Ray Lewis Wants A New Deal

jimrome.com ^ | 14 June 2005 | Jim Rome

[sean327]

Speculation is Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis may want a new contract and that he could be looking for a $50 million dollar signing bonus.

Look, Lewis is a great player, a great leader, a great personality and I like that pre-game dance as much as anybody, but $50 million to sign?

Is Ray Lewis a Middle Linebacker or did he find a cure for cancer? If they were to ever give Ray Ray $50 mill up front, what sort of effect would that have on the cap? Will Kyle Boller and Jamal Lewis play for free? I want to be there when Ozzie Newsome tells the fellas, 'Hey guys we gave your entire jack to Ray, you guys are cool playing for free right?'

Look, I never begrudge what these guys make. If the check doesn’t float then they’re worth it. And if I could do what they can do, I'd ask for it also, but I wouldn’t ask for $50 million up front.

[sean327]

I'm taking the reins on the NFL Thread while asphalt is gone. I will try to throw in a little variety when it comes to stories. Some of you may not like Jim Rome, but I think there may be a few "Jungle Clones" in FReeRepublic. If any of you have any ideas, feel free to put them out there.

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[sure_fine]

well, he is making commercials now and everything (/sarky

[jpl]

Is Drew Rosenhaus Ray Lewis' agent? The old expression "a deal's a deal" seems to have no meaning to that guy.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I don't like Rome at all. However, he's right about Lewis.

[Rodney King]

Speculation is Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis may want a new contract and that he could be looking for a $50 million dollar signing bonus.

Ray Lewis needs to perform under his existing contract. If he does not, he should not be paid a dime and not other team should be allowed to sign him.

[hobbes1]

Because Ray Ray knows that the 46 Defense wont run without him.

[vrwinger]

If they were to ever give Ray Ray $50 mill up front, what sort of effect would that have on the cap?

If he signs a 20 year contract, it would have a minimal effect... LOL!

[sean327]

I agree, I think alot of the contract "misunderstandings" are agent driven. Ray Lewis is one hell of a football player, but he is not worth a $50 million signing bonus.

[csmusaret]

Didn't "Crissy" Everett knock Rome on his butt?

[dmz]

Ray has done nothing but perform under his existing contract. Lots of folks don't like him, but it would be difficult to overestimate his value in the stadium (even when he's hurt, he's still working it).

I think the number of renegotiations has a bit to do with the salary cap. Lots of deals get restructured. The ravens (iirc) may have brought this up before Ray did.

This is IMHO nothing like the latest TO soap opera.

[rabidralph]

Rome better be careful what he says. Lewis may stab him.

[danno3150]

Ray Lewis is a good player, but he's also a product of media hype. He's been exposed in big games by good coaches and teams. The money he is asking for should be reserved for those great players that elevate themselves and their teammates to a higher level. Lewis doesn't do either.

[sean327]

"Didn't "Crissy" Everett knock Rome on his butt?"

Yeah, Jim Everett went postal on him during an interview on ESPN2 back in 1993. I hated Rome because of that for a long time. Then I started listening to him about 7 years ago. He kind of grows on you. He still does some thing I don't like, but for the most part his show is pretty funny, and he gets good interviews.

[MissEdie]

Look, this greedy piece of crap needs to get on his hands and knees and be grateful his butt isn't wearing prison garb right about now. You think he'd earn anything close to 50 mil working in a prison canteen?

[Rodney King]

Ray has done nothing but perform under his existing contract. Lots of folks don't like him, but it would be difficult to overestimate his value in the stadium (even when he's hurt, he's still working it).

Good for him. And when his contract runs out he can get a better one.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I've never been a big Rome fan, either. The guy is a Vanilla Ice wannabe when it comes to sports radio. I still revel in the memory of Jim Everett chasing him off the stage on live TV. Since then, he's become a total *ss-kisser to every jock who appears on his show.

But I do agree, Lewis demanding $50 million up front is not exactly the smartest move in the book.

[lionheart 247365]

I'd like to see him sign with Atlanta and take a few more of his criminal teammates with him . He obstructed a murder investigation , and KNEW who stabbed the two victims in Atlanta . I live in the Baltimore area and refuse to attend any game til he's gone . To hell with him ...

[rawhide]

Sorry, he is not worth that much of an advance, nobody is. Let him earn it, the 'old fashioned' way.

[MplsSteve]

$50 million dollars?!

No player is worth that much...except for Brett Favre.

OK, OK, easy on me please.

Seriously, the Ravens need to tell him NO! right away and clear away any misconception that Lewis' agent may have about re-negotiating.

When Lewis' contract expires, then (and not 'til then), they can hold some serious negotiations about a new contract.

if Lewis thinks he's worth that much, a heavily incentive-laden contract is one way to go. The more sacks, tackles, fumble recoveries, etc...the more he gets paid.