If team makes playoffs and Ray is healthy, would you start Ray?

[gscaton1]

Not trying to start trouble, just curious what you think? The defense is playing better in the last 4 weeks without Ray. Tough decision for coach and owner. Would you start Ray if they get into the playoffs? I asked this question to alot of my friends and they said keep the team like it is....I believe since Suggs is back that does make a difference.... also Corey Graham is playing better than Jimmy Smith....

[Peej7245]

It is a good question though!

Pros: Ray has an encyclopedic knowledge of his opponents' tendencies and will help put his D-mates in position to make plays...he will make some plays too but he's like having a coach on the field.

Cons: Why mess with the chemistry of a team of talented young players who are getting better each week (Upshaw, Jones, Tyson, the DBs, etc.). Furthermore, McClain is taking over as a leader and also is getting better at it.

[OriginalColtsFan]

In a word: nope.

[ivanbalt]

In a word: nope.

Agreed. Ray isn't going to play forever and the Ravens need to develop the post-Lewis defense. Bringing back an aging legacy player in the playoffs seems like a good way to kill the chemistry. Not to mention, Ray's declining play.

[LarryN]

At first, I thought this thread was about Ray Rice. I had forgotten about the "other" Ray.

[Peej7245]

At first, I thought this thread was about Ray Rice. I had forgotten about the "other" Ray.

Are you the real LarryN? Or a "replacement" poster? LOL

[JohnnyUrulz]

No. I would not start him.

I'd keep him involved though (if he is healthy enough). But if you don't keep him engaged somehow he will drift off and the motivational, coaching element he brings will be lost. I think they need his emotional and "encyclopedic knowledge" contributions. They were not being hurt by his physical presence. In my opinion his play hurt not because of slowness and age, but rather because of size. He got too light and was being pushed around. Making lots of tackles but only after the guy was downfield. Being too light could also probably contribute to why he got hurt.

[CajunRaven]

If the defense continues to improve, it's going to be hard to mess with it. Especially not in the playoffs.

[can you hear me now!]

it's too bad they can't have an on field coach, because that's where Ray's value is these days. It's going to be a very tough call by Harbaugh and the staff....here's the challenge-- there is still a large segment of the fan base that thinks Ray should be on the field not matter what...that will be the most vocal group when Ray isn't on the field...much like last year, the defense pulled itself together once they got comfortable with each other....honestly, he shouldn't be on the field except sparingly....

[Steveg85321]

I must say I really questioned that whole idea of him losing weight in the off season. I give him all the credit in the world for his determination and desire to evolve with the game, but he just wasn't himself (though perhaps he would not have been whether he lost weight or not). I had the same reaction when hearing that Mark Reynolds took off a bunch of weight, supposedly to improve his defense at 3rd, and look how it seemed to decrease his power. I think a guy needs to be who he is, maximize that, and let the game come to him.

I don't know how they keep him off the field when he is healed, but I think it would be a mistake to ignore the improvement this defense has shown over the last few weeks. Maybe they can make him more of a situation type player and not every down? Ray knows football; he has to see this is what he is coming to.

[bmore_ken]

I don't know how they keep him off the field when he is healed, but I think it would be a mistake to ignore the improvement this defense has shown over the last few weeks.

Yeah but is that him, or is that the return of Suggs combined with who we've played the last few weeks? Oakland, Cleveland, Pittsburgh playing an injured QB and just lost to the Browns

[RavnFreek]

I think if Ray is healthy you play him, but not full time. Play him like Suggs played his first game back. Ray is good enough to be an NFL linebacker no doubt, but the team chemistry is working. Rotate him in and out when the situation dictates.

[44Defense]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!. He is the greatest linebacker that has ever played the game. He will also be fresh and hungry for a title. I do like Ayenbaduju on passing downs

[jamesdean]

The question is irrelevant because if he's healthy, he's playing. Both Lewis and Ed Reed are untouchable and Harbaugh's never going to do anything about it. Personally, I'd like to see BOTH of them on the side lines since neither can play at a high level anymore. I don't think its any mystery that the defense has played better since Lewis went down. The same thing happened last year when he was out. You certainly can't deny what they've meant to this team and organization over their careers but their time is up. It's over. It's a shame they can't see it and Harbaugh won't make the decision for them.

[tigercruise]

Last year when Ray was out for four games, the defense improved dramatically. This year the same thing has happened. I fully realize what he has done for the team over the years BUT playing him will hurt the team. I guess Harbaugh doesn't have the courage to tell Ray he needs to sit out. The Ravens need to do what's best for the team, and Ray returning is not best for the team.

[RavnFreek]

Fact: The Ravens D has been playing better since Ray went out.

Question: Is it because Ray is out that the D is playing better, or have they just improved?

Also Fact: Since Ray has been out, Suggs has been back, just something to think about.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

This thread speaks volumes of the apparent lack of knowledge of the game especially as expressed by the first batch of posters. For one thing Einsteins, has it ever crossed your simple brains that the improvement of the defense has been due to the return of Suggs, Ngata feeling better and Smith's replacement?

To not play Ray when he is healthy is beyond stupid, especially when it looks like Ellerbe may be out. Ray may not be the player he once was, and losing weight was a good idea with a bad outcome, but to actually believe the defense is playing better primarily due to Ray's absence, is quite honestly almost the dumbest thing I ever have read here. Right up there with a poster named Gino Giant years ago, claiming Kyle Boller the next Drew Brees!

[OriginalColtsFan]

This is a great thread! It really separates out the wheat from the chaff.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

That Listen up Harbaugh thread is even more stupid which seems impossible.Do some of you really watch the games anymore or just follow along on the radio while playing your Play Station Madden game?

While I do agree Ray has lost a step and a half and is playing too light but he still was (I believe) leading the team in tackles before he got hurt (or about the same as Lardarius Webb) so the idea the team is better with him on the sideline is idiotic.

For one thing, I am sure Ray has the green light to do anything he sees likely to work on a play (i.e. audible like the QB does on offense). I doubt anyone else has that ability on the defense. Also, I will bet money that if you rewiew a high light of big hits by the defense this year Ray is among the most, with Pollard possibly being the only one with more and none of the other LBers beating him. He still can hit as hard as anyone in the game. I ask any of you tools if you would want him hitting you to find out?

[West Chester Raven]

Yeah but is that him, or is that the return of Suggs combined with who we've played the last few weeks? Oakland, Cleveland, Pittsburgh playing an injured QB and just lost to the Browns

B.More Ken - I think you are absolutely correct. It is no coincidence that our level of defensive play has picked up with the return of Terrell Suggs. It is also true that the level of competition we've faced recently has been less than stellar. After having the tar beaten out of us by Houston, Pitt is the only team with a winning record we faced (and they started Byron freekin Leftwich) - so let's dial back the "Ray stinks, we're better off without him" stuff just a bit. There is no doubt he is in the twilight of his career - but I think the team needs to take a cautious approach with his return or preventing him from a return.
So interesting how the fan base just wants to chuck the greatest player in team history and one of the best in NFL history out the window. Like theres some sort of agenda or something. Like him or not, Ray deserves respect and he will be treated as such by the team, I am sure. I think they need to take the return slowly - you just don't shut the door on him.