ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli just named his All-Pro squad, and somehow managed to leave Ray Lewis off his list.
Riddle me this, Mr. Pasquarelli: how many NFL General Managers would fail to trade Julian Peterson, Takeo Spikes or Dat Nguyen straight up for Ray Lewis if they had the chance (not that Ozzie Newsome wants to lose his job)? And how many of those GMs would keep their jobs if it became public that they made such a decision?
Even on a team that boasts Jamal Lewis, a 2,000 yard runner, Ray is team MVP. Three years ago, when Jamal Lewis was lost for the season, the Ravens still managed to make the playoffs as a Wild Card, and beat Miami in the first round before eventually losting at Pittsburgh. But last season, when Jamal Lewis was back at full strength, and Ray Lewis was lost much of the season to injury, the Ravens finished 7-9.
Seriously – how does that happen? You might trade one of those guys plus some more straight up for Ray Lewis, and still be leaning too far in your own direction. He’s a monster, and has seriously put his team in the position it’s in now.
I heard some great comments about the Ravens, in that you shouldn’t expect Lewis to have any monster games because teams have no respect for their QB. Doesn’t surprise me – a lot of Lewis’ yards have come when he gets through like 3 or 4 tackles and breaks 60 or 70 yards – he has a much shorter YPC without a couple of his big runs. I know that sounds a little kooky, but look at what he does for 10 consecutive play – it’s not anywhere near the 5YPC you see him with. It’s like 1, 2, 1, 65 or something like that.
Is Pasquarelli a bit of a moralist? Only thing I can think is that he’s protesting the adulation for a player that was probably at least an accessory to double murder.