Harbaugh says he wants Ed Reed back

[OriginalColtsFan]

I agree completely.

Instead of being a bridge keeping him in the starting line up would seem to be more of an obstacle which would keep someone like Jimmy Smith from getting the PT at the position which is needed in order for him to develop.There will most certainly be some growing pains and mistakes early on but they are going to be unavoidable.There is at least the potential for improvement whereas with Reed his play will only deteriorate further along with his body.As long as Lewis was on the roster he was going to be the starting ILB because Harbaugh out of respect would never have benched him and that's the same case with Reed.Ed has always been one of my favorite Ravens but it's time to move on.

A starting secondary of:

CB Webb
FS Smith
SS Pollard
CB Graham/Brown

Since Williams is gonna bolt that's not too shabby,IMO.The Defense is slow and they must get more speed on the field in the secondary and at LB.

What you've laid out is what I consider to be forward thinking. The Ravens are going to need every penny they can wrangle, and Ed Reed just isn't even on my wish list.

[OriginalColtsFan]

You can now add Ozzie Newsome to the list of Ravens personnel who is willing to consider bringing Ed Reed back.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,7109682.story

[Fang]

Sorry, I know I am among a minority on the board, but I would like to have him back. I know he doesn't hit like he used to, but he brings a lot more in experience, leadership, competitiveness, etc. than he costs the team in athletic ability. Pollard can hit for the two of them. The defense is going lose a number of guys in addition to Ray, and keeping Ed would be a good connection to what I think we can call "The Raven Way."

I agree. I didn't a few months ago. But Ed really has put together a solid year and was great in the playoffs. He's got some in the tank left and I'd hate to lose him and Ray.

[TDL]

You can now add Ozzie Newsome to the list of Ravens personnel who is willing to consider bringing Ed Reed back.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,7109682.story

This soon after the SB win I really couldn't imagine him responding in any other way.He's not gonna come right out and say "oh no we have no intention of re-signing our future HOF'er because we think he's washed up and not worth the cash it would cost us to keep him".Gotta take what him and Harbaugh say at these pressers with a grain of salt.

[OriginalColtsFan]

This soon after the SB win I really couldn't imagine him responding in any other way.He's not gonna come right out and say "oh no we have no intention of re-signing our future HOF'er because we think he's washed up and not worth the cash it would cost us to keep him".Gotta take what him and Harbaugh say at these pressers with a grain of salt.

Time will tell.

[Peej7245]

I think Jimmy Smith () has the size and potential to develop into a quality FS but as long as Reed is around he's not gonna get the chance to.It's more important that they hang onto their young talent that has an upside than to spend what little cash available on players based on their past performance.Reed cannot cover the space that he once did and he cannot tackle either. Instead of being a non-factor as he was for most of the second half of the season he will soon become a liability.Can't be sentimental about these decisions because there is only so much cap space and it's better that they utilize that for the future instead of the past.

Actually, Lardarius Webb was a FS at Nichols State. How about him?

[OriginalColtsFan]

What about Omar Brown? He looked great in the pre season.

(Also...Webb > Smith at CB, so why would you want to weaken the CB position?)

[TDL]

Actually, Lardarius Webb was a FS at Nichols State. How about him?

I was thinking Jimmy Smith because he's built more for the position than Webb.Smith is listed at 6'2 and 205 and Webb at 5'10 and 182.(Omar Brown 5'11 and 195).With the extra height Smith would match up better with some of the larger TE's going across the middle