Does Ray Lewis have a point?
by MonkeyBusiness on Oct 5, 2009 12:28 AM EDT
16 comments
Ray Lewis threw a bit of a temper tantrum after the Ravens-Patriots game regarding the treatment of super star quarterbacks, how even breathing on an All Pro QB earns you a Roughing the Passer penalty.
It got me thinking: does Ray Lewis have a point?
I believe that the NFL has a duty to protect QBs. They make more than anyone else on the field, and there are limited numbers of people that can play the position (versus, say, linebackers, defensive linemen, etc.)
However, at what point does protecting the franchise compromise the integrity of the game?
I think that the NFL has gone too far in protecting QBs, but not so far as to be irreversible. I think there needs to be a clarification that a defensive player has to be deliberately attempting to injure a QB, or able to change his body position such that they could injure a QB less, etc.
Thoughts?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.
0 recs |
16 comments
Email
Print
Comments
In a word, yes. Ray Lewis is a smart player, he doesn’t just talk out of his ass all the time so now that he’s said something it might spark discussion and get things looked at differently. As for your suggestions, those make a lot of sense and I think it would be nice to see something like that implemented.
by SilentRat on Oct 5, 2009 12:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Quarterbacks make money
Not for themselves, but for the NFL. The NFL is going to protect it’s money making assets.
A lot of the roughing the passer calls that get made are pretty iffy, but every time a big name franchise QB gets injured on a play, it’s money down the drain for the NFL. They can’t afford to risk that – they need the Brady v Manning, Manning v Roethlisberger, Brady v Brees duels. Ray Lewis just doesn’t put the punters in the seats like an 80 yard TD pass to Moss.
The NFL might tinker around the edges of protecting the QB issues, but ulimately it’s going to make the decisions that preserve the monies. Protecting the QB is here to stay.
by eltharion_doa on Oct 5, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
sad but true, the NFL is a business first, and to keep themselves in good business they need their stars healthy on the field. I don’t agree with the rules at all, but they aren’t going to change them a whole lot.
by harbaughmyhero on Oct 5, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was more frustration than anything
They lost a game that Ray thought they should have won. Yet, in terms of the call he is speaking of, that was a BS call. When I saw the replay I laughed it was so pathetic. He barely brushed Brady’s knee pad and got a “Oh no! Don’t hurt Tom!” call. One analyst today (can’t remember who it was) said it best: if that was Jamarcus Russell or anyone outside of the top tier QBs, it would have not been called.
by npb1985 on Oct 5, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rodney Harrison
called Brady out and told him he needed to “take of his skirt and play football!” Haha I hate Rodney Harrison, but I love this comment he made!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 5, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's the only time I've ever liked anything R. Harrison had to say.
I about blew a gasket when he said that. He’s still slimey though.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 5, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was saying it tongue-in-cheek
and even called Brady to warn him that he was going to do it
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 5, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just heard that as well, I didn't think he was joking,
when he said it. Weird joke though. He almost ruins SNF for me. I don’t think Dungy knew he was joking either.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 5, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No I dont either
I dont think ANYBODY but Brady knew. either way its hilarious and I posted the video in a FanShot if anyone wants to see it again. I cant watch it enough
by coltsfan723 on Oct 5, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meh.
Who cares if he “was joking.” It was freakin’ great!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 5, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was Trent Dilfer. He kinda lost it on NFL live showing way more viscious hits that happened Sunday but didn’t get flagged
by 2ndBlueGeneration on Oct 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heres another Lewis reaction to the boggus RTP flag
by coltsfan723 on Oct 5, 2009 2:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The officials over-reacted during that game. It happens.
The rules won’t get changed though. QB’s are money, and everyone knows it.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 5, 2009 8:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Let the players play
Baltimore got killed on two roughing the passer penalties that came at crucial times and allowed New England to continue their drives and score touchdowns.
On one, Ngata was obviously trying to bat down Brady’s pass, just missed, and grazed Brady’s facemask. Brady flopped to the turf, acting as if he had been punched. The other, Suggs got called for roughing when it was OBVIOUS he was trying to alter his path from Brady’s knees. For God’s sake, do people expect a 260 pound linebacker running full speed to be able to adjust their entire path to the quarterback in under a second? You have to be ignorant to believe that. People who think that have never played football.
And it didn’t just happen to the Ravens. New England got called for roughing the passer when their defender BARELY even grazed Flacco. This isn’t a case of a Raven fan being biased – the league is going too far to protect the quarterbacks. It’s unneccessary. Let the players play.
by hokey pokey on Oct 5, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree that the rule is horrible
The Patriots took advantage and scored on each of those drives after the penalty. The Ravens didn’t because Leigh Bodden intercepted a Joe Flacco pass, effectively ending their pre-half-time drive.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
