Ray Lewis is prepared to divorce the Ravens if the sides do not agree on a contract extension.
Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract, addressed the issue this week on the NFL Network.
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“Would I play somewhere else? The business creates that,” Lewis said. “We have to understand that — no matter what you do and how you try to do it — if you understand that, then the game of football is fun for you. It never changes for you. So, if you do go somewhere else, you go have a great career somewhere else.”
Lewis also said his football legacy could extend beyond Baltimore.
“I believe your legacy is not [decided] by the city, I believe it’s the way you play the game, no matter what color jersey you have on” Lewis said. “I’m a Raven, though. I’m a Raven for life. Purple and black is just what I do. But, the business side? If it takes off, it takes off.”
The 12-year veteran was just named to his ninth Pro Bowl. But the Ravens are negotiating a contract extension for linebacker Terrell Suggs, and Ozzie Newsome, the team’s general manager, has not acknowledged talks with Lewis’ representatives.
Lewis already is one of the highest paid players at his position — he is scheduled to make $6.5 million next season — and a similar contract extension could cripple the salary cap-troubled team.
“[When] I’m not able to compete — at whatever level I feel I’m not able to compete in this league — then I’ll walk away,” Lewis said. “I’ve got too much football left in me.”
Lewis has one big supporter — owner Steve Bisciotti.
Bisciotti told reporters last month that Lewis is still one of the game’s best.
“You see Ray Lewis running around this year doing what he did at 32 years old,” he said. “There’s no end in sight for Ray Lewis.”
Even after 12 years, Maeir game still sticks with Johnson
In former Orioles manager Davey Johnson’s mind, the play remains vivid.
It was the eighth inning of Game 1 in the 1996 ALCS vs. New York. Derek Jeter hit a fly ball to the wall; 12-year-old Jeffrey Maeir reached over and caught the ball.
“I can see it plain as day,” Johnson, now managing the U.S. Olympic team, told the New York Daily News. “[Umpire] Richie Garcia, he’s underneath it, and he can’t see it, and he calls it a home run, even though to everybody in the world it’s obvious the kid [interfered].
“We were ready to roll. It’s amazing.”
On managing in the big leagues again » “No. [In the end] I didn’t even have a good time in the dugout when we had a lead. Now I’m energized.”
On Brady Anderson and steroids » “I saw him working out, before and after games, and this guy was nuts. Brady would ride a bike to the ballpark from 10 miles away. I had no idea. I still don’t know. Obviously everybody thinks he’s taking steroids, but I don’t know. If you told me Raffy Palmeiro was even working out, I would’ve said you are crazy. He had that Brooks Robinson body, kind of soft, a sweet stroke and a good talent. But I never would’ve guessed he was juicing.”
Look out Fred Smoot
Fred Smoot won’t be the only quotable corner on the Redskins this season. That is, if fifth-round pick Justin Tryon makes the team. But one thing is for certain: he won’t lack for confidence.
Sunday, Tryon was asked if he knew who else the Redskins had at corner.
“It really don’t matter,” he said. “It’s my spot to take.”
Um, OK. A bit heady for a fourth-round pick who enters with big question marks because of his height (5-foot-9).
Tryon also returns kickoffs. With confidence.
“I bring explosion,” he said. “Anytime I catch theball, I’m going to get you to the 50.”
Before the draft, Tryon said, “If you really want me to, I can play safety like a Bob Sanders kind of guy. I do all of the special teams. It’s fun for me to be out on the field.”
Even more fun to quote him.
In case you missed it
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny and catcher Russell Martin had their signals crossed Saturday. And the end result left umpire Kerwin Danley in the hospital. Penny’s 96 mph fastball — Martin was expecting a curve — hit Danley in the jaw. He lost consciousness for a few seconds before recovering. As he left on a stretcher, Danley received a rarity for an umpire: an ovation from the crowd. He was treated at a local hospital and later released.
On the record
“I told that fool, ‘If I played with Magic and Worthy and Kareem I’d have a ring, too.’ So, you know, he’s a sucker in my book, but that’s a whole other story.”
— Dallas forward Jerry Stackhouse talking about New Orleans coach Byron Scott during a radio interview.
“We have to move on, and we’re moving on as if Michael [Vick] is not here. We retain his rights, and at the right time we’ll deal with that.”
— Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank after drafting quarterback Matt Ryan with the third overall pick.
By the numbers
0: Number of receivers drafted in the first round Saturday, the first time that’s happened since 1990 (when only 25 players were taken in the first round).
12: Combined number of points Tracy McGrady has scored in the fourth quarter of Houston’s three playoff games vs. Utah.
