Weakest link for Super Bowl contenders

[cravnravn]

Baltimore Ravens -- Middle linebacker<BR itxtvisited="1"><BR itxtvisited="1">Yes, Ray Lewis is slowing down. This will be his 15th season, he’s 35 and simply can’t run to the sideline like he once did and is making too many tackles way behind the line of scrimmage. Besides, he’s an emotional leader and one of those highly instinctive players. And there are no guarantees that Jameel McClain or Tavares Gooden can replace him when it comes to being a living icon. <BR itxtvisited="1"><BR itxtvisited="1">It’s not so much the regular season as the question of where will Ray be physically in the playoffs? Otherwise, the Ravens have no holes as long as safety Ed Reed returns healthy and wide receiver Anquan Boldin proves to be the open target for Joe Flacco.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/2010-Super-Bowl-NFL-contenders-weakest-positions

[cravnravn]

Whats this now 8 years in a row we hear how much Ray has "lost a step". Why does he have to prove the critics each and every stinking year?

 

Me, I think with the addition of Mt Cody paired with Ngata, Ray Lewis has to be licking his chops..How's he getting touched this year, Ray Lewis will have a Pro Bowl year..Again!!

[colincac]

I agree with Crav that the performance of our MLB's (specifically Ray) will again be fantastic this year. However, that doesn't mean it isn't a weakness on this team. While I easily would have chosen Cornberback as the weakness, I can see how someone could see MLB as a weakness for this team. For outsiders, it's tough to belive that Ray can contiune his stellar play, and MLB is a position we have stuggled to find anohter player at for a few years now, since Scott left. I really believe it is in our best interests to play a lot of 4 lineman situations (DLine is easily our strength this year, as we are 2 deep across the board even if Jones doesn't make an impact this year). I would love to see some 4-2-5 formations with Zibby or Nakamura getting some time essentially playing OLB.

[colincac]

I agree with Crav that the performance of our MLB's (specifically Ray) will again be fantastic this year. However, that doesn't mean it isn't a weakness on this team. While I easily would have chosen Cornberback as the weakness, I can see how someone could see MLB as a weakness for this team. For outsiders, it's tough to belive that Ray can contiune his stellar play, and MLB is a position we have stuggled to find anohter player at for a few years now, since Scott left. I really believe it is in our best interests to play a lot of 4 lineman situations (DLine is easily our strength this year, as we are 2 deep across the board even if Jones doesn't make an impact this year). I would love to see some 4-2-5 formations with Zibby or Nakamura getting some time essentially playing OLB, as I think we would still be the best in the league stopping the run in that formation with our combination of run-stuffers up front.

[vmax]

Another clueless writer.

The weakest link is at corner...everybody will be targeting them....it would be stupid to try and run.

 

As for Ray...enjoy him because this could be his last year. That's what this writer should have written.

35 is old to be playing MLB in the NFL. The brain says 'Go' and the body says 'No'. Ray won't quit...they will have to cart him off the field

 

Nevertheless...trying to say Ray is the weakest link is one of two things:

Stupid

or

Trying to get noticed.

 

Plus this is from Fox...as they do the NFC games....they know squat about the AFC and just promote the NFC as much as possible.

 

Ray's been so much to this team and Baltimore...let's just enjoy the end of an amazing career. He's definately going to make some big plays this year and is still better than most MLB's.

 

[yagersports]

That's the key Max....while Ray isn't as good as he used to be....he's certainly better than 85 to 90% of the MLB in the NFL. He's just set the bar so freakin high.