Tag: ray lewis

Five most memorable NFL Drafts in Ravens franchise history

Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here. 

The Motor City is ready to rock on Thursday night, as the 2024 NFL Draft will soon be upon us. You have likely seen the very awkward promos that pair Detroiter and Rap Superstar Eminem with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Hopefully for the Baltimore Ravens, their first round pick, at #30, turns out a lot better than those series of advertisements did. The Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here.

1996- Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Talking about “leading with strength!” The very first draft pick in Ravens history was made here at #4, in the form of Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA. He went on to be enshrined in Canton, and was named the 72nd greatest player in NFL history by NFL Network in 2010. The Ravens then drafted Ray Lewis at #26 out of Miami, and he also made the Hall of Fame.

Lewis is #18 on that aforementioned NFL 100 list, with only two linebackers (Lawrence Taylor #3 and Dick Butkus #10) ranking higher.

2011- Time Runs Out

It’s very rare, but it does happen- sometimes the team “on the clock” sees its time expire before making their pick. The Ravens had been working on a trade, but it didn’t materialize in time to make the pick and their 26th overall instead went to the Kansas City Chiefs.

At least the Ravens made their selection almost immediately after, now 27th on the board, in the form of Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith. The Minnesota Vikings made this same mistake in 2003. Both of these purple clad franchises can forever relate to the timeless lyrics of Culture Club: “Oh, in time, it could have been so much more. The time is precious I know.”

2018- The Franchise

When most face of the franchise, superstar quarterbacks get drafted, it’s at or near the top of the first round. Baltimore nabbed Lamar Jackson at #32 out of Louisville, the very last pick in the first round. When you draft a two time MVP winner at this selection slot, it’s pretty safe to call it “a steal.” Four other QBs were taken ahead of Jackson that night.

2008- Super Bowl Building Block

On this draft night, the Ravens took a gamble on a FCS level prospect, selecting Delaware QB Joe Flacco with the 18th overall pick. He would go on to lead the Ravens to six playoff appearances, three AFC Championship Game appearances and the Super Bowl XLVII title; where he was named the game’s MVP.

2022- Greatest Safety Ever?

On this draft night, the Ravens landed Ed Reed at #24 out of Miami. Reed made the Pro Bowl nine times during his legendary career, and among his many accolades is the career record for interception return yardage (1,590), most career postseason interceptions (9), most seasons leading the league in interceptions (3) and the longest ever interception return for a touchdown (107 yards). Reed is #88 on the all-time NFL top 100 list.

Ray Lewis declares Peyton Manning the GOAT over Tom Brady

Ray Lewis said Peyton Manning is the GOAT, picking him over Tom Brady. “He made me alter my game,” Lewis said of No. 18.

The Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady debate was a typical conversation from the 2000s through the midway point of the 2010s. Although Brady won the head-to-head matchup (11-6), Manning surpassed Brady in MVPs (5-3) while Brady far surpasses him in Super Bowls (seven to two).

Manning went 3-2 against Brady in the playoffs, including two AFC Championship games with the Denver Broncos.

In a recent interview with Rob Lepelstat of STAT Sports, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis declared Manning the GOAT (greatest of all time) at quarterback, choosing him over Brady.

“From a quarterback, and from student level of the game, he made me alter my game,” Lewis said of Manning. “He made me watch more film. And that’s what I call the greatest QB.”

Lewis, a Hall of Famer, faced both QBs throughout his career, but Manning’s well-known study habits and physical talent made him a nightmare for defenses and defensive coordinators. While Brady surpasses Manning in total stats and championships, it’s hard to knock Lewis and his take on why Manning is the greatest of all time.

Check out the full clip in the below video.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Hall of Famer Ray Lewis calls Devin White one of NFL’s best linebackers

White is a free agent this offseason — do you want to see him back in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White’s tenure in Tampa Bay has been a controversial one, but he recently garnered some praise from one of the best LBs to ever play the game.

Former Baltimore Ravens LB and Hall of Famer Ray Lewis was asked who his top linebackers in the NFL were at the Pro Bowl in Orlando, and he made sure to give the Bucs props. He specifically mentioned White by name, but his praise was moreso all-encompassing.

“Oh man, that’s gonna be hard,” Lewis said when asked. “Roquan Smith, Fred Warner. I love Bobby Wagner. Oh, and probably Devin White or one of them boys in Tampa.”

The “one of those boys” line certainly carries some weight. White’s status as a top linebacker in the NFL hasn’t been the consensus for some time now, and it’s entirely possible that the Bucs may not even re-sign him in free agency this year after teammate K.J. Britt began to take more and more of his snaps in the latter part of the season. David, meanwhile, has still been a force of nature even in his old age and still showcases some of the better linebacker play across the season.

Both White and David are free agents this year, with White approaching the end of his rookie deal and David coming off a one-year contract given to him by the Bucs at the end of the 2022 season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1364]

Ray Lewis’ comically bad janitor disguise at the Pro Bowl had NFL players in disbelief

“The smallest man in Orlando!”

Ray Lewis went undercover at the Pro Bowl to hand out compliments (and sneaky insults) to several NFL players, and the results are hysterical.

The Pro Bowl allows fans to take in some of the NFL’s best talent. The best part of the event is that players are asked to do things they don’t normally do, like play dodgeball, field punts with footballs already in their arms or turn into a rapper like Eli Manning did.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

But what about dressing up as a janitor to hand out compliments and disses about other players? That’s what NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis did, and the results are as hilarious as you think they are.

Ravens LB Roquan Smith talks about the respect he has for Ray Lewis

Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith shared the respect he has for former inside linebacker Ray Lewis

The Baltimore Ravens have had many great players walk through their doors over the course of their franchise history, but perhaps none greater than inside linebacker Ray Lewis. The Hall Of Famer set the standard for what it means to play Ravens football, and is considered one of the best players in NFL history.

“[I have the] utmost respect for Ray [Lewis] and everything he’s done for this organization and for the linebacker [position] in general in this game. I think [he’s] the greatest to ever do it and just being able to pick his mind [and] mindset … I just remember, even as a kid, well before I knew I was going to ever play for the Ravens, being able to just watch his hype videos, watch his speeches and things like that, and it always inspired me, since [I was] a little one. To be able to just have those personal conversations, it takes me back, in a sense. But we all have a job, and all the knowledge he’s given me, [I] definitely try to share it amongst the guys.”

Baltimore acquired inside linebacker Roquan Smith last season, and the veteran was asked about Lewis and his impact. Smith said he has the “utmost respect” for the two-time Super Bowl champion, and relishes in the fact that he’s been able to pick his brain.

Ravens announce Legends of the Game for AFC Championship matchup

Ravens announce that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s Legends of the Game. Jonathan Ogden will be the Honorary Captain.

With the Ravens set to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Baltimore is calling on the big guns and stars from the past for support.

The Ravens announced that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s Legends of the Game, while Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden will be the Honorary Captain.

Michael Phelps will deliver the game ball, the offense will be introduced before kickoff, and T-Pain will perform at halftime.

Anquan Boldin, Dennis Pitta, Todd Heap, Matt Stover, and Terrell Suggs will also be recognized at different game points.

LOOK: Terrell Suggs inducted into Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor

Terrell Suggs inducted into Baltimore #Ravens Ring of Honor

The Ravens dominated the Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, and the presence of Terrell Suggs likely played a part.

Suggs, the Ravens’ all-time sack leader, is now immortalized in the organization’s Ring of Honor, getting inducted at halftime, with Baltimore leading Detroit, 28-0.

Suggs was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. He was a first-team All-Pro that season and earned seven Pro Bowl nominations over the course of his career.

Suggs spent 16 seasons (2003-18) with the Ravens, logging 895 career tackles, 202 tackles for loss, 37 forced fumbles and 11 interceptions.

One of the NFL’s all-time great pass rushers, Suggs finished with 139 career sacks, ranking 11th on the all-time list.

He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

LOOK: Roquan Smith watches film with Ravens legend and mentor, Ray Lewis

Baltimore’s star middle linebacker Roquan Smith recently watched film with #Ravens legend and mentor, Ray Lewis via @Thacover2NFL

Roquan Smith is a tackling machine and one of the gold standards at the linebacker position in today’s version of the NFL.

An All-Pro and the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, Smith recently sat down with a Ravens legend and arguably the best middle linebacker in NFL history, Ray Lewis.

Smith and Lewis connected at the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl, with the two stars planning to have multiple film sessions from time to time.

“I was like, ‘What?! This freaking kid!’ Lewis said. “Now when I’m watching him, I’m saying, ‘How can I help him get better?’ This offseason, we’re really going to sit down and go through film, so I can teach him little things.”

Lewis and Smith are the only two players in NFL history to have at least 100 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in each of their first five seasons, and Baltimore’s current middle linebacker already has 21 tackles, and one sack through two games.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=46916063]

The best defensive player of all time for all 32 NFL teams

Who has terrified quarterbacks and coaches the most for every team?

The modern NFL game is not built for defenses to thrive. Heck, even in times of “three yards and a cloud of dust,” it’s arguable the league never actually wanted defenses to win. At least, once the powers that be learned that offense sells like hotcakes.

Suffice it to say, playing defense in the NFL can be an impossible job. So the men that have courageously taken on the assignment of slowing down high-flying attacks stand out all the more.

In pro football lore, the best defenders ever are those who made offensive coordinators lose countless hours of sleep as they game-planned. They are the players who made quarterbacks quite literally see ghosts when standing in the pocket. They are pictures of reliability and dependability and are the preeminent warriors of the West’s favorite gladiator sport.

The below list examines the greatest defender in the history of all 32 NFL teams. My criteria was simple and rooted around these questions: What was their production like? Did they have a high intimidation factor? How available were they for their teammates? Did they pioneer a new way of playing their position?

It’s not easy playing defense in the NFL. But these fine gentlemen sometimes made the impossible seem like a casual task.

Also, check out:

Ray Lewis’ son, Ray Lewis III, has passed at age 28

A son of NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, Ray Lewis III has passed at age 28

A son of Baltimore Ravens great linebacker Ray Lewis, Ray Lewis III, has died at the age of 28. Details were unavailable as to the cause of death on Thursday.

Ray Lewis III played at Lake Mary Prep H.S. in Florida, rushing for 1,898 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior season.

His younger brother Rahsaan wrote,

“Really can’t believe I’m even typing this but RIP big brother.”

“A true angel I pray your at peace now because IK how much you was rlly hurtin. I don’t and won’t ever have the words man cuz this pain right here….I love you I love you I love you.”

… “Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I’ll make you smile and proud.

Ray Lewis III played college football at Miami, where his father starred, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union.

“Great young man and a better teammate. The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray,” Virginia Union Associate Head Coach Diego Ryland told TMZ.

Mark James, Lewis’ coach at VCU, wrote on Facebook: “Young man it was a pleasure to bring you to Virginia Union. Ray Ray May God bless your family. Great young man.”