Memo to Baltimore fans: Come in off the ledge. Ed Reed isn't going anywhere ... not yet, he's not. In fact, what he said Thursday we've heard before.
Reed's comment that he's undecided on his immediate future -- telling Adam Schein of Sirius Radio that he's "not 100 percent committed" to playing this season -- is not exactly a surprise. I mean, every year since 2008, it seems we begin with Reed waffling on his future, which means it would've been more surprising if he actually said he WAS committed to another year.
Anyway, Reed's timing is perfect, when the Ravens are getting ready for OTAs and he's unhappy with his current contract. Reed has one year left on a deal that pays him $7.2 million this season and, he's made it known he'd like an extension.
But the Ravens haven't budged, which may be why their All-Pro safety is taking the offensive. By saying what he did Thursday he at least planted the seed that maybe, just maybe, Baltimore might have to worry about playing without more than just Terrell Suggs this season.
No, I don't think it happens, either, but Reed is frustrated that he's been unable to make headway toward a new deal, so anything's possible. It's Ed Reed, for crying out loud, and as one source close to the team said, "This is just Ed being Ed."
Saying he's "not 100 percent committed" is a lot different than saying he's thinking of quitting, but Reed is smart: In being vague he leaves the subject open to interpretation, and it's not exactly a leap to think he might call it quits. In fact, when he was asked if he thought Ravens' management was aware of his uncertain future, Reed said, "I'm sure they willl after this interview."
Reed is a terrific ballplayer, but he's also a descending one. He turns 34 this season, and his numbers dropped off across the board last season. No question, he's still one of the best safeties in the game, but he's not the safety he was once -- and, if you're the Baltimore Ravens, do you pay on past performance or what's ahead? Plus, it was only weeks ago that he said that playing another four or five seasons is "a reality to me," so you tell me what's going on.
Only Ed Reed knows, and, call me cynical, but this sure looks like a negotiating ploy -- which means the next move is up to Baltimore. And let's face it: The Ravens don't have to do anything. Reed is under contract, and if he doesn't play for them he doesn't play, period.
But I'm not sure you want to play games with your star safety. Reed is a fixture in the Ravens' locker room and one of the team leaders. He's also one of the team's top players, and if the Ravens hardball him I can't imagine what impact it has on his peers -- though it's probably not a good one ... which means Baltimore has a decision to make, and Reed is trying to help the Ravens make it.
There is a school of thought that says no 34-year-old safety deserves a contract extension, but tell that to the Philadelphia Eagles. They thought they were better off investing in the future after the 2008 season and let team leader Brian Dawkins walk, and they spent the last three seasons unsuccessfully trying to replace the guy.
Plus, Baltimore is the team that gave Ray Lewis an extension in 2008 after he tested the free-agent market. There was a feeling then that maybe the Ravens might regret the move, but they haven't. Lewis has been a productive and essential element to one of the league's premier defenses -- named in the meantime to two All-Pro teams and his 13th Pro Bowl squad.
So maybe the Ravens do here what they did with Lewis, but I don't think so. When they made the move there they signed him to a long-term deal. That's not going to happen here. What is nobody knows, but Reed is hoping to influence Baltimore's decision by hedging his bets on the coming season, and he deals from a position of strength. As I said, the Ravens already lost one of their defensive stars in Suggs, and Lewis, who just turned 37, may be entering his last season.
So Reed will keep Baltimore guessing, hoping the Ravens respond by making a move to make sure he's "100 percent committed" to the coming season.
