December 20th, 2008 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
From: Pro Football Talk.com
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is in the final year of his contract. And with no indication that any progress is being made toward negotiating a contract that would apply beyond the expiration of what was supposed to be his seven-year retirement deal, Adam Schefter of NFL Network points out that the Ravens might use the franchise tag to keep him with the team.
The only problem is that linebacker Bart Scott and linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs also are due to become free agents. With only one franchise tag to use, the Ravens will have to make a choice.
As to Suggs, his one-year tender for 2009 would equate to 120 percent of his 2008 franchise-player salary. Per Schefter, the Ravens would have to cough up a guaranteed base salary of $10.3 million in order to keep Suggs for another season.
If the Ravens decide not to franchise Lewis and if he decides to test the market, one possible destination would be tonight’s opponent, the Cowboys.
As Schefter points out, Lewis would provide sorely-needed leadership in the locker room, and the star power associated with his name could help generate buzz for the team as it enters a new stadium.
That said, we can’t imagine Lewis in anything other than a Ravens uniform. The thought is nearly as unthinkable as Brett Favre playing for someone other than the . . . oh, nevermind.
Tags: 
Wait until the end of the season.
Lewis will be in purple until he retires. The owner loves him, he’ll find a way to keep him. In my opinion, Bart Scott is the odd man out. He’s had a nice year but the Ravens have three linebackers to step in at his spot.
HE’S GOT TO TAKE LOWER SALARY TO STAY=MLB HE’S SHOWING HIS AGE–SUGGS AND SCOTT DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT U IN YOUR ASS — DIME A DOZEN—I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE SUGGS MADE THE PRO BOWL….ONE MORE WIN WERE ON THE ROAD FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Oh ya, they beat the Cowboys at Texas stadium.’m a bears fan, but I like the Ravens as far as the AFC goes.