Ex-Raven Trevor Pryce on Ray Lewis: 'I think he had the yips'
Ex-Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Trevor Pryce had some harsh words for his former teammate, Ray Lewis. Pryce joined Jim Rome on Monday and he didn't pull any punches when discussing the legendary linebacker's final game, a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
“Half of his playoff check should go to Dannell Ellerbe for making that last play on that last fade route,” Pryce said. “The other half to Greg Roman, the 49ers offensive coordinator.”
Lewis finished with just seven tackles, his lowest output of the playoffs. The reason? Pryce, who is an analyst for CBS Sports Network, thinks the 17-year pro was "nervous." Specifically, he had a case of the "yips."
“I think he played with a case of the nerves. I think he had the yips. I really do,” Pryce said. "He did not play well. At all. ... He had it bad; he didn't look like himself, even his new self. Forget his old self, that guy's gone, that guy's named Patrick Willis. But even the guy he was last week, he wasn't that guy. He had a case of it bad, badly. It was almost like he was just hoping [to] get this over with.”
At times, Lewis certainly looked over-matched -- especially in attempts to cover 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. He also had some trouble in the run game. But, as Pryce said, Lewis means more to the Ravens -- and the league -- than just what he's able to do on the field.
Pryce spent just over four years with Lewis and the Ravens before being released in 2010, so he is qualified to speak to Lewis' commanding presence.
"Ray Lewis is bigger than the Baltimore Ravens," Pryce said. "The fact that we can't stop talking about him -- and not his team -- just proves the point how important he is to the NFL."
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