or less my opinion, too. I'll recognize that he was a very good linebacker, but I tend to back away from players who are attention whores, and with his little dances and all of his ego speeches, I found him quite annoying. I think he sold his "great linebacker" stuff by getting in front of the cameras a lot and by being the "leader" of some really strong defenses.

[mcaj22]

This is more or less my opinion, too. I'll recognize that he was a very good linebacker, but I tend to back away from players who are attention whores, and with his little dances and all of his ego speeches, I found him quite annoying. I think he sold his "great linebacker" stuff by getting in front of the cameras a lot and by being the "leader" of some really strong defenses.

so everyone that has a dance or a pre-game speech is annoying?

Drew Brees, Lebron James, etc?


If this guy was dancing and pre-game speech in a Chiefs uniform you'd have 10 inch boner for him and be in love with him. That's the difference.

[FloridaMan88]

Count me on the list who doesn't think he's a top LB.

He's good yes, but he's been part of a good system and surrounded by great talent.

I've always thought he was an asshole and haven't forgotten his being part of a murder. He shouldn't even be in the league IMO.

Won't miss him and I don't really like Baltimore, so I guess it's a bonus.

You could say the same thing about Derrick Thomas... including the murderer part (the passenger in Thomas' car who was killed), not to mention 7 kids with 7 mothers.

[Rain Man]

so everyone that has a dance or a pre-game speech is annoying?

Drew Brees, Lebron James, etc?


If this guy was dancing and pre-game speech in a Chiefs uniform you'd have 10 inch boner for him and be in love with him. That's the difference.

Honestly, everyone with a dance is indeed annoying to me. I'm a low-key guy that way. Pre-game speeches are not a huge issue for me, but then again we don't see them very often.

If Lewis was a Chief I would be more patient with him, most likely, but I'd still probably reach for the chip and dip whenever the camera showed him flailing around before the game.

I appreciate the 10-inch comment, though I wonder how you knew that.

[Iowanian]

Hire him as our next DC!

Don't miss a tackle or he'll have you stabbed.




I can't see him ever coaching. He sure doesn't seem to have that demeanor.

[Iowanian]

You could say the same thing about Derrick Thomas... including the murderer part (the passenger in Thomas' car who was killed), not to mention 7 kids with 7 mothers.

I could say similar things about DT, however DT harmed a friend, in an accident. Much different than having your home boys stab someone to death with knives.
It's like Comparing Josh Brent of the Cowboys to Jovan Belcher. Not the same.



As for LB, DT was a great pass rusher, but he definitely was a liability in run defense.

[FloridaMan88]

I could say similar things about DT, however DT harmed a friend, in an accident. Much different than having your home boys stab someone to death with knives.



As for LB, DT was a great pass rusher, but he definitely was a liability in run defense.

He killed a friend due to his wreckless driving.

[Rain Man]

Don't miss a tackle or he'll have you stabbed.




I can't see him ever coaching. He sure doesn't seem to have that demeanor.


I'm not sure that a top player is really a good fit as a coach. I think the top players have good instincts and/or exceptional natural skills, and it's hard for them to recognize that not every player has those. If you're going to hire a former player, I think you're better off hiring some guy who was a marginal player, but stayed in the league because he really, really, really understood the game and maximized his limited abilities. It's kind of a Jim Harbaugh/Marty Schottenheimer/Don Shula/Tom Landry model as opposed to a Mike Singletary/Forrest Gregg/Raymond Berry/Bart Starr model. Has a big star ever been a highly successful coach?

[Rain Man]

He killed a friend due to his wreckless driving.

Or sadly, his unwreckless driving.

[Iowanian]

Yeah. That's not the same thing as the other option.
A friend dying in an accident is not the same as Stabbing a stranger to death.

Ray Lewis has been a very good Linebacker, but I'm going to stick to my opinion that he's over-hyped and over-rated. He's played his entire career with good linebackers on both sides, an aggressive scheme, solid safety play behind him and a stout front 3 keeping blockers off of him.

[Mr. Laz]

Lewis will end up coaching at some point imo

[big nasty kcnut]

So ray ray retiring hide yo kids hide yo wife because he going to be looking to stab someone.

[whoman69]

The Chiefs should call Lewis as soon as his season is done and offer him the LB coaching job.

[Rugby Thompson]

over rated, move on.

[WV]

I'll hate the Ravens a little less once he's gone.

[Cmd'r&Chief]

I call shenanigans. This whole shtick is a manipulation of the media in attempt to motivate Joe Falco to not choke in the 4th quarter

[rabblerouser]

Yeah lol. Great times. I remember that game well for some reason. Dante Hall winning it on his return. I recall feeling really high after that win. Even though, like you said, we were only 1-3

No, that's from '03.

The '04 game was the one on MNF.

[lcarus]

I call shenanigans. This whole shtick is a manipulation of the media in attempt to motivate Joe Falco to not choke in the 4th quarter

Like last year when he basically sent the Ravens to the Super Bowl if not for Lee Evans.

[Red And Yellow]

Anyone think he should take a stab at coaching?

[OmahaChief]

Anyone think he should take a stab at coaching?

Not sure on coaching but I always liked the way he knifed through an offensive line to get to the ballcarrier.

[Amnorix]

Best linebacker to ever play IMO. That man is gonna make one hell of a head coach someday.


Two words: Mike Singletary.

[Sorter]

Two words: Mike Singletary.

He seems to be doing a solid job as a LB coach. I think that is where Ray is probably best suited as well.

[notorious]

Bye.

[FlaChief58]

Good, I hate that F'n guy. Hell of a player though, you can't take that away

[Rugby Thompson]

Media is sucking this guys dick hardcore especially NFL network, so fkn annoying i swear. He's a good leader, yeah but they act like he won 10 super bowls. Jesus christ...

[GoChargers]

Media is sucking this guys dick hardcore especially NFL network, so fkn annoying i swear. He's a good leader, yeah but they act like he won 10 super bowls. Jesus christ...

The fact that he, as a defensive player, led his team to a title in today's anti-defense, pass-first NFL is pretty damn impressive.

[BlackHelicopters]

Did Lewis murder anyone at the Presser announcing this?

[bowener]

Watch the Ravens trade up at take Manti Te'o

[FlaChief58]

Watch the Ravens trade up at take Manti Te'o

Yup Pioli will trade our #1 for 2 7th rounders

[bowener]

over rated, move on.

http://cache.ohinternet.com/images/f/f3/Fanserviceftw_7538_Obvious_troll_is_obvious.jpg

[bowener]

Yup Pioli will trade our #1 for 2 7th rounders

and Tyrod Taylor!!!!121

[Red And Yellow]

Not sure on coaching but I always liked the way he knifed through an offensive line to get to the ballcarrier.

Puns are fun

[Garcia Bronco]

Hey Ray,

A bunch of people are going to swoon over your LB abilities and what-not, but I remember that you were involved in a double murder and refused to give testimony to put the killers in jail. I will always remember you as a convicted criminal who would have been thrown out of the Ginger Hammer's NFL.