Steve Smith’s Amazing Retirement Idea For Tom Brady And Bill Belichick
Okay, okay.
We get it, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Even the most ardent Ravens fans have to admit it after last night. You’re … *cough* the greatest of all time *cough*.
It’d be tough to argue otherwise after being down 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter, only to lead the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history for an overtime, 34-28, win.
Brady surpassed Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw to win his fifth (fifth!) Lombardi Trophy, the most of any quarterback in NFL history. His four Super Bowl MVPs are the most of any player. It’s also Belichick’s fifth championship victory, the most of any head coach.
We don’t like you, but there’s respect for what you did.
Now that we’ve admitted it, if you would be so kind as to grant 
Tom sealed the deal as GOAT. He needs to retire now
— Rico Suavee (@ronnie_stanley) February 6, 2017
Actually, let’s step this up a notch.
It’s not just Brady who should ride off into the sunset on top. His coach should seriously consider joining him.
“They have to retire together,” retired Ravens wide receiver
I know what Patriots fans are thinking. Baltimore just wants the duo out of the NFL so they stop hogging all the championship hardware. But it isn’t a purely selfish idea. Smith’s proposal is 100 percent altruistic.
“If Bill goes first, and Tom doesn’t win anything or perform well, then all of a sudden, it was Bill Belichick [who deserves credit for winning],” Smith explained. “And if Tom retires before Bill, and [Bill] doesn’t have success, it’s going to be because of Tom [not being there].
“So you know what, for these two guys, the only thing that I can think of that could really put it together is – without vanilla ice cream, you don’t have a great root beer float. And without root beer, you don’t have it. Those two are a root beer float. You’ve got to have those two together.”
See! Brady and Belichick need to retire together to protect their own legacies.
Alas, even if Smith’s proposal were to eventually come to fruition, it doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon.
The Patriots will look to extend Brady’s contract next offseason, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning. The organization believes Brady, 39, can play another three to five years, which is a “clear indication they believe his proclamation to play into his 40s,” wrote Rapoport.
Greeaaaat.
I guess that means quarterback
Were Ravens REALLY Ready To Trade Entire 2008 Draft For Matt Ryan?
We already know the Ravens were in trade discussions to move up in the 2008 NFL Draft to select Matt Ryan. Owner Steve Bisciotti pushed for it in order to get out of the “quarterback desert.”
We know GM Ozzie Newsome made calls, but the deals offered were too rich for the Ravens’ blood, especially when there was still a quarterback on the board that they loved (Flacco).
But, we don’t know exactly which picks were on the table … until now?
“The Ravens offered their entire draft for the rights to pick Ryan, sources said, going from No. 8 to No. 2,” Rapoport reported over the weekend. “The trade nearly happened, but the Rams asked for more. They also wanted Baltimore's second-round pick from 2009 to clinch the deal. At that point, cooler heads prevailed, and there was no deal.”
Holy moly. The entire draft?
When the report surfaced over the weekend, there were plenty of incredulous people in Baltimore because it doesn’t sound like Ozzie. He doesn’t seem the type to mortgage an entire draft for one player.
@RavensSalaryCap Never happened
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) February 6, 2017
We do know the Ravens considered parting ways with substantial draft assets. Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta told Sr. Vice President of Public Relations Kevin Byrne in 2014 that they knew it would take “almost all of our picks for that year” to move from No. 8 to one of the top three picks. They made some calls to test the waters.
They talked with the Rams (No. 2) about a possible deal to leapfrog the Falcons (No. 3), but Newsome recalled: “I’m not sure St. Louis was really willing to make a trade, and they asked for way too much.”
So, who knows? Maybe Ravens brass was willing to give up the rest of the 2008 draft class. The Ravens are unlikely to confirm what they actually offered.
“But think about how things would've been different,” wrote Rapoport. “Neither Flacco, nor Ray Rice (the team's second-round selection in 2008) would have been Ravens. Nor would Paul Kruger, their second-rounder in 2009. Who would be the Falcons quarterback? Would the Ravens have one Super Bowl title like they have or more? Or fewer?”
Ray Lewis Gave Super Bowl Pre-Game Speeches … In A Garage
We all know Ray Lewis loves to give pre-game speeches, and he’s one of the best at delivering them.
He took it to a whole new level, however, this weekend.
The legendary linebacker came up with motivational messages he would deliver to both the Falcons and Patriots if he were in their locker rooms before the game.
But he wasn’t in their locker rooms, so it he recorded them in a garage with nobody around, which confused many onlookers. It’s kind of incredible how passionate Lewis can get even in this environment.
So. Many. Chills.@RayLewis unleashes epic pregame speech for the @Patriots. #SB51 https://t.co/hgWwpmXTSj
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2017
"Falcons, Rise Up! Atlanta, Rise Up!"@RayLewis' pregame speech to the @AtlantaFalcons. #SB51 https://t.co/R0st1q2Ury
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2017
Because the posts were published in separate tweets by the NFL, it added more confusion for those who saw them independently. Why would Lewis give a motivational speech to a rival like the Patriots, especially after he predicted the Falcons would win? He explained.
I've called the Birds to win this. But if I were a Patriot ---- my words to one of the greatest dynasties in our history, right here. https://t.co/3wnRuOq4L0
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) February 5, 2017
Lewis Is Up Next For Hall Of Fame Eligibility – Here’s A Dream Scenario
The 2017 Hall of Fame class has officially been selected.
Introducing the Class of 2017 - Welcome to Canton! #PFHOF17 pic.twitter.com/0xEuniP6QY
— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) February 5, 2017
The NFL announced its seven-man class Saturday night, and it included running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Terrell Davis, safety Kenny Easley, defensive end Jason Taylor, kicker Morten Andersen and Owner Jerry Jones.
With the newly inducted class in the books, we can look forward to the 2018 class, which will likely include the second Raven in franchise history.
Here are some notable players that will be eligible for the 2018 Hall of Fame Class. pic.twitter.com/qsvUmCSesx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 5, 2017
Lewis is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he’s already hoping to combine an induction with a Super Bowl LII (matching his 52 jersey number) victory for the Ravens.
That would be kiiiiind of amazing. But you know what would make that dream scenario even better?
Now I ask that the voters of the profootball HOF do the right thing and put Art Modell in the hall! He belongs there no matter how you feel! pic.twitter.com/GV2Wv5WnOR
— Rod Woodson (@RodWoodson26) February 5, 2017
Quick Hits
A note before today's game: It's really hard to win a #SuperBowl. We're fortunate to be in a select club w/ multiple titles since 2000. pic.twitter.com/pAwWdJ4Goa
— Patrick Gleason (@PMGleason) February 5, 2017
Is it me or did anyone else hear the Baltimore-style "O" during the National Anthem at the Super Bowl?
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 5, 2017
Are you kidding me?! #SB51 pic.twitter.com/V78Sl5JdMr
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 6, 2017
Have a day Julio Jones pic.twitter.com/dV4qaCDcHz
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) February 6, 2017
Julio is really the GOAT.. when it's all said and done in my opinion
— Rico Suavee (@ronnie_stanley) February 6, 2017
That was nice right there!
—Breshad Perriman (@B_Perriman11) February 6, 2017
When the best kicker who isn't @jtuck9 misses an extra point...you know what's up.
— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) February 6, 2017
UNBELIEVABLE. GOAT!!!
—Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 6, 2017
#NFLHonors is on tonight?? Hmm, my invite must've got lost in the mail.. It's cool tho, we're eating sushi and playing Yeti in my Spaghetti.
—Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) February 5, 2017
Couple of right here!! #sb51 pic.twitter.com/U1QnV5RlJY
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) February 3, 2017
Packers receiver Jordy Nelson receives NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Ravens
— Brian Bower (@sportguyRSR) February 5, 2017Dennis Pitta received two votes, per @greggrosenthal.
Four years later, #Ravens down to four starters from Super Bowl team https://t.co/hk7kBYXeig
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 3, 2017
Super Bowl 51 @NFLGameDay Morning meeting and we've got a new 2-WR set. Welcome @89SteveSmith to the mix. pic.twitter.com/a0Pgt5QVTj
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) February 3, 2017
