Ed Reed fires back at critics who say Ravens defence is losing its edge
Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed will tell you that if you're about to criticize his team's defence then you just don't understand football. After the Atlanta Falcons passing offence walked all over the Ravens, chalking up over 300 yards, on Thursday 11 November,
it led many to subject the Ravens to severe scrutiny and suggestions that their previously top-ranked defence was not all it was chalked up to be. Reed had some frank words for his team's detractors.
"Yeah, some people don’t know anything about football," Reed was quoted by Dan Kolko of MASNSports.com as having said. "We were playing good ball, and we’re going to continue to play good ball. It’s just a matter of all of us putting it together in all three
phases of the game."
Earlier in the year, the Ravens had led the league with the NFL's best total defence – due in large part with their ability to stop the pass – but they have fallen recently to 10th in overall defence, and 13th while defending the pass.
"Look across the league," Reed added. "That’s why I said, some people don’t know anything about football. You’ve got to look across the league. Every week is something different. One minute the defense is not doing this, the next minute it’s the offense
not doing this. We’re still a great defense, and you’re going to continue to add guys in every year and continue to take guys off. That’s the nature of the business."
The 32-year-old Reed, who missed the early part of the season because of injury, has only played three games so far this year but already leads his team with three interceptions. He was held without an interception for the first time this season last Thursday
against the Falcons. Reed gets the chance to answer some of those critics when the Ravens take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday 21 November.
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