Ravens Shopping Lewis?

[JS]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...ck=1&cset=true

According to a league source, the Ravens have been sending out "feelers" to gauge the interest in Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis. We're not talking heavy-duty stuff here, but the word was out. Teams, though, might not want to trade for a player who is on the decline, is injury prone and has three years left on his contract worth $5.5 million next season and $6.5 million in 2007 and 2008. The ideal situation for Lewis would be to play for a team that is close to breaking through but lacks a veteran leader that could put it over the top. It needs to be a good fit, much like tight end Shannon Sharpe was for the Ravens in 2000.

Isn't this the exact type of deal the Lions should get involved in? Everybody talks about the culture of losing in Detroit, wouldn't this be the kind of deal that could change that? I know Ray is on the decline but it is more about having that kind of leader in the locker room. If you add a leader like that to the defense all of a sudden player start believing they can acheive more. I know it doesn't help the offense or the offensive line issue those need to still be addressed. However Ray Lewis could be the Lions Reggie White. If he and Coach Rod could convert the defense into a top 5-10 D all of a sudden, and the offense improves all of a sudden you become a places that guys want to play ateam on the rise.

I know Ray's price tag is steep but you could probably get him to restructure. I am sure I will get blasted for this post but I just think that a thrid rd pick or 2007 conditional second isn't that much of a gamble. Like I said it isnt so much about his playmaking ability but rather a statement about the type of on-field players you want.

[Artermis]

I doubt he wants to come here. Plus we have bigger needs than MLB especially if we can get one more year out of Holmes. Use that money to bolser the Oline.

He makes me think of one person that was on the decline, but was supposed to come in and help us. Pat Swilling.



Art

[MOLA1]

Ray Lewis is a monster and he makes everyone around him more ferocious.

It's exactly what we need.

[Jethro34]

I doubt he wants to come here. Plus we have bigger needs than MLB especially if we can get one more year out of Holmes. Use that money to bolser the Oline.

He makes me think of one person that was on the decline, but was supposed to come in and help us. Pat Swilling.



Art

Ok, I don't care about bigger needs. Lewis is a playmaker that compensates for about 5 bigger needs. One more year out of an adequate Holmes vs dominance from a Hall of Fame MLB? Come on now. With Lewis, you could line up any other LB's you want and you're top 10 in the league at the LB spot. Plus, wouldn't you rather have Lehman as an apprentice to Lewis over Holmes? I'm sure he could teach Bailey, Davis, and anyone else a thing or two as well.

The only question I have is what would they require in return. It's not like we would be signing Lewis, we would have to give up quite a bit for him. But depending on what it was, I'm certainly listening. I'm sure Billick would love some more offensive weapons. I would be more than willing to give him one of the WR's with other players on top of it. I would have to look at salaries, but I could come up with a hell of a trade.

[Moodini31]

People are eatilng major cornbread if you think Ray Lewis would ever come play in Detroit. It sounds good, but I think I have a better chance of hooking up with Brooke Burke at my cousin's 9th birthday party tonight.

[Jethro34]

Mood, good luck with Brooke Burke.

Now here's my take on Ray. Hear me out here. He's been on a team that for years has been all D with no offense at all and yet they won a Super Bowl. It was a city that hadn't had football tradition since the Colts left. And Baltimore isn't exactly one of the 5 coolest cities in the world.

We're talking trade here, not FA signing. So while he could refuse a trade, would he? Think here. We just hired a defensive minded coach, so he's knows he'll be on a team looking to build a great D. Our only Pro Bowl players are defensive players. He's got Rogers in front of him and Bly behind him. We've got other promising players on the D and the coach will surely want to add more. And yet, with that, Lewis would get the majority of the credit if this team stepped up in the top 5 in the league defensively. So why would he fight a trade to Detroit?

Meanwhile, what could we give the Ravens to make it happen? I'm thinking we could offer whichever WR they feel the most to play with Mason and Clayton - and believe me they need someone behind them. We could also send them Holmes as a one-year stopgap in the middle of their D. Beyond that, we give them the #9 pick and they give us the #13. I think that's enough of a package for them.

[Gecko]

Love Ray Lewis but he's not the right fit here. If we go after vets it has to be those that are priced right. I think you can find veteran leadership without locking up so much money.

[the wrath of diddy]

Ray Lewis is a monster and he makes everyone around him more ferocious.

It's exactly what we need.

BINGO! Ray would definately add that killer instinct the Lions lack.

I know it's lame but someone had to say it.

[UncleCliffy]

Here is what is going to happen. Lewis signs here and then tears up his knee in a preseason game forcing him to retire by Christmas.

[DennyMcLain]

Send him to Philly for T.O.

Oh, wait. T.O. hates the Ravens.


Send him to San Diego for Drew Brees.

Hmmm.. Brees is a big question mark right now.


Trade him to Detroit for Harrington and a receiver.
........
hmm.....
Yep.