Ray Lewis wouldn't be the same leader in Dallas

by Jean-Jacques Taylor E-mail News tips

Can we please stop all of the chatter about Ray Lewis to Dallas.

First, it's never going to happen. Baltimore will never let him get away because of what he's meant to the franchise. Secondly, he could never ever be the leader in Dallas that he is in Baltimore because of the sweat equity he has invested in the Ravens.

Folks, that just doesn't transfer from locker room to locker room. Yes, Lewis is as charasmatic as they come. Yes, he remains a quality player and should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But that doesn't make him a good fit in Dallas.

Part of the reason he's such a leader in Baltimore is because there are probably hundreds of stories about his feats on and off the field that players new to the Ravens hear all of the time.

More important, when Lewis isn't around, his teammates validate all of those stories. Plus, when guys show up in Baltimore, they know Lewis is the alpha dog. They don't question his leadership.

He has earned that right as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Again, that wouldn't be the case in Dallas.

Yes, he would be a leader in Dallas. The man doesn't know how to do anything but lead, but he would never have the impact here that he has in Baltimore.