NFL Slam with Mark and Sam
Ray Lewis has been known for his ability to read -- and punish -- offenses around the NFL, but did he telegraph his next move to ESPN when he announced his retirement?
"After that announcement, like within an hour I got an email from ESPN, and it was all the ESPN analysts, each of them commenting about what a phenomenal player this guy was and what an impact he left on the NFL," said Times NFL columnist Sam Farmer during "NFL Slam with Mark and Sam," a live Google+ hangout.
"I thought, 'Gee, I wonder what network he'll be going to?'"
Lewis and the Walt Disney Co., which owns ESPN, are reportedly close to inking a multi-year broadcasting deal. Of course he was going to ESPN.
"It's a really interesting announcement, and it ties into the playoffs," Farmer said. "You kind of wonder, how much of this is gamesmanship on behalf of the Ravens? You know, 'win one for the Gipper.' This is a franchise that has lost four out of the last five and is really sort of on the ropes and has a hot team coming in the Colts, and maybe they need that extra little boost."
Farmer and Mark Thompson, of "Mark and Brian” radio fame, also discussed the landing spots of Andy Reid, Lovie Smith and potential NFL coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks before making their wild-card playoff predictions.
NFL wild-card predictions:
Saturday's games
Bengals at Texans
Farmer: Bengals
Thompson: Bengals
Vikings at Packers
Farmer: Packers
Thompson: Vikings
Sunday's games
Colts at Ravens
Farmer: Colts
Thompson: Ravens
Seahawks at Redskins
Farmer: Seahawks
Thompson: Seahawks
"NFL Slam with Mark and Sam," returns Monday at 11:30 a.m. after wild-card weekend. If you have questions for Mark and Sam, email them to sportshangout@latimes.com and we'll try to get them answered live during the chat.
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