Ed Reed is my favorite player, but lately he’s been tweaking me a bit. Reed is a fairly quiet guy, reluctant to do interviews and not usually in the headlines for off-the-field reasons. Recently; however, Reed has been regularly appearing on the Fan, bashing the Ravens brass in roundabout ways. Reeds’ scheduled radio appearances were focused on promoting his golf tournament and youth football camp, but they quickly turned into public forums for the star safety to air his grievances with the team and make contradictory statements.
Reed said that he should have never came back last season and that he probably shouldn’t play at all this season, and then says that he could see himself playing for ten more years. Reed claims the Ravens previously took him off the PUP prematurely and without consulting him…he also compares the team’s mistreatment of him to that of the Tennessee Titans when they locked Steve McNair out of their facilities. Reed then compares his relationship with the Ravens to a marriage that’s just hit a minor bump in the road. Oh yeah, and he wants a new contract. Despite all his health issues and erratic statements he wants the Ravens to restructure his current deal which locks him up through 2012.
I’m all for giving players who produce like Reed a pay day. In his eight season he has 46 INTs and 11 defensive TDs, not to mention a highlight reel packed with devastating hits and tremendous special teams plays (despite all the ill-conceived laterals). But if I was Ozzie Newsome I wouldn’t restructure Ed’s deal at this point, it’s just not a sound business move. He has the nerve impingement in his neck that looks like a permanent condition, his hip was just reconstructed, and lately he’s been acting like a flake. I’m not saying that something can’t be worked out financially for Ed at a later date, but right now it’s time to look at things from a business standpoint. The Ravens are one of the best managed teams in the NFL, because they aren’t afraid to make the hard decisions and hold their ground.
At the same time I can’t fault Reed for wanting a new deal; when healthy him and Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu are in a league of their own. Safety is one of the lowest paid positions on the field, but Ed Reed isn’t just another safety, he’s (cliché alert) a game changer. The reality of the NFL and sports in general is that it’s a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ business. Coaches, agents, AD’s, GM’s…they’re like vampires. Athletes are only coveted when they can produce.
I guess I’m a bit torn on the issue. Bottom line, I think Reed has a good heart and will work things out with the Ravens; however, I’m not so sure he’ll physically be able to contribute much this season. I’m just thankful that two drafts ago the Ravens invested third and sixth round picks respectively in Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura; not to mention the off season signing of Ken Hamlin. The Ravens are pretty deep at the safety position and that should get them by, but there’s no replacing Ed Reed.
~ Pat Cary
Filed under: Baltimore, Football, NFL, Ravens Tagged: | Ed Reed, NFL Training Camp
Pat,
Ed received a 6 year deal in 2006 that basically paid him 40 million. This really was good money fitting of a NFL defensive player of the year. There was a solid bonus up front and a nice chunk of the contract was guaranteed. There were also two hefty bonuses added in for years two and three of the contract. Reed isn’t owed any money in arrears for his great play…he has been compensated fairly.
I just wish he wouldn’t say stuff like “Troy Smith is a better QB than Marc Bulger.” Add that in with Flacco’s comments and I wouldn’t want to be in Marc Bulger’s shoes coming into training camp. 100% of people in this community and who follow the Ravens love Ed Reed. He doesnt need to make statements to become a polarizing figure. Just shut up, rehad, and be a good teammate. period.
If I remember correctly Ed’s contract extension back in ’06 made him the highest paid safety in the game, but as we all know that changes almost yearly. Ed referenced the fact that there are six or seven safeties (who couldn’t hold his jock) that are making more than him. I think part of his gripe is just an ego thing. On the other hand football is such a violent and taxing game that I can’t blame anyone for trying to get the most $$ during their playing days, b/c they don’t last long. Like I said in the blog, I wouldn’t address his contract if I was Ozzie.
I hate the Troy Smith talk more than anything. People are playing the race card when it has nothing to do with why he doesn’t start. I hope he goes to the Bills and plays and then everyone sees that he is just mediocre and nothing more than a decent backup.
My thoughts after talking w/you yesterday are that if Ed was 23 years old, he’d be suiting up to play tomorrow. I’m guessing he’s actually closer to 80% but, at his age with his injuries of the past, this may very well be one of his last, if not his last, seasons.
I think his thought process, and the teams, is that he’ll sit out the first 6 games so that he can be 100% healthy for the bulk of the season and playoffs (something we haven’t seen out of Ed Reed in a while).
If this is his last push, he wants to go out w/a bang and both him and the team realize that the Ravens can go 4-2 without him and need him much more come Dec-Feb than they will in September.
I personally think this is Ed’s last year and, with as talented as the Ravens are, he doesn’t want to risk watching a 2nd round playoff exit from the bench when he could be the piece of the puzzle that puts them in Dallas come February.
So Ed is pissed b/c the Ravens refused to give him game film to study without an excuse. That seems strange and petty if it’s true. In the same interview Reed mentioned his contract situation again and how he “puts his life on the line” for the team. I’m not sure if this is a case of the team being petty, or Reed wanting an excuse/validation for a new contract…either way I’m sick of hearing about it!
Tim – actually Reed has averaged over 14 games per season during his career. He has some serious injuries, but up to this point he’s found a way to get on the field for the most part. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he retires in two years or plays for another five. I agree though that the Ravens need him more in December and January then they do in September and October.
My point was that even though he’s played almost all of every season in his career, how often has he had a season where he played and didn’t have lingering injuries throughout the year (more so than your typical nicks that come with the territory in the NFL).
I would be willing to bet that he hasn’t been 100% for an entire year since his 2nd or 3rd in the league (even including his tremendous season a couple of years ago).
I think both him and the Ravens realize he’s close to retiring and, want one season with him at a full 100% to make a Super Bowl push…there’s no better season than this one for that.
This guy hasn’t missed all that many games in his career but, he has also played the majority of them at closer to 80% than 100.