Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said team officials spoke with safety Ed Reed Monday about his lateraling after interceptions, and he said he didn't expect that to happen again this season. Reed lateraled twice after picking off two passes against Jacksonville Sunday.

Unfortunately, we've heard this kind of talk before, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked to Reed about the dangers of lateraling the ball earlier this season. I don't think Reed will change. Reed is Reed, and he basically does whatever he wants to do. Earlier this season, Reed said Harbaugh needed to make an adjustment to his style, and talk to the players like men.

I think both Harbaugh and Ryan have approached Reed like a man about this subject. I'd like to remind Reed of an old saying a football coach once told me: "Boys do what they want to to do. Men do what they have to."

(baltimoresun.com)

At some point, after seeing him make big play after big play, you run out of things to say about Ed Reed.

There aren't enough adjectives to describe the safety's talent and his ability to change a game at any time. Simply put -- the guy just makes plays.
He made a couple big ones Sunday against the Jaguars. Reed brought in two interceptions, his eighth and ninth of the season, tops in the NFL. The first pick set up a Le'Ron McClain touchdown that vaulted Baltimore to a 24-7 halftime lead.

It was Reed's fourth multiple-INT game of the season and the eighth of his career. Back when he won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004, Reed had nine picks and two touchdowns. This season, the five-time Pro Bowler has nine picks and two touchdowns.

Could some more hardware be on the way? Maybe.

But please, someone teach the man to hang onto the ball after he comes down with an INT.

(masnsports.com)

Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed missed practice Wednesday because of a thigh injury.

Reed has been bothered by his thigh problem recently, but has not missed a game and will likely play Saturday night when the Ravens visit Dallas.

Selected for the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, Reed leads the Ravens with five interceptions and has scored three touchdowns this season.

(sportsnetwork.com)

7 proCanes will be heading to Hawaii in February for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. They are: Clinton Portis, Jon Beason, Jeff Feagles, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed.

Safety Ed Reed is the Ravens’ recipient of the annual Ed Block Courage Award.

The four-time Pro Bowler is having one of his finest seasons after contemplating retirement during training camp because he was suffering from a nerve impingement. Reed has five interceptions and three touchdowns, including an NFL-record 107-yard interception return against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 23.

The courage award is given to one member of each NFL team for overcoming great adversity. The award is named after the longtime Baltimore Colts trainer, who died in 1983.

“I'll take Ed Reed any day of the week,” Coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s had a tremendous year and he’s surrounded by a really good supporting cast on defense and all of those guys have made him better. He’s made those other guys better and I’m really proud of him.”

(baltimoreexaminer.com)

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ball-hawking Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was among the AFC players earning weekly NFL honors on Wednesday.

The seven-year veteran from Miami-Florida was the AFC's top defensive player after his two tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a 22-yard first quarter touchdown on a fumble return, helped the Ravens to a 24-10 win over the Washington Redskins.

It was Reed's fourth career weekly player honor and second this season.

To date this season, he has five of the Ravens' league-high 22 interceptions.

(upi.com)

Earlier this season I had my doubts about Ed Reed.  I watched him closely during training camp.  I locked in on not only what he was saying but how he was saying it.  The clear and present message the Ravens’ All Pro safety delivered suggested to me that he was hurt and he was frustrated over the neck and shoulder nerve impingement that forced him to the sidelines during the Westminster summer days.

And he seemed very concerned so much so, that I wondered if this could be Reed’s last season as a professional football player.  I even wondered if he would make it through the season.

Today those thoughts seem like such a distant memory as the Ed Reed we’ve grown accustomed to, the one who has spoiled us for years, has nearly returned.

Clearly his ball hawking prowess remains intact and he has shown signs of returning to the physical style of play we’ve come to expect from Reed. Yet he’s not quite there.  For good and obvious reasons, his tackling is suspect at times.  That said, as Reed continues to make game changing plays, it’s easy to overlook a missed tackle here and there.

(ravens24x7.com)

BALTIMORE — Ed Reed is listed as a safety for the Baltimore Ravens. He also is a safety net.

Baltimore's offense struggled much of the game Sunday night against the Washington Redskins, but Reed helped the Ravens to an early 14-0 lead with an interception and a fumble return touchdown. He added a late interception in a 24-10 victory that kept Baltimore in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

Praise for Reed flowed as if his teammates were dousing him with Gatorade:
•"It seems like the ball seems to find him. He doesn't find the ball. … He's one of the spectacular players in the NFL," said defensive lineman Trevor Pryce.
•"He's been amazing for so long that you expect him to make those plays," said tight end Todd Heap.
•"That guy is Superman. … Nothing gets past him," said wide receiver Derrick Mason.

Reed has 11 touchdowns in his seven-year NFL career: five on interceptions, two on fumble recoveries, three on blocked punts and one on a punt return. His three touchdowns this season include a record 108-yard interception return against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He has five interceptions this season despite playing with a nerve impingement that causes pain in his neck and shoulders.

"It's hats off to the trainers, hats off to my doctor, who I see every Friday. …It's not easy, but at the same time if you can be out there for your team them, then I'm going to be out there," said Reed.

His diving interception of a Jason Campbell's pass on the Red-skins first series started the Ravens on a touchdown drive. Campbell's arm was hit as he made the thrown by linebacker Terrell Suggs, and the ball fluttered high into the air.

"That's just somebody else making a play, and me doing my job," said Reed.

He had his 22-yard fumble return touchdown 5:30 into he game after forcing the turnover by Redskins running back Clinton Portis. The Redskins were unsuccessful in a challenge that Portis was down before the ball was out. "I didn't know if they were going to blow a whistle or not," said Reed. "But once they don't blow a whistle, we're taught to finish the play and let them make the decision afterwards,"

Reed sparked the Ravens (9-4) to the seventh victory in their last eight games. They are a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, and they host Pittsburgh Sunday.

The Steelers will have to account for Reed.

"He does such a great job of reading quarterbacks' eyes and knowing where they're going to go with the ball," said rookie quarterback Joe Flacco of the Ravens. "That's why he's always around it, and that's why you guys see him making so many big plays."

(usatoday.com)

Shortly after John Harbaugh became head coach, he called some of the Ravens, and one of them was Ed Reed.

Harbaugh talked to him about discipline and staying in the right position, and it apparently has paid off for Reed this season, maybe more than other years. If he isn't the NFL defensive player of the year, it's still a tribute to him because only seven defensive backs have won the award in the 37 years it has been given out including Reed in 2004.

"He's not just making plays back there, he's playing with tremendous discipline and he understands the offense he is playing against," said Harbaugh. "He's been in position every single play for a lot of plays in a row. He's just a great football player."

(baltimoresun.com)

Reed earned defensive honors by helping Baltimore flatten the visiting Philadelphia Eagles 36-7, as the former Miami Hurricane registered two tackles, two passes defensed and equaled a career-best with a pair of interceptions. In the fourth quarter, Reed picked off Eagle QB Kevin Kolb in the end zone and raced 108 yards for the longest interception return in league history. He set the previous mark with a 106-yard return against the Cleveland Browns four years ago. A seven-year pro, Reed has now won this award three times.

Reed's record-breaking interception return in Week 12 has been adjusted from 108 yards to 107.

It still qualifies as the longest pick six of all time (Reed broke his own record, originally set in 2004). Reed's jersey was sent to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. His two picks against Philly gave Reed three on the season.

(kansascity.com)

10. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans. It’s hard for a receiver to crack the MVP list, but Johnson is setting a blistering pace and has lifted Houston out of a potential quarterback controversy. Would you believe the Texans are fourth in the NFL in total offense? Believe it. It’s largely because of Johnson, who has 56 catches for 772 yards in seven games. Now, try this on for size: He had nine catches for 131 yards against the Colts on October 5. How does he top it? In the each of the three games since, he has had at least 10 catches and at least 140 yards.

8. Ed Reed, S, Ravens. Always a playmaker of the highest order and someone opponents must locate on every snap, it’s Reed’s outstanding range that allows the creativity defensive coordinator Rex Ryan flashes. He also gets a checkmark in the “guts” category for playing through hamstring and thigh injuries. Every coach who faces the Ravens mentions Reed early and often. Baltimore is second in total defense, third in pass defense and first in run defense. Reed is the primary reason.

6. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins. Sshhh … Portis is on a pace to rush for nearly 2,000 yards. Somehow, in all the hoopla over Jason Campbell—he’s been outstanding, so he does deserve it—Portis’ career year is getting overshadowed. Portis has 944 yards at 5.0-per clip and 11 catches to boot. The reason he gets the call here over Campbell is because the Redskins’ offensive identity is one of a physical, grinding group that wears out opponents. As a side note: How loaded was that University of Miami title team in 2001? Johnson, Reed and Portis are on this list, and that’s without mentioning Vince Wilfork, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Bryant McKinnie.

(sports.yahoo.com)

Ed Reed stands at the epicenter of a storm of more than 500 children turned loose in a field beside Booker T. Washington Middle School on a sunny, humid October morning.

Boys and girls occasionally break ranks to reach the Ravens' Pro Bowl safety, shake his hand, exchange a high-five or just say hello. They embrace him at every opportunity. From all appearances, Reed enjoys the repartee as much as the kids. He smiles often and responds to each request as he roams the field on Fitness Day, a day set up by the NFL to emphasize the merits of exercise and healthy diet.

When he spots one student whose khaki pants are slung low over his hips, Reed intercepts the young boy as if that student were scrambling out of the pocket for a big run. "Pull your pants up, man. What are you doing?" Reed says in a voice more reassuring than scolding.

The young boy dutifully hikes up his pants.

In truth, there are few details that escape Reed when it comes to Booker T. Washington, an inner-city school he adopted after arriving in Baltimore in 2002 as a first-round draft pick. One of his early stops was Booker T., nestled in the historic Marble Hill community of West Baltimore and surrounded by drugs, poverty and prostitution.

Reed, 30, is familiar with the dark corners and don't-cross lines of such neighborhoods. He grew up in one in Shrewsbury, La., in the shadow of New Orleans. He is living proof you can come out with a better life than you imagined, that you don't have to be a victim of circumstance and misfortune just because you have a tough start.

These are among the messages Reed delivers to the student body on any given Tuesday during football season. He will pop up unannounced in a pottery class to talk shop. He'll meet with a group of young boys who need to grasp the importance of respecting elders and peers. He'll introduce businessmen to serve as role models for the next generation. He relates to the kids on their level.

This is what Reed does to repay a favor he received some 15years ago, and even more because he loves kids.

"In many respects, he is the same child with regard to his background," said Latanya Robinson, executive assistant at Booker T. Washington. "He's done some of the same things they've done. The kids who've really listened to his story understand you don't have to start off as a model student. It's up to you to determine which way you want to go. And he constantly reminds them of that, that success is determined by you."

Booker T.'s students have gotten the message.

"He's really nice to be doing what he's doing for Booker T.," eighth-grader Tyra Hooper said. "Because most people, they really don't care. But it shows that he cares."

Said Deasya Holley, another eighth-grader: "He knows what some of us have to go through in life, and he wants to be a big difference in everybody's life at Booker T. Washington."

A kid who needed focus
Reed was not a model student in Shrewsbury. Sports, not school, dominated his early years. Ben Parquet is a student advocate for the St. Charles Parish, La., school system who met Reed at the behest of his wife, Dee, a teacher at Cameron Middle School. Dee told Ben of a charismatic young boy who could use his help.

"He wasn't a bad kid; he was mischievous," Parquet said. "He wasn't real focused on school work. I saw him as a youngster with great potential."

Reed was drifting toward an uncertain future when Parquet made a tactical decision. He asked the assistant superintendent of the school district to include Reed in a group of middle school students being promoted to high school. Reed was too old to continue playing sports in middle school, but was too young - by a week - to make the cutoff for high school. Parquet reasoned that Reed would have strayed if he stayed at Cameron, but going to Destrehan High would give him incentive to get on track.

In a move that continues to have positive repercussions, the school district granted Parquet's request. Reed went to high school, where he starred in football, basketball and track, and earned a scholarship to the University of Miami.

"If I hadn't gone to high school when Ben helped me get to high school, I wouldn't be here right now," he said before a recent Ravens practice

Where would he be?

"No telling. Probably be back home coaching or something like that."

Reed stills views Parquet, 69 and semi-retired, as a mentor. Parquet thinks of Reed as family.

"I feel as close to him as if he was my own son," Parquet said. "He has a special place in my heart, not because he's successful, but because of what he does for the kids in the [Booker T. Washington] community. He makes me feel it was worth it."

Parquet wasn't the only one who saw something special in Reed. Jeanne Hall, a secretary at Destrehan High, and her husband, Walter, took Reed into their St. Rose home during his sophomore and junior years. The second-oldest of five brothers in Shrewsbury, Reed got his bearings in suburban St. Rose, and his parents recognized the benefit of getting away from home.

In Baltimore, at the invitation of then-Ravens cornerback James Trapp, Reed visited Booker T. in 2002 as a rookie. He quickly grew to love working with inner-city kids.

Trapp, who played on the Ravens' Super Bowl team in the 2000 season, knew his time in Baltimore was up. He saw in Reed a successor to the program he started in 1999 with Jim Hamlin, a retired community relations manager at UPS and a Booker T. graduate.

"Ed wasn't a wild guy," said Trapp, now a chaplain for the Atlanta Falcons. "He was kind of reserved, and you could see he had a heart for helping people."

His own money
Since then, The Ed Reed Eye of the Hurricane Foundation has poured time, money and energy into Booker T. Washington and other causes. Reed sponsors a high school football camp and golf tournament in Louisiana each summer. According to Bita Khorrami, executive director of Reed's foundation, Reed sent $70,000 to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Over the past five years, Khorrami said, the foundation has donated about $350,000 to various causes.

"Ed is more than a philanthropist," she said. "He is willing to put his own money out there when others aren't."

At the beginning of each school year, Reed provides supplies for needy students. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, his foundation provides turkeys for families that can't afford them. Last year, he gave 120 students $150 each to spend on Christmas gifts. The students are selected by their teachers based on need. And he has a party at the end of the year to reward students who make the honor roll.

When Reed found out Booker T. students didn't use their lockers because items would disappear, he bought 600 locks. He also paid for a $5,000 kiln to bake clay in the pottery classes. Khorrami said Reed has contributed between $85,000 and $100,000 - out of his own pocket - to Booker T. over the past five years.

Then there is Reed's LORDS program (leadership, order, respect, discipline, success), which rewards 20-25 students with tickets to a Ravens home game. Tickets are based on attendance, discipline and academics.

Hamlin, who continues to help at Booker T., said the changes at the school will be life-lasting.

"It's a combination of behavior, attitude and a sense of pride in the school and pride in themselves," Hamlin said of the impact. "All that we're doing here and all that Ed's doing here will be in the minds of the kids forever and a day."

Robinson said the most tangible results are in improved attendance, but that benefits run deeper.

"Ed shows our kids they deserve to be recognized for the good things they do," she said. "His presence alone and his involvement shows them they have something to be proud of. ... He's truly a humanitarian."

From a distance, Parquet sees the cycle begin anew.

"Ed's a tremendous guy, and I'm so proud of him," Reed's mentor said.

"Think of how many Ed Reeds are out there that didn't get the help to go forward. He realizes that, too. And deep down, that's why he gives so much. He sees himself in a lot of those kids, and he wants them to be successful."

(baltimoresun.com)

The Ed Reed Eye of the Hurricane Foundation will hold its benefit, "A Night in New Orleans," tonight at 6 at the Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, as originally scheduled. The benefit had been moved to tomorrow night when the Ravens were scheduled to play in Houston. It will feature the group Maze, with Frankie Beverly, and Cajun cuisine. All proceeds from sales and donations go the Reed's nonprofit foundation. The Ravens safety, a Louisiana native and former Miami Hurricane, organized NFL player donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. His foundation is working to help Booker T. Washington Middle School in Baltimore transition into a school for the arts and music.

(baltimoresun.com)

BALTIMORE — In the wake of missing the entire preseason with a nerve impingement, Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed made a last-minute decision to test out his neck and left shoulder Sunday and started for the Baltimore Ravens without incident.

Reed didn’t aggravate the injury during the Ravens’ 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. He recorded three tackles, deflecting one pass to cornerback Chris McAlister for an interception.

Reed said he’s not in danger by continuing to play. He took precautions against the Bengals by only doling out a few hits and generally led with his right shoulder after not having any contact during the preseason.

"They told me that there’s not any catastrophic risk, but you’re always at risk playing football," Reed said. "It’s just about being smart and not getting too caught up in the game and banging too much. You try not to feel it.

"I got contact on both sides. I hit the ground on both shoulders. I was smart not diving on tackles and joining in on gang tackles. I felt good, and we’ll see how it goes going forward."

Reed’s injury will likely continue to be a concern and will be monitored throughout the season.

The Ravens didn’t use Reed in their blitz package. He stayed back deep, remaining away from the line of scrimmage for the majority of the game.

"Health is still very important," Reed said. "It’s still day to day. We were more concerned about conditioning than anything else. Everything worked out fine.

“It’s a blessing to be out there. No hesitation, none at all. I had a couple things where I was a little timid, but I think it kind of helped me."

Reed said doctors initially informed him that he was supposed to be out for the first four or five games.

"I’m still talking about it with the doctors about if there’s any soreness or pain," he said. "We’re just being smart about what we’re doing."

McAlister and cornerback Samari Rolle also missed most of the preseason with injuries, but both played well against the Bengals as they shut down wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

McAlister recovered a fumble to go with his interception.

"When they started to call the starting lineup and I saw Ed was behind me, I said, ‘Oh, we good,’" linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "I told him early in the week, ‘You don’t have to hit nobody. You just get us lined up and tell us where we got to go and we’ll be all right.’"

Ravens FS Ed Reed (shoulder) is ignoring doctor's orders to rest for two weeks and will instead try to play against the Bengals.
Reed practiced Wednesday without a red non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering a nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder. "If it keeps lingering throughout the season, it definitely could come to some point to where we shut it down for the year," he said. It's hard to believe that Reed can play every down or be his usual self; Carson Palmer shouldn't be worried.

(rotoworld.com)

When Ravens safety Ed Reed revealed that he's suffering from a "nerve impingement' in his neck that has affected his shoulder and could threaten his career, I had a nasty Orioles flashback.

The Ravens are loathe to give real specifics on injuries, but it's fair to wonder if the problem that has sidelined one of the NFL's best defensive players is similar to the one that forced a premature end to the baseball career of former Oriole Glenn Davis.

Davis, every Orioles fan unhappily recalls, was acquired by the Orioles in a trade for Curt Schilling, Steve Finley and Pete Harnisch, three players who all went on to better things after the supposed blockbuster deal. Davis never lived up to his reputation as one of the most dangerous power hitters in baseball, because of a nerve injury suffered during his first spring with the Orioles.

He damaged the spinal accessory nerve in his neck during an exhibition at-bat in March of 1991, the severity of the problem only becoming apparent when the trapezius muscle in his right shoulder began to wither. He spent a couple of years trying to regain his powerful swing, but was never the same.

Hopefully, there's no such parallel with Reed, but he's all but certain to miss the season opener next week and could be out for the season. He even speculated Friday that if surgery is necessary to correct the problem, his career might be over.

(baltimoresun.com)

It would reportedly take a "miraculous recovery" for FS Ed Reed (shoulder) to be ready for Baltimore's season opener.
Reed is a bit overrated, but the voice of Baltimore's secondary and a three time All Pro, so this helps Carson Palmer's matchup. Special teamer Jim Leonhard will start. Cincy's passing game should kick off with a bang.

(rotoworld.com)

Free safety Ed Reed's status remains in question for the opener due to a left shoulder injury that involves nerves. Harbaugh is no longer confident the former defensive player of the year will be ready for the start of the season.

Reed hasn't been cleared for contact and has expressed reservations about his availability at the start of the season.

"I think it's a little more slow progress than we all thought it was going to be," Harbaugh said. "Maybe Ed has a sense of that at one time because he's the guy that feels it. We're still optimistic that he'll be there the first week, but I don't think you can say 'definitely' right now."

With Reed sidelined, veteran Jim Leonhard has started the first two preseason games. Rookie draft picks Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura are the Ravens' other options.

Reed has been grimacing in pain whenever someone bangs into his upper body, and doesn't seem to have full range of motion or strength.

"We continue to have doctors look at him, because we want to be absolutely sure," Harbaugh said. "It's not just about his ability to play in a game. Right now, nobody thinks he's at risk in any way, but we want to make darn sure that's the case"

(iht.com)

It appears there are increased doubts whether Ed Reed will be ready to play in the regular-season opener.

A week after downplaying Reed's concerns, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said it's not a lock that the Pro Bowl safety will be in the starting lineup when the Ravens kick off the season Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reed has missed the first two preseason games because of a shoulder injury.

"I think it's a little more slow progress than we all thought it was going to be," Harbaugh said today. "Maybe Ed had a sense of that at one time because he's the guy that feels it. We're still optimistic that he'll be there the first week but I don't think you can say 'definitely' right now."

Reed recently expressed uncertainty about his availability to start the season, but the Ravens seemed more confident at that time.

If Reed can't play, four-year veteran Jim Leonhard could replace him. Leonhard, a free-agent pickup, has started the first two preseason games.

Rookies Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura have also seen time with the first-team defense during training camp.

(baltimoresun.com)

The only place Ed Reed appears outspoken is on the field, where instinct, preparation and ability merge to create one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL.

Reed is one of the few Ravens stars without a radio or television show. He lockers next to the door at the team facility in Owings Mills, assuring a quick escape from the media invasion. And he performs his many charitable works out of the limelight.

But put him in the field of play and you've got an athlete whose passion for the game is unquenchable.

"I guarantee you," defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said today, "he's always been the quarterback, always been the safety, probably was a point guard in basketball.

"He runs the show -- and knows the game. Any game. He'd be a playmaker in anything he did."

Reed, in his seventh season at free safety for the Ravens, is one of the league's top playmakers. He's gone to four Pro Bowls in six years. He has 34 interceptions in 90 games.

In 2004, he registered a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and touchdown on the same play. He has scored eight career touchdowns, coming four different ways (punt return, fumble return, interception and blocked punt).

Reed, 29, is not only a playmaker, but a game changer.

Coach John Harbaugh gave his illustration of that the other day.

"Having coached a secondary, you have a good idea of the picture you look for back there," Harbaugh said. "Ed is good enough to change the picture just a little bit.

"In other words, he doesn't have to be [positioned] quite as deep or quite as wide or quite as tight as another guy would, and still be in position to make the play. You see why he's made so many plays over the years, kind of by baiting quarterbacks a little bit. He's got a real knack for that."

Reed has made his living by baiting quarterbacks. He studies opponents' tapes voraciously for hints that help diagnose plays. He has an uncanny ability to be right most of the time.

The few times he's been burned, he's worn the label of free-lancer and gambler.

Ryan, a man who ought to know, says that's a false perception.

"No," Ryan said when asked if Reed plays outside the structure of the defense.

"We don't want robots [on defense], and we don't want the offense to know exactly what we're in. Ed will move around. Ed's always in the structure of the defense. If he's not, we've missed a call or something like that. Nothing ever has been intentional where he's been out of position. I think what happens is, people see him moving around and think he's [free-lancing]."

Reed is afforded the leeway to move around because he knows the defense like a coach and understands the scheme.

"He knows the defense so well, he knows the strengths, the weaknesses of it," Ryan said. "He knows what the offense is trying to do. He's a great student of the game. When that opportunity to make a play happens, he makes it. He doesn't drop it."

Strong safety Dawan Landry was indoctrinated into the NFL by Reed. He came to appreciate the game through Reed's eyes.

"He's a real cerebral guy," Landry said. "He helped me get up to speed, watching film and learning the game."

Reed began studying game film in high school back in St. Rose, La. He became more proficient at it at the University of Miami. As a first-round pick by the Ravens in 2002, he took it to a science under teammate Ray Lewis.

"This is a full-time job, so if you want to be great ... the film study is what separates you from the guys who don't do that stuff," Reed said. "Coming here and working with a veteran team -- Ray Lewis, sitting down with him -- that's just something that keeps getting better over time."

Ravens secondary coach Mark Carrier knew about Reed's athletic prowess before he joined the staff in 2006. He didn't anticipate his intelligence.

"He has an understanding of the game," Carrier said. "A lot of guys are smart or have street smarts. This kid has both. He sees the game at a slower pace."

Reed has participated minimally in team drills through training camp because of a nerve condition in his shoulder. Harbaugh said he expects Reed to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 7.

Reed isn't so sure, acknowledging he may need surgery to resolve the problem after his career. For the past week, he has been wearing a red jersey in practice to signify he shouldn't be hit.

Even so, Reed's zeal for the game shows through.

"Look at him out on the practice field today," Ryan said. "We're short [defensive backs], so he's running at scout team corner. He's a great team guy, whether on the game field or practice field. He loves to play and compete."

(baltimoresun.com)

WESTMINSTER -- Although he returned to practice on Saturday, the status of Ravens safety Ed Reed remains up in the air.

Reed has a problem with his shoulder that kept him out of action the first two weeks of training camp. It has been described as a strength and nerve issue.

He was allowed to return to practice on Saturday, but is wearing a red jersey, the ones the quarterbacks wear so they will not engage in any contact.

"It's a little bit more in-depth than you've been hearing about," Reed told reporters on Monday when asked about the injury. "I can't explain it at this point because I am still researching it myself. I figure it might be all right. If it's not, we will deal with it."

He wasn't sure if he would be ready to play in the season opener against Cincinnati.

"We'll see man, we'll see," he said.

Reed said it wasn't something that just happened, but something that has been building up over his 27 years of playing football.

"I'm out here moving around and loosening it up," he said. "Just seeing how it feels playing in a game situation. It's just being smart with it."

Asked about wearing the red jersey, he said, "It's just something to help the guys understand not to have any contact. That hasn't worked at all. I've still been getting bumped, still been hitting the ground, running through guys, which is a good thing because you really get to feel if you can get hit or not."

He said after his career is over he will have to get surgery on the shoulder.

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh seemed more optimistic about Reed's status and felt he would be ready for the opener.

""I'm not doubtful of that at all, based on what we've been told by the doctors," Harbaugh said. "We've got plenty of experts working on it. They're making a lot of progress. I think they are confident that they are making a lot of progress. Ed wants to be right. Any great player wants to feel physically right. I think it's our job to get to that point."

He said it was important for Reed to get back in action this week.

"That's why we had the red jersey," he said. "He doesn't need to contact stuff to get ready to play. As a football player, changing direction, especially for a defensive back, backpedaling, bursting, spacing, Those things are going to be very important for him. He doesn't need the contact stuff to get ready, but the movement stuff is important.

Losing the 29-year-old Reed would be a big blow to the Ravens, even though through the draft and free agency they have added a lot of depth to their secondary this year.

Reed is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year who is considered one of the top safeties in the league.

"I hate that guy so much because he's so good," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I'm glad he's on our team. He is the best free safety in the game hands down. There's nobody better than him."

"I've always heard stories about how Ed Reed makes plays, and now I'm out here witnessing it," said cornerback Frank Walker, who signed with the Ravens as a free agent during the offseason. "You'd better watch your back or Ed will take your candy, the football."

Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that running back Willis McGahee had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He said it was a precautionary thing and he should be ready for the opener although there is a possibility he could miss it.

"We going to go in there and scope it and clean it up just to make sure he's going to be ready by opening day," Harbaugh said. "We want to make sure we know what's going on in there."

(fredericknewspost.com)

Trying to clear up doubts about two of his star players, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he expects safety Ed Reed and running back Willis McGahee to be ready for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reed, a four-time Pro Bowl player, recently came off the physically unable to perform list but has not engaged in any contact because of a shoulder injury.

While Reed seemed uncertain whether he would be able to play at the start of the regular season, Harbaugh downplayed such a scenario, saying there has been "a lot of progress" made with Reed's injury.

"No, I'm not doubtful of [Reed's availability for the season opener] at all based on what we've been told by the doctors," Harbaugh said after today's practice. "I understand as an athlete, you want it to be right."

(baltimoresun.com)

Ravens safety Ed Reed practiced for the first time this preseason, though he wore the symbolic red jersey that prevented him from contact, reports BaltimoreRavens.com.



(nooffseason.com)

The veil of secrecy has been lifted around Ed Reed. The Pro Bowl safety has a shoulder injury, coach John Harbaugh said after Wednesday’s practice.

Reed is on the physically unable to perform list and has yet to practice in training camp. Team officials had declined to comment specifically on Reed’s injury, causing speculation about his status.

During camp, Reed has worked off to the side, running and catching passes.

“It’s a strengthening issue and that takes a little bit of time,” Harbaugh said.

(weblogs.baltimoresun.com)

Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed has been reduced to bystander at the Ravens' training camp. He works out on his own at McDaniel College, running and catching balls daily. But he has yet to be cleared for practice for an unspecified injury or condition.

Today is the fifth day of practice Reed has missed. Asked about Reed's return, defensive coordinator gave no timetable.

"You'd have to ask [John Harbaugh] that and Bill [Tessendorf, team trainer]," Ryan said. "I really don't know. I know one thing is that Ed is working his tail off out here. He took [cornerback] David Pittman under his wing and he's working him out and getting him right, and he's working just as hard as he can possibly work.

"But whenever we get him, Ed will be ready. Mentally, in the meeting rooms he's really taking that leadership over. He's making all the calls and he's sharp. It's just about when he can return due to physical play."

(weblogs.baltimoresun.com)

The Associated Press reports Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed (undisclosed) was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and did not practice with the team Sunday, July 27.



(ap.com)

22. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts: When Marvin Harrison was out last season, Wayne emerged as the team's go-to receiver. The guess here is that is that it stays that way. He's a true star now.

23. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens: He is the prototype modern safety: rangy and can still tackle. He is what safeties like Roy Williams wish they could be.

26. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans: Injuries limited him last season, but Johnson is one of the best when he's on the field. The Texans were a different team without him last season.

41. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots: He was the best front-seven player on the Pats defense last season. He's a load in the middle. Moving him off the ball is tough for any center.

44. Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns: He has emerged as one of the rising stars for a rising team. His ability to stretch the defense is vital to the Cleveland offense.

50. Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears: I don't normally put return men on these lists, but this guy has earned it. It will be interesting to see how long he can maintain it.

(cbs.sportsline.com)

5. Ken Dorsey: No player better typified the Miami dynasty of the early part of the decade than Dorsey, the heady quarterback who led them to the national championship in 2001 and posted a record of 38-2 as the Hurricanes' starting quarterback.

Dorsey was a two-time Heisman finalist who rewrote Miami's record book, setting marks for passing touchdowns, completions, attempts, total offense and passing yards. His leadership also marked Miami's dominance, keeping his team in the national title hunt during most of his college career as the Hurricanes ran off a 34-game winning streak.

His big efforts enabled him to be a three-time All-Big East selection and two-time conference offensive player of the year. He was the co-MVP of the 2001 Rose Bowl, leading the Hurricanes to the national championship with a victory over Nebraska. He also directed Miami to a victory over Florida in the 2000 Sugar Bowl, earning MVP honors after passing for three touchdowns.

9. Ed Reed: A two-time consensus All-American, Reed was the unquestioned defensive leader of the Miami dynasty that claimed a national championship in his final college game. He was a catalyst for a talented Miami secondary that featured three pro-draft picks, helping to turn around the Hurricanes' program.

After an All-American season as a junior in 2000, Reed was a devastating force for the Hurricanes during his senior season. He led the nation with nine interceptions for a school-record 209 yards and three TDs. His biggest was a play that sealed a season-saving victory over Boston College, when he snatched a ball out of teammate Matt Walters' hands and raced 80 yards for a game-saving touchdown.

He capped his career with a dominating performance against Nebraska in the Rose Bowl, finishing as Miami's career leader in career interceptions, career interception return yards and interceptions return for touchdowns. His athletic versatility was highlighted with four career blocked punts as a special-teams standout and a javelin championship in the Big East conference track meet.

(espn.com)

PALM BEACH, Fla. // In a move that should help stop another Spygate incident, NFL owners approved a communication device for defenses yesterday. Only one defensive player on the field will wear a helmet similar to what the quarterback is allowed on offense, letting him communicate with coaches without hand signals.

"It didn't pass last year and it did pass this year," Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "So, you can draw your own conclusions."

During this past season, coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots were disciplined for taping opposing coaches' defensive signals.
"I've been for that ever since the thing with the quarterbacks came out," Belichick said

The Ravens were among the 25 teams that voted in favor of the change (24 are needed for approval). All seven teams that voted against it have head coaches with offensive backgrounds (Green Bay, Oakland, Philadelphia, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Washington).

Instead of linebacker Ray Lewis, the Ravens likely would give the communication device to safety Ed Reed. One reason is the device could get damaged by constant hits. Another is the Ravens could be limiting Lewis' playing time.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh suggested that the team could pull Lewis off the field on passing downs. Teams will want to give the communication device to every-down players.

"His roles might change as far as what downs he's on the field, but that's natural," Harbaugh said of Lewis. "[But] he can still play."

(baltimoresun.com)

Get Ravens safety Ed Reed's autograph at the Hilton Garden Inn from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Owings Mills. Visit www.fullaccess20.com.