Ray Lewis will be remembered as one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in the NFL. Replacing a legend like Lewis is no easy task to ask of anyone, but the new man at linebacker might be the perfect heir to the throne in Baltimore.
Former Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley is the man who has been tab to be Lewis’s replacement. Mosley was drafted with the 17th pick of the first round, making him the highest selected Alabama linebacker since Rolando McClain in 2010.
In his first year with the Ravens the former Crimson Tide linebacker racked up 89 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions. Compare that to Ray Lewis in his rookie year in which he tallied 94 tackles, two and a half sacks, one interception, and Mosley seems to be in stride with Lewis.
The key for Mosley to continue on his path toward greatness is consistency, the thing that separates the good from the great. In his second year in the league, Lewis recorded an NFL-best and career high 184 tackles in 1997, the second most ever for a single season, and earned his first Pro Bowl berth at the end of that season. In addition, Lewis totaled four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 11 pass deflections.
Lewis took the momentum from his rookie year and turned it into consistent play for the next 16 years. Mosley will need to take the momentum that made him the runner up NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and turn that into a dominant 2015.
Ivan L. White is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ilwhite1.
