Some Ravens rankings
Yesterday marked the second Sunday in a row that the NFL Network has replayed a 2008 Ravens regular-season game.
This December battle turned out a little better for Baltimore than the previous one.
I tuned in a bit late, but caught the last quarter of the Ravens' dramatic road win over the Cowboys in Week 16.
Did I ever pick the right portion to watch.
The two playoff-hopeful squads put up 31 points in the final 6 minutes and 34 seconds, with Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain each ripping off those huge TD runs (77 yards and 82 yards, respectively) to give Baltimore a shocking 33-24 win in the final game at Texas Stadium.
That was a fun one to re-watch...except for Yamon Figurs' kick returns. Boy, was that a rough game for him, and it probably will mark the final time he's sent back deep in a Ravens jersey.
In case you hadn't seen the ESPN.com All-Decade rankings that were released throughout last week, here's a roundup of how the Purple and Black were received:
The Ravens had three guys listed in the top-25 players of the decade. Safety Ed Reed came in at No. 12, right tackle Jonathan Ogden was voted No. 11, and linebacker Ray Lewis was a disappointing No. 9.
9th? Really? For the best linebacker of this generation?
The website also put together All-Decade offensive and defensive teams, and Ogden, Reed and Lewis made those squads as well.
Through a complex formula based on winning percentage, playoff appearances, playoff victories and Super Bowls, the Ravens came in as the 5th ranked franchise this decade. The top-four, from four to one, were the Eagles, Steelers, Colts, and Patriots.
The All-Decade special teams and All-Decade moments lists were the only two that did not give the Ravens some love, although Pro Bowl special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo did get a mention as someone who was seriously considered for "coverage man" of the decade.
Got any thoughts on the rankings? Got a beef with Ray-Ray bring dropped to the No. 9 player of the decade? Feel Matt Stover should've gotten a look as kicker of the decade?
Feel free to vent, ladies and gentlemen.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
Ray was 9th??? That's rediculous. He should be in the top 5 if not the top 3. Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey were ranked ahead of him, which is just dumb
I just find it odd that Walter Jones was ranked higher than Jon Ogden. Holmgren said that Jones was the most athletic player he ever coached, but I bet if he had coached J.O. his statement would be different.
Im sick of hearing Ravens fans talk about how Ray Lewis is so incredible. All he does is talk trash and dance around before games. Once hes on the field hes an average player at best
Ray Lewis definetely should have been top 3!He has put up some of the best numbers out of any other player. He has a Super Bowl ring and was the Super Bowl 35 MVP. He has helped create one of the best defenses that has ever played the game. He has built a dynasty defensive team. Lewis has worked so hard to become what he is is today. How can you put that many other players in front of him? He is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game if not the best so how is he 9? In my opinion that is just terrible!
Dan:
From your updates to your post responses, you appear to be a nice and cordial guy, who is very much in tune with the inner workings of our beloved franchise. But why do you let idiots with the monkier "Ray is overrated" post on here? This moron is obviously a Squeeler transplant who left that smog filled, filthy town and is still riding the bandwagon of that overrated team with the most overrated QB in the league, and to compensate, picks on our local and classy organization while making inane and stupid remarks about the best middle linebacker of this generation. It is amazing how jealous people can be, even when their "team" steals championships with the use of performance enhancing drugs and shoddy officiating. I would tell him to return to that hovel he calls his hometown, but people act quickly to get out of there instead of staying.
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Josh,
I'd like to keep this an open forum as much as possible. As long as someone isn't being profane or making fun of my mother, I'm willing to let most stuff go through.
-Dan
Hey Dan,
Is it just me or is training camp alittle shorter this summer? I don't exactly remember when training camp started last year, but I'm sure they started somewhere in the beginning of July. I'm guessing starting at late July can be beneficial considering they don't have to go through one whole month of practicing hard in full-pads in 90 degree weather. You can correct me if I'm wrong.
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Josh,
Camp is actually a couple days longer this year, although it starts about a week later. Last year camp went from July 22 til August 15, this year it's from July 27 until August 23. You're right though, avoiding some time in the brutal July heat will be nice on the players...and on me as well.
-Dan
This is what happens when you let writers rank players. If they watch a player more frequently or have a beef with a player, that will impact his/her view of the player. Clearly, Ray Lewis was THE best player of the decade. Look at the Ravens' playoff win percentage, depsite the lack of a bonafide QB. We won an effing SB with Trent Dilfer....TRENT EFFING DILFER!!! Do you think the Patriots could've pulled that off? Can Champ or Taylor say that? Look at Denver, Miami and even the Colts' playoff percentages...they don't do it when it counts! I like how writers use the "winner" angle when it benefits their argument, but then try to use stats to justify putting these cupcakes ahead of Ray. Ray should clearly be 1 or 2, as the only other player with the type of impact on a team is Tom Brady. Peyton Manning is THE BIGGEST CHOKER OF ALL TIME. He sucks in the clutch. Even when they won the SB, he stunk the enitre playoffs, but the media had to give him the MVP, to justify their bromance when Rhodes and Addai were clearly the co-MVPs. ESPN is in bed with the NFL (TV Contracts) therefore must buy into their marketing machine/scheme and rank the players according to how the league wants them marketed. And before one of you lame @$$ Steeler fans says anything, we have the 5th most wins of the decade, but are NEVER mentioned among the league's elite (unlike San Diego 7th, Giants 6th and Cowboys 14th). How does this happen, unless the league signs-off on it?