NEW ORLEANS -- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is known
as "Little Ray'' somewhat obscured by the considerable shadow of
his mentor, linebacker Ray Lewis.  Rice was 9 years old, playing
Pop Warner football back in New Rochelle, N.Y. when Lewis played
his rookie season for the Ravens in 1996.  Now that Lewis has
announced Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco
49ers will be his NFL finale, Rice welcomes the chance to take
over the leadership role from the player he lockers next to.
OK, he's probably not going to do Lewis's pre-game "Squirrel''
dance.  "I don't mind taking on that vocal leadership -- I will
always be that guy when coach asks, I'm not going to shy away --
we call Ray 'Mufasa,''' Rice said, referencing the film The Lion
King. "They call me 'Simba.' I'm just being handed that torch.
And it means a lot.''  It is as if Rice has spent the last month
somewhat forgotten during Lewis' "Last Ride'' and his
galvanizing return from a torn triceps injury. Despite a
dazzling postseason b