Linebacker, Baltimore
Ravens
Age: 25
5th
season in pro football & with Ravens
College: Miami
(FL)
Height: 6’1” Weight: 245
Prelude:
Lewis was
chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft and inserted into
the starting lineup at middle linebacker as a rookie, and had an immediate
impact. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time in ’97 and was a
consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1999. With outstanding instincts,
intensity, and speed that allowed him to cover a large area and make plays,
Lewis was well-established as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. The
only concerns about him following the ’99 season pertained to off-field issues
surrounding an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub that ended in two
stabbing deaths, but following a plea bargain that included his testimony
against two associates, he was back in action in 2000 (and was also heavily
fined by the NFL).
2000 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 3
Most sacks,
game – 2 vs. Cleveland 11/26
Interceptions
– 2
Most
interceptions, game – 1 at Cleveland 10/1, vs. Dallas 11/19
Int. yards – 1
Most int.
return yards, game – 1 (on 1 int.) at Cleveland 10/1
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 3
Fumble
recovery TDs – 0
Forced fumbles
– 0
Tackles – 107
Assists – 30
Postseason: 4 G
Sacks – 0
Interceptions
– 2
Int. return
yards – 54
Fumble rec. –
1
TD – 1
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Player of the Year: AP
1st
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st
team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Ravens went 12-4
to finish second in the AFC Central and qualify for a Wild Card playoff spot
while leading the NFL in fewest rushing yards (970) and points allowed (165),
both records for a 16-game season. Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Denver
Broncos (21-3), AFC Divisional playoff over Tennessee Titans (24-10), AFC
Championship over Oakland Raiders (16-3), and Super Bowl over New York Giants
(34-7).
Aftermath:
Lewis was a
consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the third straight year in 2001 as
well as Pro Bowl choice for the fifth consecutive season. He adjusted well to a
shift to inside linebacker as the Ravens switched to a 3-4 defense in ’02 but
he was limited to five games due to a shoulder injury. Lewis bounced back to again
be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and, other than a hamstring
injury that cost him time in ’05, remained a regular Pro Bowl choice through
2011, his next-to-last season at age 36. Overall, Lewis played for 17 years,
all with Baltimore, and recorded 41.5 sacks, intercepted 31 passes, and was
credited with over 1500 tackles. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL
selection seven times, received at least some second-team recognition after four
other seasons, and was chosen to the Pro Bowl on 13 occasions. Lewis capped his
career in 2012 by playing in another Super Bowl, also won by the Ravens.
--
MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or
Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or
USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football
Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press
International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league
itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of
the Year.
