Tag: Ed Reed

Former Ravens safety says he’s better than the legendary Ed Reed

Former Ravens safety Earl Thomas told Josina Anderson that he was better than Hall of Fame defensive back Ed Reed

Earl Thomas was an All-American defensive back at the University of Texas and a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks.

Thomas had a decorated NFL career, but injuries and off-the-field issues caused the defensive back to be out of the league by 2019 after his stint with Seattle and one season in Baltimore.

Thomas is clamoring for a return to the NFL. He recently sat down with Josina Anderson on ‘The Exhibit’ and claimed he was better than Ed Reed, a Hall of Fame safety.

“I know I still can play….cause my opportunities were slim to none after I had that incident in baltimore…it has to be a good atmosphere where coaches are going to go out there and let me play and communicate. I know the plays and the formations; just an atmosphere where they understand me. I’m still the best safety in the league… I would just know, I’m better than Ed Reed. I’m better than Troy Polamalu….I know a lot of Seattle fans would agree. I know for sure that 2013 team -we don’t win a Super Bowl without me.”

A key member of Seattle’s ‘Legion of Boom’ defense, Thomas was on his way towards carving out a Hall of Fame resume. Thomas played 10 seasons for the Seahawks and Ravens, logging 497 solo tackles, 216 assists, 2.0 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and 30 interceptions. He was selected to play in 7 Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl.

Reed played 12 seasons for the Ravens, Jets, and Texans, logging 534 solo tackles, 112 assists, 6.0 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, and 64 career interceptions.

Reed was selected to play in 9 Pro Bowls, winning one Defensive Player of the Year award and one Super Bowl.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

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Kyle Van Noy agrees with Ed Reed’s criticism of Ravens’ defense

Kyle Van Noy agrees with Ed Reed’s criticism of Ravens’ defense

After reeling off five straight wins to improve to 5-2, you would think there would be little to complain about regarding the Baltimore Ravens. For a franchise with a rich history of dominant defenses, though, the current state of the Ravens’ defense has been disappointing, to say the least, so far this season.

Baltimore’s defense was a juggernaut last season, finishing the year with the fewest points allowed while leading the league in sacks and turnovers. This inevitably led to several coaches being poached by other teams. Rising star defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired as the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. In contrast, defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver were hired as defensive coordinators for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

The good news was that most of the defense players returned for the 2024 season, with notable departures being outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, and safety Geno Stone. After quickly rising through the ranks of the coaching staff following his playing career with Baltimore, inside linebackers coach Zach Orr was promoted to fill the role of Macdonald as defensive coordinator.

To say the Ravens’ defense has regressed from a season ago would be an understatement. They rank last in passing yards allowed. This has led to multiple blown leads this season, resulting in seemingly blowout games that come down to the final minutes.

If there is one person whose feedback should carry extra weight in Baltimore, it is Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. While appearing as a guest on the Manningcast during the Ravens’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reed spoke the harsh truth about Baltimore’s current defense.

“They don’t understand the other side of finishing and being a championship team right now,” Reed said.

Ravens veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy responded to Reed’s comments on the McCoy and Van Noy podcast.

“He’s right,” Van Noy said. “If we’re trying to win a championship we gotta cut that out. That’s the difference between a good team and a great team, and we’re not there yet and that’s the beauty of it. We’re gonna continue to work, we’re gonna continue to get better.”

Baltimore will face an easier stretch of offenses after going against some of the league’s top quarterbacks through the first seven games of the season. The team will start with the 1-6 Cleveland Browns and backup quarterback Jameis Winston this Sunday on the road.

 

ManningCast to feature two legendary former Ravens as Baltimore faces Tampa Bay

ManningCast to feature two legendary former Ravens Joe Flacco and Ed Reed as Baltimore faces Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 7 matchup on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The matchup will feature two 4-2 division leaders.

As is the case for most big games, ESPN2 and ESPN+ will feature Peyton and Eli’s ‘ManningCast,’ and the guest list for this week will include two former legendary Ravens.

Flacco will certainly break down the quarterback play while giving insight into what has allowed the Super Bowl-winning signal-caller to flourish in key spots over the past two years. Ed Reed’s segment will certainly feature a lot of X/O talk, with great storytelling and analysis.

WATCH: Ray Lewis and Ed Reed featured in epic Ravens’ hype video for Week 2

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed featured in epic Baltimore Ravens’ hype video for Week 2 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders

The Ravens are returning to M&T Bank Stadium for the first time since a heartbreaking 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

The season opener will feature a visit from the retooled Las Vegas Raiders, and they brought out the big guns on video, featuring Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in the Week 2 hype video.

https://Twitter.com/Ravens/status/1834366382856962209

The Ravens are now three days away from a much-anticipated home opener against the Raiders, with both teams looking to avoid o-2 starts on the season.

The team paid homage to Jacoby Jones and Joe D’Alessandris.

Baltimore will look to get running back Derrick Henry more involved in the offense, while DC Zach Orr must scheme up a way to contain Raiders star pass catcher Davante Adams. On offense, a retooled offensive line must find a way to corral Las Vegas All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby on the edge.

Giants legend Eli Manning says Ed Reed is the best defender he ever played

New York Giants legend Eli Manning, without hesitation, says Ed Reed is the best defender he ever played against in his career.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks may be the most beloved New York athlete since New York Giants legend Eli Manning decided to hand up the cleats.

Brunson has the Knicks back as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference where they will have high expectations again in 2024-2025.

Manning was a guest on The Roommates Show hosted by Brunson and his teammate, Josh Hart, this week and was asked by a fan about the most challenging defender he played against.

https://twitter.com/Roommates__Show/status/1831805722591687036

“Ed Reed,” Manning said. “Ed Reed at free safety was just a ball hawk. Like he was all over the place. He just like you’re just scared to throw the ball anywhere near (him) — he was just like roaming.

“You just throw it to the other side. If he was one-on-one, maybe you could go to him but he (would) just the tip balls and if you got anywhere near him, he was gonna intercept it. So, Ed Reed. For sure.”

Ironically enough, Manning had previously pinpointed Reed’s long-time teammate, Ray Lewis, as a player he feared. Both Reed and Lewis have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where Manning hopes to be headed in his first year of eligibility in 2025.

Brunson is an avid Eagles fan and his co-host, Hart, grew up in the Washington D.C. area where he grew up rooting the the Washington Commanders franchise. The three had some fun talking about the current status of the NFC East.

It’s quite the compliment that Manning picked Reed over a cornerback or pass rusher. Given the fact that Reed spent the entirety of his career in the AFC and the two only saw each other three times over the course of their careers, Manning’s praise really goes to show just how good Reed was.

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Ed Reed makes an ESPN ranking of the top 100 most accomplished athletes since 2000

Former Baltimore Ravens star safety Ed Reed is No. 99 on an ESPN ranking of the top 100 most accomplished athletes since 2000

Ed Reed is one of the best players ever to wear an NFL uniform, and the former Ravens and Miami Hurricanes great just received another prestigious honor.

ESPN is ranking the greatest athlete of the 21st century.

It won’t be easy, and the list includes names like Tom Brady, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Floyd Mayweather, and more.

ESPN received over 70,000 votes from contributors and staff and came away with the top 100 performers.

Reed is one of the most accomplished defensive backs in history, and he made the list at No. 99.

Reed was the ultimate defensive game changer of his generation. In 2004, he set an NFL record by returning an interception 106 yards for a touchdown against the Browns. Four years later, he broke his own record with a 107-yarder against the Eagles. Reed is the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery.

A Louisiana native, Reed is a Hall of Famer (2019), a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time first-team All-Pro while making the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team and the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year.

Five most memorable NFL Drafts in Ravens franchise history

Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here. 

The Motor City is ready to rock on Thursday night, as the 2024 NFL Draft will soon be upon us. You have likely seen the very awkward promos that pair Detroiter and Rap Superstar Eminem with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Hopefully for the Baltimore Ravens, their first round pick, at #30, turns out a lot better than those series of advertisements did. The Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here.

1996- Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Talking about “leading with strength!” The very first draft pick in Ravens history was made here at #4, in the form of Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA. He went on to be enshrined in Canton, and was named the 72nd greatest player in NFL history by NFL Network in 2010. The Ravens then drafted Ray Lewis at #26 out of Miami, and he also made the Hall of Fame.

Lewis is #18 on that aforementioned NFL 100 list, with only two linebackers (Lawrence Taylor #3 and Dick Butkus #10) ranking higher.

2011- Time Runs Out

It’s very rare, but it does happen- sometimes the team “on the clock” sees its time expire before making their pick. The Ravens had been working on a trade, but it didn’t materialize in time to make the pick and their 26th overall instead went to the Kansas City Chiefs.

At least the Ravens made their selection almost immediately after, now 27th on the board, in the form of Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith. The Minnesota Vikings made this same mistake in 2003. Both of these purple clad franchises can forever relate to the timeless lyrics of Culture Club: “Oh, in time, it could have been so much more. The time is precious I know.”

2018- The Franchise

When most face of the franchise, superstar quarterbacks get drafted, it’s at or near the top of the first round. Baltimore nabbed Lamar Jackson at #32 out of Louisville, the very last pick in the first round. When you draft a two time MVP winner at this selection slot, it’s pretty safe to call it “a steal.” Four other QBs were taken ahead of Jackson that night.

2008- Super Bowl Building Block

On this draft night, the Ravens took a gamble on a FCS level prospect, selecting Delaware QB Joe Flacco with the 18th overall pick. He would go on to lead the Ravens to six playoff appearances, three AFC Championship Game appearances and the Super Bowl XLVII title; where he was named the game’s MVP.

2022- Greatest Safety Ever?

On this draft night, the Ravens landed Ed Reed at #24 out of Miami. Reed made the Pro Bowl nine times during his legendary career, and among his many accolades is the career record for interception return yardage (1,590), most career postseason interceptions (9), most seasons leading the league in interceptions (3) and the longest ever interception return for a touchdown (107 yards). Reed is #88 on the all-time NFL top 100 list.

Ravens announce Legends of the Game for AFC Championship matchup

Ravens announce that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s Legends of the Game. Jonathan Ogden will be the Honorary Captain.

With the Ravens set to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Baltimore is calling on the big guns and stars from the past for support.

The Ravens announced that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s Legends of the Game, while Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden will be the Honorary Captain.

Michael Phelps will deliver the game ball, the offense will be introduced before kickoff, and T-Pain will perform at halftime.

Anquan Boldin, Dennis Pitta, Todd Heap, Matt Stover, and Terrell Suggs will also be recognized at different game points.

Ed Reed wanted to give his Hall of Fame spot to Steve Atwater in 2019

When Ed Reed was elected to the Hall of Fame, he wanted to give his spot to Steve Atwater. Fortunately, Atwater got in one year later.

Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2019, but he wanted to give his spot in Canton to Denver Broncos legend Steve Atwater instead.

“I was, like, trying to give my spot up to Steve Atwater at the time,” Reed recalled during a recent interview with Ryan Clark on the Pivot Podcast.

“Man, hold up, I grew up watching Steve Atwater. And he’s on the [finalist] list, but he’s not in there. You know, and I’m like, ‘This is crazy. Like I’ll give my spot up for Steve. Send me in next year.’ You know, he was one of the pavers that I truly watched.”

Fortunately, Atwater was elected to the Hall of Fame one year later. Atwater expressed his gratitude to Reed after his Hall of Fame nod.

“It really meant a lot to know that a player of his caliber — he’s an amazing player — thought that much of me to say something that kind,” Atwater said in 2020. “And I told him when I saw him, I was like, ‘You don’t really have to say that.’

“But I really appreciated it because I think some of the voters may have said, ‘Wow we really have to kind of take a look at Steve if a lot of these younger guys say they looked up to him and they want him to be in the Hall of Fame. How can he not be in here and we have a lot of other guys?’”

Atwater earned eight Pro Bowl nods and won two Super Bowls during his career. Reed was elected to nine Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl. Now they are both in the Hall of Fame where they belong.

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Kyle Hamilton is day-to-day after suffering a grade 1 MCL sprain

Kyle Hamilton diagnosed with grade 1 MCL sprain; Labeled ‘day-to-day’ with chance to play this Sunday

The Baltimore Ravens avoided a significant injury to a star player following their thrilling 37-31 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, safety Kyle Hamilton suffered a grade 1 MCL sprain during the game.

Head Coach John Harbaugh labeled Hamilton “day-to-day” during his Monday press conference, adding that he has a chance to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.

Hamilton exited the game and was taken to the locker room with a knee injury but returned to the field of play later in the game before leaving again, this time for the remainder of the contest.

The news that the second-year budding star will not miss much time, if any, is a massive sigh of relief for the Ravens as they push for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Hamilton has become a driving force of one of the NFL’s best defenses this season with his playmaking ability and versatility to play all over the field.

With his ninth tackle for loss this season coming against the Rams, Hamilton set a new franchise record for tackles for loss by a defensive back, previously set by the legendary Hall of Famer Ed Reed with eight in 2003.

With high-powered offenses like the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins coming up on the schedule, Baltimore will need Hamilton more than ever.