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Ray Lewis News & Rumors

Lewis will be back in 2012; no word on Reed
February 2
Baltimore Sun
 
"Linebacker Ray Lewis told reporters after the season-ending loss to the New England Patriots that he planned to return for a 17th NFL season, but the team is still awaiting word from free safety Ed Reed. "Ed doesn't give definitive answers," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said, adding that he thinks Reed "still has the desire to play." Bisciotti said it would be difficult to replace both Lewis and Reed at their respective positions, but he believes the Ravens already have their replacements -- in terms of impact -- on the roster in linebacker Terrell Suggs, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and cornerback Jimmy Smith."
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis vows to return for next season
January 23
Baltimore Sun
 
"It took Ray Lewis a long time to put his suit on after the AFC championship was over on Sunday. He got dressed in silence, he made sure his tie was straight and his jacket wasn't wrinkled. Then, he stood in the eye of a small media storm, smiled into the cameras, and put to bed questions about his future. "Is this my last game as a Raven? Absolutely not," Lewis said. "Let me answer that question before somebody asks it." Lewis wanted to quash any talk of retirement right away, especially since the topic has been a popular one in recent weeks and months. The 16th year of his NFL career hasn't been a particularly smooth ride. He missed four games in the middle of the season with a toe"
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis vows to return for next season
January 23
Baltimore Sun
 
"It took Ray Lewis a long time to put his suit on after the AFC championship was over on Sunday. He got dressed in silence, he made sure his tie was straight and his jacket wasn't wrinkled. Then, he stood in the eye of a small media storm, smiled into the cameras, and put to bed questions about his future. "Is this my last game as a Raven? Absolutely not," Lewis said. "Let me answer that question before somebody asks it." Lewis wanted to quash any talk of retirement right away, especially since the topic has been a popular one in recent weeks and months. The 16th year of his NFL career hasn't been a particularly smooth ride. He missed four games in the middle of the season with a toe"
Lewis appears to dispute speculation of impending retirement
January 12
Baltimore Sun
 
"Nearing the end of his 16th year in the NFL, Ray Lewis could be on the cusp of cementing a Hall of Fame career that includes 13 Pro Bowls, two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Most Valuable Player honor in Super Bowl XXXV. But the Ravens inside linebacker seemed to throw water on the theory that he would retire after this season if the team captures Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis."
Ravens LB Lewis sees some of himself in Texans' high-motor Cushing
January 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"When Brian Cushing was in elementary school, just 8 years old, Ray Lewis was a rookie linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens. Cushing became a fan then and, as the Texans' middle linebacker admitted Wednesday, remains one now. "Ray's the best that's ever played," Cushing said. "He's the guy I grew up watching. He's the guy I wanted to model my game after." Cushing is now 24 and regarded as one of the NFL's best, a recent second-team All-Pro selection. Meanwhile, Lewis is 36, and he's angling for his second Super Bowl ring. The Texans are standing in the way this weekend, but the 16-year veteran was complimentary of the franchise that didn't exist when he entered the league in 1996 —"
Ravens on the mend
January 10
Baltimore Sun
 
"The benefits of the playoff bye weekend were obvious to John Harbaugh. The Ravens coach said players nursing various injuries and ailments appear much improved after getting the opportunity to rest for three consecutive days over the weekend. "From an injury perspective, we look good," Harbaugh said during his weekly conference Monday. "We anticipate everybody playing in the game [against the Houston Texans Sunday]." Harbaugh said the turf toe injury that shelved inside linebacker Ray Lewis for four consecutive games earlier in the season is no longer a concern."
Ray Lewis insists he's happy with the level he's playing at
January 5
Baltimore Sun
 
"Sporting a black bucket hat pulled down over his eyes, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis stepped up to the podium Wednesday and responded to a column in The Baltimore Sun that questioned if the 36-year-old should play on third downs and other passing situations for opposing offenses Lewis insisted he is happy with the level he is performing at -- "Why wouldn't I be?" he asked -- and the 2011 Pro Bowl linebacker said the criticism is a credit to his hard work over the years. "Think about all of the people who had that one dream to be here and never made it," he said. "For God to carry me here through 16 years and [to] still [be] playing at the level I'm playing, you know what, man speaks what man"
Ray Lewis, Ed Reed have plenty left to offer Ravens
January 4
Baltimore Sun
 columnist Kevin Cowherd
"You know the old saying about rocking the boat? The Ravens do, too. Which is why there is absolutely zero chance they'll address the declining productivity of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed anytime soon. That's an issue for the off-season, not for a team with its sights set on the Super Bowl. It's too explosive. That wouldn't be just rocking the boat. That would be lobbing a stick of dynamite in the boat, too. So I disagree with my buddy Mike Preston, who wrote Tuesday that the time has come for John Harbaugh to talk to his two future Hall of Famers about their diminished play and what the team should do about it. Has Ray Lewis, the greatest inside linebacker to ever play the game, lost a step or"
Seven Ravens selected to next month's Pro Bowl
December 28
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens, who enter Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, could be well-represented next month in the Pro Bowl with seven players being selected Tuesday for the game, including six as starters. But count linebacker Terrell Suggs among the Ravens who have no desire to be in Honolulu on Jan. 29. "To be clear, I have no intentions of playing in the Pro Bowl," said Suggs. "I plan on being in practice with my teammates that week, getting ready for the Super Bowl.""
Lewis fared well in return
December 20
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis' first game since suffering a turf toe injury on his right foot played out in typical fashion with the 12-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker leading the Ravens in tackles in Sunday night's 34-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers. After the contest, Lewis spoke about playing for the first time since Nov. 13 when he sustained the injury in a 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. "I felt good," he said. "I never injured myself one time, and I take my hat off to this organization because we made some real hard decisions the last couple of weeks [of] if I should or should not play. I came out totally healthy, and I'm excited because in the long run, when you sit back and watch our team, we"
Lewis, Webb, Cundiff to be game-time decisions
December 17
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens coach John Harbaugh indicated Friday that linebacker Ray Lewis (toe), cornerback Lardarius Webb (toe) and kicker Billy Cundiff (calf) would be game-time decisions Sunday night against the San Diego Chargers. Lewis has missed the team's past four games -- all victories -- but he has practiced on a limited basis each day this week, which is a good indication that the 36-year-old will return to the field for "Sunday Night Football." The expectation is that Webb will not play, though he said he is optimistic he will be healthy enough to go."
Ray Lewis returns to practice
December 15
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who has missed the past four games with a toe injury, returned to practice on Wednesday. Lewis hadn't practiced since the week leading up to the 16-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. As Lewis walked out onto the practice field and pulled his purple No. 9 practice jersey -- worn in honor of the late Steve McNair -- over his gray hooded sweatshirt, his teammates clapped and cat-called the 36-year-old. Before Wednesday's practice, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that if Lewis wasn't able to practice this week, he wouldn't automatically be ruled out for Sunday night's game against the San Diego Chargers."
Lewis noncommittal about Sunday but believes he'll return this season
December 14
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis' face lit up when he gingerly walked into the Port Covington Wal-Mart on Tuesday, seconds after his entrance ignited a high-pitched roar from more than 200 kids who showed up for his annual holiday charity gift-giving event. The Ravens' All-Pro middle linebacker slapped hands, posed for a few pictures, then got behind a microphone and told the group of children it was their love and support that has helped him stay positive and allowed him to maintain perspective during a frustrating stretch of the season during which he has missed four games with a foot injury. "Your faces are the ones that keep me going," Lewis said, "even when I'm going through what I'm going through. I've"
Ravens cautioning LB Lewis not to come back too soon
December 4
NFL.com
 
"Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis continues to be urged to rest his injured toe until at least Week 15, according to team sources. Lewis will play again this season and there are no concerns in that regard, but doctors have urged him to sit for at least two more weeks. Lewis, who has missed the past two weeks with the injury, has been pragmatic about the injury to this point, and the Ravens hope that continues."
Ray Lewis limited again in practice
November 23
Baltimore Sun
 
"For the second straight day, inside linebacker Ray Lewis was listed by the Ravens as having practiced on a limited basis Tuesday. Lewis, who is trying to be ready for the team's Thanksgiving night clash with the San Francisco 49ers, is dealing with an injured toe on his right foot. The 12-time Pro Bowl selection did not play in Sunday's 31-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, snapping a streak of consecutive starts at 57."
Ray Lewis: 'I want to play Thursday, and I'm making some progress'
November 22
Carroll County Times
 
"Baltimore Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis issued a statement regarding his uncertain status for Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Lewis was limited Monday due to the toe injury that sidelined him against the Cincinnati Bengals. He's expected to attempt to play Thursday despite the injury: "I apologize for not being available as I normally am on a day like today, but I am taking every opportunity to get treatment on my foot to prepare to play on Thursday," Lewis said in the statement. "Anytime you see your team on the field, you always want to be out there with them. As the leader of your team, it doesn't sit well with me to be on the sidelines."
Rumors fly that the season could be over for Ray Lewis
November 20
Pro Football Talk
 
"Since the stories regarding the status of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and his injured foot currently already are all over the place (he won't play Sunday, he may play Sunday, he'll miss only one game if he misses any, he'll miss at least two games), let's add to the growing orchestra of out-of-sync accounts of the future Hall of Famer's status. There's a rumor making the rounds that Ray got bad news during his visit to a South Florida specialist, and that Lewis could miss the rest of the season."
Toe injury sidelines Lewis, ends LB's consecutive games streak
November 20
NFL.com
 
"Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will not play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Network's Warren Sapp reported Sunday on "GameDay Morning." Sapp said he received a text from Lewis Sunday morning informing him that the toe injury Lewis sustained in Week 10 will force him to miss a game for the first time in 57 contests."
If Lewis can walk, he'll likely play against Bengals
November 20
Baltimore Sun
 columnist Peter Schmuck
"It's tempting to look at the possibility that Ray Lewis will be sidelined for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and wonder if the Ravens are mentally tough enough to take care of business at this very important juncture in the season. It's also tempting to consider the point where Lewis is in his amazing career and wonder how long he can keep fooling Father Time. Of course, as John Harbaugh pointed out on Friday, we're talking about Ray Lewis, which means that none of the age-appropriate physical standards apply, and we're talking about the Ravens, who are about as emotionally predictable as a teenager on prom night. First things first. The loss of Lewis would be significant on"
Ray Lewis could miss his first game since 2007 Sunday against Bengals
November 19
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens are prepared to go into Sunday's AFC North showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals without their emotional leader and top tackler. However, they learned long ago that it would be foolish to rule out middle linebacker Ray Lewis too early. Lewis, 36, missed a third straight day of practice Friday with a toe injury he sustained in last week's 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and he appears likely to be sidelined Sunday, if not longer. But his history and pain tolerance have prompted the Ravens to list him as questionable for the game against Cincinnati at M&T Bank Stadium. A questionable listing indicates that a player has about a 50 percent chance of playing. "Ray is Ray, you"
Report: Ray Lewis to miss Sunday's game, possibly more
November 18
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and could miss more, according to a published report. Lewis, who has been dealing with a toe injury suffered against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday. A report by the Carroll County Times said Lewis, 36, visited a specialist in Florida for another opinion, which confirmed the damage to his toe."
Ray Lewis has now missed two consecutive practices with foot injury
November 18
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis missed a second consecutive practice leading into Sunday's showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis is dealing with a foot injury. The severity of the injury is unclear, but no Ravens have expressed concern that Lewis could miss Sunday's important AFC North game. Defensive tackle Art Jones (concussion) and running back Anthony Allen (thigh) also did not participate in practice for a second consecutive day."
Ravens confirm Lewis did not practice Wednesday
November 17
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens, who are preparing for the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, confirmed in Wednesday's injury report that inside linebacker Ray Lewis did indeed miss practice. Lewis, who was not reported to have suffered an injury in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, was described as dealing with a foot injury. It's unclear how this injury will impact Lewis' availability. Lewis has not missed a start since Dec. 30, 2007."
The key to Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' longevity? Hard work.
August 21
Baltimore Sun
 
"About a month after last season ended, Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano received a text from a friend that read: "I'm watching one of your players run in the sand for an hour." Later that morning, another text flashed on Pagano's phone: "Now, I'm watching your player swim 30 minutes in the ocean." When Pagano finally asked for the name of the player, it was as if he already knew the answer: Ray Lewis. The enduring face of the franchise is entering his 16th season — a feat impressive for any NFL player, much less an inside linebacker — and the secret of Lewis' longevity is really no secret at all. The 36-year-old Lewis prides himself on outworking everyone, whether it's on the"
Ray Lewis may retire if Ravens win Super Bowl
August 10
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis may retire if the Ravens win a Super Bowl this season, the linebacker told CBSSports.com. "My son will be a junior this year. I only play this game for another ring," Lewis said. "If we can win it this year, and I'm being brutally honest with you, if we win it this year, I'm gone to then spend as much time as I can with him. I'm gone to be with my son. And I feel like now we have enough pieces in place to make a good run at the Super Bowl." Lewis, 36, who is entering his 16th NFL season, isn't ready to guarantee that, though. "I don't know when it will all be over for me," he said. "People want to use my age against me. They say I'm too old. People fear getting old. I don't fear"
Legend Lewis wants another ring for career wrap
August 10
CBSSports.com
 columnist Mike Freeman
"Ray Lewis is asked about his legacy, and it's not an easy question to answer considering his legacy is thick and palpable and historic. Then he answers by pulling out two big notebooks. Lewis doesn't like the schedule-keeping gizmos. He goes old school with pen and datebook. Both are full, but it is the second one that's most interesting. In it is Lewis' workout schedule, and it's this insane level of physical preparation that, to me, has allowed Lewis to pass Dick Butkus as the best middle linebacker of all time and challenge the legacy (there's that word again) of Lawrence Taylor as the most impactful linebacker period. Almost every day of the book is filled with something ... many"
Ray Lewis on Tom Brady: He is 'the greatest of greats'
July 6
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis made two appearances on the finale of NFL Network's list of the top 100 players for 2011. The first, of course, was when he was revealed as the fourth-best player in the league -- and the highest defender on the list -- according to his peers. The second was when he introduced Tom Brady, who was named the best player in football, beating out Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Lewis and Ed Reed. Lewis, along with Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, gave commentary during Brady's highlight package, and Lewis heaped tons of praise on the Patriots quarterback, an MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion. "He's not the biggest. He was never the strongest. He was never the"
Ray of darkness if NFL remains in a lockout?
May 29
Washington Examiner
 columnist Rick Snider
"Ray Lewis says lock up your children, bring in the livestock and hide your valuables. Without the NFL this fall, the United States of America will soon slide into total chaos. "Watch how much evil -- which we call it crime -- watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game," the Baltimore Ravens linebacker told ESPN. "There's nothing else to do." It's an interesting comment. Lewis isn't saying NFL players will cause trouble given idle time. He's saying NFL-industry workers idled by the lockout and fans without an outlet for violence will release their own bedlam onto the public. Instead of peaceful Sundays when everyone's watching football games, Lewis says evil will return to the"
Ray Lewis says crime will increase if there's no football
May 23
Carroll County Times
 
"Although there's no scientific evidence to suggest a lack of NFL football having a measurable negative effect beyond the economy, Baltimore Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis believes that crime will increase if there's no season due to the labor dispute. "Do this research if we don't have a season, watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game," Lewis told ESPN. "There's too many people that live through us, people live through us. Yeah, walk in the streets, the way I walk the streets, and I'm not talking about the people you see all the time." Lewis wasn't referring to the mounting amount of arrests by NFL players during the"
Ravens' Lewis says crime will rise without NFL season
May 22
ESPN.com
 
"One of the consequences of a lost NFL season will be an increase in crime, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said in a wide-raging one-on-one interview with ESPN. "Do this research if we don't have a season -- watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game," Lewis told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio."
Lewis "can't see" playing past 37
April 13
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis has always scoffed at questions about retirement. The Ravens linebacker talks about his desire to win another Super Bowl and his "dominance" after 15 NFL seasons. But Lewis, who turns 36 next month, may have left it slip that he has only one or two more seasons left in him. In an NFL Network appearance, he was asked if he might stick around long enough to play with his son, Ray Lewis III, who is finishing his sophomore year in high school."
Lewis says he would beat Zbikowski in the ring
April 12
Baltimore Sun
 
"There's no question on who is the better football player between Ray Lewis and Tom Zbikowski. And there's no debate when it comes to the boxing ring, if you ask the Pro Bowl linebacker. "Zbikowski would lose," Lewis said in a blog on the NFL Network. "We've already talked about that. Zbikowski is a realist when it comes to the sport. The locker room talk is always that about who can beat who. He'll be the first to tell you he's not going to get in the ring with a 250-pound person. That's crazy!""
Ravens' Lewis says he's unsure whether there will be full NFL season this year
April 8
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis said he doesn't have a gut feeling on whether there will be a full 16-game NFL season this year. Asked why he doesn't, the Ravens linebacker offered this cryptic response Wednesday: "I don't know. I'm more on the inside of it of talking to [NFL Players Association leader] DeMaurice Smith and talking to all those guys. But a lot of it, I'm totally away from them because I look at it totally different, and I'll share that at another time." The NFL and the players disagree on who should oversee talks after a judge handling the injunction urged the sides to go "back to the table." Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are plaintiffs in the case. The players have been locked out"
Ray Lewis confirms he'll be back in 2011
February 10
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis made it clear Wednesday that he will continue to man the middle of the Ravens' defense next season. Earlier this month, The Baltimore Sun reported that there were "a lot of rumors swirling" about the Ravens offering the 35-year-old linebacker a financial package to retire. "I heard that they gave me a front office job. Come on," Lewis said on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday. Lewis finished sixth in the NFL this season with 139 tackles. According to the Ravens, he missed only five snaps on defense. A day after the Ravens' playoff loss at Pittsburgh, Lewis scoffed at questions on whether he would consider retiring. He continued that stance on Wednesday, saying he would"
Ray Lewis wants Pro Bowl to remain in Hawaii
January 30
Baltimore Sun
 
"Four Ravens -- Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and Billy Cundiff -- will play in today's Pro Bowl, which returns to Hawaii after spending a year in Miami last year. Lewis said having the all-star game in Hawaii makes the achievement more significant. He realized that when was greeted with a lei after landing on the island. "That's when you say, 'OK. I've made it again.' You really appreciate it," Lewis told the Canadian Press. "This is the reward. With the Pro Bowl being here, this is the reward." Four Ravens -- Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and Billy Cundiff -- will play in today's Pro Bowl, which returns to Hawaii after spending a year in Miami last year. Lewis said"
Jerod Mayo chats up Ray Lewis
January 27
Boston Herald
 
"Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo scanned the room and found the guy he was looking for: Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. "He's just someone I've been wanting to sit down with and talk with and pick his brain," Mayo said after Tuesday night's AFC players orientation meeting. "I've watched him and just want to see how he's been able to do what he's done for so long. That's so amazing to me, and take what I can from him. "He seemed like a good guy. It was a quick meet-and-greet, but he welcomed me with open arms, and we're going to get together and talk." Now, the Patriots and Ravens aren't quite to the degree of the Pats and Jets on the hate meter, but they're up there,"
Antonio Cromartie talk draws ire
January 27
ESPN.com
 
"After Antonio Cromartie called out the leaders of the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Baltimore's Ray Lewis and Arizona's Darnell Dockett wanted people to know the New York Jets cornerback doesn't speak for all players. "We have leaders," Dockett said. "We know what is fair and the players are behind our leadership." The players' association is preparing for a potential lockout in early March if the two sides cannot come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. In practical terms, it means free agents such as Cromartie will live with the uncertainty of not knowing where they will play next season."
Jerod Mayo turns to Ravens' Ray Lewis
January 26
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo has big plans for his first Pro Bowl trip. And he planted the seeds last night during the AFC players orientation meeting. Mayo cozied up to Ray Lewis, formally introduced himself, shook the man's hand, and basically told the Ravens linebacker he hoped to pick his brain during the week for pointers on how to get better. And guess what? Lewis agreed. "He seemed like a good guy," Mayo said. "It was a quick meet-and-greet. But he welcomed me with open arms, and we're going to get together and talk." Now the Patriots and Ravens aren't quite to the degree of the Pats and Jets on the hate meter, but they're up there, especially when Terrell Suggs starts yapping crazy things about Tom"
Ravens have yet to talk to Ray Lewis about story linking him to banned substance
January 21
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens have not spoken to star linebacker Ray Lewis about a Yahoo Sports story linking him to a substance banned by the NFL, but team officials said Thursday they plan to. The story published this week by Yahoo Sports claims that Lewis may have acquired a supplement that contains human growth hormone. "Ray is one person that I think that we all can talk to, and he'll explain any and everything to us about what he's doing [and] why he's doing it," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "So, if need be, we'll have that conversation." Newsome, however, said he believes that the NFL has the strictest drug testing policy of all the major American sports, and if a player were using"
Ray Lewis laments turnovers
January 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Inside linebacker Ray Lewis said the Ravens' three turnovers put too much pressure on the defense in Saturday's playoff loss at Pittsburgh. "I tell you time and time again, the No. 1 thing you cannot do is turn the ball over in the red zone," Lewis said. "That will never change in this business ever. We are good, but to overcome all of that is harsh on my defense, and I wouldn't put that much on my defense because we went out and played our hearts out." Those three turnovers led to 17 points for the Steelers. Pittsburgh's scoring drives off those turnovers were 23, 25 and 6 yards."
Ravens' Lewis: Defense not to blame for loss
January 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Ray Lewis has been in the NFL long enough to know not to call out any of his teammates, especially after a heartbreaking playoff loss to the rival Steelers. So the 12-time Pro Bowl Baltimore Ravens linebacker refrained from putting the blame for Saturday's 31-24 collapse to the Steelers on any specific group or player. However, he made it known that it wasn't the defense's fault for the Ravens allowing their second most points this season in the loss to the Steelers. "I tell you time and time again, the No. 1 thing you cannot do is turn the ball over in the red zone," Lewis said. "That will never change in this business ever. We are good, but to overcome all of that is harsh on my defense,"
Ray Lewis tries to set a tone vs. Browns
December 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"There are very few times during his career that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has called out a team or a player. Usually, it's the other way around, and then Lewis responds. But I like Lewis telling the Cleveland Browns that running back Peyton Hillis won't have a repeat performance of the 144 rushing yards he had against the Ravens three months ago. In that game, Hillis embarrassed the Ravens and made a name for himself throughout the league. In fact, it was the worst beat-down of a Ravens defense by an opposing running offense in team history."
Cushing a fan of Ravens linebacker Lewis
December 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"exans' second-year linebacker Brian Cushing admits he has long been a huge admirer of the Ravens' Ray Lewis, a Hall-of-Famer-to-be who's still a major force to reckon with in his 15th NFL season. "I love what he does, no question about it," Cushing said. "Growing up, I was a big fan, and, being in the pros myself, I'm still a big fan. He's a student of the game, and he's got freakish athletic ability. The guy's got it all. He shows his love for the game in the way he plays. That's not something that you see on film all the time. But, with him, it sticks out no matter what you're watching. "He's one of those guys that, I don't care what sport you play, you look up to him.""
Lewis, Rice, other Ravens share Thanksgiving thoughts
November 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis - "You got to be thankful for what's real. You gotta be thankful for life, just having the opportunity to really bless someone. I tell you man, I saw some things last night at an event I was at in Ellicott City that makes you click in to what life's really all about, and that's about influence. It's about how you can give somebody hope, faith and love one way or another. You know, you walk in and you see these babies in these wheelchairs, and then I get this e-mail yesterday about this young junior kid who was playing nose guard, had a great career and now he has bone cancer. You know, he doesn't know this, but I'm going to go over there and surprise him because that was one of"
No plans for Lewis to take it easy just yet
November 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"The concept of playing a reduced or limited role is one that Ray Lewis isn't contemplating at this point. Two days after Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that he had approached the 11-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker about reducing the number of snaps to extend his career, Lewis said Wednesday that he can't afford to leave the field to get a breather. "If I do that, I'd cheat a whole lot of people," he said. "To give you an example last week, when the game was almost over right after I had that pick, Coach came and said,Come out. And then Sizzle [outside linebacker Terrell Suggs] looked at me and said, You can't come out. When I retire, I will be off the field a lot. But right now,"
Manning, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed ranked among NFL's smartest
November 16
Baltimore Sun
 
"Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was the overwhelming selection among 282 NFL players as the league's smartest player, according to a Sports Illustrated poll. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were the only two Ravens listed among the top vote getters."
Ray Lewis: 99 percent of players would vote against Thursday games
November 8
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ray Lewis said he isn't alone in wanting to end Thursday night games. The Ravens play at the Atlanta Falcons in the first Thursday game of the season, which comes four days after their win over Miami. According to the Ravens middle linebacker, the quick turnaround is taxing on players mentally (there are fewer days to prepare) and physically (there are fewer days to recover). "You do it because it's part of the business," Lewis said. "But I'm almost guaranteeing that 99 percent of us would vote against that." The Ravens typically have a light workout and watch film on Monday before taking off Tuesday. This week, the team will practice Monday and Tuesday before getting on a flight"
Ryan makes up with Lewis, challenges Ravens
October 29
Baltimore Sun
 columnist Mike Preston
"When the Ravens celebrated the 10th anniversary of their 2000 Super Bowl team over the weekend, one of the assistant coaches to come back was New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Ryan said he participated in a dinner Saturday night. He left afterward, heading back to New York, because the Jets began preparations for their game this weekend against the Green Bay Packers. It would have been interesting to see the crowd reaction Sunday if Ryan were introduced with former Ravens assistants Jim Colletto and Matt Simon. "The event was great," said Ryan, a former Ravens defensive line coach and coordinator. "I stay close with of a bunch of these guys like Tony Siragusa, Rob Burnett and Larry"
Ray Lewis truly a rare bird
October 17
Boston Herald
 columnist Ron Borges
"What do Kevin Hardy, John Mobley and Reggie Brown have in common? Don't even bother. Who would guess that those were the three linebackers drafted ahead of Ray Lewis in 1996? If you want to add Simeon Rice, Hardy's college teammate who became a defensive end in the NFL but was a linebacker at Illinois, make it four. Add them together and what do you get? Not Ray Lewis, that's for sure. When Lewis walks onto the turf at Gillette Stadium today, he not only will be the best linebacker on the field, he will make clear at some point why he is the best inside/middle linebacker of his time and perhaps of all time. It is difficult to compare eras because games change, size and speed change,"