Ed Reed: Career retrospective

Ed Reed grew up in Louisiana and pursued his athletic goals at Destrehan High School. He was a three-sport athlete for the Destrehan Fighting Wildcats, enjoying soccer, monitor and basketball throughout his highschool profession. In soccer, he earned All-State honors as a defensive again and kick returner. His finest 12 months got here in his senior season. Reed completed the marketing campaign with 83 tackles, seven interceptions and 12 passes defensed. His standout efficiency earned him presents from LSU, Tulane and Miami University.

In the tip, Reed dedicated to The University of Miami. He would go on to proceed the Miami Hurricanes’ custom of smashmouth soccer and hard-hitting defenses. A redshirt in 1997, he grew to become a starter in 1998 and the unsung chief of the unit by 1999. He earned Consensus All-American honors after an impressive season in 2000. But it was the 2001 season that Reed and the Hurricanes would etch their identify into school soccer historical past.

Under first-year head coach Larry Coker, the Hurricanes went 12-0 (7-0 Big East). They blew out Nebraska within the BCS National Championship Game by a convincing rating of 37-14. The 2001 Hurricanes made some critical noise. The champs outscored their opponents 512-117. They’re considered the best school soccer staff of all time by analysts and followers alike. 

Reed blew up for 44 tackles, 9 interceptions and 18 passes defensed. The Hurricanes led the whole nation with 45 takeaways (27 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries). Reed was the chief of a championship staff that featured the likes of Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Ken Dorsey.

Known as a lot for his or her school staff success as their particular person success within the NFL, each one among them moved on from Miami and have become NFL starters. Reed, Wilfork, Gore and Johnson are locks for the Hall of Fame and Sean Taylor’s tragedy-shortened profession is deserving of consideration.

One of the best defensive gamers in school soccer, NFL groups had been virtually foaming from the mouth for an opportunity to draft Ed Reed. The child from Louisiana was merely electrical at Miami. The Baltimore Ravens had been fortunate to land the blue-chip prospect with the twenty fourth total choose within the 2002 NFL Draft. Reed would give his all to the staff that drafted him.

It didn’t take lengthy earlier than Reed noticed motion with the Ravens. In 15 begins as a rookie, Reed dished out 85 tackles, 5 interceptions and 12 passes defended. His finest sport of the season got here towards the Cincinnati Bengals in a November matchup. Reed had 5 tackles and two interceptions within the 38-27 victory. He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team when it was all mentioned and finished.

Reed capitalized on his strong rookie season and delivered in his sophomore marketing campaign. Reed racked up 71 tackles, seven interceptions and 15 passes defensed over the 2003 season. A rising star within the league, Reed earned his first Pro Bowl nod. It was the primary of 9 journeys to Hawaii for the Ravens legend.

2004 was an amazing 12 months for Reed. He set the tone with 78 tackles, a league-leading 9 interceptions, 17 passes defensed, three compelled fumbles and two sacks. He returned one among his interceptions for a 106-yard pick-six! Reed’s breakout season earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors. It was the primary time a security received Defensive Player of the Year in 20 years.

In a Week 12 matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. Reed intercepted Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb’s go and returned it 108 yards for a pick-six. It would go down as one of many longest performs in NFL historical past.

Reed earned a fame as a ballhawk early on in his profession. And rightfully so. He led the league in interceptions 3 times (2004, 2008, 2010). He possessed nice protection expertise and morphed right into a lockdown security. He was the final man quarterbacks needed to throw towards. He completed his profession with 73 interceptions and eight pick-sixes (together with playoffs for each).

Reed was the uncommon defensive participant who knew what to do with the ball in his fingers. Most defensive gamers intercept a go or recuperate a fumble and fall proper to the bottom so their offense can take the reins. Reed was a unique animal. He wasn’t afraid to take the ball to the home. He was all the time a risk to return out of nowhere and make a giant play. It was as if he had the ability of a large receiver trapped in a safeties physique. Reed is the all-time chief in interception return yards with 1,590 yards.

One of the premier safeties in soccer, Reed was awarded as such when he was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team in 2009. No security put concern into an offense fairly like Reed within the 00s. He needed to be accounted for on each single play. Reed soared his option to 342 tackles, 43 interceptions, 5 pick-sixes and 91 passes defensed within the 2000s.

Reed was the premier security in soccer heading into the 2012 season. But there was one credential lacking on his resume: a Super Bowl ring. At 34 years previous, his championship window was closing. It was do-or-die for Reed.

2012 was a 12 months of adversity for the Ravens. NFL legend Ray Lewis and go rusher Terrell Suggs had been injured for a lot of the common season, together with linebacker Jameel McClain and cornerback Ladarius Webb. Longtime Ravens proprietor Art Modell had handed away in September. Regardless of all of the damage and heartbreak, the Ravens rallied to a 10-6 report and made the playoffs.

They plowed by means of rookie quarterback Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts within the Wild Card and beat Peyton Manning’s Broncos in a double-overtime thriller that grew to become one of many biggest video games of the period. They pushed previous the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots in the midst of their dynasty for the Ravens’ first Super Bowl berth since 2000. Ed Reed and the Ravens had been going to the Super Bowl!

The San Francisco 49ers confronted the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. It was the primary time in Super Bowl historical past that two brothers had been teaching towards one another in a Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh was the pinnacle coach of the 49ers and John Harbaugh was the pinnacle coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Super Bowl XLVII was given the nickname The Harbaugh Bowl. Or The Blackout Game. 

Whatever nickname you favor to name the sport, Reed confirmed up with 5 tackles and an interception in a detailed 34-31 victory over the 49ers. The Ravens had been Super Bowl champions! In linebacker Ray Lewis’ final season, the Ravens pulled it off with a banged-up roster.

The duo of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis dominated the league from the minute the 2 met. Known as two of the toughest hitters within the league, there was a fearsome aura surrounding this staff throughout their time collectively. They constantly ranked among the many finest defenses and scared opposing groups into submission. Half of their hits can be unlawful right now.

Reed wasn’t completed but. After mulling over retirement, Reed examined the free-agent waters and signed with the Houston Texans. In his first sport with the Texans, it was evident Father Time was creeping up on the star security. He was benched halfway by means of the season and launched after beginning in simply 5 video games.

The New York Jets signed Reed shortly after his departure with the Texans. He was reunited with Rex Ryan, his defensive coordinator again within the Baltimore days, who was now the Jets head coach. Reed posted 22 tackles and three interceptions in Gang Green. As the curtain closed on his legendary profession, Reed gave us one final present.

Reed retired with nothing left within the tank. Numerous accidents and the toll of all of the exhausting hits he dished out through the years had been catching up with him. It was time. Reed hung up the cleats and by no means performed the sport once more. Reed retired as one of the vital thrilling gamers in league historical past.

It is usually mentioned a Raven is an omen of dying. And like a Raven perched on a tree in a cemetery at evening, Reed roamed freely in the midst of the sphere, ready to put the growth on his subsequent prey. The final line of protection on his staff, Reed by no means let anybody get behind him in protection, and he obliterated those in entrance of him.

Over his 11 years within the Charm City, Reed lined up as a security, punt returner and because the finish on the punt return staff. He was the guts and soul of these Ravens groups that performed deep into January. While Reed suited up for 2 different groups in his storied profession, he’ll all the time be a Raven for all times. 

The Ravens had been named after a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. If the late author ever obtained to look at Reed’s Ravens play, we prefer to suppose he’d nod his head in approval. Reed exemplified what it means to be a Raven.

As it’s possible you’ll assume, Ed Reed has a powerful trophy shelf. He went to 9 Pro Bowls, received Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 and was named to the 00s All-Decade Team and the All-Century Team. To prime all of it off, he received the Super Bowl! You can’t ask for a greater resume as a security. That’s why Canton got here calling for the ballhawk from Baltimore.

Reed was enshrined into the halls of Canton as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2019. This distinction left no query that Reed was among the many absolute best to ever play the place.

Fun reality: Reed is tied for first all-time in postseason interceptions with 9. The different guys are Ronnie Lott, Bill Simpson and Charlie Waters. That’s some spectacular firm.

The NFL needed to honor its a hundredth anniversary by assembling the All-Century Team. The legendary roster would characteristic the best of all time. Reed was chosen for the staff. The different safeties on the staff are Ronnie Lott, Jack Christiansen, Ken Houston, Emlen Tunnell and Larry Wilson. During the choice course of, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick mentioned Reed made the “best play he’s ever seen a free safety make.”

Since retiring, Reed has stayed within the loop of what’s happening in soccer. He took his first teaching job because the Buffalo Bills assistant defensive backs coach in 2016. It was his first and solely teaching gig… to this point. Most lately, he was employed as chief of employees for the Miami Hurricanes soccer staff. Reed is taking the time to indicate the long run technology the way it’s finished. Don’t be stunned if he strikes up the teaching ranks sooner or later.