The Ravens thought they had seen everything from Ray Lewis in his 17-year career, which passed for a final time through Baltimore in Sunday’s win over the Colts. But before the game, they saw something they didn’t expect from Lewis.
Nerves.
Teammate Brendan Ayanbadejo told Yahoo’s Mike Silver he was surprised to see Lewis’ emotions on the way to M&T Bank Stadium.
“I’ve never really seen Ray nervous before,” Ayanbadejo said. “I mean, Ray Lewis doesn’t get nervous. Well, Ray was nervous. It was a pretty amazing sight.”
Ayanbadejo eventually started filming the approach, and the adoring reception Lewis received on his way in.
Lewis said after the game it probably hadn’t sunk in yet because there’s another game, Saturday at Denver, to prepare for.
While the Ravens defense was hardly at its best, and Lewis himself failed to put away a pick-six by dropping an Andrew Luck pass that hit him in the hands, those same teammates think there’s an opportunity for more. They played better than they did down the stretch (when they lost four of their last five), but they’re facing a mature version of Luck in a guy named Peyton Manning this week.
“I think we’re still kinda playing possum,” said outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. “We’re not telling the whole story. Everybody knows that when they play us, they’ve got a fight on their hands. What kind of fight, they don’t know.
“Sometimes we can be crafty, and wear ‘em down with a good plan and win on points. Sometimes we can go for the knockout, and down they’ll go. The thing is, they don’t know. We’re not showing our hand just yet. But we do pack a punch.”
And they’re packing Lewis, for one more one last time.