Maxwell Kruger- USA Today Sports
Ray Lewis changed the game of football. He gave a different definition of leadership. For 17 years in the NFL, he was the leader of the Baltimore Ravens. He set the tone every week. When he was fresh and when he was injured, he still had an impact on the team. As the years went by, it became more and more apparent that what he offered on the football field was more than his gifts as an athlete. He offered intelligence.
Lewis will go down in the top 10 as one of the smartest players to ever play the game on either side of the ball. When he went up against the likes of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, Lewis had the answer at the inside linebacker position. He called the plays. He put players in the right spot. When he was hurt, he did his best to put the team and himself in the best position to win. There will never be another Lewis. But the best thing the Ravens can do is find a leader in this draft that can help reduce the loss of replacing a legend.
Who has the instincts? Who has the ability to take charge? All of that remains to be seen. But what is seen and what is expected is the Ravens to return to their dominant form on defense. Lewis helped create that tradition. And it will continue. It’s the way the Ravens have been built and will continue to be built in that fashion.
Whoever comes in and fills that spot doesn’t have to worry about living in a shadow with high expectations. All they have to understand is that dominance and intimidation on defense is expected.
