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

[DallasEast]

We should bring in Ray Lewis because he can still make an impact as an inside linebacker in our 3-4 defense. As a player, he can improve this defense.

We shouldn't bring him in automatically expecting him to be some sort of miracle social worker. People do not follow leaders because they see a leader. They follow someone because they WANT to follow someone.

Regardless of his court-related past, Ray Lewis has proven that he is both an inspiration and uniter (sp?) in the Baltimore Ravens' lockerroom. Some players will follow him as soon as he walks through the doors at Valley Ranch. Some will also follow him after getting to know him better.

However, some will not follow him simply because some people aren't followers by nature and they resist the urging by others to follow a leader. I don't want anyone holding Lewis to a certain standard which he is powerless to affect. It's human nature and you can't fight some individuals' derisive tendencies--whether the person fighting to change bad habits may be a good lockerroom influence like Ray Lewis.

If Jones can sign him, let's worry first what he brings to the field before asking him to perform knucklehead exorcisms with some of his new teammates.

 

[dadymat]

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.

thas what i was thinkin......

 

[TheCount]

For once I agree with JJT. I don't know what some of you guys are thinking, imaging we can just buy leadership. Isn't that was Zach was supposed to do? He's already fed up and wants to be on the next thing smoking out of Dallas.

If we want a leader, we'll have to develop one or draft one. I've said several times that Bradie is as close as we have, the problem is he gets whooped on the field too often to really take it to that next level.

If Ware were more vocal, he'd be perfect. to me, that's the next step he needs to take to be great. The ability to rally the troops even if he isn't getting his.

 

[RainMan]

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.

Will guys like Bradie James, Greg Ellis and Terence Newman -- all players who seem a little thin skinned and appear to perceive themselves as the appointed voices of this defense -- be as receptive to a new leader coming to town and asking everyone to follow *him*?

I think this is a necessary question to ponder before assuming signing a Ray Lewis type will automatically cure all our ills. Yes, it makes sense to us. But I'm not sure the players ever see things as clearly as we do lol.

 

[LatinMind]

first off jerry said dallas wont be big players in FA. second there are going to be alot of teams going after lewis if he gets out of baltimore.

outcome = lewis not in dallas

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I think that better than just a player (Ray's so 1900s) he could be a great coach.

Cause when Ray tolt his players they better do well in the field or he'll kill them, I bet the players will be motivated to follow through. Even their routes.

 

[LatinMind]

I think that better than just a player (he's so 1900s) he could be a great coach.

Cause when he tolt his players they better do well in the field or he'll kill them, I bet the players will be motivated to follow through. Even their routes.

i can very easily see him becoming like mike singletary. and he most likely will. he just has the love for the game. or atleast seems to.

 

[Rampage]

first off jerry said dallas wont be big players in FA. second there are going to be alot of teams going after lewis if he gets out of baltimore.

outcome = lewis not in dallas

even though i agree with you Jerry also said the coaching staff was in place and numerous other lies.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

We should bring in Ray Lewis because he can still make an impact as an inside linebacker in our 3-4 defense. As a player, he can improve this defense.

We shouldn't bring him in automatically expecting him to be some sort of miracle social worker. People do not follow leaders because they see a leader. They follow someone because they WANT to follow someone.

Regardless of his court-related past, Ray Lewis has proven that he is both an inspiration and uniter (sp?) in the Baltimore Ravens' lockerroom. Some players will follow him as soon as he walks through the doors at Valley Ranch. Some will also follow him after getting to know him better.

However, some will not follow him simply because some people aren't followers by nature and they resist the urging by others to follow a leader. I don't want anyone holding Lewis to a certain standard which he is powerless to affect. It's human nature and you can't fight some individuals' derisive tendencies--whether the person fighting to change bad habits may be a good lockerroom influence like Ray Lewis.

If Jones can sign him, let's worry first what he brings to the field before asking him to perform knucklehead exorcisms with some of his new teammates.

Ray will be a loudmouth and will be expensive and wlll be a rich man's version of Zach Thomas.
This is Jerra's achilles heel. He can't resist the "big names" the ones who might have a good year or two left in them.

Longtime fan of Jerra the owner. But, God save us from the aging and increasingly infantile Jerra.

 

[LatinMind]

even though i agree with you Jerry also said the coaching staff was in place and numerous other lies.

that might be. but there is no cap on coaches. dallas doesnt have the money to go into a bid battle for the player like ray lewis. dallas has to sign ware, which will probably end up costing dallas alot of money unless he just extends his current contract.

i just dont think lewis will even be a thought in dallas once Fa starts.

 

[DEZBRYANT x88x]

I DO NOt WANT RAY ON THIS TEAM AND THIS IS WHY!!!

 

[CF74]

Will guys like Bradie James, Greg Ellis and Terence Newman -- all players who seem a little thin skinned and appear to perceive themselves as the appointed voices of this defense -- be as receptive to a new leader coming to town and asking everyone to follow *him*?

I think this is a necessary question to ponder before assuming signing a Ray Lewis type will automatically cure all our ills. Yes, it makes sense to us. But I'm not sure the players ever see things as clearly as we do lol.

The only way it would work is if he talked to those two players first. Ray would probably be the only guy in the league that might be able to do it, maybe. I have my doubts with this bunch...

 

[2much2soon]

It would be more intelligent for Jerruh to slip Ozzie a couple hundred K and tell him who to draft with the potential to become the next Ray Lewis.
Or the next Terrell Suggs, Edgerton Hartwell, Bart Scott, or Adalius Thomas. Ozzie is kinda good at drafting LBers.

 

[Rack]

The level of JJT's stupidity never ceases to amaze me.


1. Yes, the Ravens may very well let him go. They have 2 other LBs contracts up and both of them are younger then Ray Lewis.


2. Ray Lewis hasn't just built up his "Cred" in the Ravens lockerroom. He's done it in the NFL overall. He's not the type to sit back and worry that he doesn't know the guys well enough. He's a true leader and true leaders don't wait for their moment, they make whatever freakin' moment available their own.

 

[Bleu Star]

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

Nuff said.

 

[Cowboys2008]

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

Once a leader always a leader. That is something you are either ingrained with from birth or you're not. People don't just develop those skills. A Ray Lewis will be a Ray Lewis no matter where he goes in life, and people will most likely follow him.

There has been deep personality type research going on since the first half of last century called "Meyers-Briggs", that would back this. Something many employers have been using to screen applicants for decades for higher level jobs. My Aunt actually teaches this for the hospital she works at up here. It basically discovers the 4 basic personality traits of a person and groups types of people together in what is like 16 different possible classifications. And he is most likely what they describe as an "ENTJ" who are one of life's natural leaders. Now if only Romo was an "ISTJ" like I would say Aikman was, add in Lewis on defense and we'd be set. Only unfortunately Romo is not that, he's more like an "ESFJ", one of life's hosts of the world- and because of that "F" in there, he likes to use his feelings a lot, where as Lewis with that "T" is a thinker.

Anyway, summed up, Lewis is Lewis wherever he may go and it's not circumstance or "reason" that determine this. He just is what he is and that's not going to change much his entire life.

 

[Doomsday101]

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.

Big difference between a HC and a player. These are grown men not little kids who are going to be wowed by Lewis. You establish leadership it is not a given sorry you don't understand that. Hell if you are talking 1 or 2 years then guys on the team know you are only here as a stop gap and stop gap players are not going to be leaders. I also think we do have a leader in Ware and I think we will see him take on that role as he has earned his stripes in Dallas and players respect him

 

[TD-33]

DWare is the guy we need to lead the defense. No one brings it better and he only has to accept the role. He already has league-wide respect and he isn't always the "Clark Kent" guy. He will be the leader Dallas needs on defense. Offense, I don't know who has it.

 

[Doomsday101]

DWare is the guy we need to lead the defense. No one brings it better and he only has to accept the role. He already has league-wide respect and he isn't always the "Clark Kent" guy. He will be the leader Dallas needs on defense. Offense, I don't know who has it.

I believe that as well, as a young player you are out trying to earn your way now that Ware is an established vet with some skins on the wall and regarded as one of the top players in the league I think he will take on that role

 

[TheCount]

DWare is the guy we need to lead the defense. No one brings it better and he only has to accept the role. He already has league-wide respect and he isn't always the "Clark Kent" guy. He will be the leader Dallas needs on defense. Offense, I don't know who has it.

He's not very vocal, from what we've seen. He seems to only converse with the other linebackers as opposed to the entire defense.