Lorenzo Neal is a little bitter
Not bitter about joining the Ravens, but the newly signed free agent fullback sounded slightly perturbed that no one called him when the San Diego Chargers released him in February after returning from his fourth Pro Bowl.
“I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder," Neal said after today's morning practice. "You get angry when you’ve been at the top of your game, when you’re rated the No. 1 fullback and then free agency comes, and I kind of felt like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because of my age, I got left out of the reindeer games. Because you’re 37, teams are saying, ‘OK, but your age.’ Teams discriminate against you because of your age, not because of what you can do. So I think that was the toughest part, sitting out and knowing that you’re still in great shape, knowing that you still can run, knowing that you can still compete. Just because of a number and your age, people say, ‘OK, I don’t know if this guy can last. I don’t know if this guy can play.’ Those people that are out there that doubted me, I’m back, and I’m coming for everybody that doubted me.”
The Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a couple of the teams interested in Neal over the last couple weeks, but Neal said he chose the Ravens because general manager Ozzie Newsome was the first one to contact him prior to the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots last Thursday night and make a promise to bring him in.
“Anytime a guy does that and says that, that’s integrity," said Neal, adding that -- like the Ravens -- the Buccaneers offered him a one-year deal Sunday. "… I could run around and try to get into a bidding war, but it’s about saying, ‘Hey, you know what? Stand up for what’s right and do what you believe. Follow your heart.’ This is a great organization. I think they’re committed to wanting to win, and I want to win. That’s what it’s about.”
Neal is well aware of the strength of the Ravens' defense and is happy that he won't have to compete against the likes of linebacker Ray Lewis, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and safety Ed Reed. But Neal said his goal is to help re-make the offense.
“We know offense entertains, but defense wins games, and this defense has won a lot of games. But our offense – trust me – we want to score a lot of points," Neal said. "We don’t want to have our defense [give up just] 10 points. That’s unfair. So I think you’ll see this offense score some points and we’re going to surprise some people.”
Neal, who is wearing No. 42, would like to get his old No. 41. The only problem is that number currently belongs to cornerback Frank Walker. “I’ve probably got to spend some money to get my old number back,” Neal said with a smile.
Comments
A good quality hard noised Cerebrial experienced player who will be a good influence to the entire offense...Ozzie did good with this one but it does'nt offset the calamity of a draf that failed to address the critical weakness...'corner and O line.....Fabian Washington, Cousins and Hale are an inadequate response to a big problem.
Posted by: Rob | August 13, 2008 3:39 PM
When I saw Neal play with the Chargers, he was a beast. He was a bulldog. Whoever is in there week one -- Rice or McGahee -- will get a big boost from Neal.
Posted by: Luke | August 13, 2008 4:19 PM
Dont spend any money for that number Lorenzo. If Walker keeps getting beat against everyone he faces...that old 41 number will be yours.
Posted by: Mike | August 13, 2008 4:21 PM
Neal all I can say is welcome. When I played Jr. Olympics Volleyball back in my young days I made judgement of old people well we got out butts smacked by a group of elders who beat us 3 sets and from that point on I never judge a person of their age. I say good luck and bring the pain to the other team.
Posted by: Teapot | August 13, 2008 4:34 PM
oh oh, those HATERS better get ready. We all know that this guy can still play and on top of that, he already knows the OFFENSE. It just can't get better than this. I hope Ray Rice starts the Opener. Willis don't deserve it cuz he's a lazy @ss BUM. I love the dude, but that WORK ETHIC is HORRIBLE.
Posted by: Ali Vali | August 13, 2008 5:08 PM
Congratulations Ravens fans from a Charger fan...you will alllove Lo until FLACCO tries to hit him with a pas in the flat...while Lo is a quality indivdual who will protect FLACCO and open mega-holes for your RB's if Cam tries to sneak in some passes to him you'll see he has hands of stone which was why he was let go by the Chargers...
Quality guy in the lockerroom which is where the Chargers will truly miss him...
I was in Baltimore in April and I thoroughly enjoyed your town...one of the things that got my attention was the Colts exhibit in the Sports Legends museum...I try to talk about how heart-wrenching that exhibit is whenever Charger fans debate the need for a new stadium in SD...
Good luck this year...
Go Bolts!!
Posted by: OregonCooper | August 13, 2008 6:25 PM
I'm glad that we got Neal, but I was reading a post on CoastToCoastRavens.com about our O Line problems, which Rob was also talking about above. I agree that Neal will be a boost, but with suspect tackles, it won't be as much of a boost as it would be otherwise. Imagine if we had Ogden AND Neal. That would be major.
Posted by: Maurice | August 13, 2008 7:30 PM
Lo Neal is one of my all time favorite persons, great guy, great team player, great player, fun to be around, and he will knock the socks off of anyone who gets in his way. I don't know how much he has left in his tank, but even if he's half the player he was two years ago, he still is one of the best fullbacks in the league.
Posted by: IronMountain | August 13, 2008 7:36 PM
I agree with Rob that the draft didn't address some big issues, but Washington is still not far removed from being a first-round pick, and if you put a first-round caliber DEFENSIVE player in the Ravens' system, he's likely to do well (as he's done throughout camp). What we really should have started working on was an heir to Trevor Pryce; he makes the D around him so much better (as we saw by Scott's and Suggs' ineffectiveness when he wasn't in), and you have to love always seeing him in the other team's backfield. Anyway, love the Neal signing, hopefully McClain will learn a thing or two about work ethic and how to play the game.
Posted by: Ron | August 13, 2008 8:50 PM
Remember Sam Gash? That was the last time the Ravens played an "old, over the hill" fullback. All he did was make Jamal Lewis look All-World, while earning himself a Super Bowl ring. Great pick up.
Posted by: tucker in Sec. 527 | August 13, 2008 10:14 PM
I went to Fresno State with Lo...he is a great guy, and I will still be wearing his Charger Jersey next year...and will be rooting for him to do well even though the Chargers made the mistake of cutting him. Baltimore fans...you will love him. He will be a leader for your team from day 1. Good luck Lorenzo...you will be missed here in SD!!
Posted by: Jenn Wright | August 14, 2008 1:24 PM
Congrats!!! on getting Lo Neal he will definately open holes for the RB's I am true Charger fan and will miss Lo Neal. One thing I am glad about is that we won't face him until the playoffs as he will have a lot for our defense... But really good luck
Posted by: Chargersangel | August 14, 2008 2:28 PM
Lorenzo Neal is a beast. He will create big holes for whoever is running the ball. Hopefully we can get some production from our offensive line so he doesn't have to pick up all the blocks.
Posted by: Ernie from Owings Mills | August 14, 2008 3:52 PM
A much needed attitude boost to the O, and much needed leadership!
Posted by: Fells Point Craig | August 14, 2008 4:25 PM
As a Chargers fan, I was sorry to see the guy go. Great team guy, great character, great football player. It just looked like he didn't fit with what Norv Turner was planning to do.
You guys will love him!
Posted by: Rob | August 14, 2008 5:09 PM
Why is everyone comparing Neal's age to Gash, when he was with the Ravens?!?! Gash, who was born in 1969, came to the Ravens in 1999 at the age of 30!!! NOT 37. I'm sure Neal is a quality guy, but here's a news flash for all you fans drinking the purple Kool Aide...The Ravens are NOT going to the playoffs this year with a rag tag offensive line, 3 bad quarterbacks, and an aging defense- Ray, Pryce, C-Mac, Rolle...Neal does not fit in the future of this team except as a coach.
Posted by: Martin G. | August 14, 2008 5:24 PM
Having watched Lorenzo Neal play almost every down as a Fresno State Bulldog and every down as a San Diego Charger (being that Im a Charger fan from Fresno) I am truly sad to see Lorenzo go I am appalled at the manner in which San Diego released him and I hope that he works out as I'm sure he will. Your Ravens will be getting another quality Jim Sweeney Bulldog just as you did with Trent Dilfer. Dont blow it and trade him too. Please treat him better than you did Mr. Dilfer.
Posted by: john | August 15, 2008 4:14 AM
im not feeling to good about this up coming season guys. to many key injuries. but my million dollar question is how and the fuc did some of these guys get hurt and the season has not even started? were these guys playing off season football? most of these guys came to camp hurt.and the o line is make shift and thats putting it kindly.the left AND RIGHT TACKLES ARE COMPLETE TURN STYLES. OZZIE GO OUT AND GET SOME O LINE HELP TODAY BRO OR YOUR GONNA BE NEXT JUST LIKE YOUR BOY BILLICK.
Posted by: anthony hardy | August 17, 2008 9:56 PM