Monday, January 29, 2001
MVP Lewis 'all over field'
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TAMPA, Fla. — Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis capped a journey Sunday that took him from a murder scene on Super Bowl night a year ago to Super Bowl MVP. But he's not going to Disney World, destination of other Super Bowl most valuable players.
“I didn't sign the paper,” said Lewis, who didn't say if he was even asked. “We have a parade (today) in Baltimore. I'll be there with my kids.”
Lewis, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in June, elevated his play to show the ordeal of his trial couldn't hold him down.
He may not have been at his best in the Ravens' 34-7 victory over the New York Giants, but he was the best player on the field. Lewis took 11 of 19 votes from a panel of sportswriters, although Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer won 106,474 votes to Lewis' 106,119 in fan voting on www.SuperBowl.com.
The fans' vote was worth only 20 percent of the tally.
Lewis, who receives the Pete Rozelle Trophy and will be handed the keys to a new pickup this morning, had five tackles and broke up four New York passes.
His presence set the tone, and he knew it.
“Like my coach said, I played a hell of a game, which is what I do anyway,” Lewis said. “This is what you work your whole life for.”
Lewis also was voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and his performance Sunday supported that.
Lewis tipped two passes thrown by Giants quarter back Kerry Collins.
“He's a good player; he's all over the field,” Collins said. “You see him in pass coverage as well as in run defense. He's a guy that just plays the whole field.”
Running back Tiki Barber, the main weapon in the Giants' offense, also had his fill of Lewis.
“He's so fast for how big he is,” Barber said. “Their defense is so good you can't get a body (blocker) on him.”
Baltimore tackles Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams dominated the Giants offensive line, preventing any of its guards or the center from breaking free to block Lewis.
Lewis is the focal point of a defense that set an NFL record by allowing just 165 points in the regular season. The Ravens also beat up on four postseason opponents, giving up just one offensive touchdown and 23 points.
Baltimore defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis praised Ray Lewis.
“He has set the tone for this whole organization,” Marvin Lewis said. “Everybody feeds off him.”
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MVP Lewis 'all over field'