Maikeru-sama
11-19-2004, 08:32 AM
R. Lewis lends helping hand to opposition
Owens and C. Johnson have a change of heart after talking to linebacker
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Staff
Originally published November 19, 2004
Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Now, Ray Lewis can add another title to his illustrious career: The Godfather of the NFL.
That's what media and players around the league have begun calling the Ravens linebacker for an influence that extends beyond his team. Over the past month, Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and Bengals receiver Chad Johnson both admitted to having a change in attitude after hearing from Lewis.
Owens, who rarely admits fault for anything, apologized for his remarks about Lewis' 2000 double-murder case after watching Lewis acknowledge his mistakes of the past in an ESPN interview.
Then, Johnson apologized for his recent outburst on the sideline for not getting enough passes thrown his way, an admission that he said stemmed from a conversation he had with Lewis.
"When I sit back and watch this and watch that, my thing is when are we going to help one another?" Lewis said. "With this business, a true leader and a true MVP has to say, 'I know this is a game, I know we're competing against each other, but where do we draw the line?' With the experiences I've gone through, I'm going to help another.
"My legacy is not going to be about me being great. My legacy is when I walk away from this game is that I was able to help other players, and not just on my team."
Injury update
Cornerback Chris McAlister missed his second straight day of practice and likely won't play Sunday, which would make him the fifth Ravens Pro Bowl player to be sidelined for a game this season. McAlister (neck and shoulder) would probably be replaced by Corey Fuller.
There were no changes on the Ravens' injury report. Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (hamstring) practiced, while tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and nickel back Deion Sanders (toe) did not.
Meanwhile, with the deadline coming next week on whether to activate Peter Boulware from the physically unable to perform list or deactivate the linebacker for the rest of the season, coach Brian Billick could not guarantee his return this season.
"I don't know. We'll have to see," Billick said. "I have to hear more from the doctors. The toe is more of a concern than the knee."
End zone
The Ravens will hold their family food drive before Sunday's game. Canned food will be accepted outside the stadium gates from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. kickoff. ... The Ravens' defense is atop the NFL in fewest points allowed (14.4 points a game), nearly two points better a game than the next closest, the Pittsburgh Steelers (16.3). ... The Ravens are 5-2-1 when playing the NFC East. ... When the Ravens commit more penalties than their opponent, they are 3-0 this season.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravensnotes19nov19,1,7010414.story?coll=bal-sports-football
Owens and C. Johnson have a change of heart after talking to linebacker
By Jamison Hensley
Sun Staff
Originally published November 19, 2004
Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Now, Ray Lewis can add another title to his illustrious career: The Godfather of the NFL.
That's what media and players around the league have begun calling the Ravens linebacker for an influence that extends beyond his team. Over the past month, Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and Bengals receiver Chad Johnson both admitted to having a change in attitude after hearing from Lewis.
Owens, who rarely admits fault for anything, apologized for his remarks about Lewis' 2000 double-murder case after watching Lewis acknowledge his mistakes of the past in an ESPN interview.
Then, Johnson apologized for his recent outburst on the sideline for not getting enough passes thrown his way, an admission that he said stemmed from a conversation he had with Lewis.
"When I sit back and watch this and watch that, my thing is when are we going to help one another?" Lewis said. "With this business, a true leader and a true MVP has to say, 'I know this is a game, I know we're competing against each other, but where do we draw the line?' With the experiences I've gone through, I'm going to help another.
"My legacy is not going to be about me being great. My legacy is when I walk away from this game is that I was able to help other players, and not just on my team."
Injury update
Cornerback Chris McAlister missed his second straight day of practice and likely won't play Sunday, which would make him the fifth Ravens Pro Bowl player to be sidelined for a game this season. McAlister (neck and shoulder) would probably be replaced by Corey Fuller.
There were no changes on the Ravens' injury report. Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (hamstring) practiced, while tight end Todd Heap (ankle) and nickel back Deion Sanders (toe) did not.
Meanwhile, with the deadline coming next week on whether to activate Peter Boulware from the physically unable to perform list or deactivate the linebacker for the rest of the season, coach Brian Billick could not guarantee his return this season.
"I don't know. We'll have to see," Billick said. "I have to hear more from the doctors. The toe is more of a concern than the knee."
End zone
The Ravens will hold their family food drive before Sunday's game. Canned food will be accepted outside the stadium gates from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. kickoff. ... The Ravens' defense is atop the NFL in fewest points allowed (14.4 points a game), nearly two points better a game than the next closest, the Pittsburgh Steelers (16.3). ... The Ravens are 5-2-1 when playing the NFC East. ... When the Ravens commit more penalties than their opponent, they are 3-0 this season.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravensnotes19nov19,1,7010414.story?coll=bal-sports-football