Ed Reed's Role On Goal Line Downs

[Va BeaCh RaVeN]

The last couple of games I've happened to notice Ed Reed's effort/assignment on goal line downs. When the opposing team pounds the rock, he's just standing there 3-5 yds off the play and is never in on the stop. So I went back and watched the majority of our goal line td's allowed this season and I counted [size=5][b]7[/b][/size] times where he convincingly gives zero effort.

I am not a football guru when it comes to assignments and the small intricacies of the game, but what is the Free Safety's role in that situation? I know he has his neck problems, and he tackles different than he used to....but don't you think it'd be smarter to bring [b]Zibby[/b] or [b]Nakamura [/b]in on those plays? I just feel like it's 100x harder for us to score when we're on the goal line, but when the opposing team is breathing on the goal line it feels like they always score.(That may be just my pessimistic mind)

It looks like it's 10 vs 11 when Ed's standing there offering zero support and its frustrating....Anyone else notice this?

[RivenHale]

Honestly, good question. I haven't noticed much since I view our goal-line stands through the spaces in between my fingers, but why WOULD Ed even be out there? I'd almost rather us put Ellerbe or Ayanbedjo out there, but I'd DEFINITELY rather a combo of Pollard/Zibby/Ruki. Ed's great, and I love him absolutely to death, but he's not really a run support guy. Never has been, or at least hasn't for a while, and that's what you need when they get down there.

Good catch.

[OUravensfan]

Not sure if his role is to cover TEs out on a play action or bootleg, but I do know that Ed has said since sustaining his neck injury he has changed the way he approaches making hits and tackles, he's not as aggressive and willing to do them. Injuries have slowed him down no doubt, he is still great. But my guess is on these plays he is suppossed to sniff out a play action or bootleg, any run he is most likely too far out to make a difference and its not his job as the FS.

[Gordo52]

I miss Ed Reeds golden days Ahhhhh we were spoiled

[BenDufusberger]

I hate saying it , but I've noticed it too. He disappears on those plays. They should sub for him on all short-and-goal situations wherever possible.

That TD recently ( Chargers , I guess ) where the second back thru lept over the line and scored easily is just the kind of play Reed would have sniffed out in the past , and launched himself into the open space above the line , either making the play or nearly doing so. Now , nada. We can expect to see that tactic used again in the playoffs , but it's not one that can't be read and reacted to , if you have willing players.

[Va BeaCh RaVeN]

I've been watching the 49er games when they've been playing at different times than us, and I constantly see both safeties in on run support. It just made me wonder why the coaching staff doesn't make a change in those packages to benefit the squad! Love Ed, but just not on the goal line anymore

Man, I wish he didn't have those neck issues.

[Ravens>Steelers]

Ed's there because of this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQktJPMW7dw

[BenDufusberger]

I believe Reed's neck injury was in 2007 , and I'm guessing that's the main reason he ranks among the worst defensive backs in missed tackles over the three-year period from 2008 - 2010 :

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/07/21/missed-tackles-three-year-bests-and-worsts/"]http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/07/21/missed-tackles-three-year-bests-and-worsts/[/url]

Reed still does enough good to outweigh the bad , IMO , but if the Ravens win the SB , it might be the best for all involved if he retires gracefully after this year. If he doesn't , it wouldn't surprise me if a newcomer takes his job before next season is over , a la Hines Ward and Antonio Brown in Pitt.

[Tank 92]

Yeah, you could see him roll over in pain when he hit the bolt's receiver that scored at the pylon. My man Ed is playing on borrowed time.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1324690787' post='919703']
Yeah, you could see him roll over in pain when he hit the bolt's receiver that scored at the pylon. My man Ed is playing on borrowed time.
[/quote]
Also when he and one of the CB's met at the receiver on another reception over the middle...he never gets up without holding or favoring something!

[wayne]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1324688915' post='919675']
I believe Reed's neck injury was in 2007 , and I'm guessing that's the main reason he ranks among the worst defensive backs in missed tackles over the three-year period from 2008 - 2010 :

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/07/21/missed-tackles-three-year-bests-and-worsts/"]http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/07/21/missed-tackles-three-year-bests-and-worsts/[/url]

Reed still does enough good to outweigh the bad , IMO , but if the Ravens win the SB , it might be the best for all involved if he retires gracefully after this year. If he doesn't , it wouldn't surprise me if a newcomer takes his job before next season is over , a la Hines Ward and Antonio Brown in Pitt.
[/quote]

Lol, it would surprise the hell out of me if a newcomer was to take his job.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1324691291' post='919709']
Lol, it would surprise the hell out of me if a newcomer was to take his job.
[/quote]

I bet there are loads of Pitt fans who said the same about Hines , and are now surprised as hell.

[Ed_Reed20]

Unless the team signs a top free agent in the off-season(unlikely), I don't see any rookie that would come in and beat Ed for his starting position.

Ward's play had noticeably fallen off going back to last season. Ed hasn't had the noticeably impactful season we've grown accustomed to seeing from him, and he's not making plays in goal-line situations, but he's still better than the vast majority of safeties.

[Jamal]

Maybe he's told to play it that way.

Reed needs to avoid tackles as much as possible. Thats not what we need him for.

[CalvinSmoke]

I'm 100% sure that Ed Reed has made a few goal line stops himself. He had one viscous one against Pitt in the playoffs last year. And he also had one this season in the past couple of games, but i can't remember the details of that hit to save the life of me... But Reed isn't in there to stuff the box, he's there to defend the play action, and our defense has been pretty darn good with keeping teams from scoring TD's in the red zone. Reed has been a pretty good part of that.

[grape drank]

I was yelling at my TV last night when Tolbert scored...Ray filled the O linemen leaving a 1 on 1 tackle with tolbert and reed gave up before he even got it across the line.

[FootballMasta20]

I believe he sits back in case of trick/ play action plays but he has helped in run support before. I specifically remember a play in the AFC divisional game vs the Steelers last year where they were at like the 2 yard line and rashad mendenhall tried to pound it in but Reed came flying in and crushed him and bent him sideways preventing a touchdown. Check it out. They scored on the next play but it was still an awesome hit for a guy with neck problems who trys to avoid hitting like that these days.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1324691742' post='919713']
Maybe he's told to play it that way.

Reed needs to avoid tackles as much as possible. Thats not what we need him for.
[/quote]

lolwut? Defense is a team concept. 11 hats to the ball. I understand that Reed has a dangerous neck injury, but I'm a firm believer in the "11 hats to the ball" belief. You need 11 hats to the ball on every play. That's what a team defense is.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1324695062' post='919726']
I was yelling at my TV last night when Tolbert scored...Ray filled the O linemen leaving a 1 on 1 tackle with tolbert and reed gave up before he even got it across the line.
[/quote]
There's no way you can expect the 5'11 (with cleats on) 200 pound (soaking wet) Ed Reed to go heads up with the low center gravity of Mike Tolbert... standing at 5'9, and 245 pounds... that's Jerome Bettis like stature man come on.

[The Raven]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1324695431' post='919730']
There's no way you can expect the 5'11 (with cleats on) 200 pound (soaking wet) Ed Reed to go heads up with the low center gravity of Mike Tolbert... standing at 5'9, and 245 pounds... that's Jerome Bettis like stature man come on.
[/quote]

Yeah I can, and do fully expect him to. He's a football player. Not a wussy soccer player. If he wants to play football, then he should at least try to make that tackle.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1324695533' post='919732']

Yeah I can, and do fully expect him to. He's a football player. Not a wussy soccer player. If he wants to play football, then he should at least try to make that tackle.
[/quote]
lol no way man. That's the definition of a business decision lol

[The Raven]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1324695732' post='919736']
lol no way man. That's the definition of a business decision lol
[/quote]

He also made the business decision to play football. If he don't wanna hit people bigger than him, he's in the wrong sport. I'm not hating on Reed, I'm just tellin it like it is. His job as the safety is to be the last man to make a play. To be that safety net of the defense. If the runningback gets through the first level, it is Reed's job as the safety to make the play.

[Jamal]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1324695370' post='919729']

lolwut? Defense is a team concept. 11 hats to the ball. I understand that Reed has a dangerous neck injury, but I'm a firm believer in the "11 hats to the ball" belief. You need 11 hats to the ball on every play. That's what a team defense is.
[/quote]
Have you played with the injury Ed Reed is playing with?

Didn't think so.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1324696097' post='919742']
Have you played with the injury Ed Reed is playing with?

Didn't think so.
[/quote]

I haven't. But, if he can't play with [b]100%[/b] of his power, is he not cheating the fans, the team, and himself? Ray says that all the time.

To clear things up, I'm not a Reed hater at all, and I haven't noticed that he doesn't contribute to the run game, in fact quite the opposite. Ideally, I'd like him to play the way San Fran's safeties do, but I'm perfectly content with what he does, especially considering his condition.

[Jamal]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1324696361' post='919747']

I haven't. But, if he can't play with [b]100%[/b] of his power, is he not cheating the fans, the team, and himself? Ray says that all the time.

To clear things up, I'm not a Reed hater at all, and I haven't noticed that he doesn't contribute to the run game, in fact quite the opposite. Ideally, I'd like him to play the way San Fran's safeties do, but I'm perfectly content with what he does, especially considering his condition.
[/quote]
Anyone who watches Reed closely would notice he isn't 100% right now. So that would mean he isn't using 100% of his power.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1324696541' post='919751']
Anyone who watches Reed closely would notice he isn't 100% right now. So that would mean he isn't using 100% of his power.
[/quote]

That's not what I'm saying. I realize that he's not 100%, but I expect him to give 100% of what he has.

[grape drank]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1324695431' post='919730']
There's no way you can expect the 5'11 (with cleats on) 200 pound (soaking wet) Ed Reed to go heads up with the low center gravity of Mike Tolbert... standing at 5'9, and 245 pounds... that's Jerome Bettis like stature man come on.
[/quote]

....this is football not tennis..

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1324696690' post='919754']

That's not what I'm saying. I realize that he's not 100%, but I expect him to give 100% of what he has.
[/quote]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1324696690' post='919754']

That's not what I'm saying. I realize that he's not 100%, but I expect him to give 100% of what he has.
[/quote]
I respect your opinion man, just because we have differing views doesn't mean your a hater lol.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Va BeaCh RaVeN' timestamp='1324686783' post='919642']
The last couple of games I've happened to notice Ed Reed's effort/assignment on goal line downs. When the opposing team pounds the rock, he's just standing there 3-5 yds off the play and is never in on the stop. So I went back and watched the majority of our goal line td's allowed this season and I counted [size=5][b]7[/b][/size] times where he convincingly gives zero effort.

I am not a football guru when it comes to assignments and the small intricacies of the game, but what is the Free Safety's role in that situation? I know he has his neck problems, and he tackles different than he used to....but don't you think it'd be smarter to bring [b]Zibby[/b] or [b]Nakamura [/b]in on those plays? I just feel like it's 100x harder for us to score when we're on the goal line, but when the opposing team is breathing on the goal line it feels like they always score.(That may be just my pessimistic mind)

It looks like it's 10 vs 11 when Ed's standing there offering zero support and its frustrating....Anyone else notice this?
[/quote]
What about in Jacksonville when he caused that fumble hitting Jones drew. Just one play off the top of my head.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1324704892' post='919818']
What about in Jacksonville when he caused that fumble hitting Jones drew. Just one play off the top of my head.
[/quote]
!!Thank you, i was trying to remeber his other goal line play