The National Football League has come a long way, but some old-school fans could argue that it’s gotten boring and soft.
The new rules prevent defensive players from actually playing defense, and it seems like you cannot breathe too heavily near the quarterback, or you’re getting a flag and 15 yards.
Of course, player safety should be the league’s no. 1 priority year in and year out, but the new rules make it nearly impossible for us to witness another dominant defense like the ones from the good old days.
Recently, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and former RB Eddie George discussed one of the stoutest defenses in league history: the Ray Lewis-led Baltimore Ravens.
.@EddieGeorge2727 on the Baltimore Ravens defense led by Ray Lewis: "I hated ya'll."
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— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) February 7, 2023
Lewis was a physical unit and a trash-talking machine that didn’t need a lot to get into his rivals’ heads, and those Ravens sure gave every single rival the goosebumps.
George talked about how he always needed one week in advance to get mentally and emotionally ready to face the Ravens, as he knew he couldn’t even blink or he’d be doomed for the remainder of the game.
Lewis sure left his mark in NFL books, setting the records for the most solo tackles in a season, most solo tackles in a career, and most combined tackles in a career.
He also won a couple of Super Bowls and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice while also leading the league in tackles three times.
Unfortunately, though, we may never see a defense like that again in the NFL.
NEXT: The Ravens Have A Lamar Jackson Problem In Free Agency
