http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/jeffri_chadiha/07/05/inside.nfl/index.html
The silent safety
Ravens' Reed is greatly underpaid, but isn't balking
Posted: Tuesday July 5, 2005 1:18PM; Updated: Tuesday July 5, 2005 2:57PM
Ed Reed had nine interceptions in 2004.
Of all the remarkable feats performed by Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed during his three-year career, his most impressive is the silence he's maintained over the last six months. During an offseason when stars all over the league are complaining about their contracts and demanding new deals, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year hasn't uttered a peep about being underpaid. Why do I bring this up today? Simply put, Reed has more reason to whine about his current financial situation than any other big-name player.
We're talking about a two-time Pro Bowler who has two years left on a contract that pays him $550,000 in base salary this season. That's phenomenal money for the average guy, but for a player who has established himself as the league's top safety, it's laughable. To understand how big a bargain Reed is, consider that 84 safeties made more than his $513,000 total compensation in 2004 -- and 48 of them earned more than $1 million. What's even more astounding is that Reed hasn't pressured the Ravens to get a new deal. When asked if he would be willing to sit out training camp, he said, "It would be a shame if I had to hold out to get a new contract. And I don't plan to."
I give Reed credit for his trust in the Ravens front office. As we've seen lately, most players wouldn't be willing to sit back quietly and let this play out. But Reed has earned a reputation for his maturity, his ability to see the big picture. And as much as he'd like to sign a new deal before this season begins, he understands the situation the Ravens face. Baltimore recently signed two-time Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap to a six-year extension. The Ravens also have to decide on the future of running back Jamal Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract. That leaves Reed waiting and wondering when he'll get his.
It has to be a tough spot only because Reed already means more to Baltimore than Heap or Lewis. The former Miami Hurricane has led or tied for the league lead in interceptions in each of the last two years. In 2004, he picked off nine passes and returned them for an NFL-record 358 yards. He scored on a fumble return and a league-record 106-yard interception return. He forced fumbles, registered sacks and knocked more than a few wide receivers sideways. And those are merely the plays that you saw Chris Berman hyping on NFL Primetime.
Reed is so good at disguising himself in coverage that even his own teammates have a hard time locating him in the secondary on pass plays. He's so savvy that he can baffle the most experienced quarterbacks. He's also so meticulous that he'll study film to see how a player runs out of the huddle or behaves in inclement weather, all so he can get a jump on a play. "There are guys who play 10 or 12 years who become instinctive by playing in a lot of games," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, who served as the Ravens defensive coordinator from 2002-04. "Ed has been in the league three years and he already has that ability."
Reed's rapid rise into the realm of elite players only increases his leverage with the Ravens. When he arrived as a rookie in 2002, the Ravens defense had been ravaged by salary-cap cuts. His presence helped that unit quickly re-establish its dominance. He has improved every year since, increasing his interception total each season (from five, to seven, to nine) and giving no indication that he can't sustain that production for years to come. As good as Reed is, he's still learning the game.
As his career progresses, he'll become the face of the Ravens whenever seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis retires. Reed has that same infectious spirit as Lewis, that ability to motivate and lead, and the way Reed is handling himself through this offseason is an indication that he loves the game of football more than the business of it. Is it a gamble? Sure. Any serious injury could severely damage Reed's current leverage. But I suspect the Ravens will take care of him before he loses his patience.
He's their future and it's best to let a player like that know he's thoroughly appreciated. It's also just as important that such a player let the team know he can handle such matters without things getting nasty. Reed has sent the Ravens the message that he can play by their rules for now. Aside from missing a voluntary passing camp, Reed has met all of Baltimore's expectations this offseason. He attended the Ravens' mandatory mini-camp in June and he hasn't said anything about vanishing when training camp starts later this month.
My guess is that Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach Brian Billick appreciate that greatly. They could be dealing with a lot of drama. Instead, they've gotten lucky. At a time when it's become trendy to talk about players "outperforming contracts," they have a big-time star who's willing to trust that his good work will be rewarded in due time.
.... here's my bit....
Like Marvin Harrison's play for extention (ie Perform Perform Perform, get paid), Reed and some other guys in the League do wait for contract extenstions to come to them. That said, Reed was a 1st round pick and is compensated much better than our own Anquan. Boldin deserves a new contract. If he gets it done, than I'd hope he wouldn't ask for another renegotiation. If he does get a new deal this year (say 5 yr, 30m) and then comes back in 3 and says the cash isn't working, than at that time I'd be disapointed. But that doesn't seem like a Quan to love.
In a crazy offseason of crazy clients demanding crazy money (crazy!) it's just nice to hear the other side of the story.
The silent safety
Ravens' Reed is greatly underpaid, but isn't balking
Posted: Tuesday July 5, 2005 1:18PM; Updated: Tuesday July 5, 2005 2:57PM
You must be registered for see images
Ed Reed had nine interceptions in 2004.
Of all the remarkable feats performed by Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed during his three-year career, his most impressive is the silence he's maintained over the last six months. During an offseason when stars all over the league are complaining about their contracts and demanding new deals, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year hasn't uttered a peep about being underpaid. Why do I bring this up today? Simply put, Reed has more reason to whine about his current financial situation than any other big-name player.
We're talking about a two-time Pro Bowler who has two years left on a contract that pays him $550,000 in base salary this season. That's phenomenal money for the average guy, but for a player who has established himself as the league's top safety, it's laughable. To understand how big a bargain Reed is, consider that 84 safeties made more than his $513,000 total compensation in 2004 -- and 48 of them earned more than $1 million. What's even more astounding is that Reed hasn't pressured the Ravens to get a new deal. When asked if he would be willing to sit out training camp, he said, "It would be a shame if I had to hold out to get a new contract. And I don't plan to."
I give Reed credit for his trust in the Ravens front office. As we've seen lately, most players wouldn't be willing to sit back quietly and let this play out. But Reed has earned a reputation for his maturity, his ability to see the big picture. And as much as he'd like to sign a new deal before this season begins, he understands the situation the Ravens face. Baltimore recently signed two-time Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap to a six-year extension. The Ravens also have to decide on the future of running back Jamal Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract. That leaves Reed waiting and wondering when he'll get his.
It has to be a tough spot only because Reed already means more to Baltimore than Heap or Lewis. The former Miami Hurricane has led or tied for the league lead in interceptions in each of the last two years. In 2004, he picked off nine passes and returned them for an NFL-record 358 yards. He scored on a fumble return and a league-record 106-yard interception return. He forced fumbles, registered sacks and knocked more than a few wide receivers sideways. And those are merely the plays that you saw Chris Berman hyping on NFL Primetime.
Reed is so good at disguising himself in coverage that even his own teammates have a hard time locating him in the secondary on pass plays. He's so savvy that he can baffle the most experienced quarterbacks. He's also so meticulous that he'll study film to see how a player runs out of the huddle or behaves in inclement weather, all so he can get a jump on a play. "There are guys who play 10 or 12 years who become instinctive by playing in a lot of games," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, who served as the Ravens defensive coordinator from 2002-04. "Ed has been in the league three years and he already has that ability."
Reed's rapid rise into the realm of elite players only increases his leverage with the Ravens. When he arrived as a rookie in 2002, the Ravens defense had been ravaged by salary-cap cuts. His presence helped that unit quickly re-establish its dominance. He has improved every year since, increasing his interception total each season (from five, to seven, to nine) and giving no indication that he can't sustain that production for years to come. As good as Reed is, he's still learning the game.
As his career progresses, he'll become the face of the Ravens whenever seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis retires. Reed has that same infectious spirit as Lewis, that ability to motivate and lead, and the way Reed is handling himself through this offseason is an indication that he loves the game of football more than the business of it. Is it a gamble? Sure. Any serious injury could severely damage Reed's current leverage. But I suspect the Ravens will take care of him before he loses his patience.
He's their future and it's best to let a player like that know he's thoroughly appreciated. It's also just as important that such a player let the team know he can handle such matters without things getting nasty. Reed has sent the Ravens the message that he can play by their rules for now. Aside from missing a voluntary passing camp, Reed has met all of Baltimore's expectations this offseason. He attended the Ravens' mandatory mini-camp in June and he hasn't said anything about vanishing when training camp starts later this month.
My guess is that Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach Brian Billick appreciate that greatly. They could be dealing with a lot of drama. Instead, they've gotten lucky. At a time when it's become trendy to talk about players "outperforming contracts," they have a big-time star who's willing to trust that his good work will be rewarded in due time.
.... here's my bit....
Like Marvin Harrison's play for extention (ie Perform Perform Perform, get paid), Reed and some other guys in the League do wait for contract extenstions to come to them. That said, Reed was a 1st round pick and is compensated much better than our own Anquan. Boldin deserves a new contract. If he gets it done, than I'd hope he wouldn't ask for another renegotiation. If he does get a new deal this year (say 5 yr, 30m) and then comes back in 3 and says the cash isn't working, than at that time I'd be disapointed. But that doesn't seem like a Quan to love.
In a crazy offseason of crazy clients demanding crazy money (crazy!) it's just nice to hear the other side of the story.
