No Ray Lewis, no leader for Baltimore Ravens?

You know, I kind of got on Ray Lewis case earlier this season when the former BaltimoreRavens superstar commented on his former team now lacking the locker room leadership that he and Ed reed provided a year ago en route to the second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

Now, after seeing the Raven’s regular season, I’ve changed my mind and am in full agreement with Lewis’ assertion weeks ago. Clearly, this is a Ravens team in desperate need for leadership, particularly from inconsistent (again) quarterback Joe Flacco.

Baltimore paid its strong-armed signal-caller like an elite quarterback, but it’s clear to me that Flacco is more of a second-tier star than a flat-out superstar.

Whether you love him or loathe him, there’s no denying the Ravens’ are missing the kind of leadership Lewis provided his entire career in Baltimore.

Do the Ravens have a team leader? Is Joe Flacco an elite quarterback? Weigh in with your comments Eye n Sports fans and let me know!

Ed Reed Tellin’ It Like it T-I Tis!

Daaaaaamn, Eye On Sports football lovers!

On Monday, Baltimore Ravens future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed told satellite radio listeners just what he thought of quarterback Joe Flacco’s performance against the Houston Texans in the team’s hard-fought 20-13 win on Sunday – and it mirrors my thoughts exactly.

Here’s what Reed told reporters on Monday.

"I think Joe was kind of rattled a little bit by (Houston's) defense," Reed said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday. "(The Texans) had a lot of guys in the box on him. And, I mean, they were getting to him. I think a couple times he needed to get rid of the ball. I don't know how much of the play-calling ... but it just didn't look like he had a hold on the offense. ... It was just kind of like (Baltimore's coaches) was telling him to do, throw the ball or get it here, you know, get it to certain guys. And he can't play like that."

Flacco completed just 14 of 27 passes for 176 yards, though he did throw two TD passes in the narrow win. Baltimore generated just 109 yards of offense after halftime – and if you ask me – I agree with Reed – Joe Flacco looked absolutely scared to me throughout much of the game – and at this point, I’m just not too sure he’s capable of being a prime time leader.

In spite of having one of the biggest arms in the game today, Flacco has the look of a quarterback that just wants to manage the game – not go out and win it!

Ed Reed, the Best Safety Ever?

Is Baltimore Ravens’ Safety Ed Reed the best ever at his position? While I’m kind of partial toward former San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, I just couldn’t bring myself to argue with a guy that says Reed is the game’s best safety of all-time. 

One thing’s for sure Eye on Sports NFL fanatics … there haven’t been many safeties in the league as talented, studious, dedicated and ferocious as the ‘Ball Hawk’ Ed Reed!

Baltimore Back in Big Dance?

The Baltimore Ravens are just one step away from making their second Super Bowl appearance and first since winning it all in 2001, thanks to a likely touchdown-saving interception by Ed Reed late in regulation. The Ravens took out a very good Houston Texans team and their shockingly good rookie quarterback T.J. Yates, but they’ll face a far different beast when they battle Tom Brady and the Patriots next weekend - and I'm not too sure that often-inconsistent quarterback Joe Flacco has what it takes to lead this team to the promised land.