By shelz.

When Ray Lewis was announced as MNF’s latest and greatest talking head I was ecstatic. Then a friend said, “He’s going to be honest; even about the Ravens.”

I thought honest, shmonest. He’s biased until the final act. He spent his whole career with Baltimore. He would never, ever consider saying anything half way negative about the organization that harbored (See? Harbor. Get it? Anyway.) his awesomeness for 17 years. But I couldn’t get Hines Ward out of my mind.

During the 2012 season, Hines Ward was a Raven proponent. He had great things to say about the franchise. There was no Steeltown shade in his vibe. He spoke his truth.

Hmmm.

Well, turns out 52 is just as dedicated to calling it like he sees it. When asked by USA Today if he thought the Ravens could repeat, he pretty much said no.

“Hopefully, they try to pull enough together, use their youth and try to make a run. But it’s hard to try that formula. That formula usually doesn’t work.”

*Cries a hurricane of tears. Returns to keyboard.*

It hasn’t even been three months since he hoisted his 2^nd Lombardi. The diamonds aren’t even set on his SB ring yet. But Big Play Ray says the city he called home for his entire career has lost too many pieces of the puzzle to make it happen this coming season.

Okay, maybe it’s ego. Maybe he’s thinking,” I’m not there. Reed isn’t there. Birk isn’t there. We were the ones that held it together all these years. The new guys aren’t bad, but they aren’t us.” Think about all these aging NBA stars who swear to Bob the team they cut the net down with back in the 60’s could whoop El Heat wearing 6 inch stilettos. Yes, it’s inevitable that the old give way to the young, but the old are rarely happy about it.

Maybe Ray Ray is mad about how some of his teammates departed. Maybe he thought Reed caught a raw deal. Maybe he’s mad Flacco said he never understood the point of his lock room monologues. Maybe he really believes Pollard was cut loose because he’s a malcontent. Or maybe that’s just what he really thinks.

Fans are mad, and I understand. The Ravens faithful haven’t had a day of peace since the Superbowl. Half the team was allegedly forced to walk the plank after this supposed mutiny people keep talking about. Deep pocket incompetence swept away even more. The Orioles shat all over the season opener and now Ray Lewis suggests that brighter days are not on the way. It’s like damn…can we be World Champs for a second? Geesh.

All I can say is Ray has a new job. And he has to do it. Sitting around counting the way the Ravens are going to whoop that ass would be wack for everyone else but us and he wouldn’t last long doing it. Besides, these folks never know what the hell they’re talking about in April. It’s April. But they have to keep talking. Or else the shows that they are on would get kind of boring and well, quiet. So cut him some slack and roll with Hines. He likes Baltimore, he’s cute and he can dance too.

Now if you all will excuse me, if have better things to cry about like Russell Westbrook’s torn meniscus. Snif.

Ravens!