Ed Reed

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Baltimore Ravens
|width=
Caption=
currentnumber=20
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|9|11
birthplace=St. Rose, Louisiana
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=200
debutyear=2002
debutteam=Baltimore Ravens
highlights=
* 4x Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
* 4x All-Pro selection (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
* AP NFL Defensive Player of Year (2004)
* Led the NFL in interceptions in 2004
* Led the NFL in interception yards in 2004
* NFL's longest interception return
* NFL's interception yards in single-season
* National Football League records
college=University of Miami
draftyear=2002
draftround=1
draftpick=24
pastteams=
* Baltimore Ravens (2002–Present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=367
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=4.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=34
nfl=REE192451

Edward Earl Reed Jr..cite web|title=Reed on Pro-Football-Reference |work=rbref.com |url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/ReedEd00.htm |accessdate=2007-12-20] (born September 11, 1978 in St. Rose, Louisiana) is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.

In his career, Reed has been selected to four Pro Bowls (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) and was the 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and holds the NFL record for longest interception return (106 yards in 2004). He is considered one of the most dominant safeties currently playing in the NFL and is often referred to as a "playmaker." [ [http://ravens.scout.com/2/551522.html Scout.com: 'Top free safety in the game' ] ] [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3056627 ESPN - Five to fear: Manning, Brady, Moss, Smith, Gates - NFL ] ] [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/jeffri_chadiha/08/30/chadiha.safeties/index.html SI.com - Writers - Jeffri Chadiha: Top 10 players at the NFL's hottest defensive position - safety - Tuesday August 30, 2005 11:31AM ] ] [ [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1047753 Belichick: Reed’s a keeper - BostonHerald.com ] ] Since entering the league, Reed has been known to study film to memorize opposing teams's tendencies. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080101243.html?nav=emailpage Reed Is Determined To Outsmart Rivals - washingtonpost.com ] ] [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2005-07-06-sw-spotlight-db_x.htm USATODAY.com - Spotlight on defensive backs ] ] Reed's habit of baiting quarterbacks into throwing interceptions has also earned him recognition throughout the league. [http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8805736]

High school career

Reed attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana. He was an All-State, and All-Parish selection at defensive back and as a kick returner and also "New Orleans Times-Picayune" District Most Valuable Defensive Player. He totaled 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes defended his senior year whilest also seeing action at running back and quarterback. He also returned three punts for touchdowns. Reed also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track & field. He was an All-District pitcher in baseball, and State Champion in the javelin.

College career

Ed Reed attended the University of Miami where he was a standout defensive player. Reed was the leader of the University of Miami team that won the 2001 National Championship. [http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=1142]

At the University of Miami, Reed was a two time consensus All-American safety in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he led the nation with 9 picks for 209 yards (a school record) and 3 touchdowns. Reed helped seal a memorable win over Boston College in 2001 when he grabbed the ball out of teammate Matt Walters hands, who had just intercepted it and raced 80 yards for a touchdown. [ [http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=2592 PressBox: Baltimore Sports. Period ] ] Reed earned the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2001 and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by "Football News". He was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award and was one of 12 semifinalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Reed set several records during his time at Miami. He holds the record for career interceptions with 21, career interception return yards with 389 and interceptions returned for touchdowns with 5 [http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/300818.html] . [ [http://miami.scout.com/2/559892.html Scout.com: Miami All-2000s Team: Defense ] ] He also blocked four punts during his four year career. Reed also participated on the track and field team during his years at Miami and was a Big East Champion in the javelin [ [http://miamisouthpaw.blogspot.com/2007/09/happy-birthday-ed-reed.html South Florida Sports Paradise: Happy Birthday Ed Reed ] ] .

He graduated in 2001 with a degree in liberal arts.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

After college, Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round (24th overall pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft. Reed has enjoyed a very successful professional career so far and has become one of the Ravens' most popular players. In his rookie season, Reed started in all 16 games and finished the campaign with 85 tackles and five interceptions. The following year he finished the season with 71 tackles and seven interceptions. He was also voted to his first Pro Bowl. In 2004, Reed was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press a season where, in addition to his record return, he also set the NFL mark for most interception return yardage (358) on 9 interceptions. Furthermore, in 2004, Reed became the only player in Pro Bowl history to block a punt and return it for a touchdown. In 2005, Reed only played in ten games due to an ankle injury. He finished the campaign with 37 tackles and one interception. In 2006, Reed made 60 tackles and five interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl. Last season, he made 39 tackles and seven interceptions. [{http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5910/career;_ylt=AoZnUX7Moa7ZI5D.c229jp3.uLYF}] In the 2007 Pro Bowl he recorded two interceptions, tying the record with six others.

Reed currently holds the Ravens franchise record for career interceptions with 35. Reed has also continued his strong special teams [ [http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=3517&section=PR%20News Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News ] ] play with 4 blocked punts so far, returning 3 for touchdowns, tying an NFL record. In 2 postseason games, Reed has recorded 1 tackle, 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections. He is also the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.

References

Ed Reed ran a 4.60 at the 2002 NFL combine

External links

*espn nfl|id=5910|name=Ed Reed.
* [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=REEDED01 Ed Reed NFL statistics at Databasefootball.com]
* [http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Active/Ed_Reed.aspx Ravens Player Bio]