Ray Lewis News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 7

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Say one thing for Ray Lewis. The man has chutzpah. Here's what the Ravens linebacker says about his hit four weeks ago on Chad Ochocinco (the hit for which he would later be fined $25,000 by the league) helped keep the Bengals game-winning drive alive. "You look at the hit I had on him - you don't go helmet-to-helmet, you're running toward the ball, you make a clean hit, and then you still get penalized for it," Lewis said. "So then you can ask yourself: 'Are you going to slow down the way you play or are you going to keep playing football the way you know how to play football?' For us, it's an easy process: Just keep playing football the way you play football, and everything will take its ..."

Lewis hit with fines for actions vs. Bengals

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October 17

Washington Times

"By From combined dispatches The NFL fined Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis $25,000 on Friday for two plays, including a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco. The Ravens said Lewis will appeal the fine. Both plays occurred in the fourth quarter of Baltimore's 17-14 loss Sunday. The league deemed Lewis "unnecessarily kicked the opponent" and later "unnecessarily struck a defenseless receiver." During the latter play, Lewis hit Ochocinco after a pass from Carson Palmer sailed incomplete, and the 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness helped set up the winning touchdown with 22 seconds left. Ochocinco lost his helmet during the collision but immediately popped up. After ..."

NFL fines Ravens' Lewis $25,000

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October 17

Baltimore Sun

"The NFL fined Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis a total of $25,000 for two separate incidents in the fourth quarter of last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, believed to be the biggest fine in the league this season. Lewis not only delivered a vicious hit that knocked Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco's helmet off, but he also was punished for kicking at another player in the fourth quarter. ESPN reported that Lewis will appeal the fine, but the 14-year veteran wouldn't take any questions in the locker room Friday. "I'm on Minnesota, I'm not talking about no fines," Lewis said, referring to Sunday's game in Minneapolis against the Vikings. An NFL spokesman said in an e-mail that ..."

Peterson's admiration for Lewis runs strong

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October 16

Baltimore Sun

"Adrian Peterson never shies from contact or avoids an opportunity to lower his shoulder on a tackler. Punish or be punished is his credo as a running back. Peterson said his approach won't change if he finds himself in the cross hairs of the Ravens' menacing middle linebacker Ray Lewis on Sunday. "I have so much respect for Ray, but it's the game of football and I don't discriminate against anyone," Peterson said. "I'm sure if he gets the opportunity he's going to try and lay the wood to me. I will guarantee you that." A Peterson-Lewis collision would qualify as a super heavyweight matchup, one built on mutual respect. Peterson often expresses his admiration for how certain guys play the ..."

NFL won't fine Ravens players

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October 6

ESPN.com

"Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed will not be fined for disparaging comments made regarding the officiating in Sunday's game against the Patriots, league executive Ray Anderson decided Tuesday. Anderson's decision was relayed through a league spokesman. Lewis had called two roughing the passer penalties against the Ravens "embarrassing", while safety Reed called some of the spots the Ravens received at the line of scrimmage "terrible." The Ravens were called for two key roughing the passer penalties, one on Haloti Ngata in the first quarter and another on Terrell Suggs in the second quarter that kept drives alive. The Patriots ended up scoring touchdowns on both ..."

Taylor is looking forward to running into Lewis again

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October 4

Baltimore Sun

"When apprised that Ray Lewis termed their relationship "a great rivalry,'' Fred Taylor flashed a knowing smile. "Yeah, it's old school,'' said the Patriots running back. Does it go back to the college gridiron, when Taylor was at Florida and Lewis at Miami? "Nah, it doesn't go back to college,'' said Taylor, "because we didn't have the opportunity to play the 'Canes when I was there. I would've loved it.'' Today Taylor will get the opportunity to meet Lewis again on an NFL stage when the Ravens and Patriots square off at Gillette Stadium. "I think both of us being Florida-bred guys, we loved each other and we hated each other,'' said Taylor. "It's been [about] respect, first. He'll bang ..."

We didn't need Ravens, Lewis press event

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March 23

Baltimore Sun

"Iâ€™m glad I missed the Ray Lewis press conference late last week. I really didnâ€™t need to see the Ravens and Lewis slobbering on each other in public. Kiss-kiss. Ray loves the Ravens. The Ravens love Ray-Ray. I did, however, see some of the video and I loved it when Lewis said he was only flirting with other teams during his free agency period. Flirting? If one other team has stepped up and offered Lewis more money than the Ravens, he would have been gone in a heart beat. I also loved the way Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti kept insulting Lewis, but Lewis had no clue. Bisciottiâ€™s comments about other teams possibly offering Lewis â€œstupidâ€ money were priceless, and he was basically ..."

Ravens' Lewis says free-agency 'flirtations' were never serious

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March 20

Baltimore Sun

"A few years from now, when Ray Lewis decides to retire, the Pro Bowl inside linebacker will be celebrated as a lifelong Raven and have a statue erected at M"

Lewis signs 7-year deal with Ravens

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March 11

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis officially signed his contract, and it locks him up longer than previously believed. According to the NFL Players Association, the Pro Bowl middle linebacker officially signed a seven-year deal that totals $44.5 million, including $12.25 million in bonuses. Because Lewis is turning 34 before the season, the Ravens probably are looking at this as a three-year deal but they are spreading the pro-rated bonuses over seven seasons. In the first three years of the contract, Lewis would earn $22 million, which was the reported deal last week. This season, Lewis will receive a $6.25 million signing bonus, a $2.75 million roster bonus and $1 million in base salary. In 2010, the Ravens ..."

Ray Lewis deal officially for 7 years, $44.5 million

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March 11

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis officially signed his contract, and it locks him up for longer than previously believed. According to the NFL Players Association, the Pro Bowl middle linebacker officially signed a seven-year deal that totals $44.5 million, including $12.25 million in bonuses. Because Lewis turns 34 before the season, the Ravens probably are looking at this as a three-year deal, but they are spreading the prorated bonuses over seven seasons. In the first three years of the contract, Lewis would earn $22 million, as was reported last week. This season, Lewis will receive a $6.25 million signing bonus, a $2.75 million roster bonus and $1 million in base salary. In 2010, the Ravens would need to ..."

Lewis stays with Ravens, gets three-year deal worth a reported $22 million

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March 5

Contra Costa Times

"The Dallas Cowboys have released controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, sources told ESPN's Michael Smith late Wednesday. The Cowboys paid Owens a $12 million signing bonus just last year, included as part of a new four-year, $34 million contract. Owens had 69 receptions for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008, his third season with the Cowboys. In late February, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't deny the team was discussing the possible release of Owens. Ravens: Linebacker Ray Lewis will finish his NFL career with Baltimore after reaching agreement on a multiyear deal with the Ravens. "From beginning to end as a Raven. ... Wow!" To be with the same team with the same fans for an ..."

Ray Lewis will stay with the Ravens

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March 5

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis will be a Raven for life. The longtime face of the franchise ended longer-than-expected negotiations and agreed in principle on a multiyear contract with the Ravens yesterday. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who reached the agreement with the 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker at 4:15 p.m. yesterday, wouldn't disclose the length of the deal. But he said: "Ray Lewis can retire as a Raven." Lewis, 33, is expected to sign a three-year, $22 million deal, according to multiple sources. The second player ever drafted by the Ravens, Lewis instantly became the centerpiece of the fledgling franchise and developed into one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. His fiery leadership ..."

Ravens, Lewis agree to multiyear deal

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March 4

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens have reached an agreement in principle with linebacker Ray Lewis on a multiyear deal. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome wouldn't disclose the length of the deal but said "Ray Lewis can retire as a Raven." Lewis' contract won't be formally completed for another two weeks, a team spokesman said. The Ravens want to have a news conference and need to coordinate the schedules of Lewis, owner Steve Bisciotti and Newsome. Retaining Lewis was important for the Ravens because they lost defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and inside linebacker Bart Scott to the New York Jets."

Lewis, Ravens still talking

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March 4

Baltimore Sun

"Despite longer-than-expected negotiations with Ray Lewis, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said the relationship between the team and the free-agent middle linebacker is not strained. "Over the course of the last 24 to 48 hours, Ray has spoken with myself and the head coach," Newsome said today. It is believed the Ravens have given Lewis a standing offer of $24 million over three years. Lewis, who has remained in Florida, has not taken any free-agent visits. Meanwhile, free-agent center Matt Birk continued his visit with the Ravens, meeting with team officials for a second day. The six-time Pro Bowl lineman also took a physical with the Ravens."

Ware: Lewis says 'dream' is to play in Dallas

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February 23

Baltimore Sun

"From owner Steve Bisciotti to coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have made it clear they want to bring back Ray Lewis. But the Pro Bowl inside linebacker could be laying the groundwork to go elsewhere when free agency begins Friday. According to Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Lewis said it's his "dream" to play in Dallas and repeatedly expressed his desire to sign there. "When we played Ray Lewis and Baltimore at the end of the season, he came over and pointed to my helmet. He said: 'I want to wear this star on my helmet. That's my dream ... that's my dream,'" Ware told the Cowboys' official Web site. "When we got to the Pro Bowl, he did it again. He came at me every day. He's trying to ..."

Ravens' Newsome optimistic about keeping Lewis, others

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February 22

Baltimore Sun

"Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said today he was optimistic he could keep star linebacker Ray Lewis in Baltimore and the heart of the team's dominating defense in place for the 2009 season. In a brisk, 15-minute news conference with national media at the NFL combine in Lucas Oil Stadium, Newsome said he was negotiating new contracts for Lewis, linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs, and center Jason Brown. All but Suggs, who received the team's franchise tag for the second straight year, will become unrestricted free agents Friday. The free-agent news was not as positive on safety Jim Leonhard or kicker Matt Stover, however. Newsome seemed resigned to letting Leonhard slip away in ..."

Ravens should offer Lewis this reasonable proposal

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February 17

Baltimore Sun

"If I were general manager of the Ravens, I would let Pro Bowl inside linebacker Ray Lewis become an unrestricted free agent. Forget all of this icon nonsense. If Jerry Rice and John Unitas could play in another jersey, so can Lewis. It's time for the Ravens to move on and allow this team to officially become John Harbaugh's. The Ravens might have taken a step in that direction yesterday by cutting disgruntled veteran cornerback Chris McAlister, or were they releasing McAlister to free up $8 million against the salary cap to re-sign Lewis? The Ravens have to play the public relations game. They don't have enough history and Super Bowl titles on their side, like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who ..."

Real 'change' in Dallas means bringing in Ray Lewis

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February 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Now that the Dan Reeves deal is dead, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needs to do whatever it takes to get Baltimore Ravens free agent linebacker Ray Lewis to Dallas. If Jones is going to keep coach Wade Phillips and bring back combustible wide receiver Terrell Owens, then Jones needs to add Lewis to the mix. Now that would be a change Cowboys fans can believe in. Forget all this change that the Cowboys have been talking about since the end of what was the most disappointing and underachieving season in team history. Phillips said he was going to change his ways and get tougher. Jones said he was going to re-examine how he goes about his business. And just the other day in an exclusive ..."

Franchise tag for Lewis will cost Ravens

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February 10

NFL.com

"From the moment the season ended, speculation about Ray Lewis’ future began. Some think he will be back in Baltimore, others think he could move on to Dallas or New York. There are many questions. But one fact is that, if Baltimore opts to slap its franchise tag on Lewis, the number will come in higher than any other linebacker that ever has played the game. It would be a whopping $11,313,600 million, not the $8,304,000 that previously has been widely reported. It is $11.313 million because the franchise number must either be the average of the top five players at the position or 120 percent of a player’s prior year salary — whichever is greater. In Lewis’ case, the 120 percent raise from ..."

Why should Ray stay? Let me count the reasons

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February 10

Baltimore Examiner

columnist Tony Giro

"Preakness organizers recently announced live musical performances would replace allowing fans to bring their own liquor store as the primary way to sell tickets to the illustrious horse race. Since the only Buckcherry songs I know I learned at Night Shift, I decided to delve deeper into the band's musical library. It was during my personal listening party that I heard a little ditty titled "Don't Go Away." Here's a snippet: "All the things you said And all the games we played Will come back to you See the look in your eyes Ooooh, don't go away Please don't go away You're making a mistake You and I were meant to be Please don't go away You're making a mistake" Besides making me long for my ..."

Harbaugh enters Lewis conversation

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February 10

Baltimore Sun

"Seventeen days before free agency formally arrives, the negotiating table between Ray Lewis and the Ravens is littered with propositions, mixed signals and perhaps even some wishful thinking. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is the latest to enter the dialogue. While in Honolulu for the Pro Bowl last week, Harbaugh sounded cautiously optimistic that the team will keep its All-Pro middle linebacker. "Ray Lewis is going to be a guy we're going to pay a lot of money to in order to keep," Harbaugh told USA Today. "Steve [Bisciotti, team owner] said he thinks we'll be willing to pay more than anybody else. "I know Ray has to take a look around. But I'm definitely convinced that Ray wants to finish ..."

Lewis' talk of leaving Ravens is cheap

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February 9

Baltimore Sun

columnist David Steele

"As befitting his unique status and personality, Ray Lewis managed to make news last week without illegal substances being involved. Alex Rodriguez and Michael Phelps, take notes. Lewis' issues are just about money: He wants the Ravens to pay him a lot, the Ravens want to pay him a lot, and reaching a figure that will leave both sides happy is going to be the fight of the year here in town. With that in mind, Lewis has publicly spoken fighting words, but the Ravens so far aren't fighting back, and they are not expected to. It's your basic posturing: a player using his leverage, stating his case in the court of public opinion and hoping that court's verdict influences the Ravens. So what he ..."

Lewis wouldn't likely justify the cost to Jets

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February 8

Newsday

"Ray Lewis to the Jets? Sure sounds intriguing, especially given that new coach Rex Ryan was Lewis' defensive coordinator with the Ravens. But before you get too worked up about the hard-hitting Lewis joining forces with Ryan with the Jets, a lot has to happen before there can be a deal. For starters, Lewis has to get to free agency in the first place. The Ravens are interested in bringing him back, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that they will make a run at keeping him before the free-agency signing period begins Feb. 27. But league sources tell me the team is almost certain to let him get to free agency, if only to allow him to satisfy his own curiosity about how much he can ..."

Ray Lewis: No hometown discount

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February 6

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis told the NFL Network on Wednesday that he wouldn't give the Ravens a hometown discount in free agency and considered the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets as attractive options. A 10-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, Lewis would become an unrestricted free agent in three weeks if the Ravens don't sign him to a new contract or use the franchise tag on him. At the end of the season, owner Steve Bisciotti and linebacker Terrell Suggs brought up the possibility that Lewis might take less money to stay. But Lewis said there would be no discounts. "I don't play less," Lewis told the NFL Network in Hawaii, where he will play in the Pro Bowl. "If you don't play less, you don't take less. ..."

Lewis says he won't give Ravens hometown discount

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February 5

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis told the NFL Network yesterday that he wouldn't give the Ravens a hometown discount in free agency and considered the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets as attractive options. A 10-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, Lewis would become an unrestricted free agent in three weeks if the Ravens don't sign him to a new contract or use the franchise tag on him. At the end of the season, both owner Steve Bisciotti and linebacker Terrell Suggs brought up the possibility that Lewis might take less money to stay with the team. But Lewis said there would be no discounts. "I don't play less," Lewis told the NFL Network in Hawaii, where he will play in the Pro Bowl. "If you don't play less, you ..."

Lewis: Future with Ravens 'nobody else's business'

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January 30

Baltimore Sun

"Linebacker Ray Lewis will become an unrestricted free agent in 29 days unless the Ravens use the franchise tag or he strikes a new deal with the team. (AP photo / January 16, 2009) TAMPA, FLA. - In his first comments to the Baltimore media this offseason, Ray Lewis yesterday was noncommittal about his chances of staying with the Ravens. Lewis, 33, will become an unrestricted free agent in 29 days unless the Ravens use the franchise tag on him or the Pro Bowl linebacker strikes a new deal with the team. It would mark the first time in Lewis' 13-year career that the face of the Ravens' franchise reached free agency. "What I'm thinking, nobody needs to know," said Lewis, who was at the Super ..."

Former Raven Sharpe to Lewis: Stay on team

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January 29

Baltimore Sun

"Shannon Sharpe'sadvice to linebacker Ray Lewis is: Stay with the Ravens. Sharpe, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in the 2000 season, remains close friends with Lewis and talks to him frequently. One topic that has been discussed is Lewis' decision when he becomes a free agent at the end of February. Said Sharpe, who is at the Super Bowl for Sirius NFL radio: "I told Ray: 'Consider returning. You're like [John] Elway in Denver and [Dan] Marino in Miami. They should erect a statue of you next to Johnny Unitas. That's the kind of impact you've had in Baltimore. That should mean something to you.'" Lewis, 33, will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 13-year career ..."

Ravens want to re-sign Lewis

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January 23

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens aren't planning to use the franchise tag on Ray Lewis to keep the 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker off the free-agent market, owner Steve Bisciotti said yesterday. Bisciotti said he wants to sign Lewis to a new contract, but brought up a scenario in which Lewis might take a lesser contract from the Ravens in order to finish his career here. "Are we going to get a hometown discount? I hope so. I really do," Bisciotti said of the 13-year veteran who has played his entire career with the Ravens. "That means we can find one more Jimmy Leonhard on the free-agent market with the money we save." Lewis was not available for comment yesterday. He also was not made available to reporters after ..."

For Ravens, re-signing No. 52 is their No. 1 priority

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January 22

Baltimore Examiner

"Steve Bisciotti stared into the television cameras that beamed his message to the masses as he challenged any team thinking of luring Ray Lewis away as a free agent. "I don't think other people can value Ray Lewis higher than we do," he said at the team's season-ending media conference at its Owings Mills complex. "We know what he brings to the table, and he has shown that at 33, he's capable of playing like a 28-year-old." Now, it's time for Bisciotti to back his words with his wallet. Lewis already is the league's highest-paid linebacker at $6.5 million annually, but his worth is much greater considering he's the face of the franchise -- and the city. He made 117 tackles --at least 35 ..."

Ravens want to re-sign Lewis

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January 22

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens aren't planning to use the franchise tag on Ray Lewis to keep the 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker off the free-agent market, owner Steve Bisciotti said yesterday. Bisciotti said he wants to sign Lewis to a new contract, but brought up a scenario in which Lewis might take a lesser contract from the Ravens in order to finish his career here. "Are we going to get a hometown discount? I hope so. I really do," Bisciotti said of the 13-year veteran who has played his entire career with the Ravens. "That means we can find one more Jimmy Leonhard on the free-agent market with the money we save." Lewis was not available for comment yesterday. He also was not made available to reporters after ..."

Will the Ravens be able to re-sign Ray Lewis?

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January 21

Baltimore Examiner

"All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis just completed a six-year contract, which paid him $6.5 million this past season. At 33, the 10-time Pro Bowler likely will sign the final contract of his career in the coming months. But will it be with the Ravens? Whether to sign the aging star is the team's biggest questions, especially since linebackers Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott who are also free agents, but are 28 and 26, respectively. The salary cap will be $123 million -- up from $116 million last season -- and some reports have the Ravens able to spent about $25 million. The Ravens could free up $8 million if, as expected, they cut cornerback Chris McAlister. Other key free agents that the Ravens ..."

Cowboys interested in Ravens' Lewis?

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January 19

Baltimore Sun

"Word around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys are very interested in obtaining Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis if he becomes a free agent. The speculation is that the Cowboys are willing to give Lewis a three-year deal worth between $27 and $30 million, with $25 million guaranteed. Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room. The Ravens are expected to begin negotiations with Lewis, who is in the last year of his contract, as soon as the season is over."

If Lewis doesn't return to Ravens, his performance was a fitting farewell

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January 19

Baltimore Sun

"When it was over, when the Pittsburgh Steelers turned off the scoreboard lights inside Heinz Field and chased an army of delirious fans clad in black and gold into the cold Pennsylvania night, a potentially harsh reality began to come into focus for Ray Lewis and the Ravens. What if this was Lewis' last game in purple and black? What if, after 13 years, this was goodbye? If it was Lewis' curtain call in a Ravens uniform, last night's performance should serve as a reminder of what made him so much fun to watch for so many years. Last night, he pinballed his way around the field, shoving aside blockers, dragging ball carriers to the ground, dropping into coverage and blitzing Ben ..."

Baltimore embraced Lewis; let's hope he stays

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January 4

Baltimore Examiner

columnist Michael Olesker

"The Ravens head into the NFL playoffs today, but who knows where Ray Lewis heads after that? He is their greatest star and their spiritual leader and has played his whole professional career here, but lately you can't mention his name without talk of his possible exodus from Baltimore. What a pity that professional sports has come to this. Once, we had John Unitas throwing footballs on 33rd Street for 17 seasons, and Lenny Moore racing for the end zone for another dozen, and Gino and Artie and Parker and others lingering for a decade or more, and you knew they weren't going to receive your embrace one moment and then bolt for the door a moment later. But those were the old rules of ..."

Ravens' Lewis a Ray of wisdom

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November 30

Baltimore Sun

"When Ray Lewis heard Chad Ocho Cinco was deactivated for being late to a team meeting last week, it wasn't too long before he was on the phone with the disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver. Lewis' message to Ocho Cinco: Stop complaining and start appreciating life in the NFL. "I told him, 'It's time to be focused and time for you to enjoy every moment of why you're here in Cincinnati,'" said Lewis, whose upstart Ravens (7-4) play at the Bengals (1-9-1) today. "You have to understand what you want to get done to finish this season off to exemplify who Chad really is. From there, let the offseason take care of itself." This epitomizes what the Ravens linebacker's life has become: ..."

Ravens' Lewis still going strong

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October 10

Baltimore Sun

columnist Mike Preston

"Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson was having a conversation with several others about NFL veterans when linebacker Ray Lewis' name was mentioned. And Johnson, like the others in his group, started shaking his head in disbelief. "What is this, his 13th year or something?" Johnson said. "He is still explosive and still has great instinct. He is going strong when other players his age are slowing down. I don't think he is ever going to slow down. I hope not." He hasn't slowed down this year. In fact, he looks a lot like the Ray Lewis who was about to enter his prime in 1999. Lewis, 33, had a great season last year when he had 120 tackles and earned a ninth trip to the Pro Bowl. Right now, he ..."

Lewis says he's built to last

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July 26

Baltimore Sun

"The future is not now for Ray Lewis. On his first day of training camp at McDaniel College in Westminster today, the nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker and face of the Ravens franchise was chipper and cheery after working up a sweat during the morning practice session. He relished the live hitting that marked today's practice, reminisced about his 12 seasons in the NFL, and joked about rooming with rookie linebacker Tavares Gooden. But when the topic of possibly being franchised by the team after his contract runs out at season's end was broached, Lewis wasn't as talkative. "I just had a hard day of camp, I'm sweating, I'm tired, and you want me to talk about next year?" Lewis asked. "I'm ..."

Contract battle between Ravens, Lewis worth the price of admission

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July 21

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis has always been considered the face of the Ravens franchise, and now he might officially get that designation. Lewis is in the final year of his contract, and there was speculation he might get a two-year extension before the start of the 2008 season. But that isn't likely to happen. The Ravens and Lewis are far apart at this point and the Ravens have told Lewis he might become the team's designated franchise player if they can't get a new deal done. The franchise tag is usually used for younger players who are in their peaks and searching for their first or second big contract, not a player like Lewis who is about to enter his 13th season. If the Ravens use the tag on ..."

Lewis: Contract won't change approach

May 10

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis sidestepped questions about his future with the Ravens today, saying he is focused on team issues and not individual ones. The nine-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker is entering the final year of his contract and could become a free agent for the first time in his career. Lewis and the Ravens are negotiating an extension, but the sides are not believed to be close."

Ravens, Lewis discussing extension

April 1

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis is entering the final year of his contract, but the Ravens still envision the Pro Bowl linebacker in the team's future. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said the team is in "open dialogue" with Lewis on a contract extension and would actively pursue him if he reaches free agency."

Coaches come and go, but Lewis remains

January 22

Baltimore Examiner

"Both men likely will need to separate business from pleasure in 2008 as Lewis enters the final year of a contract that will pay him $6.5 million next season. The Ravens are in negotiations with another linebacker, Terrell Suggs, over a long-term contract extension, and Lewis likely will seek deal that could be too salary cap heavy."

The clock is ticking for the faces of the franchise

January 7

Baltimore Examiner

"Lewis, who missed the final two games with a dislocated finger after having his best season since 2003, is signed for one more year. Will he play out his deal and go from there, or will he demand a contract extension or push the Ravens to trade him?"

Lewis' helicopter ride turns hairy, then scary

December 13

Baltimore Sun

"Tuesday's off day wasn't so relaxing for Ray Lewis. The Ravens' eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker endured a harrowing helicopter ride through fog and rain before landing in a field in Cecil County. Lewis spent that morning and part of the afternoon shooting an Under Armour commercial in New York. Because the shoot ended too late for him to take a train to get back to a Christmas party for about 600 children at 4 p.m. in Baltimore, Under Armour paid for a helicopter to fly Lewis back. That's when the craziness began, Lewis said."

Thomas done Raven

November 27

Boston Herald

"Adalius Thomas didn’t really want to talk about his spat with former Baltimore teammate Ray Lewis."

Ravens sink, but Lewis still on top

November 23

Baltimore Sun

columnist Mike Preston

"Shortly after the Ravens' playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts last season, middle linebacker Ray Lewis was in the locker room crying. The outpour was so strong, he had trouble breathing."

Lewis ... Bring on the running game

November 5

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis is not bothered by the declaration of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians that the Steelers will run the ball against the Ravens' defense when the teams meet tonight at Heinz Field."

After bye, Ravens bid farewell to criticism controversy

October 30

Baltimore Sun

"After finishing their first practice after the bye, several Ravens walked off the field laughing with coach Brian Billick, while others playfully tossed a ball around. If there was any disarray coming from Ray Lewis' recent criticism of Billick's play-calling, there were no signs yesterday."

Lewis' criticism was play called for Newsome, Bisciotti

October 30

Baltimore Sun

columnist Mike Preston

"Comments from a player criticizing the head coach should be handled internally, but linebacker Ray Lewis' public criticism last week of Brian Billick's play-calling was justified."

Thomas hears it from Ray Lewis

October 25

Providence Journal

"The current war of words between Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas and former teammate Ray Lewis this week has been met with all the fervor of Hollywood gossip-mongers who trail Britney Spears, waiting for her next train wreck."

Lewis airs frustration about 4th-quarter passes

October 23

Baltimore Sun

"Ray Lewis was calm but candid last night on his weekly radio show when asked about the Ravens' play-calling on offense during the second half of their 19-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday."