Ray Lewis is wrong, the Baltimore Ravens future is strong

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; ESPN broadcaster and former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis on the Monday Night Football set at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Ray Lewis said, “They’re going to have to get it done real soon before things start to break up,” referring to the Baltimore Ravens. Pish posh. Players will come and go, but the Ravens’ foundation hasn’t been this strong since early in the John Harbaugh era.
Lewis’ comment raises an interesting question: What makes a solid foundation for a team? Clearly some teams know. The Ravens have made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons, and the Patriots and Seahawks have been dynamite of late as well.
Lewis clearly knows the key. Talking about Seattle, Lewis said:
"That’s rare to keep all these pieces together. Games can be won by talent, but championships are won by chemistry. You can replace anybody with talent all day, but there’s a certain chemistry and a certain leadership that the great teams have. Those are the ones that finish it. We’re at a place where we have to find out that one, two core people that are going to be with us that next four, five, six, seven years to build that organization, to get us back to that dance again. Great teams do it together."
Lewis did express some optimism about the Ravens (he did admit that he still roots for them), but he also implied that the Ravens don’t know who their franchise guys are.
I beg to differ.
Let’s start with offense. Based solely on finances, Joe Flacco and Eugene Monroe are franchise guys: the franchise quarterback and his personal protector. Marshal Yanda, the best lineman in football, fits the bill as well. The line as a whole is worthy of building around, especially if Monroe gets back to his 2013 form.
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Sure, the Ravens need some weapons to build around. Steve Smith is a nice player in the short term, and if the price is right on Torrey Smith, he’s a decent complementary player. They could use a go-to guy, though. Regardless of whether that is a tight end, a running back or a receiver, the Ravens need a weapon they can trust in the biggest situations, a guy around whom they can build their offense.
Defensively, the situation is perhaps a little unclear, yet the future remains bright. C.J. Mosley has potential to be a long-term anchor for the defense, as does Brandon Williams. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are still great and should help a young draft pick (or two) this year learn the ropes. Further, Jimmy Smith, if he stays healthy, could be a long-term guy as well.
There are a lot of ifs, there, but that’s true for every team, the Seahawks included. When Russell Wilson signs his probable record extension, will the Seahawks still be able to afford a top-tier defense? Can the Patriots win without Tom Brady, who is going to turn 38 this year?
The key is picking out who to build around. The Ravens have done that so well in the past that there is little reason to doubt them. So don’t. Have faith in Ozzie Newsome, have faith in John Harbaugh and enjoy the future’s numerous playoff appearances. Yes, I’m talking to you Ray Lewis.