Look Out Nfl, THE BEST LINEBACKER IN THE NFL Is Back!

[Turbo]

When training camp opens tomorrow, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will return with the same mission and a different driving force.

His passion to carry his team back to the Super Bowl will once again be on display, from the exuberant chest-pumping after a hit to the wild screaming following a batted pass. But the reason for his rejuvenated desire will be hidden.

"This is my motivation," said Lewis, rubbing a three-inch scar on his left shoulder.

The perennial All-Pro linebacker underwent surgery to repair his partially separated shoulder Dec. 10, and team officials repeatedly have said he has fully recovered. Others have their doubts whether he can overcome the biggest injury of his seven-year career.

In a recent ranking of the NFL's top 50 players, CBS Sportsline placed Lewis at No. 12, which was 10 spots below Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.

But proving doubters wrong happens almost as often as his trips to the Pro Bowl.

Three years ago, many believed Lewis would be distracted after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction-of-justice charges in a double-murder trial in Atlanta. The result: He was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and was the Most Valuable Player in the Ravens' Super Bowl victory.

Before last season, different questions surfaced when league observers wondered if Lewis could be effective in the team's new 3-4 alignment (three linemen and four linebackers). Again, the result: He was having the best year of his career - averaging 17 tackles a game - until the shoulder injury ended his season in November.

It seems whenever the skeptics come down on Lewis, he raises his game to another level.

"People have not figured out my secret yet," Lewis said. "I don't complicate the game of football. I don't have to prepare for anything but to knock out anybody who touches the football. If you question that part of my game, you lose."

Lewis' first test comes tomorrow, when the Ravens will engage in some light contact. But the true barometer will wait until Tuesday's practice, which will end with a hard-hitting session.

Eight months removed from his last hit, Lewis has already envisioned his first big collision.

"It's going to be the same way," Lewis said. "Everybody knows I only go one way, and that's full speed. But at the same time, I've got to be smart with it. But I won't be smart and hesitant. I'm going to be smart and full speed. That's all I know, and that's what I trained for this offseason. So when I do walk into camp, my shoulder is not on my mind."

Much of Lewis' offseason was spent traveling from London to San Francisco to New York. He shot eight commercials for EA Sports and Reebok that are expected to run next month.

But it was Lewis' time out of the spotlight that will impact his season. Going back to his home state of Florida, he stayed two months at the beach, where it was more like a boot camp than a vacation.

His days consisted of five workouts from running on the sand to lifting in the weight room to Tae Bo to yoga. It was a vigorous, six-day-a-week schedule designed to have him working every two to three hours.

"There's a look in his eye because of what Ray wants to get done," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "He has a specific mind-set. He has an agenda for this year, and it's a good agenda."

Before the injury, Lewis was considered one of the few defensive players who could single-handedly change a game and will his team to victory. The Ravens, who finished 7-9 despite playing 11 games without Lewis, likely need him back to his old, ferocious form to return to the playoffs this season.

"I'm getting older and people say it must get boring," said Lewis, 28. "But now, it's getting more exciting for me. One reason is because, honestly, I know I'm the most dominant player in this game. Period. So, when I walk onto the football field, I'm going to act like it. My time is not going to be wasted. I'm not going to do this forever."

For Lewis, his motivation may be personal, but his goals center on the team.

"I know what it takes to touch glory," Lewis said. "If I can get all my ballplayers on that same exact page, we'll be back in the Super Bowl."

[Rush23]

I have to say when he is healthy he is a beast. I hope he recovers and is back to old form. But still SuperBowl? I don't see that in the future...........at all.

[spyfy]

Brian Urlacher never went anywhere.

[funkopotomus]

Awsome post i been waiting for Ray Ray to somethin like that for a while. JUst reading that shows you his emmense passion.

Nice read. Ray Lewis is possibly the best PLAYER in the NFL. As a bears fan I hate when people compare urlacher to lewis. THey are two different players.

1. Lewis has been playing LB since birth, where as Urlacher has been playing MLB midway through his rookie season. So he still has a lot of learning to do.

2. Urlacher is already the second best LB in the league behind lewis. Wait til he learns to play the position and shed blocks. THen he'll be even better. He is all the athlete lewis is if not a better one.

But the biggest difference that seperate these two is intensity. Ray Lewis is just plain insane on the field. He can single handedly change the course of a game. Urlacher lacks that intesity because its not in his personality. If he had Ray Lewis intesity you can he'd be on his level. Both great LB's but Ray Lewis is on a level no other player in the NFL is on. Thats not taking anything away from Brian.

But what I dont get turbo is why you said the best LB is back when Ed Hartwell was there all last season for you guys. I still can't believe you said Ed hartwell is awesome. He's good but better than Dexter Coakley?

[Turbo]

Haha, fred i knew you would post here!!

Leave my man Ed alone LOL, I still stick behind my position, Ed Is Better!

[funkopotomus]

Ed is very underrated. We had a top 2 run D last season with Ray down and it was largely thanks to ED and the rest of our LB's

Also i know for a fact Urlacher is a better athlete then Lewis (eventhough Lewis is still REALLY athletic). But its just like you said fred, he needs to shed blocks better, be a surer tackler, be more intense, and be WAY more of a leader if he us to Dethrone Ray. Thats why I think he'll never do it. Ray's leadership skillz are amazing and EVERYONE listens to him. Ray get's guys to do pushups for him if they F up. As long as Ray still has that Swager and confidence no one can touch him at LB. I think Mike Singleterry leaving for the Ravens and not the Bears was a sign................

Well the bears didnt want singletary and it pissed me off. It was in the papers and radio here. Bothered me a ton. I hope they get him back when someone leaves.

[funkopotomus]

Naw lol I hear he likes it here.

He'll come back to Chi-Town if the opportunity arises. This is his home, Baltimore is just a detour.