DMN JJT Blog: Ray Lewis wouldn't be the same leader in Dallas

[WoodysGirl]

Ray Lewis wouldn't be the same leader in Dallas
2:11 PM Wed, Jan 21, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor E-mail News tips

Can we please stop all of the chatter about Ray Lewis to Dallas.

First, it's never going to happen. Baltimore will never let him get away because of what he's meant to the franchise. Secondly, he could never ever be the leader in Dallas that he is in Baltimore because of the sweat equity he has invested in the Ravens.

Folks, that just doesn't transfer from locker room to locker room. Yes, Lewis is as charasmatic as they come. Yes, he remains a quality player and should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But that doesn't make him a good fit in Dallas.


Part of the reason he's such a leader in Baltimore is because there are probably hundreds of stories about his feats on and off the field that players new to the Ravens hear all of the time.

More important, when Lewis isn't around, his teammates validate all of those stories. Plus, when guys show up in Baltimore, they know Lewis is the alpha dog. They don't question his leadership.

He has earned that right as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Again, that wouldn't be the case in Dallas.

Yes, he would be a leader in Dallas. The man doesn't know how to do anything but lead, but he would never have the impact here that he has in Baltimore.

 

[AmishCowboy]

As far as Baltimore not letting him get away, Does JJT know that Suggs and Bart Scott need to be resigned and considering they are far younger, I believe Baltimore would let him leave, although the Fan base might not like it.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have been saying this since the Ray Lewis story came up. You earn leadership it is not handed to you and you don't come in day 1 and become a leader. Ray was the leader in Balt because he proved himself on the field in the locker room and in practice but it does not happen overnight. If you get Lewis you do so because you feel his skill level is good enough to help you but given his age this would be a stop gap move nothing more

 

[Aven8]

He may not take over first thing....but after they've gone thru the trenches with him for 8 games he will inspire everyone.

He's no different then getting Zach IMO. The only problem with Zach is that he's a leader though his play. He's not that locker room leader this team so badly needs.

He's been the NFL Defensive MVP, SB MVP, SB Champ. What else could you want????? Instant respect!

 

[KingintheNorth]

sometimes I think the media (and some posters) expect us to get better by doing nothing at all. Last year's draft was great but can we expect that kind of immediate success from this year's draft class? especially with no first round pick.

I'm not saying that we should sign Ray Lewis. I AM saying we need to make some changes. We need to draft/sign/trade for players that will command respect and players will rally behind. Same deal for the coaching staff. Does Jerry really think rolling this same bunch of guys who basically gave up against Baltimore and Philadelphia will produce different results.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
Albert Einstein

"Next year's coaching staff is in place"
"We will not be players in the free agent market".
"Here's our first round pick Detroit"
"Sign here Terrell"
Jerry Jones

 

[HanD]

i personally think respect can be earned by playing against someone, not just with them. and it would take little time IMO for the players on this team to gain respect for RL based on his habits, ethic, natural leadership and his play. like i said, he's still better than any LB we have not named Ware, even at his age. and he is WAY different than z.thomas because we already have players like z.thomas who are quiet and lead by example. we've seen that doesn't work on this team. we have no outspoken leaders who motivate on and off the field. i wouldn't break the bank for him, but i think his play and his leadership are needed here IMO.

and LOL at using this article to back up any point because we all know that last week or next week we will turn around and punch holes in his article when it isn't convenient to our argument.

 

[Doomsday101]

He may not take over first thing....but after they've gone thru the trenches with him for 8 games he will inspire everyone.

He's no different then getting Zach IMO. The only problem with Zach is that he's a leader though his play. He's not that locker room leader this team so badly needs.

He's been the NFL Defensive MVP, SB MVP, SB Champ. What else could you want????? Instant respect!

He is a 14 year vet how long do you think he will continue to play? Dallas would be foolish handing out any type of long term contract to a guy entering his 14 year and if a player is not going to be with you long then no one is going to look at him other than what he would be here for which is a stop gap. I disagree that Dallas does not have leaders I think Ware is a leader and as he has become more establised as 1 of the best in the NFL players will listen to him.

 

[dallasfaniac]

I don't want Lewis here (mostly because of what it would take), but I don't buy that leadership doesn't travel from locker room to locker room. As long as you can raise your voice, clap people on the back and demonstrate confidence, you should be able to lead. You don't go from being a vocal team leader with 10 pro bowls, two DPOYs and Super Bowl MVP (first linebacker since 1971), to someone with no skins on the wall. All he'd have to do is point to his ring and say 'If you want one of these, follow me, otherwise get out of my locker room.'

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

sometimes I think the media (and some posters) expect us to get better by doing nothing at all. Last year's draft was great but can we expect that kind of immediate success from this year's draft class? especially with no first round pick.

I'm not saying that we should sign Ray Lewis. I AM saying we need to make some changes. We need to draft/sign/trade for players that will command respect and players will rally behind. Same deal for the coaching staff. Does Jerry really think rolling this same bunch of guys who basically gave up against Baltimore and Philadelphia will produce different results.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
Albert Einstein

"Next year's coaching staff is in place"
"We will not be players in the free agent market".
"Here's our first round pick Detroit"
"Sign here Terrell"
Jerry Jones

I will say this again. Albert Einstein doesn't know a damn thing about psychology. I suggest you read Idea's and Opinions by him and you'll come to see he doesn't know a thing about a lot of subjects such as economics and democracy.

What Einstein is describing is not insanity. Expecting consistent behavior from an insane individual is pretty dumb. What he is talking about is more akin to OCD. OCD actually has its good points.

Furthermore you can tell he is a theorist and not experimental in his science. In theory you can create the exact same initial conditions with the stroke of a stylus. Any experimenter knows that to be a VERY difficult task. In other words, doing the exact same thing over and over again is very hard to do.

Using that quote is actually pretty damn worthless although it sounds cool cause your quoting Einstein and it seems to make you look smart.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't want Lewis here (mostly because of what it would take), but I don't buy that leadership doesn't travel from locker room to locker room. As long as you can raise your voice, clap people on the back and demonstrate confidence, you should be able to lead. You don't go from being a vocal team leader with 10 time pro bowls, two DPOYs and Super Bowl MVP (first linebacker since 1971), to someone with no skins on the wall. All he'd have to do is point to his ring and say 'If you want one of these, follow me, otherwise get out of my locker room.'

Being vocal and having people follow your lead are 2 different things, In Dallas he is the new guy who is only finishing up his career in Balt he is an established play maker who has fought in the battles for the franchise he has proved himself to his teammates and even though he is not the same player he was before he is firmly established in Balt. You don't walk in from outside into a locker room and tell people ok guys do what I tell you to do they will look at him as some nut job. If we were talking a younger Ray Lewis who would be here for a while I would agree because that would allow him the chance to earn his strips in Dallas but nothing is handed to anyone

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

As far as Baltimore not letting him get away, Does JJT know that Suggs and Bart Scott need to be resigned and considering they are far younger, I believe Baltimore would let him leave, although the Fan base might not like it.

Your exactly right...

Ozzie will let Ray walk so he can sign his talented youth. Ray's leadership alone would be worth the price. Our coaching staff has zero leadershp skills and our team is filled with 'nice guys' and 'lead by examples'. The hell with that.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I have been saying this since the Ray Lewis story came up. You earn leadership it is not handed to you and you don't come in day 1 and become a leader. Ray was the leader in Balt because he proved himself on the field in the locker room and in practice but it does not happen overnight. If you get Lewis you do so because you feel his skill level is good enough to help you but given his age this would be a stop gap move nothing more

New England has been getting veterans with leadership skills for years and usually it works out beautifully for them. Yes, Lewis needs to show he has the skill to play the game, but if he does and Dallas can get him at a reasonable price, BY ALL MEANS SIGN HIM. Leaders lead. Like him or not, Lewis is a tremendous leader and if he comes to Dallas he will be a leader here because that's what leaders do. It's not like the players would not recognize his accomplishments because he played in Baltimore.




YAKUZA

 

[jasonwitten82]

They just said on ESPN Jerry wants Ray Lewis

 

[Aven8]

He is a 14 year vet how long do you think he will continue to play? Dallas would be foolish handing out any type of long term contract to a guy entering his 14 year and if a player is not going to be with you long then no one is going to look at him other than what he would be here for which is a stop gap. I disagree that Dallas does not have leaders I think Ware is a leader and as he has become more establised as 1 of the best in the NFL players will listen to him.

I would sign him to a 2 yr incentive based contract, with an option for 3. First of all this would love the Cowboys...Ray loves the limelight. Second, he would have a great chance to get another SB (Remember Rex Ryan left and they have 3 LB's the UFA's) 3rd, he could play the 3-4....how many times did you see him rushing the QB?

We don't have leaders on this team. It's already been proven! We need one, or two to add to the mix. That's the Cowboys biggest problem....none of these guys have ever won anything! Not a playoff game, nothing! You bring in Roy11 and his teams have always sucked. (please don't give me Brad has won mumbo jumbo).

Ware is not a leader...he leads by example just like Zach...Ware's a freakin stud and our best player mind you, but he's not a leader.

Instant respect, and a swagger to gather......I don't think Ray would allow things to get soft. If Jerry and Wade were smart they would tell Ray it's your job to get these guys in line, and it could become your team. And if that.......get's us a playoff victory, or playoffs period, or the big game......it will be worth every freakin penny!

Plus........the dance deal "what time is it" has always got me pumped up and I could care less about Baltimore!!!!!! lol

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

New England has been getting veterans with leadership skills for years and usually it works out beautifully for them. Yes, Lewis needs to show he has the skill to play the game, but if he does and Dallas can get him at a reasonable price, BY ALL MEANS SIGN HIM. Leaders lead. Like him or not, Lewis is a tremendous leader and if he comes to Dallas he will be a leader here because that's what leaders do. It's not like the players would not recognize his accomplishments because he played in Baltimore.




YAKUZA

Not only that but his personality type seems to be such that he can assert his leadership. There are quite a few sheep in the pasture at VR and not many shepherds.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Being vocal and having people follow your lead are 2 different things, In Dallas he is the new guy who is only finishing up his career in Balt he is an established play maker who has fought in the battles for the franchise he has proved himself to his teammates and even though he is not the same player he was before he is firmly established in Balt. You don't walk in from outside into a locker room and tell people ok guys do what I tell you to do they will look at him as some nut job. If we were talking a younger Ray Lewis who would be here for a while I would agree because that would allow him the chance to earn his strips in Dallas but nothing is handed to anyone

I still don't buy it. If you bring in a coach like Singletary, Cowher, Parcells etc. you don't bring them in because they can fine the players if they step out of line, you bring them in because they display natural leadership. And they don't earn respect, they demand it. Same thing with a player like Lewis.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Besides, we cut his punk*** little brother and he hates us for it! :laugh2:

 

[NextGenBoys]

Ray Lewis wouldn't be the same leader in Dallas
2:11 PM Wed, Jan 21, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Jean-Jacques Taylor E-mail News tips

Can we please stop all of the chatter about Ray Lewis to Dallas.

First, it's never going to happen. Baltimore will never let him get away because of what he's meant to the franchise. Secondly, he could never ever be the leader in Dallas that he is in Baltimore because of the sweat equity he has invested in the Ravens.

Folks, that just doesn't transfer from locker room to locker room. Yes, Lewis is as charasmatic as they come. Yes, he remains a quality player and should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But that doesn't make him a good fit in Dallas.


Part of the reason he's such a leader in Baltimore is because there are probably hundreds of stories about his feats on and off the field that players new to the Ravens hear all of the time.

More important, when Lewis isn't around, his teammates validate all of those stories. Plus, when guys show up in Baltimore, they know Lewis is the alpha dog. They don't question his leadership.

He has earned that right as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Again, that wouldn't be the case in Dallas.

Yes, he would be a leader in Dallas. The man doesn't know how to do anything but lead, but he would never have the impact here that he has in Baltimore.

Oh my god I actually agree with JJT for once.

 

[zeromaster]

OCD has its good points? Illuminate us...

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I disagree with Jean Jaques-Taylor.

Does he really believe alot of the players on the current roster haven't heard those same legendary on-the-field stories about Ray Lewis that those in Baltimore hear?

Like someone else already stated, once the players on defense go through the trenches with Ray Lewis, they will be fully aware of his leadership skills.