Future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed is now poised to add “former Baltimore Raven” to his resume, according to multiple sources. The eight-time All-Pro told NFL Network reporter Albert Breer that there is “nothing official”, but “unless something changes”, he will be a Houston Texan in 2013.
Given the fact that nothing is official, of course, nothing regarding the nature of a hypothetical contract can be worked out, though the 34-year old veteran reportedly was earlier disinclined to accept a $4 million per year offer from the Texans.
The Texans had an obvious immediate need at safety after their own starter, Glover Quin, elected to sign with the Detroit Lions in free agency. Needless to say, assuming the deal goes through, Reed will be an immediate starter and will likely lead the secondary, as he did in Baltimore with Ray Lewis.
Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, and immediately entered the starting lineup as a rookie, never relinquishing his spot since then.
He has led the league in interceptions three times in his career in 2004, 2008, and 2010 and holds the record for the most interception return yards with 1541. He is the active interception leader with 61 and has more games with multiple interceptions than any other player.
In 2004, Reed was named the Defensive Player of the Year in his third season in the league. He had nine interceptions that year, setting an NFL record with 358 interception return yards in a single season, which stood until 2009. He has also scored thirteen touchdowns in his career.
As for the Ravens, the latest defection only adds to the list of players that they have lost, via free agency, retirement, trade, and release, during this offseason. Inside linebacker Ray Lewis and center Matt Birk retired after the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, the Ravens traded away wide receiver Anquan Boldin after he declined to take a pay cut. Linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger and cornerback Cary Williams left via free agency, while safety Bernard Pollard was released. Add in Ed Reed, and that is a total of eight starters from a year ago that the Ravens have lost.
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