Should the Ravens re-sign PRO BOWLER Ed Reed?

[jamesdean]

James: Listen, I readily admit that Ed's best days are well behind him. Yet, he has made 49 solo tackles ranking him #9 among Free Safeties. He has 4 picks - ranking him 3rd among Free Safeties. He has 20 passes defensed ranking him with the most among Free Safeties.
So while I get the fact that Ed is going to need to be very cooperative in order to stay with us ($$), I don't think it's accurate to say his play has been horrible this year. We've just come to expect super-human performance every year and now when his stats are still among the best, we are disappointed.
Ed is still having a decent year despite the team's defensive struggles.

I think those stats are misleading because while he's registered 49 tackles, how many of those did a receiver or running back get another 10-15 yards while he's dancing with them down the field? I've watched almost every game this year and unless I've been imagining things, Reed's tackling is embarrassing. And the other thing those stats don't show is how many plays resulted in him flailing at empty air as the runners blew by. As bad as the Raven linebackers and corners have been in pass coverage, it's no surprise that Reed has been involved in a lot of potential tackles. However, the eyes don't lie and what the rest of the country perceives as him having a good season, is just statistical foolery. It's too bad we can't be spared at least one game this year and have Harbaugh rest him tomorrow.

[TDL]

I think those stats are misleading because while he's registered 49 tackles, how many of those did a receiver or running back get another 10-15 yards while he's dancing with them down the field? I've watched almost every game this year and unless I've been imagining things, Reed's tackling is embarrassing. And the other thing those stats don't show is how many plays resulted in him flailing at empty air as the runners blew by. As bad as the Raven linebackers and corners have been in pass coverage, it's no surprise that Reed has been involved in a lot of potential tackles. However, the eyes don't lie and what the rest of the country perceives as him having a good season, is just statistical foolery. It's too bad we can't be spared at least one game this year and have Harbaugh rest him tomorrow.

You're absolutely right about the stats being deceiving.Reeds play has gotten progressively worse as the seasons gone on because injuries and age are just catching up to him.That's a situation that is only going to get worse and even though he may be good for 4-5 solid starts a season the team needs to start thinking in the long term and get a younger healthier body out there on the field that won't cost them $8-10 million a season.

Lewis and Reed on the sidelines could be of great help in mentoring younger players, but as long as they're on the field they are just delaying the inevitable and keeping players that need the PT to develop from getting it.

[Saticon3]

I disagree. There have been few Raven players as beloved as Todd Heap. I remember the columnists, fans and forums exploding when the Ravens cut Heap, Mason & Gregg two years ago. All the usual suspects prophesized DOOM because our front office "did not know what they were doing." Now - not a word. Mason - retired after bouncing between two teams. Heap - often injured and released by the Cardinals. Gregg is out of the NFL now as well (I believe).

This front office and coaching staff handle salary cap parameters pretty well, and have a solid track record on player personnel. There have been very few veterans they have let go that went on to have All-Pro years after they left. Heap was one of my favorite Ravens, he will be in the Ring of Honor, but they let him go at the right time. In today’s salary cap NFL you cannot be sentimental. The Patriots are a great example of another organization that does not factor sentimentality into personnel decisions. There will be some hard cuts every year on every team. It happens. Ed is probably my ALL-TIME favorite Raven, but put me in the "Reed only at the right price" camp.

Good one. Yes, it seems the Ravens have a knack for knowing when a player is done - or at least not worth keeping for big money--- and have no problem cutting them. Adalius Thomas, Shannon Sharpe, Peter Boulware ( though not cut, was allowed to test free agency, then they took him back for 1 year on the cheap when no one else wanted him) Edwin Muliatalo also come to my mind.

[West Chester Raven]

I think those stats are misleading because while he's registered 49 tackles, how many of those did a receiver or running back get another 10-15 yards while he's dancing with them down the field? I've watched almost every game this year and unless I've been imagining things, Reed's tackling is embarrassing. And the other thing those stats don't show is how many plays resulted in him flailing at empty air as the runners blew by. As bad as the Raven linebackers and corners have been in pass coverage, it's no surprise that Reed has been involved in a lot of potential tackles. However, the eyes don't lie and what the rest of the country perceives as him having a good season, is just statistical foolery. It's too bad we can't be spared at least one game this year and have Harbaugh rest him tomorrow.

James - this is subjective. So, had Ed not missed some tackles - and he definitely has - then his ranking for tackles would be even higher than #9 overall. What then? There are only 8 Free Safeties with more tackles in the league right now as it is. What are we saying here? We keep talking about tackles - an important statistic. But is it truly the best measuring stick when evaluating the play at Free Safety? Ed's primary responsibility is defending the pass - not tackling running backs. If the front 7 are allowing that many RB's to get deep into the secondary, we have other problems. And, we know that we do.
Ed has 20 passes defensed. Spin it any way you like it, but that is a LOT. More than any other Free Safety. He has 4 picks. 2 Free Safeties surpassed that number this season so far. 2.
Now, again. I am NOT saying we should give Ed a big extension. In fact, I think we have more pressing concerns and we're going to have to take a step down at Free safety in all likelihood.
But to characterize Ed as no good any more isn't accurate. He is still playing pretty well. Stats may deceive at times, but 20 broken up passes and 4 picks are what they are.
Ed is playing better at his position than Ray at this point. Sadly, we will likely have to part ways with one or both and that leaves us short on leadership.
Peace.

[SugarRay52]

James - this is subjective. So, had Ed not missed some tackles - and he definitely has - then his ranking for tackles would be even higher than #9 overall. What then? There are only 8 Free Safeties with more tackles in the league right now as it is. What are we saying here? We keep talking about tackles - an important statistic. But is it truly the best measuring stick when evaluating the play at Free Safety? Ed's primary responsibility is defending the pass - not tackling running backs. If the front 7 are allowing that many RB's to get deep into the secondary, we have other problems. And, we know that we do.
Ed has 20 passes defensed. Spin it any way you like it, but that is a LOT. More than any other Free Safety. He has 4 picks. 2 Free Safeties surpassed that number this season so far. 2.
Now, again. I am NOT saying we should give Ed a big extension. In fact, I think we have more pressing concerns and we're going to have to take a step down at Free safety in all likelihood.
But to characterize Ed as no good any more isn't accurate. He is still playing pretty well. Stats may deceive at times, but 20 broken up passes and 4 picks are what they are.
Ed is playing better at his position than Ray at this point. Sadly, we will likely have to part ways with one or both and that leaves us short on leadership.
Peace.

I believe when it's all said and done Ed will come back at the right price for the Ravens and at a fair price for him. Joe Flacco will also get resigned WCR ($12-$15 mil a year range) so just deal with it.

[West Chester Raven]

I believe when it's all said and done Ed will come back at the right price for the Ravens and at a fair price for him. Joe Flacco will also get resigned WCR ($12-$15 mil a year range) so just deal with it.

Sure, Sugar Ray. Didn't realize we were talking Flacco here. But he will get a Matt Schaub type deal cuz that is the type of player he is. Although I'm more inclined to believe he may get the franchise tag.
In the end, all I care about is winning games. Now we may differ in our opinions of just whom is to credit with the fact that we win as often as we do, but we'll leave that at rest.
I'm "dealing with it" just fine. But then again, there are still some chapters to be written on this season. And those chapters sir, are going to go a long way towards revealing whether or not your prediction is accurate. I hope we have a magical playoff run, but the truth is, we have no idea what to expect from week to week.

[SugarRay52]

Sure, Sugar Ray. Didn't realize we were talking Flacco here. But he will get a Matt Schaub type deal cuz that is the type of player he is. Although I'm more inclined to believe he may get the franchise tag.
In the end, all I care about is winning games. Now we may differ in our opinions of just whom is to credit with the fact that we win as often as we do, but we'll leave that at rest.
I'm "dealing with it" just fine. But then again, there are still some chapters to be written on this season. And those chapters sir, are going to go a long way towards revealing whether or not your prediction is accurate. I hope we have a magical playoff run, but the truth is, we have no idea what to expect from week to week.

I didn't mean to add the deal with it part, I overreacted. I'm just tired of people trying to run Joe out of town and willing to settle for Alex Smith. You're right we don't know what to expect from this team and Joe in general but they do keep you on the edge of your seats, the Ravens do garner quite a reaction from us fans (good or bad).

[RavenMaven52]

I am not saying I don't see where some of you are coming from, but honestly, how many safeties are better than Reed right now? For that matter how many centers are better than Birk? I'd have to say not many. Age is only a number. They play younger than their age even if they aren't what they once were.

[jamesdean]

James - this is subjective. So, had Ed not missed some tackles - and he definitely has - then his ranking for tackles would be even higher than #9 overall. What then? There are only 8 Free Safeties with more tackles in the league right now as it is. What are we saying here? We keep talking about tackles - an important statistic. But is it truly the best measuring stick when evaluating the play at Free Safety? Ed's primary responsibility is defending the pass - not tackling running backs. If the front 7 are allowing that many RB's to get deep into the secondary, we have other problems. And, we know that we do.
Ed has 20 passes defensed. Spin it any way you like it, but that is a LOT. More than any other Free Safety. He has 4 picks. 2 Free Safeties surpassed that number this season so far. 2.
Now, again. I am NOT saying we should give Ed a big extension. In fact, I think we have more pressing concerns and we're going to have to take a step down at Free safety in all likelihood.
But to characterize Ed as no good any more isn't accurate. He is still playing pretty well. Stats may deceive at times, but 20 broken up passes and 4 picks are what they are.
Ed is playing better at his position than Ray at this point. Sadly, we will likely have to part ways with one or both and that leaves us short on leadership.
Peace.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. That's cool. All I know is what I've seen this year and in my opinion, it hasn't been pretty. If Reed doesn't return next year, I won't lose a second of sleep over it. And I certainly don't know why any other team would sign him at this point either. We shall see.