Ray Lewis
The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! When I was writing last month’s article, I pointed out that the lack of sports and the coronavirus really sucks balls—footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs and even little tennis balls. Coronavirus doesn’t discriminate, it sucks balls of all sizes. We can all agree that this virus sucks!
I do know that I am ready for sports, like 100%, passionately, about-to-combust ready. Hopefully, the commissioners and owners from different leagues will do everything possible to deliver live sports soon. At this point we can put robots in the stadiums to cheer athletes on. Whatever works!
It looks like the NBA and NHL are on the right track for a return. But if you are a baseball fan, it’s looking bad. Reports show numerous owners perfectly willing to cancel the season to save money.
So, the media is okay with large gatherings for protest, yet normal Americans get ridiculed for wanting to work? At least one good thing will come from these protests and breach of social distancing, no excuses come football season. Fans shall be in the stadium!
2020 has been tough, a pandemic on a global scale and now a high-profile murder. We all saw that awful video where a cop killed George Floyd. A handcuffed, detained man was strangled for eight minutes. Instead of putting the detained man in the back of the police car, we have an unfortunate and unnecessary death and now riots in the streets.
That officer probably would have been charged with murder regardless of these protests. Everyone is an agreement that his actions were sickly unjustified and led to a death. I have no problem with loud, non-violent protest shedding light on a system many feel to be broken. But I have a huge problem with thugs destroying others’ lives. I saw thugs of all colors on TV. This has nothing to do with race. I saw burning, looting, violence. I saw a lot of young immature people acting stupid.
These protests hold no value any longer. They are disgraceful. I feel sorry for the peaceful protesters, but at this point, who cares? I stand with the business owners and cities being destroyed, not a bunch of young thugs who are out of control.
It may sound cliché, but I pray for this country. I pray for the overwhelming amount of good police officers being treated like trash right now. They protect and serve and keep this country from falling into anarchy, a job that seems extremely difficult right now. The police deserve our support now more than ever.
Alright, on to a beautiful subject, the Tennessee Titans! Now, this is a topic I am much more certified to discuss. I will not apologize for writing from the heart like I did in the opening, though I may not be an expert on racial discrimination, so I am willing to respectfully listen to opposing viewpoints. I am by no means trying to downplay the struggles some people go through, but I will be damned if I accept it as an excuse for mayhem. With that said, I am the expert on the Tennessee Titans, so listen carefully.
Since we do not have much going on in the world of football, let’s revisit history. I thought this story from Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis was cool. Last season Lamar Jackson was the rightful MVP of the league and the Ravens went 14–2 to capture the number-one seed in the playoffs.
The Tennessee Titans started 2019 off 2–4, benched Marcus Mariota and never looked back as Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and A.J Brown went on a 7–3 run and clinched a wildcard spot.
The Titans went on to stun the Patriots in Foxborough and Tom Brady’s last pass as a Patriot was a pick 6! I think it’s fair to call the Titans dynasty killers!
After wildcard weekend the Titans headed into the divisional round on the road against the powerhouse Ravens team. King Henry was in full force— the week before in Foxborough he ran for 182 yards on 34 carries, and against the Ravens he ran for 195 yards on 30 carries, knocking out a Super Bowl favorite.
Alright, back to what Ray Lewis had to say. He recently claimed if Baltimore wants to have more than a great regular season run in 2020, they must be able to stop Henry. Praise indeed from the franchise’s most decorated and loved player.
Lewis stated, “If I’m anybody that’s playing linebacker right now, I’m saying, ‘Listen here man, Henry got to deal with me.’”
Ray went on to compare Derrick Henry in size and skill to the great Eddie George.
“I had to physically become stronger, I had to mentally become way stronger than I would have imagined to deal with an animal like that. That man six-four, 246 pounds.”
He then went on to say if the Ravens want to deal with Henry in 2020, they better get in the weight room “because Derrick Henry’s coming downhill again.”
I was 13 years old when the Titans went to the Super Bowl and I became a dedicated fan of the game that season. I will always remember the battles between Eddie George and Ray Lewis . . . legendary!
Let us take a quick look at the history between these two teams. Since 2000 the Titans and Ravens have met four times in the postseason with each team having a 2–2 record. In 2000 the Titans were still part of the AFC Central: Ravens, Steelers, Browns, Jaguars, Bengals and Titans. The Titans came back with determination the season after losing the Super Bowl and earned the #1 overall seed only to a lose a heartbreaker in Nashville vs. the Ravens.
In 2003 the Titans got revenge in Baltimore, winning on wildcard weekend. Then, in 2008, the Titans—once again with the #1 overall seed in the playoffs—lost a heartbreaking 13–10 divisional game in Nashville. I was at that one. Sad day!
And finally, in 2019, glorious revenge! The Titans came into Baltimore and absolutely dominated the #1-seeded Ravens. So, since 2000, the record shows 2–2 in the playoffs for each team. Call me crazy, but I believe Lamar Jackson will be a bust. The MVP may have fast feet, but I believe he will be exposed sooner than later in the passing game.
Patrick Mahomes is the best QB in the league right now and Jackson is no Mahomes.
Alright, let’s wrap this article up. I imagine that if you are a fierce advocate for these protests, or a Ravens fan, you probably have something interesting to say to me. You can contact me at titanman1984@gmail.com.
I sincerely wish you all well. As Ron Burgundy would say, stay classy, protesters! As I would say, stop destroying property, ya morons! It would probably be better if I just said I am praying for this country, for the police, for the protesters and for the family of George Floyd, because I wish nothing more than for this country to get back to work and flourish economically again like it was in 2019 before this virus hit.
Titan-up. The Train is rolling into the station. Choo-choo!
