January 31st, 2009 
Matt Jergensen 
Posted in From: Baltimore Sun
TAMPA, FLA. – In his first comments to the Baltimore media this offseason, Ray Lewis yesterday was noncommittal about his chances of staying with the Ravens.
Lewis, 33, will become an unrestricted free agent in 29 days unless the Ravens use the franchise tag on him or the Pro Bowl linebacker strikes a new deal with the team. It would mark the first time in Lewis’ 13-year career that the face of the Ravens’ franchise reached free agency.
“What I’m thinking, nobody needs to know,” said Lewis, who was at the Super Bowl promoting Xbox 360 and the Madden Bowl. “I’ve given my prayers to God. It’s between me and him. It’s nobody else’s business. That’s between me and God.”
Lewis’ situation likely will go down as the biggest offseason story line in Ravens history. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti as well as former and current teammates have talked publicly about Lewis’ future.
I’ll continue to believe that until I see him put on another team’s uniform that he will finish here in Baltimore. They may franchise him or sign him to 2 or 3 years but I still don’t see him going anywhere. I’m not one to usually agree with Shannon Sharpe but he’s spot on about what Lewis means to the city’s fans and the franchise. He wouldn’t get that in any other place.
