SPORTS
By Kevin Van Valkenburg, The Baltimore Sun | April 20, 2010
It might be the most difficult question that an NFL general manager has to answer, and though the day might not be here yet, the day is fast approaching when Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens will have to answer it, consequences be damned. When do decide to draft Ray Lewis' successor? Making the transition away from away from an aging Hall of Famer who has also been the face of your franchise for more than a decade is a prickly endeavor, and history has shown it can divide the fanbase as well as the locker room.
SPORTS
By Mike Preston and Mike Preston,SUN STAFF | December 12, 1999
Ask Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis about his favorite hit, and his eyes light up and he flashes a grin.There was the time he ran down San Diego slot receiver Eric Metcalf from behind from the far side of the field after Metcalf had caught a 20-yard pass over the middle in full stride. Earlier this season, he outmaneuvered two blockers and tackled Pro Bowl running back Marshall Faulk for no gain on a screen pass.But the best?"The best hits always come under fire and nobody sees them, like when you hit a running back so hard his eyes roll back in his head.
SPORTS
By Kevin Van Valkenburg and Kevin Van Valkenburg,SUN STAFF | August 10, 2003
COLLEGE PARK - Just a week into fall practices, one thing is apparent about Maryland's linebacking corps: sophomore D'Qwell Jackson is no E.J. Henderson. At least, not yet. Suggesting that Jackson might someday reach that level, however, is not as far-fetched as it might sound. Just ask Terps coach Ralph Friedgen. "I think his instincts are just as good as E.J.'s," Friedgen said yesterday after Maryland completed the first of two practices. "He's looked very good so far. He's a real sure tackler.
SPORTS
By Jamison Hensley and Jamison Hensley,SUN STAFF | August 13, 2000
Ray Lewis was causing trouble in the middle again. Lewis, who had one tackle last week in limited action, recorded a team-best five stops, including three for losses, during his one half of work last night. The Ravens middle linebacker led a first-unit that held the New York Jets to 104 yards of offense and no points in the first half of their 10-0 victory. "Every time he steps on the field, he wants to set the tone," coach Brian Billiek said. The game didn't start off perfect for Lewis, who was called for pass interference in the first quarter.
SPORTS
By Edward Lee and Edward Lee,SUN STAFF | December 17, 2004
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is realistic about his chances of being invited to the Pro Bowl. "I don't really see it happening," Pierce said. "When you've got a guy like [the Chicago Bears' Brian] Urlacher - I think he's missed, what, six games - he'll still go to the Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl is a lot about names. Sometimes the coaches and players might vote fairly, but you've got the fans and other people involved and they vote for who they know." Pierce, 26, may be an unknown commodity to a lot of people and even some NFL teams, but to the Redskins, the fourth-year pro from Arizona has been invaluable.
SPORTS
By Mike Preston and Mike Preston,SUN STAFF | September 6, 1999
Already feeling the effects of outside linebacker Peter Boulware's shoulder injury, the Ravens waived two players yesterday, including third-year middle linebacker Tyrus McCloud.The Ravens were involved in serious trade talks about McCloud with three teams until the 4 p.m. deadline imposed by the NFL to reduce the roster to the mandatory limit of 53 players. The Ravens were also involved in some inquiries about possibly trading reserve quarterback Tony Banks, who might lose his No. 2 job to Stoney Case.