Ray Lewis was a HUGE part of the reason the Ravens won the SB, I mean Dilfer was their QB so it's not like they had an offensive juggernaut team. Lewis was the leader of that D and played the biggest part of that team.
Unless of course Willis just completely dominates his whole career at a much better level than Lewis did then I don't think he does.
[ Edited by BirdmanJr on Feb 8, 2010 at 16:32:16 ]
Originally posted by BirdmanJr: Ray Lewis was a HUGE part of the reason the Ravens won the SB, I mean Dilfer was their QB so it's not like they had an offensive juggernaut team.
Juggernaut? No, but the Baltimore Ravens had an exceptional running game (good for 5th in the NFL) featuring Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes. The offense ranked 14th in the NFL in scoring, which was plenty for a defense that held opposing offenses in the playoffs to an average of just six points.
Also, Dilfer was 7-1 as a starter and 4-0 (obviously) as a playoff Quarterback.
Unfortunately, Patrick is beginning on the same path as Frank Gore, as a spectacular player on a perennial losing team. It's now been 3 years, and he has yet to make the playoffs or even experience a winning record. Ray Lewis was the cornerstone of one of the most successful defenses of all time, and one that survived many coaching and personnel changes, yet maintained itself very well.
If the niners don't start winning soon and fielding a dominating defense around Willis to really bring out what he can do as a player, he will be a forgotten player from a forgettable team.
I've heard "west coast bias" thrown around here when it comes to media outlets like ESPN and othera but I do not believe in that. I believe there is a "winners bias". Willis already gets a lot of love from sportswriters and media members (who, let's face it, ultimately decide the level of a player's greatness), but he will never get what he deserves unless he's playing on a winning team.
He may make the Hall, but his legacy will be no where near as great as it should be unless he wins a SB. If he wins two SBs he'll probably end up being considered the greatest MLB of all time.
Originally posted by BirdmanJr: Ray Lewis was a HUGE part of the reason the Ravens won the SB, I mean Dilfer was their QB so it's not like they had an offensive juggernaut team.
Juggernaut? No, but the Baltimore Ravens had an exceptional running game (good for 5th in the NFL) featuring Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes. The offense ranked 14th in the NFL in scoring, which was plenty for a defense that held opposing offenses in the playoffs to an average of just six points.
Also, Dilfer was 7-1 as a starter and 4-0 (obviously) as a playoff Quarterback.
They did have a great running game, but when your offense goes 5 straight weeks without a TD and you continue to win games, you've got one heck of a defense.
Feb 8, 2010 at 16:27:49 
