LEWIS HAD FIRST CRACK AT JETS Posted by Mike Florio: Saturday, February 28, 2009 3:26 PM In the wake of the Jets' decision to sign linebacker Bart Scott instead of linebacker Ray Lewis, a league source tells us that Lewis actually had the first crack at doing a deal. The problem? The Lewis camp was making demands that the Jets viewed as unreasonable. And so the Jets passed on Lewis and moved on to Scott. Though Lewis, as we hear it, wanted to play in New York and Jets coach Rex Ryan, as we hear it, wanted Lewis on the team and (more importantly) in the locker room, the team viewed Scott as an acceptable alternative, especially since he can play inside and outside. As the source explained it, Ryan was able in his role as the defensive coordinator in Baltimore to protect Lewis, allowing him to avoid the kind of side-to-side movement that his 34-year-old joints might not be able to perform as efficiently. So with the Jets out of the running and no one else stepping up, it'll be new coordinator Greg Mattison's job to put Lewis in position to continue to succeed. If, as expected, Lewis returns to the Ravens. I'm hoping more comes out on this; I'd be interested to know what exactly his demands were. Im guessing it might have less to do with finances and more with who would wear the pants in the Lews/Harris relationship at ILB. But then again maybe he was looking for a seven year deal or something ridiculous. Its funny because from Ryan and Tennenbaum's comments, it sure seems like they wanted Scott more; maybe they initially wanted both and would have traded Harris (although Ryan certainly seems to like Harris), or perhaps they were going to use Scott on the outside... I dont know, theres a lot of ways this could have played out. In the end, I think they got the right guy.
Mike Florio is about as reliable as a boardwalk fortune teller......... Considering Ryan picked up Scott at 12:01 AM from his house I highly doubt Ray Lewis was even in the mix.
Sounds like a load of shit. Also, Scott's not going to be able to play inside and out like the article said. Sure, he could do it in Baltimore but only when they played with 4 down linemen. We don't play a hybrid system like they do, we don't have the depth at DT or a versatile enough front 7. That comes with experience and years of obtaining the right players.
Yes we do, you just dont know it yet. Ellis will shift inside on these downs and VG will line up at DE
Hmm, that's a thought, Kenyon might be too big and slow for that though. Bryan Thomas doesn't get on the field either.
I think you are forgetting that Pace is a converted DE and can play as a down lineman, as is Bryan Thomas and Gholston.
Im surprised to see people this dismissive of PFT. Theyve come a long way over there, these days theyre about as accurate as ESPN or any other outlet. Anybody who watches the sight regularly knows that Florio is pretty well tied in by now. Its certainly possible that what were getting here is not true, but even if its not entirely true, I dont doubt for a second that somebody, whether theyre a member of the Jets, the Ravens, or the Lewis entourage, is saying this for some reason. Is also worth mentioning that, my title for this thread aside, the point of the PFT article was only that Lewis had an opportunity to sign with the Jets prior to Scott having an offer. Which doesnt necessarily mean that they were ever planning on not adding Scott, ie the plan may have been to add both and Lewis was approached first? Any number of things are possible. Anybody who wants to dismiss this entirely is certainly welcome to. But personally, I dont believe for a second that the Jets were never interested in Lewis as is now being suggested. The only question is to what extent, and why not, and I would bet on both these questions being answered before too long.
