Money Talks: Ed Reed Contract Extension

[Yatagarasu]

Right now, Ed Reed's heart is anywhere, but the game. He also hinted from holdout to retirement. Now that we got some cap space, we can use that to bring Ed Reed back to the negotiating table on extension. The Front Office can get creative on a contract that can protect themselves from an abrupt retirement. Ed Reed seems like he wants security more than money because $7.7 Million is a lot to leave on the table. I think making Reed for a Raven for life contract will help him to be satisfied. Reed doesn't have to be fast because some of the safeties in the game are pretty slow like 4.7 second slow. Reed's cognitive ability along with his presence can help keep one of the strongest defenses intact. I think Reed's offseason attention is being blown to unreal proportion because the man plays serious comes business time. If we can sign Reed to an extension, we can lower that cap space even lower and have some chips to bargain with Flacco to a nice contract for a solid QB similar to Michael Vick. Flacco's price might go crazy due to the rising cost of Franchise QBs. That extra $4-5 Million dollar relief from Rice and possible Reed extensions might influence Flacco to cash in earlier rather than wait later.

[The Raven]

I'm not going to pay a player who isn't 100% into it and absolutely positive he'll be playing next year. Why should the team invest so much in him when he's not investing much in the team?

[Guest Moderator 6]

Paying Ed might keep him quiet for the next year or two, but the underlying problem may not just go away. You can't buy peace.

[FerrariFan87]

I'd love to give Ed a nice little 3-year extension and let him ride off into the sunset on his terms... should we win it all this year, I think he'd retire anyway, but who knows?

[wayne]

Work a contract out with the man and he said it wasn't about the money so security does come to mind. I can see Ed playing for another 3 years after this season.

[JO_75]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1342484815' post='1099264']
I'd love to give Ed a nice little 3-year extension and let him ride off into the sunset on his terms... should we win it all this year, I think he'd retire anyway, but who knows?
[/quote]

That is the problem I have. I'll have no issue if the Ravens want to give him a nice 3 year deal, but why pay him if he decides to retire after the Ravens win the Super Bowl? I feel like Ozzie and the front office will get something done but I see a short term deal like a 3 year deal where Ed gets his last contract and gets paid.

[izvoodoo]

Seriously, if he wants a contract he should get an agent. What is he trying to accomplish?

[RAYvenFan20]

if im not mistaken, ed reed doesnt have an agent, correct?

[Ravenslifer]

At this point Ed has hinted at everything from holding out to outright retirement to playing another 5 years. I think, however, the elephant in the room was definitely Rice's contract extension to prevent a possible holdout. With it done, moving on to Reed should be one of the next orders of business.

[berad]

[quote name='RAYvenFan20' timestamp='1342486981' post='1099293']
if im not mistaken, ed reed doesnt have an agent, correct?
[/quote]

Nope, he doesn't. If he has legitimate concerns about his deal, he'll hire one... at least that's what he should do.

[Hardbaugh]

Appeasement of a player currently under contract sets a bad precedent and undermines Ravens salary cap/structure from this day forward.

I'd rather see him move on that the Ravens give in to his demands...You don't think others on the roster who feel they are in line for a new deal are watching this act?

Come on....

[usmccharles]

ya know, i love Ed and hes going to go down as one if not THE best saftey of all time when its all said and done. But i just cant see giving an extension to guy that says he may not play every year, has been hurt consistantly last couple of seasons. It makes no sense from the business standpoint for the ravens to give him a 3 year deal. If they do, they better put stipulations in there about his retirement. This is approaching Favre type drama yearly...and although i love favre, it got old

[The Raven]

As much as I complained about Rice's holdout, he went through it in a much more professional manner. I can respect that a lot. Ray was a class act, and Reed is not acting like one.

[Dudeman]

Oh Ed what can you say? Love the player, and not sure if the media is giving him a fair shake. A lot of what he says gets taken out of context, but you don't see Lewis, Flacco, or Rice making the P.R gaffes that Reed keeps stubbing his toes on.

When it comes down to extending his contract, its all about whether Reed is ascending or declining as a player. Furthermore, communication is the most important thing here. Health/age aside, we need to know does Reed truly love the game, his team, or is his heart not into it anymore? Can he play the next 3-5 years at the level he is accustomed to playing? If the answers are yes, yes, and yes then I am sure the Ravens can work out a contract that would make him happy. Otherwise, they are not going to commit to someone who is less than fully commited to them.

[Ravensfan23]

I think this whole Ed Reed thing is getting way out of hand and has been blown up way bigger then it really is. If you go back to the April 4th Interview, that's when Ed talked about the lack of respect, but he in no way bashed the organization. Yet many fans see his feeling disrespected as firing shots at the organization. Imo that's not the case at all.

In that interview, Ed talked about how he and the Ravens have discussed a contract extension, how it'd help the team in the long run and how he's not looking to break the bank. He talked about how he's heard talk from certain indviduals withing the organization, basically talking behind his back.

He talked about how greats like Montana, Rice and Manning were cut from teams they should have finished their careers with. Listening to that interview, and this recent interview, I strongly think Ed sees himself in the shoe's of those great players who were forced out of their respective cities.

I think Ed feels he's still the best safety in the NFL, but doesn't necessarily want to be paid like it, however he does want to be valued by the Ravens. I think the Ravens offered him a contract that was more of a reflection of the injury prone, retirement flirting Ed Reed, rather then the player that still greatly impacts our secondary and defense as a whole.

I think it was a situation where the Ravens offered Ed the option of a small extension now, something like Mark Shancez OR the playing out his remaining years, to prove he's still the Ed Reed we know and love, then he'll get his new deal.

I think Ed Reed feels, what he's done in past years, 8Ints in 10 games, the defense not forcing TO while he was out, and his impact on the Texans playoff game last year, are more then enough reasons for the Ravens to offer him the deal now, however the Ravens have to protect the franchise and make a good investment.

I think that's where all the disrespect and having a problem with the business is coming from with Ed. Even though it's a despute between he and the Ravens organization, I don't think he has a issue with the Ravens, it's just the nature of the business. Ed Reed wants to retire a Baltimore Ravens, but he doesn't want a Derrick Mason type offer to stay either.

I think something like 4yrs 30M with 15M guaranteed over 2yrs is what Ed will get. It'd be a front loaded contract, so his deal wouldn't hurt us down the road. That would keep Ed Reed among the highest paid safeties over the first 2 year(7+Mil), but not kill the Ravens in the long haul.

[BloodRaven]

I think we tend to underestimate his contribution to our pass defense, even in decline no safety has a bigger impact on the passing game. If he's not picking off passes he's shutting down options. If he can get healthy and play another 5 years I'm all for it.

[CapoRocky]

I want to comment on the Ed Reed situation. He has been a great player for many years here and he needs to be locked up for another 2 to 3 years tops if it means freeing up cap space. Meanwhile, we have endured his injuries, criticizing the team in the media, and retirement threats. Yes, he will be hoping for a big payoff, but there is also a possibility that he will retire at the end of the season. It will be best to see how he holds up this year. When it comes right down to it, we all hope that he will be here on game day, but the reality of the situation is that he barely made it through the playoffs last year. Regardless, I'll be out there cheering for Ed every game. I just hope he doesn't hold out of training camp unless he's injured.

[RavenManiac#7]

Someone on here compared Ray Rice's "hold-out" to Ed Reed's.?. What hold-out? Ray Rice was not under an existing contract, his rookie contract having expired and he had not signed the franchise tag contract yet. So, he was under no obligation to attend OTA's, mini camps, team meetings, or what have you. Not so with Ed Reed. He was and still is under a signed contract with the Ravens both currently and when he chose to not attend a scheduled and mandatory team practice. Totally different situation. The Ravens have already made one mistake by choosing not to fine Reed when he stayed home from that practice. They should not make another mistake by rewarding him with a contract extension now after his poor decision to not show up. Ed Reed should, at this stage of his career, be setting an example to the younger players on this team by filling the role of a team leader. Unfortunately, it appears that he is lacking in his ability to do so. It should, at the least though, be required of him by the team to live up to the terms of his contract. Leadership, obviously, will have to come from other players such as Ray Lewis, of course, and Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and others who have more integrity. I sincerely hope the organization, from this point on, will make better decisions about the message they are sending to the other players on the team about what is expected of them. They have already put themselves in the uncomfortable position of having set a precedent about how they will deal with players who are currently under contract yet decide to skip mandatory practices. Unfortunately the team has basically ok'd that kind of decisions. I think it would be very unwise of the team to additionally send the message that they will reward players who act like Ed Reed has been doing with contract extensions. It would be in the team's best interest to hold Ed Reed to the terms of his current contract, fine him if he doesn't, and wait to decide if they want to offer him a new contract after this year. If Mr. Reed decides to retire rather than honor his contract, so be it.

[ROH522155]

I can see why we would be hesistant to get something done because im pretty sure Ed has gotten up slowly or limped away after pretty much every play of his that involved contact...every play it seems like.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Hope Raven organization can get creative and get something done. And to be honest, I don't think this has all to do with money, if anything its something else thats bothering Ed.

[Militant X 1]

i hate the situation w/ Ed but i still appreciate what Ed Reed has done as a Raven...i always will! i just hope thing between him and the FO ends well for both sides.

~Mili

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1342503418' post='1099398']
i hate the situation but love Ed Reed....always will! get a deal done please!

~Mili
[/quote]

I feel like that's kind of the feeling Ed Reed has. He loves the Ravens/City, but hates the nature of the business that is the NFL. I could be wrong, but just listening to him rather then reading others words, I just get the feeling that Ed wants to be here for a few more years

[T3hRaven]

We can't pay Ed Reed past this year. Despite what people want to believe, his skills are declining. And you might as well call him Ed Favre at this point. His constant off-season waffling the past few years on the will he won't he retire is getting old. When you add on his incredibly bad attitude towards the FO and the coaching staff this off-season, he's screwed himself really. He's an all time great, but there comes a time to move on.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1342505248' post='1099406']
We can't pay Ed Reed past this year. Despite what people want to believe, his skills are declining. And you might as well call him Ed Favre at this point. His constant off-season waffling the past few years on the will he won't he retire is getting old. When you add on his incredibly bad attitude towards the FO and the coaching staff this off-season, he's screwed himself really. He's an all time great, but there comes a time to move on.
[/quote]

Yes there comes a time to move on, but 2013 will not be it. Much like Ray Lewis, you can talk about his skills declining, but at even with deminishing skills, he's still among the best in the NFL at his position.

What Ed Reed brings to this defense really can't be measured in stats, it's just great when he piles up the numbers. Having Ed in that back end is like having a coach on the field, a guy that gives other players the freedom to attack WRs and bait QBs much more then they usually would.

As for him having a bad attitude towards the FO and coaches, that's very much up for debate.

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1342507907' post='1099414']
Yes there comes a time to move on, but 2013 will not be it. Much like Ray Lewis, you can talk about his skills declining, but at even with deminishing skills, he's still among the best in the NFL at his position.

What Ed Reed brings to this defense really can't be measured in stats, it's just great when he piles up the numbers. Having Ed in that back end is like having a coach on the field, a guy that gives other players the freedom to attack WRs and bait QBs much more then they usually would.

As for him having a bad attitude towards the FO and coaches, that's very much up for debate.
[/quote]

It's not about what he brings to the team, it's about what he brings for the price. He's going to want Ed Reed type money, and at his age that money is better served in our younger players. You can't pay him what he wants and pay Flacco and whoever else we have on the books.

And no that's not up for debate. He skipped OTAs without giving anyone so much as a phone call. He's Ed Reed, he can skip, but you don't just blow off those who run the team like that.

[Rav'n Maniac]

I really don't care for his use of multiple media outlets to dance around his case. It serves no benefit to resolve the issues. At this point, I feel that Steve needs to step in, call Ed and find out what it's going to take to get both sides talking. Someone has to make a call and obviously, it's not going to be Ed.

For those who think we can just cut bait and run, I don't agree. Wether he has declining skills or not, he's still the smartest, most respected safety in the game while on the field and an important part of what it takes to make our secondary as strong as it is. I for one don't want to see a rookie in that situation or a vet with limited game experience other then on ST.

Now that the Rice issue is at rest, I hope the FO addresses this now rather than later. I have no doubt Ed has plans on holding out until someone calls him and his issues, whatever they may be are resolved.

[emcdonald0]

Love Ed Reed as a player, he's by far my all time favorite. This isn't the first time I've said it, but let him walk. I'm sure some team with plenty of salary cap space will sign him to the deal he "deserves" in hopes of filling some empty seats. He's an aging player on a major decline, and the Raven's FO doesn't play into his games every year. He's like a crazy girlfriend threatening to break up with you if you wont buy her a diamond ring.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1342515829' post='1099432']
It's not about what he brings to the team, it's about what he brings for the price. He's going to want Ed Reed type money, and at his age that money is better served in our younger players. You can't pay him what he wants and pay Flacco and whoever else we have on the books.

And no that's not up for debate. He skipped OTAs without giving anyone so much as a phone call. He's Ed Reed, he can skip, but you don't just blow off those who run the team like that.
[/quote]

The man said he's not looking to break the bank on his contract, and how a extension would help the team in the long haul with cap relief. I think far to often we as fans try to get inside the minds of these players and the FO, because of what we assume or hear in the media.

Case in point, Ray Rice wants Peterson/Johnson type money. That was never stated by Rice or his camp, but that's all we fans knew because the media put it out there so much. Turns out Ray Rice wasn't signed to that type deal after all.

Now based on what I've heard, mainly from Ed Reed, I think it's more about security then money, but he still wants to be valued as one of the best. Right now, in 2012, Ed Reed is the highest paid Safety in the NFL. at 7.2 base.

The Ravens can well afford that 7.2M over the next 2 seasons to lock up Ed Reed. There will be a lot of money freed up next year imo. You say you can't pay him and still play guys like Flacco, I say why not. Guys like Pat Moriarty are seemingly masterful with the salary cap. I think there are reports that we'll have about 14M to play with next season. Then you have guys like Jacoby Jones, Bobbie Williams, Billy Cundiff and Mat Birk who will combine to make 13M next season. Do you really think any of those guys would be re-signed at the risk of losing Ed Reed?

You talk about investing into the young guys, well unless C. Thomspons proves to be a stud this year, we don't have a young guy to replace a Ed Reed, however, we do have young talent at the WR position. So they could possibly push Boldin out the door, who's schedule to make 6M next year. So imo there will be plenty of money to sign Ed Reed and still lock up the young core of this team in the years to come.

As for the relationship between Ed Reed and the Ravens organization, I think both sides understand that the business of the NFL is never personal. We as fans are the ones that take things so personal. IMO.

[B-more Ravor]

A good read on Reed from Jason LaCanfora:

[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19602320/love-of-the-game-will-keep-ravens-reed-coming-back-not-holding-out"]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19602320/love-of-the-game-will-keep-ravens-reed-coming-back-not-holding-out[/url]

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='B-more Ravor' timestamp='1342552590' post='1099726']
A good read on Reed from Jason LaCanfora:

[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19602320/love-of-the-game-will-keep-ravens-reed-coming-back-not-holding-out"]http://www.cbssports...not-holding-out[/url]
[/quote]

Beat me to it.

I think the Front Office is staying mum because they know Ed Reed will be there comes Business time. It basically like a player on the PUP where they can't join with the team for practice. So I think Front Office is willing to give Ed Reed the offseason to himself. Reed will collect his paycheck comes gametime.