It's hard to imagine the Baltimore Ravens without Ray Lewis, but that reality might come sooner than later.
CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora cited team sources in reporting that some inside the Ravens' organization don't view the celebrated linebacker's $5.4 million salary in 2013 as viable.
"A lot of people in that organization aren't sure Ray is an every-down linebacker," La Canfora said on "The NFL Today" on Sunday. "(They) aren't sure Ray would take a pay cut to stay, so this could the end of an era."
Lewis remains on the injured reserve/designated to return list after suffering a torn triceps in October, and La Canfora backed up reports that the linebacker might be activated for the playoffs. Next season is another story. Some on the team believe Dannell Ellerbe has outplayed Lewis, according to La Canfora, and viewed Ellerbe's recent ankle injury as a bigger on-field setback than losing 37-year-old Lewis.
The Ravens haven't been the same team on defense this season, and it's not surprising to hear the organization is asking large, long-term questions about how to get Baltimore back to its fearsome roots.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
