Brian Urlacher vs Ray Lewis

Bears54 · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 890 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

I wanted to see who do you think is the better MLB.

Ray Lewis

- Born : May 15, 1975
- 6'1 240 pounds 37 years old
- 13 time pro bowler
- 1 super bowl
- 1st round pick 26th pick by the Balitmore Ravens in the 1996 Draft
- 17 years in the NFL
- 226 total games played
- 1549 Solo tackles/ 488 assisted tackles/41.5 sacks/31 INT/ 3 INT Tds

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3542/career

Brian Urlacher

- Born: May 25, 1978
- 6'4 260 pounds 34 years old
- 8 time pro bowler
- 1 NFC Championship
- 1st round pick 9th pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2000 Draft
- 13 years in the NFL
- 173 total games played
- 1003 solo tackles/ 305 assisted tackles/ 41.5 sacks/ 21 INT/ 1 INT Td

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5038/career

Brian Urlacher has played 4 years less than Ray Lewis but it appears Urlacher will pass Ray stat wise if he can keep it going for another 4 years. I dont know how much longer Brian has with his knee and contract coming up, but I sure would like to see him play a few more years. I also think Brain will pass Ray on sacks, and INTs. They are both great in their own way.

I rather have Brian in his prime. I like Brian's cover skills, and his speed. but I also like Rays intensity and how is such a vocal leader and makes everyone around him better. I also think Ray is a bigger hitter. BUT i think Ray has had more talent around him on his defenses that he has played with in the past.

Pinky · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 532 Location: London, England

i'm a huge Urlacher fan, but Ray Lewis is the best middle linebacker ever to play the game.

Madmike90 · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 18607 Location: Scotland

DaMike · Joined: 21 Nov 2010 Posts: 3366

I give the nod to Lewis but I think Urlacher should also make the Hall of Fame. Urlacher was held back stat wise with the cover 2.

51to54 · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 1529

Superman(DH23) · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

Lewis is the 2nd greatest downhill MLB of all time. Urlacher is the best coverage MLB of all time. Overall I give a slight edge to Lewis, both are first ballot HOFers
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IronMike84 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 5974

If you polled all NFL fans, I think the consensus would be that Ray Lewis is a lock to be a first-ballot HOF, and Urlacher deserves serious consideration but is not a sure-fire first ballot.
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DaMike · Joined: 21 Nov 2010 Posts: 3366

TytybearsFan21 · Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 13791

Its Ray Lewis. It's always been him.

Impressive that urlacher has him matched on sacks.

Bears54 · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 890 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

I believe Urlacher is the best cover 2 middle LB to ever play the game, and Urlachers stats aren't to far off from Rays and it seems he will pass Ray in some categorizes. Brian played in the cover 2 scheme where he did more coverage than just go head on with the RB or FB and still made his plays. Brian never had a guy like Ngata playing in front of him which probably going to be the best 3-4 nose tackle ever right now to ever play tha position. Brian never had a ED safety type player playing behind him, (Mike Brown was the closest thing) and Brian never had a Terrell Suggs type player in his career till Peppers came along. I think Ray is a great MLB, but he had alot of help especially with the 2000 ravens. Brian never really had any other studs till Briggs came along. I dont think Ray would have been as effective had he played in the Cover 2 scheme like Brian did or if Ray played for the Bears. However, i think Brian still would have been just as effective in the 3-4 defense playing for the Ravens with all the that defensive talent around him.

Brian needs a Superbowl ring on his finger, than he has a leg up on Ray, I think.

IronMike84 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 5974

A third linebacker from the same era is Derrick Brooks. Some people consider him an eventual shoe-in for the HOF; others do not. If Urlacher is Canton-bound, it will be interesting to see if/how Brooks impacts Urlacher.
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MonserinNC · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:30 pm Post subject:

Its Ray Lewis, but there is no shame in coming in 2nd.

Lewis won a Super Bowl by pure will...I have never seen anything like that. When you really look back at that Ravens team the other defensive players really didnt go on to do much in the league....and we already know about the offense.

Ray Lewis won a SB from the MLB position which is amazing.
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Superman(DH23) · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:51 pm Post subject:

MonserinNC · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject:

Superman(DH23) · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject: