The Ray Lewis Factor: Where Will He End Up?

Remember when Ray Lewis was in Atlanta and he didn’t come home right after the Super Bowl? Remember when we found out why Ray-Ray had to stay in Atlanta?

Remember the next season when Ray went back to the Super Bowl, but this time it was because his team actually played in the game? Remember how Ray and the Ravens turned a negative into a positive out of Ray’s “Atlanta situation” and he became the face of the NFL? Remember how that was almost ten years ago?

Well, now Ray-Ray is due for another contract and is refusing to take a “home town discount” from the Ravens. Ray-Ray has even decided to field offers from other teams such as the Cowboys and Jets. Lewis is 33 years old and still is playing as if he’s 25; which is why so many teams are interested in his services.

But the Ravens have a few tricks up their sleeves as well. Club owner Steve Bisciotti has stated that he will match and beat any offer that another club throws Ray-Ray’s way.

But does Lewis really hold all the cards? Or are the Ravens just toying with his emotions?

Lewis’ stats from last season make it seem as if the Ravens are justified in overpaying for a possibly over the hill linebacker. 84 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 picks are pretty strong statistics. Not to mention his leadership and burly will.

So maybe the Ravens are actually thinking of give four years and a boat load of guaranteed money. I mean, on one hand, he has been the face of the franchise since 1996. He was named defensive player of the year in 2000 and 2003, Super Bowl MVP, and garnered the coveted Madden cover in 2005. Ray is also the unquestioned leader of the Ravens and patrols the locker room as its sheriff.

Then there is the negative side.  Lewis will be 34 at the start of training camp and has only one or two more good years left in him. If he’s injured, the Ravens will have wasted more than $10 million in guaranteed dollars. (That’s the dollar I’m guessing Lewis will receive.)

Also, I’m not sure if Lewis wants to stay in Raventown. Last season he said that he has yet to play his best football because he has not had a viable quarterback. While Joe Flacco did his best Ben Roethlisberger impression last season, he couldn’t get the team past the Steelers in the AFC title game. He was barely efficient and couldn’t find the end zone.

So Ray-Ray has to come to a crossroads toward the end of his career. Does he stay with the team that has stuck with him or does he bet the farm and take his chances with the likes of the Cowboys and Jets?

While Lewis still has time to decide, chances are the Ravens will pony up the dollars and Ray-Ray won’t have to sell his home. I mean after all, you only have to drive so far to get mumbo sauce. Can you find that in Dallas?

-JH