THE TRUE MVP

• As I sit here and reflect on another week gone by in the NFL, I here talk about Kurt Warner being MVP after the first eleven weeks of the season. How do you define MVP? Is it the person with the best numbers, is it the player with the most talent, is it the player who means the most to his team or is it the player who makes his team better.
• If you answered all of the above I couldn't blame you.
• When I hear MVP talk I never hear this player mentioned yet he is the most vocal, charismatic, not to mention most talented player in the league period. For twelve years he has anchored one of the best defensive teams in NFL history in the Baltimore Ravens. He has revolutionized the position of Middle Linebacker and made many an offensive coordinator loose sleep over game planning for him.
• The stats speak for themselves. Sugar Ray has appeared in nine Pro Bowls and been named an ALL-PRO seven times. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2000and 2003 and; he was the sixth player to win the award multiple times. He was the first linebacker to win the Superbowl MVP Award since 1971, and the first on a winning team. At the conclusion of the 2007 season Lewis had career totals of 1520 tackles, 1367 solo tackles, 11 forced fumbles, 90 passes defended,83 tackles for losses,30 sacks,13 fumble recoveries,25 interceptions,and two touchdowns in 162 games. Lewis has led the NFL in tackles five times(1997,1999,2001,2003,and 2004). In 2003 Lewis led all linebackers in interceptions with 6, a total matching the All-Time record for middle linebackers in a season. Lewis was named first team ALL-PRO in 1999,2000,2001,2003, and 2004 and 2nd team ALL-PRO in 1997 and 1998. Under his watch the Ravens did not allow a single 100 yard rusher in 51 consecutive games from 1998-2001.
• Lewis has gained a reputation as a complete linebacker and a student of the game. He has the up most respect for the game and his play week in and week out shows.
• He is one of a handful of players that I have witnessed that actually make their teammates better. I don't like dick riding anybody, but when I watch Ray play it's like looking at JORDAN, MAGIC OR KOBE. I would pay just to watch him play on Defense. No other player in the history of the game has had that impact on me other than Prime Time himself Neon Deon Sanders.
• Ray Lewis has help make playing Defense fashionable. Teams around the league have modeled themselves after his play and defense and a running game are copied by a lot of teams as a formula for winning. Shawne Merriman and a hosts of other linebackers around the league are copying his style and hope to be like him when they grow up.
• You can put Ray Lewis on the Cincinnati Bengals and all of a sudden they would be a top 10 defense. He inspires and intimidates teammates all the while making them raise their level of play. 4TH and 1 game on the line who do you want running your defense? During my lifetime only Ronnie Lott, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, and Charles Haley could be mentioned with Ray Lewis. These guys could take average defenses and make them great. Double and triple teams me nothing to these guys when it came time to make a play they did.
• We have had one Icon in Cal Ripken now get ready for the second in Ray Lewis. Appreciate him Baltimore, because when he is gone their is know replacing him. Twelve years and know signs of slowing down. I believe he could play forever. Their are a lot of overpaid players in the league he is not one of them. If Deangelo Hall is worth 70 million, How much is Sugar Ray worth? You do the math.
• What time is it? Any dogs in the house? learn to love it because it is the best thing going today?
• I'M OUT LIKE THE DEADSKINS!