London Fletcher better than Ray Lewis?

[weird-O]

The biggest difference between players like Ray and players like Fletcher are their abilities to call attention to themselves. If it were Fletcher on that 2000 Ravens defense instead of Ray they wouldn't have missed a beat.

That said, the guy didn't make a case for "better" since he didn't make a case for "as good" but they are certainly closer than you would think.

and since that was the the title and purpose of the article, it's pretty funny that he didn't actually make his point. his article could be summed up in 3 sentences. "LF's numbers are almost as good. Ray is an attention whore. Boom!! suck it Baltimore"

[AFKAR7]

According to Pro Football Reference:
Fletcher compares to these players:
Dave Edwards, Brad Van Pelt, Paul Naumoff, Stan White, Keith Brooking, Tommy Nobis, William Thomas, Micheal Barrow, Mike Lucci, Doug Buffone

According to Pro Football Reference:
Lewis compares to:
Lawrence Taylor*, Bill George*, Mike Singletary*, Derrick Brooks, Joe Schmidt*, Jack Lambert*, Jack Ham*, Zach Thomas, Isiah Robertson, Sam Huff*

Which group is better?

The group that knew how to draw more attention than the other? Funny how that happened to the better players in the game.

Good thing Deion Sanders could do that. I mean he would have pretty much been a bum otherwise.

[Pickle20]

The biggest difference between players like Ray and players like Fletcher are their abilities to call attention to themselves. If it were Fletcher on that 2000 Ravens defense instead of Ray they wouldn't have missed a beat.

That said, the guy didn't make a case for "better" since he didn't make a case for "as good" but they are certainly closer than you would think.

I don't know if they wouldn't have "missed a beat" but it would still be a great defense.

And I agree with you...for once.

[Jeebus]

According to Pro Football Reference:
Fletcher compares to these players:
Dave Edwards, Brad Van Pelt, Paul Naumoff, Stan White, Keith Brooking, Tommy Nobis, William Thomas, Micheal Barrow, Mike Lucci, Doug Buffone

According to Pro Football Reference:
Lewis compares to:
Lawrence Taylor*, Bill George*, Mike Singletary*, Derrick Brooks, Joe Schmidt*, Jack Lambert*, Jack Ham*, Zach Thomas, Isiah Robertson, Sam Huff*

Which group is better?

Great find, Birdman. Certainly illustrates it well.

[NCBirdfan]

The group that knew how to draw more attention than the other? Funny how that happened to the better players in the game.

Good thing Deion Sanders could do that. I mean he would have pretty much been a bum otherwise.

There also has to be a reason Fletcher was only a Pro Bowler 3 times, as opposed to Lewis's 13. Lewis was named Defensive Player of the Year twice; Fletcher never.

Lewis's All-Pro Teams
Year Team Level Voters
1997 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
1998 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
1998 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
1999 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly
1999 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
1999 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
1999 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
2000 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly
2000 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2000 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
2000 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
2001 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly
2001 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2001 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
2003 1st Team All-Conf. Pro Football Weekly
2003 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2003 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
2003 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
2004 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2004 1st Team All-NFL Sporting News
2008 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2008 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Writers
2009 1st Team All-NFL Associated Press
2009 2nd Team All-NFL Pro Football Focus
2010 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
2011 1st Team All-NFL Pro Football Focus
----------
Fletcher's All-Pro Teams
Year Team Level Voters
2011 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
2012 2nd Team All-NFL Associated Press
----------------------------------
Mark Twain said there were three types of lies: Lies, Damn lies and STATISTICS! In the case of comparing Lewis and Fletcher it could not be more true.

There's no doubt, Fletcher has been a very good middle linebacker. He also has had good character and durability. But Lewis redefined the position. Ask any GM who they'd want in their prime and, no disrespect for Fletcher, Lewis would be the pick every time. It's not even as close as the stats would indicate.

[Slidemaster]

Worthless article designed to generate controversy. Ask the players who played against them who was better.

[Ravens2006]

Fletcher's probably a better all-around player right now, today. Maybe. But overall from '96 (Ray was really, really good his rookie year; one of the best LBs in the NFL right away, he just got no press) through about '06... Lewis was far and away the best LB in the game. It wasn't even close. Fletcher was never, ever that good all-around.

[Slidemaster]

The biggest difference between players like Ray and players like Fletcher are their abilities to call attention to themselves. If it were Fletcher on that 2000 Ravens defense instead of Ray they wouldn't have missed a beat.

That said, the guy didn't make a case for "better" since he didn't make a case for "as good" but they are certainly closer than you would think.

The 2000 Ravens defense doesn't exist without Ray Lewis.

Also, the guy flatly called Fletcher better than Lewis.

[AFKAR7]

Ray also made those who played with him better. That's not my opinion, that's from thiseWho who played along side of him. I also don't know if LF had the sideline to sideline speed Ray did. Ray's tackle of Barber in SB XXXV is not talked about often enough for his pursuit in stopping TB from getting around the edge and heading up field.

[can you hear me now!]

the green eyed monster of envy is having quite an offseason in DC.....

I can guarantee Flectcher will have better numbers and have more of an impact that Lewis starting 8 Sept 2013....until then it is no contest as to who is better...the article was written with urine colored glasses and a total lack of any type of football knowledge...anyone buying into this is just tryng to be an irritant...

Fletcher never made the people around him better, Lewis did.....

[The Eternal White Belt]

Fletcher never made the people around him better

Not sure what would lead you to say this, but I agree with the rest of your post.

[Ravens75]

This is like comparing the Titanic to Dude Where's My Car. LOL

Seriously Fletcher is a good LB but he's a tier below Ray.

BTW, If Fletcher was on the 2000 Ravens, he would've been trucked by Eddie George and the Tits would've moved on to the AFCC.

[BiggSeth]

Too bad they give an outlet to idiots like the boy who wrote this article. he obviously is gunning for one of those "anti"/hater yappity yap spots on one of the various networks who tirelessly "talk football".....


As for his opinion, well it is his, he has a right to it, and I have a right to dismiss it as idiotic.

Next!

[can you hear me now!]

Not sure what would lead you to say this, but I agree with the rest of your post.

because two teams thought so much of his leadership and impact they let him walk...in other words, he was replaceable...you don't replace people who elevate those around them....why weaken your team....

[Slidemaster]

Too bad they give an outlet to idiots like the boy who wrote this article. he obviously is gunning for one of those "anti"/hater yappity yap spots on one of the various networks who tirelessly "talk football".....


As for his opinion, well it is his, he has a right to it, and I have a right to dismiss it as idiotic.

Next!

A right to dismiss it as idiotic? Hell, you have an obligation!

[The Eternal White Belt]

because two teams thought so much of his leadership and impact they let him walk...in other words, he was replaceable...you don't replace people who elevate those around them....why weaken your team....

His impact on the Skins is in no way debatable. He has gotten better with age.

[Greater Gamber]

I'll wager sonny boy got no better than a C on this "essay" in his 10th grade English class. Come back try again when you learn something.

[can you hear me now!]

His impact on the Skins is in no way debatable. He has gotten better with age.

did I say he isn't? even with this improvement he isn't in the same league as Lewis. does he make the players around him better? go back and look at some of the FA LB's who left the Ravens for $$$...not one was as good as he was when playing beside Ray (Hartwell, Thomas, Scott and even Jarrett Johnson to an extent). that's why putting Fletcher in the same category as Lewis is so ridiculous..I can't think of one player Fletcher made better....can you name 1 or 2....

[The Eternal White Belt]

No, because there's no way to measure and/or prove that.

[Eastside Terp]

The biggest difference between players like Ray and players like Fletcher are their abilities to call attention to themselves. If it were Fletcher on that 2000 Ravens defense instead of Ray they wouldn't have missed a beat.

That said, the guy didn't make a case for "better" since he didn't make a case for "as good" but they are certainly closer than you would think.

nonsense ......

ray was the best player on what many consider the greatest defense of all times.......

in addition to setting the all scoring defense records, during that playoff run, the raven's special teams and defense outscored the other team's offenses ......

watching him play that year was a once in a life time opportunity to see greatness, seeing him in person in the superbowl dominate that game was something I won't forget ......

the way he moved from sideline to sideline was unequaled .......