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Ray Lewis: Cowboys or Jets would be attractive landing spots
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Ray Lewis now says he won't give the Ravens a hometown discount. And he's also saying nice things about the Dallas Cowboys.
The linebacker, an original Raven who is the backbone of the team's defense, is set to become a free agent his month. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said after the season he hoped Lewis would sign a below-market deal to stay in Baltimore, but Lewis told the NFL Network that will be a hard sell.
"I dont play less," Lewis said. "If you don't play less, you don't take less. That's just life."
A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis has played for the Ravens since he entered the league in 1996. Where would he consider playing if he leaves Baltimore as a free agent? Dallas and the New York Jets are two intriguing possibilities.
The Cowboys, despite all their off-field drama, can be a contender if they have "one general" in the locker room.
"I don't see all of that outside stuff that they're talking about what goes on in Dallas," Lewis told the NFLN. "I see Dallas as a great opportunity. It's always been America's Team. It's just a great place to play football."
The Jets could be attractive to Lewis because they just hired the Ravens defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, as head coach.
"That just sounds right," Lewis told the NFLN. "It's like, 'Wow, if something does happen where you're not back in Baltimore, the Jets wouldn't be bad.'
"You go take a young Jets team that has a lot of talent across the board. You wiggle 52 (Lewis) into that equation, then that team goes from just being OK to 'Let's go win this.' That scenario is attractive."
The Ravens own Lewis' rights until free agency begins at the end of the month. They have several other key free agents, including fellow LBs Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs. But re-signing Lewis, long the team's leader, is expected to be a priority for them.
Hat tip: Baltimore Sun
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Ray Lewis doesn’t intend to give Ravens a discount
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Friday, February 06, 2009
OWINGS MILLS — Star middle linebacker Ray Lewis doesn’t plan to grant the Baltimore Ravens the hometown discount that team owner Steve Bisciotti is hoping for.
And the impending unrestricted free agent and 10-time Pro Bowl selection said that he’s open to playing for the New York Jets or the Dallas Cowboys.
During an interview with the NFL Network while preparing for the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, the two-time NFL De-fensive Player of the Year made it clear that he isn’t inclined to leave money on the table to remain in Baltimore.
"I don’t play less," Lewis said during a seven-minute interview. "If you don’t play less, you don’t take less. That’s just life."
Bisciotti and Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs have both recently broached the idea that Lewis could opt to stay with the Ravens by not maximizing his financial demands. And Bisciotti offered the opinion that Lewis can make more money in Baltimore than elsewhere.
"I’ve been hopeful forever that we’re going to work a deal," Bisciotti said last month. "I don’t think that other people are going to value Ray Lewis higher than we do. We know what he brings to the table. He’s showing at 33 that he’s capable of playing like a 28-year-old. So, I’ve got my wife on a budget already to try and save some money so we can sign him. ..
"Ray is not going2 0to settle for something that he thinks is way below. Are we going to get a hometown dis-count? I hope so, I really do. I hope I get a discount so I can find another Jimmy Leonhard with the money we save."
However, Lewis seems open to testing the market when the free agent signing period begins Feb. 27, provided that he hasn’t been re-signed by Baltimore. Of course, Lewis might just be saying that to get the Ravens to think that he’ll sign quickly if he makes it to free agency to try to get the team to increase their offer.
One team Lewis has been linked to in rumors is the Cowboys even though owner Jerry Jones has said that he in-tends to spend most of his money signing outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware to a contract extension.
Guess great things can't last forever. Ray Lewis is treating the situation just as it is.... BUSINESS!!! I respect that. Will be sad to see him leave Baltimore though. I don't care how good he is.
![[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]](https://i.ibb.co/6WV79RV/Browns-Coach-Sig.png)
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I'm going with whoever offers the most money....
nordawg
The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
#gmstrong
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I'm going with whoever offers the most money....
nordawg
No doubt.....it's not rocket science with this guy at this stage of his career.
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All Pro
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It will be interesting to see what happens with TO if Ray ends up in Dallas 
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It will be interesting to see what happens with TO if Ray ends up in Dallas
Ray Ray would put his arm around him after practice one day, and take him to a "Come to Jesus" meeting.
Go Irish!
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Hopefully Dallas,...we don't play them again until 2012. He might be retired by then. 
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Just a note...
Texas is one of the few States without a State Income Tax...
NY is the Media capital of the World/USA where he has to go for most of those commercials.
JMHO
I think those are two very important issues. Also it seems Murderers could get by pretty well in both of those states 
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off!
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there are a lot more armed citizens in texas. the likelihood of stabbing somebody and gallivanting off in your limo would be somewhat reduced.
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.
John Barrymore
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I'm going with whoever offers the most money....
nordawg
I will go ahead and agree with that.
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I'm going with whoever offers the most money....
nordawg
I will go ahead and agree with that.
As will I.....and also add that Jerry Jones usually gets the players that he wants...that "D" instantly becomes better just with his presence...I'm glad we WON"T be playing them.....
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Roscoe5319/Marty2.jpg) "Winning is not a some time thing, it's an all the time thing" ....-Lombardi-
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that "D" instantly becomes better just with his presence...
Does that mean that the Ravens D will be that much worse without him?
#GMSTRONG
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Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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We shall see, new d-coordinator, Ray Lewis gone.............. they still have a good d-line and ed reed and suggs and/or scott. They'll be good, not the same at all though.
At least that's what i hope
UCONN HUSKIES 2014 Champions of Basketball
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I would say very much so......if Ray leaves, I assume that will give them enough money to re-sign Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott, but that still will leave a HUGE hole to fill.......and if they are in that bad of shape cap wise, how would they fix it......???? Even if one of the good MLB's fal lto them in the draft, no rookie would be able to fill them shoes.....I suppose that in FA they might be able to make a signing that would be better than nothing.....that is, if they have the money.....they could do something with McGahee too I guess.....towards the end of last season, there was alot of talk about them liking Ray Rice and how he fits the scheme better...so there is another option....
"Winning is not a some time thing, it's an all the time thing" ....-Lombardi-
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that "D" instantly becomes better just with his presence...
Does that mean that the Ravens D will be that much worse without him?
The defense is still pretty talented and Ray's skills hadn't fallen off much yet, but they were going to start over the next couple years anyway... they should be more worried about replacing his presence and his leadership than his skills.
yebat' Putin
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Kinda what I thought also
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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NY is the Media capital of the World/USA where he has to go for most of those commercials.
Can we please let this myth die?
These days, playing in NYC does little to nothing for an athlete in terms of commercials. The market has become global, the players have become bigger than the teams, and outside perhaps playing for the Yankees, playing in that market doesn't do much to bolster advertising, outside of a few more local spots here and there.
Where does Peyton play? Where does Eli play? Who gets more face time?
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How many Jets, Knicks or Mets players do you see in commercials? 
yebat' Putin
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NY is the Media capital of the World/USA where he has to go for most of those commercials.
Can we please let this myth die?
These days, playing in NYC does little to nothing for an athlete in terms of commercials. The market has become global, the players have become bigger than the teams, and outside perhaps playing for the Yankees, playing in that market doesn't do much to bolster advertising, outside of a few more local spots here and there.
Where does Peyton play? Where does Eli play? Who gets more face time?
Pretty much right on. Take Lebron for example: his latest commercial was filmed at Akron U?....am I remembering that right? It sure as hell wasn't filmed in new york.
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"Where does Peyton play? Where does Eli play? Who gets more face time?"
Who can speak English?
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off!
Go Browns!
CHRIST HAS RISEN!
GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
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"Where does Peyton play? Where does Eli play? Who gets more face time?"
Who can speak English?
They both sound like hillbillies to me.
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I'm going with whoever offers the most money....
nordawg
I will go ahead and agree with that.
As will I.....and also add that Jerry Jones usually gets the players that he wants...that "D" instantly becomes better just with his presence...I'm glad we WON"T be playing them.....
Except in the Super Bowl next year... Ok.. so I have high hopes.. 
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](http://i.imgur.com/FUKyw.png) "Don't be burdened by regrets or make your failures an obsession or become embittered or possessed by ruined hopes"
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On a side note the Ravens are raising tickets prices for the 2009 season. How much you guys wanna bet Suggs signs elsewhere too? Link
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would be nice if it was in Cleveland 
#brownsgoodkarma
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Where does Peyton play? Where does Eli play? Who gets more face time?
That depends if the Williams sisters are in the commercial also,,, then it's LA! 
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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On a side note the Ravens are raising tickets prices for the 2009 season. How much you guys wanna bet Suggs signs elsewhere too?
Link
well, it would be great to see Baltimore lose Lewis and Suggs, but I can't see that happening....Suggs still has a few years left in the tank.....so I could see them rebuilding around him....and Bart Scott......they are in need of some DB's now.....I love it...they finally might have their offense going and now their D needs re-built......
"Winning is not a some time thing, it's an all the time thing" ....-Lombardi-
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Regardless of what happens w/ the Ravens... The Steelers are the team to beat.
We can beat the Ravens...
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well, we COULD beat anybody...but Cincy did beat us last year.....Cincy will be tough again too now that Carson will be back, and it appears that Benson fits in...they just need to get rid of Ocho big mouth and keep TJ and they will be fine....
"Winning is not a some time thing, it's an all the time thing" ....-Lombardi-
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I just want to throw this in there.
Unlike the Browns "IF" the Ravens let RL leave then it's highly likely they have someone to take his place, otherwise they get him re-signed. I actually think this whole RL not returning to the Ravens is just posturing on both parties parts.
JMHO
BTTB
BTTB
AKA Upbeat Dawg
Can't believe I am in a group that is comprised of the best NOT just fans but people on the planet.
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well, we COULD beat anybody...but Cincy did beat us last year.....Cincy will be tough again too now that Carson will be back, and it appears that Benson fits in...they just need to get rid of Ocho big mouth and keep TJ and they will be fine....
And what do you propose they do on defense?
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
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I would say very much so......if Ray leaves, I assume that will give them enough money to re-sign Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott, but that still will leave a HUGE hole to fill.......
Ozzie might give his old buddy Kokomo a call and move up to No.5 for some shiny beads. 
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And what do you propose they do on defense?
Well, their secondary I would say is better than average, and they have Keith Rivers coming back....annnndddd....that is about it.... maybe Dhani Jones.....lol....Marv Lewis was supposed to be the savior for their "D"...kinda like Romeo was....but it has never panned out that way...If he wants to keep his job, he had better concentrate of the "D".....I say they go DL in the 1st....maybe in the 2nd too...if not, better get an OL....then go "D" the rest of the way....if it were me, I would re-sign TJ and trade Ocho stinko .....and gather as many picks as I can get....Carson will make the offense good again as long as he has TJ...and with the running game somewhat back with Benson, I think it will help their "D" out alot.....maybe they won't have to be on the field for 50 minutes.....
"Winning is not a some time thing, it's an all the time thing" ....-Lombardi-
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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/02/forget_lewis_to_jets_rumors_ra.htmlForget Ray Lewis to Jets rumors; Ravens prepared to step upby Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger Monday February 09, 2009, 4:49 PM So much for those silly and unfounded Ray Lewis to the Jets rumors. Ravens coach John Harbaugh made it clear that Baltimore will do everything it needs to do to ensure Lewis will end his career there. And that's the way it should be. There are only a few players in the league who identify with their teams and cities the way Lewis does, and he wouldn't be happy playing anywhere else. Besides, there's no way Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum would pay top dollar for the 34-year-old Lewis even if former Ravens defensive boss Rex Ryan is now his new coach. First, the Jets are still smarting from the Brett Favre disaster -- bringing in a veteran at the end of his career -- and secondly, they're up against the salary cap although they're not in dire straits. ``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. ``(Owner) Steve (Bisciotti) 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 his career a Baltimore Raven. And there's no question the Baltimore Ravens want Ray.'' Basically, Lewis tossed out the Jets and Cowboys as possible destinations last week to rattle the Ravens' cage and create a market for himself. Apparently, he got the Ravens' attention, though there didn't figure to be a huge market for him at this stage in his career. The Ravens linebacker that the Jets really need to zero in on is 28-year-old inside linebacker Bart Scott, who along with Lewis and Terrell Suggs is also an unrestricted free agent. With Jets starting veteran inside linebacker Eric Barton an unrestricted free agent, the Jets have an opening at the inside linebacker spot alongside David Harris and Scott would be a perfect fit if the Jets can afford him. Also, look for the Jets to make a strong bid for Ravens safety Jim Leonard. The Jets have been searching for someone to play opposite Kerry Rhodes for the past several seasons and Leonard is likely their man.
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The Ravens linebacker that the Jets really need to zero in on is 28-year-old inside linebacker Bart Scott, who along with Lewis and Terrell Suggs is also an unrestricted free agent. ......
Also, look for the Jets to make a strong bid for Ravens safety Jim Leonard.
may as well insert the browns where it says jets.
I hope the ravens dump crazy money at Lewis. His career is almost over and it probably means they will have problems keeping their 3 linebackers - is it realistic to think they may lose Suggs and Scott if they keep Lewis?? Can't see how they could afford all three.
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The Ravens linebacker that the Jets really need to zero in on is 28-year-old inside linebacker Bart Scott, who along with Lewis and Terrell Suggs is also an unrestricted free agent. ......
Also, look for the Jets to make a strong bid for Ravens safety Jim Leonard.
may as well insert the browns where it says jets.
I hope the ravens dump crazy money at Lewis. His career is almost over and it probably means they will have problems keeping their 3 linebackers - is it realistic to think they may lose Suggs and Scott if they keep Lewis?? Can't see how they could afford all three.
As someone else said before me, I think they'll sign Lewis to a longterm contract and then franchise Suggs. They won't have the money for Scott, so he'll bolt to NY or Cle. Lewis still has some juice in the tank and name recognition in B-more while Suggs is the better talent. If they keep those two, I'm sure they'd be happy.
Scott....I'm not sure how good he'd be here without Ngata, Lewis, Suggs, Reed....etc.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.preston17feb17,0,5285701.column Ravens should offer Lewis this reasonable proposal Mike Preston February 17, 2009 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 don't mind allowing their top veteran players to leave. Lewis is perhaps the best player in the Ravens' brief history, so the Ravens want to handle these negotiations with care. So, here's my proposal: The Ravens should give Lewis, 33, a three-year contract worth $18million. There will be no signing bonus, but every year that Lewis shows up for training camp on time, the $6 million salary becomes guaranteed, even if there is a players' strike. If Lewis can't play the final year of the contract, the Ravens still have to pay him the $6 million as a consultant or adviser. It's a fair and logical deal, with a possible great farewell present for the aging superstar. A few months ago, I advocated the Ravens' putting the franchise tag on him, but that could put Lewis' salary up past $11 million for the 2009 season, which is a hefty raise over the $8.065 million outside linebacker Terrell Suggs received last season as the franchise player. Lewis isn't worth that kind of money. He bulked up last season and played well except for the last month, but it's highly unlikely he can play at that weight again. At most, Lewis has two good seasons remaining. And if that's the case, and if he accepts the three-year, $18million offer, he leaves with a lot of money in his pocket. The former University of Miami star and all-but-certain Hall of Famer irritated some members of the Ravens' front office this month with his comments from the Pro Bowl about possibly playing with the Dallas Cowboys or New York Jets. It was posturing on Lewis' part, but definitely not needed. The Cowboys are reportedly interested in Lewis, but Dallas isn't going to pay him the $30million over five years ($25million guaranteed) that we heard about nearly a month ago. Dallas owner Jerry Jones is weird, but not stupid. As for the Jets, new coach Rex Ryan loves Lewis, but it would be hard to justify paying the linebacker tons of money after the fiasco with star quarterback Brett Favre, who was supposed to take the Jets to the Super Bowl but couldn't even lead them to the playoffs. So, the best option for Lewis and the Ravens is for Lewis to stay in Baltimore. He can remain the team leader and continue to have control over a defense that won't be led by Ryan. He can cement his legacy in a Ravens uniform before the final stop in Canton, Ohio. But with the new contract, there should be stipulations by the Ravens. Because they have been extremely loyal to Lewis by renegotiating his contract five times, they should ask him to become more of a team player. With a decline in ability comes a decrease in power. There should be no more demands from Lewis about which players to sign or draft and no more public statements criticizing the coaching staff or his teammates. And he should have to show up for major offseason minicamps and training camps. If this deal is completed, the Ravens should slap the franchise tag on Suggs for a second straight season and allow fellow outside linebacker Bart Scott to hit the free-agent market. It all makes perfectly good sense, but the Ravens won't come in this low. They'll probably offer Lewis a three-year deal worth slightly more than $8 million a season, which is too high. Lewis, though, will still say no, and he'll ask for about $9 million a season for the next three years. That's way too high. Actually, it's downright ridiculous. Somewhere, though, the two sides will have to find a meeting point. If this were solely general manager Ozzie Newsome's deal, the offer would be more in line with my proposal. But I've always gotten the impression owner Steve Bisciotti, Lewis' friend, will interfere and Lewis will get overpaid just to remain a Raven. It's a shame, because the Ravens could use that money elsewhere. This is supposed to be about business, and over the years Lewis has earned big money. Now it's someone else's turn. And if Lewis wants the sky, the Ravens should either make a reasonable proposal or allow him to hit the road.
Last edited by 24/7 Browns; 02/17/09 09:15 AM.
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Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Ray Lewis: Cowboys or Jets?
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