Maybe it’s just a negotiation tactic before the Baltimore Ravens offer Ed Reed what might be his final NFL contract, but there seems to be genuine interest from the All-Pro safety to play for another team before he retires, stating the New England Patriots as a very possible option.
While it’s hard to think of Reed playing for anyone else but the Ravens (has been since 2002) and despite the talks of retirement, just like Ray Lewis, after the Super Bowl, Reed is probably planning to stay around for a few more years in the NFL. The nine time Pro Bowl player and 8 time All-Pro recorded 4 interceptions this season, returning one of them for a touchdown, finally making his first Super Bowl after six unseuccesful previous postseason attempts.
The main reason why Reed wants to play for the Patriots? Their head coach, Bill Belichick.
I could definitely play for coach Belichick. He is a great coach. I’m sure he can help me to expand my football knowledge even more as a player and as a coach, so if I’m ever able to be around him, just like I was at the Pro Bowl, it’s huge. It’s the reason why I wear my sweater cut off a little bit. He’s the first guy I saw like, ‘That’s cool.’ You know, that’s cool. He cuts those sweater sleeves, and he’ll be comfortable. So there’s a reason why. Most people will tell you around the facility that’s how I look. It’s just a blessing to even have met, to know coach Belichick.
The Patriots have a knack for taking veteran players and squeezing just a bit more juice out of them before they’re completely washed up. The problem that this philosophy might have kept their regular season success going, but has not helped them win the Super Bowl since the days before Tom Brady became a Golden Boy and the Patriots were more about team and defense then now. However, they do need all the help they can get in the secondary, ranked 29th in the NFL this season in pass defense, allowing 271.4 yards per game. The Ravens, with Reed playing in all 16 games, were 17th.
Don’t be surprised if the outcome of the Super Bowl is what ultimately decides for Reed about where he’s going to play next season.
4 responses to “NFL Rumors – Ed Reed Wants to Play for New England Patriots”
[…] Article from http://sportige.com/nfl-rumors-ed-reed-wants-to-play-for-new-england-patriots-01-2013/ Share […]
[…] takes them to about $16 million over, with more players needing a renewal of contract – Ed Reed, who has already been mentioned with the New England Patriots; cornerback Cary Williams; pass rusher Paul Kruger and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who will […]
[…] Reed added another interception to the collection by picking off Colin Kaepernick (horrible throw) in the Super Bowl, but that doesn’t mean the Ravens are going to re-sign him. With plenty of pieces hitting free agency this season (Reed, Kruger, Ellerbe, Boldin, Jones, Flacco), despite all he’s done for the team in the decade-plus he’s been with the team, it might be his time to go. Reed himself acknowledged that playing for Ravens enemy number one, Bill Belichick and the New Engla…. […]
[…] to give the All-Pro safety a shot to end his career with them after 11 seasons in Baltimore. Reed has shown interest in the Patriots, but might also end up going to the team closest to his hometown, New […]