With Ed Reed set to become a free agent at season’s end and many suggesting that the Patriots need help at safety, rumors are rampant that the Pats may make a run at the veteran Reed. And despite many of his Ravens teammates coming out and trashing the Patriots following the AFC Championship game, it’s a thought that Reed said he’d welcome.
“Yeah, oh yeah, man, I could definitely play for coach Belichick,” Reed said. “He is a great coach. I’m sure he can help me to expand my football knowledge even more as a player and as a coach.”“Yeah, oh yeah, man, I could definitely play for coach Belichick,” Reed told reporters on Tuesday, via the Boston Herald. “He is a great coach. I’m sure he can help me to expand my football knowledge even more as a player and as a coach, so if I’m ever able to be around him, just like I was at the Pro Bowl, it’s huge.”
The respect between Reed and New England is certainly mutual and was made pretty evident following the AFC title game. When Tom Brady slid cleats high into Reed during the game’s second quarter, Brady personally called Reed to apologize for the play afterwards, an apology which Reed graciously accepted.
Belichick has also been quick to praise Reed over the years, especially when it comes to the intelligence and athletic ability of the 11-year veteran.
“He’s got great vision and anticipation, he’s very fast, he’s got good quickness,” said Belichick of Reed last season. “But I’d say the big thing with him is his instincts. He has a great understanding of what’s happening on the play, where the ball’s going, who’s threatening. He’s almost always in great position — and usually getting there before the play has totally unfolded.”
Clearly there’s no shortage of praise between the two sides, but will that translate into a contract bringing Reed to Foxboro next season? I don’t think anyone would be shocked if that was the case, but the Pats will have also likely explore other options in addition to Reed, who will turn 35 next September.
