Hey Ravens forget Boldin draft Heyward Bey

There has been plenty of talk leading up to draft week of the Ravens trading for Anquan Boldin, which all in all i don't disagree with but to me you have to weigh the options. First of all Boldin will be 29 this year so realistically you might have 4 to 5 years max with him. Second the Ravens don't have much cap room to play with so if you sign Boldin for 4 to 5 years that probably means 2009 will be the last for Suggs in a Ravens uniform. If you draft a wide receiver you will have much more time with that receiver, also Boldins style is not what the Ravens need, they need a game breaker, Boldin is solid but he doesn't stretch the field. The one player i like is Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey proved at the combine that he could stretch the field running a 4.3 40, the fastest of the receivers. Now on Baltimore radio for awhile now they have been saying that if you draft Heyward-Bey its like drafting Yamon Figurs. I totally disagree Heyward-Bey had more catches, more yards and more TDs than Figurs, and to me Bey is a more accomplished receiver. Bey does not have hands like bricks and the only reason his college numbers aren't better is because look at the quarterbacks at Maryland not exactly Heisman candidates. To me Heyward-Bey is the game breaker the Ravens offense sorely needs and hopefully the Ravens feel the same.

End of Season Awards

There is an article on the BaltimoreRavens.com where a couple local sportswriters give their annual media awards.... So i figured i would give mine.

Best Individual Single Game Performance: Most of the writes said Ed Reed's 107 Yard INT Return was the best but that's to easy. Ill go with Derrick Mason's week 16 performance. Mason had 6 Rec for 66 Yards and 1 TD. The numbers don't jumps out at you but in that game Mason came out 2 or 3 times because of his hurt shoulder and he kept gutting it out.

Most Memorable Play/Moment: This one i am also going against the grain, for it is not a particular play its a moment. After the Tennessee Playoff game Ed Reed gave the Game Ball to O.J. Brigance, that showed a lot of class.

Breakout Season: Le'Ron McClain.

Best Contributor who Received Least Recognition: Jim Leonard, not only on the defense but he had some big Special Teams plays.

MVP: Ed Reed, 9 INTS, 3 TDS, enough Said.

Biggest Surprise: Joe Flacco, went from third string to AFC Championship Game.

Favorite Quote: “Here come the Ravens, the team nobody wants to play"--Ed Reed after the Wild Card Victory.

Team's Defining Moment: The Win at Dallas.

Favorite John Harbaugh Moment: Before the season Harbaugh said that he is creating a Dynasty, not a bad first season.

Ray Lewis a Raven Nevermore?

Over the next few months in Baltimore this will be the main topic of discussion. Will Ray Lewis be wearing a Ravens jersey next season. If anyone saw the interview on the NFL network that answer might be no. When asked about the playing for the Cowboys Ray Lewis said the following and I quote "I see Dallas as a great opportunity. It's always been America's Team. It's just a great place to play football". Not to mention he also stated that playing with T.O. would not be a problem, despite what happened in 2004. Ray Lewis was also asked about the New York Jets who don't forget just hired Rex Ryan, Lewis' comments were, "That opportunity by itself looks attractive," he said. "That just sounds right. It's like, 'Wow, if something does happen where you're not back in Baltimore, the Jets wouldn't be bad."" Then the topic of a hometown discount came up and Lewis said that he doesn't play less why should he be payed less. Then when asked about Baltimore he did say he felt uncomfortable talking about playing for other teams because there is nothing he doesn't love about Baltimore. So taking all those comments into consideration i believe that Ray does want to stay here, but if Baltimore doesn't pay him what he thinks he deserves he will leave to whoever pays him what he wants. There is nothing i want more than to see Lewis in Purple and Black but i also wouldn't want the Ravens to be financially crippled. If Lewis isn't resigned you can use that money to sign Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Jason Brown and Jim Leonhard among others. No matter what happens Ray Lewis will always be remembered as a Raven and the city of Baltimore will put him in the same class as Johnny Unitas, Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken. But seeing him in another jersey is a sight most Ravens fans don't want to think about.