2012 NFL season: A rare and may be last chance for Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed to excel
Safety Ed Reed has always been a key to performer of the Baltimore Ravens’ defence. The player is as important to the Ravens’ defence as the overall defence to the team.
This is irrespective of the fact that the team has unusually given some importance to their offence this year, which can be due to the criticism of their predominant defensive tactics from all corners of the league analysts. The team still
insists to have not shifted their focus entirely from the defence, which leaves the role of the players on the defensive line as significant as ever before.
It is particularly good news for Reed given the player has recently been a subject of talk around his retirement prospects.
The player has denied those reports and thinks that he still has got four to five years of football left in him. While it is for the future to bear witness to the credibility of the player’s claim, he is certainly available this season.
He surprised everyone by turning up at training camp without any delay. Before showing up for the camp, a number of speculations about his immediate and long-term future had hit the air.
Apart from the retirement rumours, it was also said that the player was on a holdout in protest of his demand of a long-term deal from the Ravens. He has neither denied the statement nor accepted it. The possibility can be both ways.
Even if the player is looking for a fresh deal down the road this year or the next, it will depend on how the management responds to his demand. So far, neither the demand is officially made or confirmed nor the team has said anything
on it.
Reed is into the last year of his previous contract, and if both sides agree to a short-term to mid-term commitment, he can be locked in again before expiry of the present deal.
An option for commitment of anything in the longer run to the player is expected to be the least consideration for the team. It has many contributing factors. One of them is that the player is fast approaching his age, and even if his
claim of seeing himself playing in the longer run is accepted he should not last on the field for more than a couple of years.
It will also depend on his fitness. The player has been inconsistent in his health and fitness for the last three years. He can be expected to receive more wear and tear as he loses his stamina.
Another aspect of his situation is that he has recently become more sort of a controversial personality, mainly due to his frequent and self-contradictory statements. No one even knew if Reed would show up for another season with the Ravens
this year.
The crux nevertheless is that the safety has this season as probably the best opportunity to excel, which should help his chances to end the career on a high note.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article in no way reflect bettor.com's editorial policies
Tags: