Thanks for everything, Ed Reed

[Purple Nurple]

Congrats on getting your ring, man. I'm really really really gonna miss you in purple. Ish ain't right!!!!!

[terp4life30]

Houston at Bmore week 1 anyone?? I like it, come on Os help us out.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1363824362' post='1407273']
Everything is relative. When you live in the public eye, you suddenly have to account for higher taxes, heightened security measures, lawyer and agent fees, and a higher cost of living -- including much more expensive health insurance, considering that athletes are virtually uninsurable by nature of the physical risk of their job.

Just because Ed Reed is living comfortably, doesn't mean he doesn't deserve the money. Furthermore, who wouldn't want to provide for future generations of their family so that their kids and grandkids don't have to struggle? That's every parent's dream.
[/quote]

Then athletes should never buy nice houses or cars or anything. They should live in a one room apartment that way they have enough for generations to survive. If they have left over, donate a large portion to charity. But they don't.

[Grendelwulf21]

I haven't been a Ravens fan for that long but Good Job! and Thanks for helping the team with all you've got, you deserve every penny

[BallHawker]

Don't have a twitter so I hope this gets to Ed one way or another..

I started following football when I lived in Baltimore 10 or so years ago. At that time, there were a few names that the announcers would always highlight. "Ray Lewis with that sideline to sideline speed, his instincts. When QBs look in his eyes, it strikes immense fear." The clear leader of this team, Ray was revered by his opponents, admired by fans. However, his personality didn't connect with me.

Then there was #20. The guy who I'd look for when the ball was released from the opponent's QB. #20 was always around the ball. Even on punts and field goals, he always seemed to be around the ball. However, I never saw him on TV, commercials, or interviews. And that's where I connected with him. I saw him as a humble, quiet, outstanding football player Unlike the majority of football players, he seemed like a *nice* guy. In the days of OchoCinco, Chad Johnson, Keyshawn, even Suggs, McAllister, Jamal Lewis, and Ray Ray, Ed always carried a smile, never blamed anyone but himself, and worked strenuously towards improving his team and himself.

I met Ed briefly at the beginning of the season, shook hands, and told him that one of the major reasons I became infatuated with the Ravens was because of him. I didn't want an autograph, not a picture, but a handshake. He seemed different than all the rest of football players. What I'll miss most, though, is how I will no longer expect Ed to get that interception once the ball leaves the opponent QB's hands.

Here's to Ed's health and what he's done for us.
And here's another to our offense burning past Ed when we play the Texans.

[Crabcakes&Football]

No hard feelings. Thanks for the memories REEEED. Glad you could end your Ravens career on a high note. Two tickets to paradise!

[ratedr]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1363824778' post='1407299']


Then athletes should never buy nice houses or cars or anything. They should live in a one room apartment that way they have enough for generations to survive. If they have left over, donate a large portion to charity. But they don't.
[/quote]lol this is ridiculous. If you have money you deserve to spend it as you please. Athletes have the right to chase money, they're always one hit away from ending their careers.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1363824778' post='1407299']
Then athletes should never buy nice houses or cars or anything. They should live in a one room apartment that way they have enough for generations to survive. If they have left over, donate a large portion to charity. But they don't.
[/quote]

Not that simple. When you're a professional athlete, you're automatically in the public eye. Everyone wants a piece of you. Long-lost "relatives" ask you for money. Fans knock on your door for autographs. People peep into your windows to take pictures.

You can't live in your old neighborhood -- that's just not feasible, especially if your job prevents you from being home to protect your property. Your kids can't go to the same schools because their friends and teachers know who you are and what you do. People might be out to hurt you through your family, just for a slice of the pie you've earned.

Again, I'm not denying that athletes live comfortably -- but it's not always by choice. Not everything they spend money on is excess.

[mgridda]

I will refute your claim that Ed didn't blame anyone but himself. Ed Reed wasn't a liar. If a guy blew a coverage, he'd know exactly who and he'd tell him.

The number of cornerbacks who got yelled at by Ed Reed are very high. Of course, Ed has probably 3x as many interceptions as cornerbacks who he yelled at for blowing a coverage/miscommunication.

Not everyone in the back end could play at Ed's level cognitively. He simply saw the game happen slower than everyone else, or thought faster or something. Either way: everyone loves Ed Reed.

[Tyler]

It's officially the end of the Ravens as we know them. The 2 first ballot HOF'ers whom identified this team are no longer here. Heartbreaking, yes. It hurts a lot knowing the two people I grew up idolizing are not going to be wearing the purple and black next year, but I have to look at the glass half full. We have A LOT of young talent on offense. Torrey hasn't hit his ceiling, Ray is an elite back, Joe is in the prime of his career, and we have a clutch tight end in Pitta. I'm looking forward to this new era of Ravens football. Fast, young, and full of confidence. We could be like the Broncos or Patriots, whose quarterbacks are nearing the end of their respective HOF careers.

[BallHawker]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1363825212' post='1407331']
I will refute your claim that Ed didn't blame anyone but himself. Ed Reed wasn't a liar. If a guy blew a coverage, he'd know exactly who and he'd tell him.
[/quote]

Recently, yes. 5 years ago? No.

[GrimCoconut]

You guys who say Ed Reed is a bum, can't tackle, good riddance, chased the money, etc. are all crazy & delusional & simply acting upon emotional urges. You're bitter. I won't hold it against any of you. Your comments aren't made with a clear mind. If they are, then I'm afraid you're misguided. Reed is near the end of his career. He got his championship--with the team that drafted him--his team. Now, he wants to make as much money as possible before he retires.

It's not like he went to the Panthers or anything. He didn't go to the Browns, Steelers, or Bengals. He chose a contender who, supposedly, is willing to offer more than we are. We have no idea if the Ravens even made an offer, and no idea if the Ravens even wanted to match or come close to matching the Texans' offer. Perhaps we didn't want to give him a lot guaranteed.

You guys act like Reed betrayed you. He didn't. If he did go to the Texans as reported, he simply chose to continue contending with a contender & making an amount near what he believes he is worth. You can't fault a man for that. His body has been through a lot--most of you who are hating on Reed admit that, pointing to it as a reason why he is no good. But also remember, that goes both ways. His body has taken a toll. Does he not deserve the money to take care of him and his family? You do realize health insurance for a retired NFL player must be ridiculously high, right? Same for life insurance?

You guys act like Reed's set for life. Yeah, he has made a lot of money. But his body has been through a lot as well. You don't take into account the medical bills he is assuredly going to accumulate later. You don't recognize that fact. He has made a lot, but that sacrifice will come at a cost. What will you say if he is in a wheelchair in 10 years? What will you say about him if he gets Alzheimer's, Parkinson's? Will you still think he chased the money, or will you believe he did what he had to do for his family when he knew he wouldn't one day be about to provide anymore?

[BloodRaven]

I understand the business side of this, but I'm not going to pretend like I'm cool with it.

I'm changing my sig and throwing out my #20 jerseys I don't care what anyone says.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Reed was my first favorite athlete ever and I will never forget his play style. WhenI played football (organized) I was a DB and I imagined myself as Reed. When I played pickup football, I imagined myself as Reed. I was lucky enough to be able to go to this Super Bowl and it was a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did we win, but I saw the final games of Ray and Reed as a Raven and I will never forgot it. Ever.

I will also never forget this picture of Ed with the trophy.

[img]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0204/nfl_u_edreedts_600.jpg[/img]

Thank you for all things you have done for the Ravens Ed. I hope you finish your career off great in Houston, and I can't wait to see you inducted into the Hall of Fame as the 3rd Raven ever there.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1363825870' post='1407371']
I understand the business side of this, but I'm not going to pretend like I'm cool with it.

I'm changing my sig and throwing out my #20 jerseys I don't care what anyone says.
[/quote]

Damn. That's harsh, lol.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1363825870' post='1407371']
I understand the business side of this, but I'm not going to pretend like I'm cool with it.

I'm changing my sig and throwing out my #20 jerseys I don't care what anyone says.
[/quote]

Woah. I'd only suggest you give it a day or two. If you still feel that way on Saturday, go for it.

[elliot]

I remember during his rookie season he intercepted a pass and headed toward the endzone with a sure touchdown. He started showboating, holding the ball out when someone came up behind him and stripped the ball. That play, and seeing "former Raven Ed Reed" in a news story are the two menories of Ed that disapointed. Everything else was great and I'm glad he got his ring and hope he does well in Houston. (except when he plays us of course).

[BallHawker]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1363825870' post='1407371']
I understand the business side of this, but I'm not going to pretend like I'm cool with it.

I'm changing my sig and throwing out my #20 jerseys I don't care what anyone says.
[/quote]

Instead of the throwing them out, wanna donate them to me?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='elliot' timestamp='1363826427' post='1407407']
I remember during his rookie season he intercepted a pass and headed toward the endzone with a sure touchdown. He started showboating, holding the ball out when someone came up behind him and stripped the ball. That play, and seeing "former Raven Ed Reed" in a news story are the two menories of Ed that disapointed. Everything else was great and I'm glad he got his ring and hope he does well in Houston. (except when he plays us of course).
[/quote]
I [b]cannot wait[/b] to see Joe Flacco VERSUS Ed Reed. Cannot wait.

[raybaby]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1363823729' post='1407231']
Because you know the full details of how much he is offered. Loyalty is different here. An office job will make you enough to just live comfortably...barely. He has way more than enough and is just stacking it up.
[/quote]

Pretty sure my point states nothing about me knowing all the details. And do you know? How do you know how hard the Ravens were trying to bring him back? This isn't even about just this specific situation. It's the truth in general. Many fans have faulty logic when it comes to the business side of professional sports. Fans understand when the organization holds for a certain amount but questions players for doing the same. Players get asked to take pay cuts from contracts that were agreed on from both sides and risk being cut if they don't. Point is when it comes to the business side organizations don't make decisions based on loyalty so why should the players? Answer me that without sounding like a hypocrite. And yes the market they are in is about millions of dollars. That doesn't change how things work

[CharlesK]

Hope things go well for him but there is no way the Ravens were going to give him six million a year for a couple of years. He is simply not the player he once was (better than I will ever be though don't get me wrong). He still covers well and qbs refuse to throw near him in clutch situations but he cannot tackle anymore (he can still hit he just cannot wrap up due to his shoulder) and he is now significantly slower than he once was. These guys have a small window to make as much money as possible to basically live on for the rest of their lives. Yeah lots of them get announcing gigs or some type of coaching but that pays peanuts compared to what they were used to getting. Not to mention so many of the guys are now leaving with serious physical problems that will impact them for the rest of their lives. So they need to get what they can while the getting is good. Ed Reed is still a great player. But not for the money he is hoping for. I don't think he will put the Texans d over the top either. Silver lining is that it is quite possible the Ravens could offer Mr. Dumervil the money he is hoping for.

[blackbird29]

I agree with blood raven. Glad I didn't waste my money on a Reed jersey. I won't pretend I am cool with this cause I am not. Have fun in Houston Ed.

[ravensfan2430]

I don't think he is worth what they paid, so overall I'm not too disappointed. With that said, he was one of my favorites, thanks ED

[dhstandard]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1363825870' post='1407371']
I understand the business side of this, but I'm not going to pretend like I'm cool with it.

I'm changing my sig and throwing out my #20 jerseys I don't care what anyone says.
[/quote]

I agree. I pay money for these jerseys because I love the players and I thought they cared about the city and their fans. It's all about the money. You have to wonder how much of what they say is just words.

[The Raven]

Thanks Ed. I'm glad you could get your ring here in Baltimore. Thanks for your many contributions. Sorry you had to go but I guess it's better this way.

[mgridda]

I just realized that I'll play my brother in Madden and not be able to pick his QB off with EEEEEEEH REEEEEEEE


Man. That's sad. I always used to control Ed Reed in the backfield and bait/read QBs. Was very fun....

...hopefully it'll be similar with Matt Elam! RIGHT OZZIE?!?!?!?!

[The Raven]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1363826680' post='1407423']
I [b]cannot wait[/b] to see Joe Flacco VERSUS Ed Reed. Cannot wait.
[/quote]

Very excited for this!

I got money on Joe, just sayin'.

[Rayvens1024]

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

Two things
1) I got a new Elite Black Ed Reed jersey for Christmas and I will still wear it after he retires a Raven and I can't believe people would throw away all the years we had with Ed and get pissed at him for joining the Texans. Ed has always been a different kind of guy and I'm sure it killed him to leave Baltimore and I bet if we didn't win it all this year he would have stayed. I have nothing but respect for ER20 and cannot wait for the day he retires a Raven on a 1 day contract.
2) At least we can still say REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED when David Reed catches a ball

[HoldingCall]

I believe Reed thought the Ravens would at least match what the Texans offered. To offer him less may in some way be telling him to go.

[Free Agent]

Thanks for the memories Ed. I've loved watching you ever since I started watching Ravens football. You're the man.

That said, I hope Joe Flacco kicks your butt when we play your Texans this season.