What Ray Lewis' Return Means for the Ravens

As I'm sure you are all aware, Ray Lewis has signed a three-year deal worth $22 million with the Baltimore Ravens. This is the culmination of weeks of speculation about where Ray would play the 2009 season.

Ray's return has drastically changed both the Ravens' expectations and their offseason to-do list. Replacing Ray, for a franchise that has been so dependent on him for so long, would be the equivalent of bringing in a new QB. It would be a franchise-altering change.

But fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint, this change has been averted. Ray is back in purple, where he unquestionably belongs. There was little doubt before the messiness of this offseason that Ray would have a statue proudly positioned next to that of Johnny Unitas.

Ray's unwillingness to declare himself "purple" from the beginning of the offseason has left some fans skeptical about Ray's commitment to the team. But I have little fear that once he's back on the field, performing the heroic acts of toughness and commitment (such as playing through a torn tricep in the Cincinnati game that I'm sure we all remember), all will be forgiven and forgotten—and he will once again be assured of immortality, alongside Unitas.

But Ray's return bears a far greater significance than just sentimental and political. The man can still play, and his presence still appears to be key to the performance of the Ravens' perennial powerhouse defense.

There are Ravens fans that will tell you that Ray is surplus to their needs. They'll tell you that another ex-Miami Hurricane No. 52 (Tavares Gooden) is ready to fill the void.

But the truth is Tavares Gooden is one year removed from a rookie season that was spent almost exclusively on injured reserve. Other candidates to fill the void include Nick Griesen, Prescott Burgess, and Jameel McClain. Griesen is smart, but lacks athleticism and leadership. Burgess has shown little and has very little experience. McClain isn't a natural ILB, but he's made plays when he's been on the field, whether it's on defense or special teams.

But one must also consider that Ray has always been more than just his Tackle, Sack, and Pick totals. He has inexplicable intangibles that have thrust the Ravens' defense into the upper echelon for more than a decade. Extremely few teams have enjoyed such consistency in the salary cap era.

If you look at the teams that have preceded this one, and you look to explain why the Ravens' defense is consistently so good, there are two constants that could explain it. One is Ray Lewis. The other is Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens GM. He has assembled many a great defense in his time with the Ravens, but they have all included Ray Lewis.

By signing Lewis, Ozzie hasn't bet the farm on himself. He realizes that Ray has been integral in his success.

He was right not to bet the farm on himself. When "great" defenders have left Baltimore, they've never reached the heights they did while in purple. Ed Hartwell has been largely ineffectual in his post-Raven career. Adalius Thomas is an athletic marvel, but has never been utilized properly in New England, and Bart Scott may still face a similar fate in New York.

Were all these players made great by Ray?

It's impossible to say, but it's not outlandish enough a notion to be ignored by Newsome and the rest of the Ravens' front office. If they wanted to all but secure their continued defensive dominance, they needed Ray.

In closing, it should be noted that the Ravens ARE going to have to deal with life without Ray Lewis. But while he can still play and get his dogs fired up on game day, the smart thing to do is to squeeze every last drop of Ray Lewis out of him before he leaves.

It appears they are intent on doing that.