End of an Era Sunday

[vmax]

I think Sunday will be the last home game Ray Lewis and Ed Reed play....unless the Ravens somehow win and earn a home playoff game.

 

Looks like Ray might start...

 

The Ravens will again wait until Saturday afternoon to make a decision on Ray Lewis, but early indications are that the inside linebacker will attempt to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

 

Lewis, who is trying to come back from a torn triceps that he sustained in the Ravens’ Week 6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, practiced for the third straight week and he wants to return. The Ravens also possess the roster flexibility to accommodate him on the 53-man roster with Jameel McClain (neck) expected to be moved to injured reserve. The Ravens have declared McClain out for the season.

 

The Ravens will have to make a final decision on whether to activate Lewis from injured reserve with a designation to return by 4 p.m. Saturday. Team sources said they expect Lewis to try to play; however, they cautioned the decision will ultimately be up to Lewis and the team’s medical and coaching staff.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-good-chance-ray-lewis-returns-on-sunday-20121221,0,4938492.story

 

It will be the last for a host of others too.

[oldno82]

Yeah its sad but time marches on and its time for both of them to retire. I definitely would not re-sign Ed Reed. Ray Lewis still has 2 or 3 years left on his contract. Steve and Ozzie need to gently persuade him to retire and give him some role with the team post-retirement.

[OutsideRzAcE]

Yeah its sad but time marches on and its time for both of them to retire. I definitely would not re-sign Ed Reed. Ray Lewis still has 2 or 3 years left on his contract. Steve and Ozzie need to gently persuade him to retire and give him some role with the team post-retirement.

 

Once can only wish it works out like this. I think Ed will keep playing, though it would be strange to see him play in another UNI if it's not here.

[varaven45]

Yes . It's time to find our next Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. There will never be another like these two HOFers but its time to move on. It's been a helluve fun ride !

[vmax]

All I want for Christmas is a defense.

[deeshopper]

You're up early! I just a solid showing. The Ravens need to end this foolishness. They have two games to show they are worthy of being in the playoffs.

[cravnravn]

Just sad that this is not the way we envisioned Ray & Ed leaving the game.

[varaven45]

Crav,

 

It's sad but its rare to see a professional athlete retire at the top of their game It was painful to watch guys like John Unitas, Michael Jordan, Cal Ripken in their final days. The few that finished at the top and had something left in the tank - Barry Saunders, Jim Brown - are few and far between.

 

Back to your point. Maybe Ray and Ed still have a spectacular play or two left in them. We could certainly use one on Sunday !

 

[vmax]

You're up early! I just a solid showing. The Ravens need to end this foolishness. They have two games to show they are worthy of being in the playoffs.

 

 

And Just Remember:

The early worm gets eaten by the bird.

 

The Ravens will Kick Ass Sunday!!!!

[thundercleetz]

I have a good feeling about this week. I think we take the division and Ray gets one last home playoff game.

[papasmurfbell]

This should have been done a long time ago. It is best to yank the bandaid and not go slowly.

[cravnravn]

I have a good feeling about this week. I think we take the division and Ray gets one last home playoff game.

 

Unfortunately for me, I dont...AGAIN, I think Eli is going to take last weeks schallacking out of our DB's

[varaven45]

I agree with Crav. Our still depleted secondary remains a major mess. We have been torched 3 weeks in a row by lesser QBs - sans Peyton - and we are probably without our best thumper- Pollard. Brother Peyton gives Eli a quick primer on our soft pass D.

 

Eli goes off, Bradshaw returns and wears out our D. Flacco makes a valiant effort but we come up short again.

 

It will all come down to next Sundays finale in Cincy.

[papasmurfbell]

Cunningham said Ray is not playing.

[cravnravn]

No Lewis, No Pollard, Suggs not at 100%....Oh Boy

[vmax]

We'll still have a chance to see them against the Colts.

[papasmurfbell]

OK here is the question. Would you rather play the dolts or bungles? If you lay down to the bungles and they can be the 5th seed then you get the dolts. If you beat the bugles more than likely you play them again a week later.

[vmax]

I'd rest beverybody against the Bengals who needs it so they can be healthy in the playoffs.

[thundercleetz]

Colts have the fifth seed locked up. Unless NE loses and we win next week we will play Indy. NE is certainly going to be playing to win as they are still in play for a first round bye. It will be interesting to see what games get flexed. Indy will definitely be playing to win against Houston next week with Pagani coming back. Denver plays KC in the late afternoon spot. Denver loses tie breakers against Houston and NE. They have to win.

 

As far as who to rest, anyone else think that Joe and the offense need to play? Caldwell might need experience with his offense calling plays and executing. I'd still rest Yanda if the ankle is sore, or Birk if he is beat up. On defense I would certainly rest Pollard, Ngata, and Suggs. Ed Reed I'm guessing will be suspended for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cruz.

[vmax]

It looked to me like Reed hit him with his sholder but I don't have the tv closeup.

 

I think they need to play Joe and the offense for at least 3 quarters IMO. For the reason that you say cleetz....for them and Caldwell to keep getting more experience together and to try and build on what they accomplished today so they can hit the playoffs on a mini roll.

[cravnravn]

Once again even the announcers said something, Reed hit him in the chest, as you are taught from pop warner to the pros.

[OutsideRzAcE]

Yea Reed's hit was clean. I think he'll be ok. As far as who to rest. I would treat this like a 4th preseason game and bring out the 2nd unit. I agree with Max about resting Yanda and Birk, but then you are facing the Dline that has the most sacks in the leauge so you don't want to get Flacco beat up. Rest as many as possible.

[varaven45]

Flacco ? I am playing Tyrod and handing off the ball and resting as many starters as possible .

[papasmurfbell]

At first I thought the ed hit was helmet to helmet and said here comes the suspension. The replay proved it was totally clean.

[smokeyjon]

And unfortunately the Ravens have that reputation that makes refs want to throw flags on big hits. I've lost count over the years of how many flags were thrown on the Ravens for clean hits, especially vs. Shittsburg or the Pats.