At an attempt to un-hijak this thread: I’m going with the Ravens 13-9. I do believe that teams can beat Baltimore if they use a five reciever offensive scheme and overload one side of the field. You have 4WR on the Right and 1WR on the left. The 4 on the right are there to take away defenders so the left side can be 1on1. One flaw in this system:your QB will get killed so you better have two or three good backups. You throw screens ,as your running plays, to the right and have your three other WR block. You throw the deep-pass on the left side or have your 4WR on the right slant to the left to pick off CB and S. If you can get one or two big plays with this system, you’re likely to beat the Ravens.
Ok, let’s look at what happened. Ray Lewis and a group of people he considers “friends” are out partying after the SB last year. As the leave the Cobalt lounge, the party is attacked by another group, including the afore mentioned champaine bottle to the head ( which, RTF, would be considered assault with a deadly weapon- no small thing) A mele ensues, with Ray trying to get his guys into the Limo. As Libby said, I don’t thing anyone believes Ray actually stabbed or even fought with anyone- certainly no evidence to the contrary has ever come to light. What is not know for certain, but I would be willng to bet is the truth, is that his 2 friends stabbed and killed the other two men. Eventually, everyone gets into the limo, and as someone starts shooting at it, Ray orders the driver to get the f*** out of there, which the driver does. Now everyone goes into panic, cover up mode, which we can all say is a mistake, but when you’re 21, probobly seemed the natural thing to do. We have all seen how the rest of it played out. Now let’s look at the sins of Ray Lewis in this situation.
#1. He picked the wrong group of guys to hang out with. How many of us have not done the same kind of thing when we were 18, 19, 20, 21, etc… Couple that with coming from an empovershised background and suddenly thrust into wealth, well, Ray’s judgement was obviously not what it should have been.
#2. Lying to the police. This is where, MHO, he made the biggest mistake. If Ray had simply called a lawyer when he was questioned, none of what followed would have happened. It is, also, simply human nature to do so. I myself was robbed when I was 20, and was so shaken up and scared, that I did the same thing. I was found out, charged with making a false report, and was put on probation. Why would Ray lie? Natural human reaction to his situation,(protecting “friends”) coupled with a fear of being unjustly accused of murder. ( and we all know that fear was groundless. :rolleyes: )
So what has it cost Ray? Plenty. In monitary terms, more than a million dollars spent on his legal defense, coupled with a $250,000 fine. He plead guilty to obstructing justice, so he no longer has a clean record, and he is constantly villified before the public, and probobly will continue to be for life, no matter what else he does. He is frequently refered to as “murderer” when a review of the facts shows he’s not. He has to live with being acused, despised and hounded every day of his life. His only true crime was one which he did plead guilty too, obstruction. In this media feeding frenzy world, the pity is that all that matters is sensationalism.
Finally, what would all of you Ray Lewis critics have him do? Admit guilt in a murder case? If he did that he’d be open to charges in Atlanta. Remember charges were dropped, he wasn’t aquitted, double jeopardy dosen’t apply. remember also the the 5th ammendment guarantees all citizens the right not to incriminate themself. Sould that inalienable right not apply to Ray? Why? Cuz he’s a star? Cuz he’s rich? Apologise? He has already apologised for the crime he did commit, lying to the police. Remember, also, he has to watch what he says because there is still a civil case pending against him. He certainly dosen’t express himself clearly, but he did tell the media on Tuesday:
That shows me that he gets it, too bad the media dosen’t.
Finally, why am I so willing to leap to his defense? #1 because it’s true. #2 Is more important, however. Ray has consistantly demonstrated this year that he learned his lesson, and learned it well. No more late night partying. No more “posse”. He has spent evenings this week in the hotel, playing pool with Shannon Sharpe and Rod Woodson. Anyone can make a mistake. Ray made several, none as bad as he is constantly accused of, but he has learned and grown from it, and that is a quality I can and do admire
and WHAM! the thread explodes!
Here’s my take on the whole thing. Ray Lewis was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not his fault. From what I understand, the two that were killed were the instigators. Does that mean they should be killed? Absolutely not. Many people were in the wrong here though, including the deceased. (Reilly’s tugs to the heart strings nothwithstanding.)
Is Ray Lewis in the wrong on the issues? Absolutely. At the very least he hasn’t been forthcoming on what he saw. Although giving some incriminating evidence against his friend, I’m sure he knows much more than what he s saying. Saying he is young and talking about 5th amendment rights is not the discussion here. As RTF said, “innocent until proven guilty” is a maxim for the courts, not your or my opinion. He got off. His friends got off. Two men are dead and no one will be punished for killing them.
Another place Ray is in the wrong is to expect people to just say, “well, the court let you go and you’re playing well on the field, I guess you’re okay.” He is in the public eye, and like it or not, is held up as a role model. He f***ed up big time. He committed crimes against morality (IMHO). He got off. He got lucky. Don’t expect me to heap praise on him.
I hope he does have nighmares every night. He deserves them. I truly hope that at some point he uses his celebrity status to do the right thing. Tell the truth. Step up and take the medicine, even if that means ratting on your friends. They’re killers. At some, I think he’s going to be looking at a civil trial. It would serve him well to at least tell the victims’ families what really happend. It would have served him better to have come clean from the start.
I’ve made two superbowl bets, how do you think I’ll do?
Bet #1 $50 on the under when it was set at 34.
Bet #2 A $20 parlay (meaning all three have to work out or I lose, if I win, I get $120)–[ul]-Under 33 1/2 total points
-Longest field goal under 45 yards
-Tiki Barber rushes for 35 yards or more[/ul]
Anyone going to be watching and doping at the same time?
Maynard, you’re first:
You mean where I said:
Explain how that’s ripping him a new a-hole, as opposed to stating (a) the facts, and (b) the obvious question.
You’re new around here. That isn’t even ripping someone a new nostril. 
Anyhow, that’s why I thought you must be talking about Dave, rather than Lewis. That and a sentence with too many pronouns.
While he was there, and probably part of the scuffle. Like I said, tangentially involved in the killing of two men.
And that left him how much left over, last year? The numbers sound pretty awesome, until you remember that NFL stars make 7-figure incomes. You or I would be rocked more by a $20,000 legal bill.
He will never need a clean record, in his line of work. And the ‘constant vilification’ is something I really didn’t pick up on much this year - I only caught the most occasional mention of it in the media prior to the past few weeks. Unless other events and his own behavior conspire to keep him in the news, my expectation is that it will recede into the past, obscured from view by newer, fresher scandals.
The question wasn’t, what would we have him do. It was, how has he paid for his role in the proceedings? We all pick the wrong friends at times, but if we just go along for the ride when they pull out knives and start using them on people, then we’re culpable. He’s a lucky man to have served no time, no matter what they howl at him.
People who had fewer opportunities, and just as bad a start in life as Lewis, have served time for posession of ridiculously small quantities of crack cocaine. I feel a lot more sorry for them. When people get murdered, I don’t expect everyone involved with the crime to spend decades in prison, though the killers damn well should. But everyone involved with murder, even in a minor way, should spend some time behind bars, IMHO.
He can use his Fifth Amendment rights or not; it makes no never mind to me. He can protect himself from the courts, or from public opinion. His life, his call.
Looks good. Interesting that there are bets on how long the longest FG will be.
I’ve got a square bet going. I have five pairs of numbers, and all are field goal-fest friendly:
Ravens 2 - Giants 0 (12-10, 12-20, or 12-0)
Ravens 2 - Giants 2 (12-12)
Ravens 0 - Giants 5 (0-15, 10-15, 20-15, etc.)
Ravens 0 - Giants 6 (0-6, 10-6)
Ravens 5 - Giants 9 (15-9)
Anniz and I are going to be home watching the game. If anything of interest happens, I’ll be sure to pop in and take a look. I know I’ll be skipping the halftime show, for example.
The Ravens are lucky. They played in a weak division. They went 5 straight games without scoring a TD but rode their defense to the playoffs and beyond. The Giants, I think, match up well against them. They have a little thing called “balance.” They can score and they have a defense. Yes, Baltimore squeaked past the similar Tennessee on the strength of their special teams and defense.
Watching Baltimore is like watching the NJ Devils play hockey. They do nothing offensively but their defense works its ass off in the corners the whole game and next thing you know the puck is in front of the net and somebody jams it under the goaltender.
Giants 17
Baltimore 15
Each team will score a safety. (Unlikely but I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one is scored.)
Baltimore will score 1 TD on a blocked Field Goal.
Baltimore will block one extra point.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Anything can happen in this game, though. Anything can happen when you have an incredible defense as Baltimore has proven this post-season.
Hell, there’s over/under for just about everything. Ron Dayne’s over/under is 19 yards rushing!!
Not sure if I’m going out for the game or staying in. If I stay in, I think someone should start a thread for comments on the commercials!
Latecomer, I don’t think there will be a safety at all, the ball will pretty much hang around midfield all game.
All right. No more hedging. No more wishy-washyness. No more qualifiers, tentative pokes, or "maybe"s. Granted, considering the type of season it’s been, I’ve been COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED in doing all that, or have you forgotten games like Tampa Bay’s win in OT after a blocked field goal, hmm??
Ahem…anyway, here’s my pick…
Giants, 4-3 favorite. 'Cause I think they’ve got a much better offense and are tough enough to get a close victory.
There, put that in your tee and kick it.
Gazoo - Your first bet looks good. This is almost certainly going to be a low-scoring, defense-first battle, and neither team looks to blow it open. I’m thinking 14-10, 14-13, or maybe 17-14. Your second bet, however, looks pretty chancy, and I’d definitely want better odds than five to one. It’s unlikely that anyone is going to rack up any huge runs, and no field goal under 45 yards is doubtful with powerful defenses and Matt Stover in the game.
Montfort - “Square” bet, huh. Interesting. Usually I’d be wary of betting on the exact score, but your configurations look good…except for Ravens 2/Giants 2. Since the game can’t end in a tie, the only realistic chance for this one is 12-2…meaning a safety and no other scores. Unlikely even with these defenses.
Good luck, y’all, in any case! 
No, the bet is that the longest field goal of the game will be under 45 yards, or in other words, neither team will kick a field goal of 45 yards or longer.
I could still be right - 12-3 is still possible…
Too bad the suspense is out of your parlay, Gazoo - but it’s looking good on your main bet!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
And that’s all I have to say. 
Gazoo - My bad. Still think 5-1 was a ripoff, although I guess it didn’t matter in the end…
Man, where was that Ravens offense all season. And this was with a truckload of early blunders!
You see, in the Giants game I watched, the Giants won. Of course I was watching the movie on NBC.
Quote from the movie which sums up the Superbowl quite nicely for me: GIANTS! GIANTS! Help us, God!
Says the Titans/Redskins fan. :rolleyes:
Ravens!
Big up from Baltimore.
Oh hush, Montfort. I hate the Giants more than the Ravens. I’m allowed to cheer. Dave said so.
Well, you ride the good points, right?
**
5 TDs, three from the special teams and defense:
**Really, what do you usually get on a three bet parlay? Yeah, I’d like to get ten or twenty to one on a three bet parlay too, but the bookie is against it for some reason. :wally:
Now, someone tell me why Ray Lewis got the MVP, I see not one, but two other Lewis’ that are just as, if not more, deserving of it than him.
Damn, but I was close, wasn’t I?