The Ed Reed effect -- Part II

Last week I wrote about the Ed Reed effect -- that since the safety's return from the PUP list, the Ravens had started creating turnovers on defense. But during his weekly press conference Monday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh fielded questions about another effect Reed has had on the Baltimore defense.

In three games with Reed in the starting lineup, the Ravens given up an average of 23.3 points. They had allowed 15.8 points per game prior to Reed's return. The Ravens have also surrendered 385 total yards per game with Reed after allowing 282 per game in their first six games. Of course, coughing up 34 points and 505 total yards against the Bills inflated these numbers.

Harbaugh said there is no correlation between Reed's return and the secondary's struggles.

“Well, unless you’ve got a connection there, I mean… We all learned this in science. It’s a spurious correlation," Harbaugh said. "It might just be a spurious correlation, to throw one out there. What do you think? You guys impressed?"

A reporter responded, "I don't even know what that means." (And that makes two of us -- at least.)

"That’s not the reason," Harbaugh clarified. "If we’re not playing as good of pass defense -- which I’m not sure that’s true -- but if that’s the case, then it’s not because of Ed Reed or that he’s back there or that we’ve got to find some formula with Ed. It’s specific things to specific plays.”

Simply put: I'm with Harbaugh on this one.

Click here to order Ed Reed’s proCane Rookie Card.



(baltimoresun.com)