Ray Lewis can't just be paid as any other player. And like it or not, he's the face of this franchise and will be for a long time to come. In a city without a baseball team worth mentioning, or any current local heroes, Ray's it. He's surpassed being just a player. He's a Baltimore legend. He's in the same sentence as Cal Ripken, Johnny Unitas and Brooks Robinson. You've got to keep a player like that in your team's uniform. You don't make Ray suffer the indignity of playing out his career in a Saints or Dolphins uniform. The fans will never forget it.

I'll agree with this blog on one condition:

As soon as we have a respectable replacement for Ray-Ray, someone who becomes the heir-apparent, I will absolutely agree to cutting down on his playing time. The Ravens, at least currently, don't have many options at MLB. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think, at present, the first person off the bench is Nick Griesen...

Thanks very much for the offer, but I'll still take a 33 year old Ray Lewis on 3rd and long.

Steve has always just about said exactly what he meant. I think we get taken aback by him because we are used to coaches and owners who understate things. "If he [Ray Lewis] becomes a free agent next year, I think the Ravens would outbid other teams," and he goes on to say that Ray is worth more to our team than he would be to other teams. That is absolutely true. Ray may not be the DPOY again, but he played extremely well this past season, and is well worth re-signing. He also handled a losing season with more maturity than he has in the past. I believe that Ray is a principal reason the rest of our linebacking corps tends to play so well. Notice that even AD's performance dropped significantly after going to New England. Consider how much worse our rush defense was against the Seattle Seahawks when Ray went down.

I know that he got burned in coverage last season (although asking him to cover Antonio Gates one on one is certainly a bit excessive), but he is still fairly strong against the pass, picking up several key interceptions for us this past season. I don't see why we would need to take him out in 3rd and long situations.

I don't think the Ravens should spend top dollar on Ray Lewis. He's slowed down and his selfish, arrogant attitude shouldn't be tolerated anymore. The whole attitude of the defense has to be changed, and that change should start by letting Ray Lewis go before guaranteeing him big money.

I still think Ray plays at a reasonably high level but it would be a mistake if the Ravens gave him more than a three year deal. He's still valuable to the team but they should not overpay him, which they might just because he is Ray.

Ray Lewis is still the face of the franchise not a poster child of the past..without him the Ravens would have been nothing but the carolina panthers.... not the elite premier NFL defense year in and year out despite injuries and a stone headed egomaniac coach who gave them virtually no offensive support....and still they thrived...how about appreciation and acknowledgement for that incredible feat............the Ravens were #2 against the run last year and Ray Lewis is the primary reason why....how idiotic, unapprciative and out of touch is it that as far as your concerned the greatest middle linebacker in the history of the NFL is nothing but a problem in the locker room.....that in itself proves that you have no passion or concern for the actuaI' game of football...you could'nt possibly write something like that if you were even remotely interested in pro football... I'd bet you didnt say Brett Farve was a problem in the locker room when he was upset about not getting Randy Moss.... or when he held the Packers in Limbo for months. ...and that thug mentality you refer to has kept this defense in the top 5 for as long as we can remember....but none of that matters to you hu...mediocrity would be fine....as long as it was a disciplined mediocrity.....the kind of mediocrity that lets you write outlandish comments like these that let everyone know that your more interested in other things other than pro football....what ever they pay him He's more than earned it....if it wasnt for the passion, dedication and energy that He brought to this franchise .....I would never have even noticed the Ravens....what have you brought to journalism.....mediocrity,obscurity and discipline?

AGREED

i think there a quite a few teams that would be very interested in paying ray 6.5 a year. overpaying players is in style right now.

trading ray lewis would be the equivalent of trading cal ripken.

Ray is in the twiglight of his career. That does not entitle him to Top Salary.

Yes, Ray should stay with the team. BUT the majority of that decesion lies with Ray. He needs to accept a reasonable salary ($3-4mil no guarantees). Ray is Not The Team. He is one of the players. A culture change is necessary.

So Ray if you want to retire a Raven than accept your place on this team an lets move on without all the Big-To-Dos of the past related to negotiations. Ray be smart approach the Ravens with and offer.

I concur with your thoughts for the most part Mike. Simply Ray is a good player he was great and still has some great attributes to his demeanor which is where I differ from your thoughts I believe that Ray is a great motivator and he will be needed with a new staff in place and also as our Defensive general. His pay should merit that of a great player who is now a good player that most teams would like to have.

I think that they should make him and offer. Again, he has been the face of this organization for a long time. He deserve that. Like Jordan with the Bulls, Magic with the Lakers, and Bird with the Celtics. The Bulls regret letting Jordan get away for them. The franchise has not been the same since then. Make him and offer let him set down like (Cal Ripken) did. "ON HIS OWN TERMS"!

We ALL already knew that aging linebackers who hit free agency don't attract bidding wars. Which is the context in which Mr. Biscotti's comment was made. I imagine that you are the only one on the face of the Earth that interpreted it differently. And I say that with a completely straight face.

Teehee. Try and tell Ray that, getting with the pay-for-performance gig. I bet 'God's Linebacker' has a different idea of 'dignity.' He'll make like Moses and split the seas of dough. If he proved me wrong I'd be truly impressed, cause as you said, both would look good. I'm really at the point that if he's such a jack let him walk. I hope he'll stay, though.

It's comments like these that have ruined businesses as well as this country. There's no LOYALTY. Ray still is in the top 5 in the NFL at the linebacker position. He's definitely the best one on our team and if you can't name someone better to replace him then your comments are a waste of breath. Let's take a fact to give my thoughts some support. When Ray is not in the game our defense looks like a deer in headlights (LOST). How much of a step has he lost? I mean Jared Johnson is almost ten years younger and he can't tackle or cover downfield. How many times did Bart Scott get beat by running backs, tight ends, etc. I lost count!!!!!!!!!! We put no pressure on the quarterback, Ed Reed cheats and gets caught out of position, Terrell who? and we don't have any shut down corner's anymore. So if anything, Ray still is the glue that holds this defense together. Maybe if we had a defensive line that closed that middle up and some ends to put some pressure on the quarterback you would see Ray play just as good as any other linebacker. I'm not saying pay him so much money that we can't pay anyone else, but pay him. He's more to this team than just 200 tackles a season.

If Preston has lost faith in the owner then I've gain faith and respect in the owner. Funny how that works.

You can not compare Cal and Ray when it comes to money. Yes, they were and are the faces of their franchises, but that's where the comparison ends. You could have given Cal a trillion dollars and it wouldn't have mattered. Baseball has no salary cap. Overpaying Ray would have tremendous ramifications for the rest of the team for years.
That said, I hope Ray realizes that for the good of the team, he needs to take a salary that is in line with his age and current playing level. If he really wants another ring, he will, if not, I would say goodbye.

I think Ray should be asked weather or not he can play for three more years realistically.Like Ogden,is the passion there to keep going.Football will allways be an option for Ray.Anywhere.But the ideal situation for Ray is to become a Coach after football.I would love to see Ray coaching in some type of capacity for the ravens.I mean he already teaches the game to perfection for his teammates.Why not give him a 3 year deal with a chance to become a defensive coach under Harbaugh because we all know Rex will be gone in a few years.Especially with his asst. HC title teams will trust his HC experience more than before.

You are wrong on this one pal. Ray Lewis is Baltimore Ravens Football and Bisciotti understands and values that within the context of his franchise. It is very smart form an organizational standpoint to work out the extension with Ray, possibly get him to agree to some restructuring now to give the team cap relief in exchange for the extension. Baltimore football fans aren't like Pittsburgh fans, individuals matter to us. When Johnny U went to San Diego it was a sad way for one of our legends to end his career. Ray is in the same class as Johnny Unitas, one of the all time bests to play the game. Biscotti will buy good will with his fan base by making suyre retires as a Raven, and that he stays involved with the organization in some kind of a capacity going forward.

You can not in all honesty put Ray Lewis in the same league as Johnny Unitas and Brooks Robinson. However, he is a voice for the team, for the city. Maybe he could retire and become a coach

Preston is dead-on with this. Stop living in the past or the only Super Bowl victory that you will ever see will be from 2000. Ray's best days are behind him - that is a FACT. Players get old and satisfied. We need new team leadership that is young and hungry. Ray is a great football player, but he is not in the same category as Brooks, Cal, Frank Robinson, or Johnny U. Outside of Baltimore, Ray is remembered most for the Atlanta issue.

On another note, I cannot wait for JH to clean up the thug culture of this team.

Looks like Harbaugh has hinted Ray could be taken out in 3rd and long situations, which is the given reason that Ed Reed is going to be wearing the defensive mike. This only further strengthens my belief that Preston is criticizing the Biscuit over nothing. What has Preston been doing recently, anyways. I swear it's been two weeks since he interviewed a Ravens player. Maybe he's "lost a step" too.

To run him out of town like Billick? Ray is still a great linebacker and IS the only voice of the Ravens. The Ravens would not exist outside of Balitmore without him. Who on this team should be the voice? Steve "I'm too fat, drunk, and stupid to get into shape" McNair; Derrick "Who care's if we win as long as I get the ball" Mason; Bart "All I can do good is run my mouth" Scott; Ed "Hang my corners out to Dry" Reed? Ray is not the problem on that team, these fools are. Give us a break and lay off the only real reason we enjoy watching and cheering for the Ravens.

Is Mike Preston even a Ravens fan? He thinks sssssssssssooooooooo clearly about this situation (sarcasm). Ray is still the most intelligent defensive player in the NFL. You can't just go out and replace a guy like that, especially when he won our town a Super Bowl. He isn't your typical leader, he's the best defensive leader of ALL TIME. Just watch and listen to the tapes. He still has great on-field talent as well. He is not comparable to Seau or Bruschi, they couldn't shine Big Ray Ray's shoes on their best day. My fellow Ravens fans are very disappointing and traitorous. Just because he doesn't get ten sacks a year, you morons just throw him under the bus since we haven't won another Super Bowl (yet). What can you people really say? "All he does is lead us in tackles every year and makes everyone in the defensive front twice as good as they would be otherwise." "Whaaa!! Whaaaaaa!!! Whaaaaaahhhhh!!!!" What a bunch of babies. Let me make one last thing clear, HE DOES NOT PLAY ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL OR IN THE DEFENSIVE SECONDARY(the reasons we've had losing seasons), HE ALONE CANNOT MAKE THE RAVENS A GREAT TEAM, BUT HE CAN MAKE EVERYONE IN THE DEFENSIVE FRONT SEVEN BETTER PLAYERS THAN THEY WOULD BE WITHOUT HIM. A true motivator if there has ever been one. Give the man what he wants, he has earned it.

Ray Lewis is still playing at a high level and he is looked up to by not only Ravens players, but players all over the league. Why? Because he is the real deal, a warrior and a leader who walks the walk. There aren't five other players in the league who fit this description. Bisciotti is right, we will sign Ray no matter what happens, and he will finish his career here. Preston, you write too much negative stuff in the guise of "objectivity" that is, in reality, empty-headed drivel.

I agree with Mike on this one. For too long now it's been all about Ray and not the Ravens. Let's not compound the error by paying top dollar for an aging star. People don't like the Steelers, but one thing they do well is to balance paycheck & contribution and know when the two don't match. We could learn something from this approach.

Right on the mark! There is only so much cap money. Overpaying means not filling other holes. A compromise is something that even aging superstars that can still make tackles but no longer punish runners, needs to do to put the team first. What a novel concept.

Strike-three, Mike. Now sit down!

Any one who thinks ray shouldnt be back as a raven is an idiot and those who say that he isnt in the same state as cal and johnny U get a life...You can not put a price on ray lewis im not sayin give hime a huge contract but he is priceless as well as the superbowl HE got us...He makes that whole defense better just look at player who left and are not wat they were A.D. hartwell,jamie shaper etc. they got big pay days cause of ray there isnt a line backer in the history of football that compares to ray he is the reason their is baltimore football excitement again he is football and me being 22 years old hes brought more to my generation then any of the legends mention what did cal ever do beside just a consecutive game streak after 1983 Notthing...And for the person that brought the thug thing into it u must have never spoken to ray he is the most well mannered down to earth pro ive ever had a convo with hes so far from a thug your just probably some yuppy intimadated by a black man

I think the characterization and public persona of Ray Lewis is near identical to the city of Baltimore itself. And that puts him in his rightful place on Baltimore’s pro sports Mt. Olympus with Ripken, Robinson, and Unitas. The aforementioned greats, in their own time, also reflected the city attitude, blue collar, lace up your boots, grab your lunch pail, and go to work. Baltimore is a bit different now, as I’m sure you’re all aware. Baltimore is vibrant, with all its incredible development and bustling tourist activity. So is Ray Lewis. Let us not forget, amidst all the development, that M & T Bank Stadium shall always be the “house that Ray built.” Baltimore is volatile. Drugs, homicides, terrible beatings, run-down sections of town, and juries that are allergic to convictions, etc. are very real issues. So is Ray Lewis. He is outspoken in his faith but otherwise guarded in his personal life, highly philanthropic, a terror on the field, and perhaps the last few years, a source of turmoil in the locker room. You have to take the bad with the good. But like our city, fellow Baltimoreans, is he not misrepresented & misunderstood? Should our national image start and stop with “The Wire?” Because in many cases, it does. Ray is still being called a murderer. He still stares down signs during road games (that someone took the time to design) that brand him as one. His fire and passion on the field only contribute to his mischaracterization because the more animated he is, the more the murderer tag sticks.

Ray is, and always will be, immortal in this town. We’re all imperfect, and these days, athletes are especially imperfect. Mainly because their imperfections make front page news for long after the should-never-have-been-reported-story should have lost its legs. Generally, all of our imperfections don’t make it much past those they directly affect.

But as for Ray’s pending contract, I hope he stays. I hope he can clear up some of the misrepresentation of him by not insisting we pay him for what he’s done, as opposed to what he still has left. I hope Biscotti stays out of it because for an owner who says he doesn’t want to be involved, we’ve seen his face quite a bit since he axed Billick. But for all the people out there who is hoping Ray gets his “due,” Det. Jimmy McNulty sends his regards.

Ray Lewis has one of the best pregame dances in the business. He should be rewarded as being the face and leader of the franchise. His work ethic, dedication to the game, and leadership on defence cannot be questioned. He should be given an extension and offered an organizational or coaching opportunity upon retirement. In my opinion, this would be reasonable for all parties. But, what is reasonable?

Hey listen, you need a leader on defense so that others including the younger guys can feed off of but he doesn't have to the team leader just someone who will hold himself accountable for the "D" and he doesn't have to be the highest payed player. Now it may be Ray or someone else but you need a leader/playmaker. Now Baltimore has had plenty of talent, but they have been plagued with substandard play calling for the last 5 years. Anytime that you have a season where every defense that you play against puts 8 in the box and you run the same plays over and over again it's your "OC". The only reason why Brian B. won a Super Bowl and remained the Head Coach of the Ravens was because of the defense. New England has a leader and it's not on defense and look what happens, the Colts have a leader and it's not on defense and look what happened. If you want to change the outlook on the Ravens find yourself an offensive leader that everyone can rally around not just the O or just the D but everyone and then you will have a team

First let me start by asking, what do you do to a employee that has done nothing but give every ounce of emotion, dedication, energy and talent, day in and day out, year after year? Been an integral part of creating one of the best defenses to ever play in the history of the sport, look at the stats people!!! Sure there are players in all sports that are dedicated, but just not with the passion and intensity. Most players would burn out after just one season with a Ray Lewis mentality. Im not taking anything away from any other players on this team, or in this league for that matter. You dont lower someones pay scale a few years before retiring do you? You honor their dedication and loyalty by paying them. Ray deserves what ever Steve decides to pay him. Probably more.

Excuse me, but do you live under a rock, perhaps a cave? It is quite obvious to me that you do not WATCH, LISTEN or READ about football. That is too bad because if you did, you would SEE and HEAR that Ray Lewis is still one of the best linebackers in football today, tomorrow and even next year! There has not, and may never be, been a linebacker who plays the position better than Ray!

Priceless is the fact that Ray makes EVERYONE on the team a better player (well, maybe except for Kyle).

Wake up Mike! Better yet, go back under your stupid rock!

I don't agree with the idea of letting Ray retire as a Raven just because it's the right thing to do and it will make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Trust me, when Ray is inducted into the Hall of Fame he will go in as a Raven no matter who he finishes his career with. We let Cal Ripken retire as an Oriole and what did it get us. Nothing. They stunk when he played for the Orioles and they continued to stink long after he had been overpaid and was in his final years. Had he been traded away long before he retired as an Oriole ( see Erik Bedard) the Orioles may have gotten some valuable players for him that might still be playing for them. The same goes for Ray. If we sign him just because we want him to reitire as a Raven to the detriment of the rest of the team, that would not be good. Even when Johnny U was cut in 1973 and went to San Diego the Colts were AFC East Champs just two years later with a new leader on offense whose name was, drum roll please, Bert Jones. The same could happen with Ray's replacement.

I have not had time to read all of the relpies but I disaggree with you 110%. Ray deserves every penny he gets. Even in his off years he was still in the top 10% at his position. The effort and mentality that he takes to the field is the same that I expect my troops to have here in the desert. Aside from that, who do you have that is going to fill his shoes right now?NOBODY! We let go the one person that could have been his successor. Remember Adalius Thomas? He could play where ever you needed him and he had the skills and ferosity to take that MLB slot. Until Ray shows that he is no longer effective as a leader/MLB, I say PAY HIM AND PLAY HIM. In the mean time, Ozzie needs to find a suiteable back up, because Jarret and Nick don't even merit playing time.

Aging linebackers are not going to attract huge gobs of money, even if you are a Hall Of Famer like Ray. Steve Bisciotti knows this so when he says he will outbid, he probably means it. Knowing that the number Ray-Ray and his agent are dreaming of will most likely not appear, Mr. Bisciotti will get to retain the face of his organization for a reasonable price. Ray will be 34 in 2009, which in football is ancient. Frankly, I'm a Baltimore Ravens fan first, a fan of the team, and I feel like the team could do without the hyperbole and delusion of grandeur that constantly dribbles out of Ray. I say pay Ray whatever, especially if it means we can't afford Bart Scott. We should get rid of that joker a.s.a.p.

Lets see what the needs of this team are after the first year with the new coach ends.

Definitely need speed at LB.

Definitely need a CB.

Definitely need a QB. McBoller are a waste of time.

Sometimes I wonder whether you live on the same planet. Even at 33 Ray Lewis is still a top 5 linebacker and he is still playing at a high level. I'd rather over pay for a "past his prime" player that is still playing as well anybody else, then to overpay for an unproven rookie to come in and fill that position or a player that's not even half as good. We are an era where ok players like Bernard Berrian and Justin Smith demand top dollar on the market. If you think another team wont come in and offer Ray top dollar at 33, your crazy and obviously havent been following free agency the last few years. If Ray Lewis enters free agency you can mark my word that we will not get him back even if we offer to shell out top dollar because some team will outbid us.

Ray is a problem both on and off the field. He is not even half the player he used to be. He brings others down and sees himself as bigger than the team which he may have been at one time but is no longer. He hangs with the owner in social settings and is behind the scenes working the owner for one reason and ONE reason only....RAY LEWIS. By far the most selfish player I have ever been associated with in my 25 plus years of involvement with college and professional football. The BEST thing the Ravens could do is part ways with Ray Lewis and possibly Ed Reed. Since Ray and Ed have become the leaders of this team it has not achieved. Only when Ray was controlled by older vetran players was he a better team member. Even then he had the off field issues. Bad guy giving a young owner bad advice.

i think that the ravens should not try to sign him and trade him off so that the ravens can get younger players because the people do not realize that this team needs to be rebuild because the browns are better and pittsburg are get a few more peices but the ravens needs the right side fix and move grubbs to lg and help LT jarred gaither + there is a C that could draft i have seen a Rg that would help him and a RT also they need Wr like manningham also they need a QB like ryan and a TE joey hanos and a WR /RB johnson which could help the ravens also a PR and WR kevin robinson the only rt nicks could help them and if you look at that you will need to fix the ravens D with to CB and to DE move naghta to the center and a NT and one De and this could be done in two rafts and now the coach now will have a complete team in two years insted of waiting many years

Mike, you're so wrong about Ray Lewis. I don't care what he does off the field, he'll never be a TO or a Chad Johnson or PacMan Jones.

Have you seen what the defense looks like when he's not on the field? Even if he performs at a level equivalent to the median of MLB's in the league, that defense is better with him in. He's like Peyton Manning but on defense. He's going to be one of the best defesive coordinators one day because of his insane knowledge of offenses and what to do when. He's never caught out of position and he's always there to make a play/tell someone else how to make it if he can't get there. The guy is a freak of nature and his knowledge alone supplements his ability well past his physical prime, warranting any salary The Ravens give him.

In the nfl when teams have to constantly release players for salary cap issues, it is good to have the constancy of Ray Lewis. Some people just refuse to give any credit to him or the team with regard to character. Many of the guys are married and many are active in a practice of faith. These guys do a lot for the community of Baltimore. They are visible. The Orioles could learn a lot from the Ravens players. I say keep Ray and let him retire from here.

All this talk of "thug mentality" is overexaggerated in my opinion. Fact: In the past, sporadically, various Ravens' team members have run into Johnny Law. However consider the Bengals list of team members being arrested on a multitude of charges, multiple DUI's, Ricky Williams, various "girls gone wild" style yacht parties.....Do I really need to continue? What many have called "thug" should possibly be replaced with "fierce" or "primal" considering the fact that this mentality continues to manifest itself (though not as optimally as in the past) blatantly on the field, while comparatively exhibiting minimal negative affect on the community. Those who say Ray's Atlanta episode will be the dominant memory etched into historians minds might as well argue that his BBQ restaurant will serve as his key contribution not only to the Ravens, but to the NFL.

Preston
Put a sock in it or is that too thugish?? Ray has more fire and passion in his little finger then you do period. Stop trying to make the Ravens and the players that care into something other then what they are -- fierce competitors.

We need that fire this is a blue color town and its football stupid!!